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A review by revafisheye
The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fast-paced and funny, a la screwball comedies of Hollywood's golden age, The Spare Man is a delightful space romp, though with a few flaws. The world building and character creation are stellar; the disability rep and treatment of PTSD are handled with care and realism. I thought it was an interesting choice to create a future with such enlightened gender consciousness while maintaining a very 20th-century class stratification. The pacing lags a bit in the middle, and a deus ex machina to tie up (most of?) the mystery is a little disappointing. But, all in all, it was a ripping good time.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Alcohol