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A review by ericbuscemi
The Human Division by John Scalzi
5.0
There are 13 "episodes" that author John Scalzi has broken this book down into, and they are being released weekly for the next few months. Instead of writing thirteen separate reviews, I will review each self-contained episode here, which will, eventually, be a review of this entire work.
'The B-Team'
Well this is certainly off to a hell of a start. Not only does Scalzi give the requisite background information on the "Old Man's War" universe without being boring or summarizing his previous books, he also tells a very compelling story about a ragtag group of low-level diplomats who are forced into a dangerous, last-minute replacement mission of dire importance to the Colonial Defense Forces.
'Walk the Plank'
After finishing the first story, I wasn't sure what to expect with the second. Possibly a continuation of B-Team's story? A shift to other characters from that story? Something from the Earth's point-of-view? What I definitely did not expect -- an as-of-yet unrelated tale of disaster at a "wildcat" colony -- is exactly what I got, and in the form of a one-act play, nonetheless (this was done as a transcription of a tape recording). It was a bold shift that has me excited to see where exactly the rest of this experiment is going.
'We Only Need the Heads'
We're back to the main cast of characters from the B-Team, and the momentum from the first episode carries right through this one, and neatly ties in the disaster at the "wildcat" colony. I love how this is shaping up so far, I wish I didn't have to wait week-to-week to read on.
'A Voice in the Wilderness'
This episode shifts back to Earth, giving us the perspective of a media personality who has a radio talk show. I love these different vignettes are both self contained and satisfying but are also adding to the plot and tension of the overall narrative.
'Tales from the Clarke'
The overall story arc is beginning to become clear, and at the same time, each individual episode remains interesting in its own right. Having a plot element in this episode revolve around the play of Chicago Cubs back on Earth was genius.
'The Back Channel'
This episode brings us the interesting point-of-view of General Gau, the leader of the Conclave, and the political and diplomatic webs being woven in his court. Not the most action packed or exciting episode, but it gave interesting insights into the antagonists, and can also be read as an allegory on human racism.
'The Dog King'
The episodes featuring Colonial Forces technical consultant Harry Wilson and deputy ambassador Hart Schmidt, such as this one, are quickly becoming the highlights of this serial for me. Wilson is like an intergalactic MacGyver, and to really muddle analogies, Schmidt is his Watson.
'The Sound of Rebellion'
This episode shifts to another CDF soldier, Lieutenant Lee, who has been abducted by a rebel faction on the CDF-controlled planet Zhong Guo, in an attempt to interrogate her. Her character was pretty bad-ass and I hope she is revisited later.
'The Observers'
Back to Harry Wilson and the diplomats on the Clarke -- and this time for a closed spaceship whodunit. Another great quick read. The sheer variety of stories in this episodic adventure is astounding, and without having any that fall flat is even more impressive.
'This Must Be the Place'
And Scalzi has done it again. Just when I thought there was no other places this episodic novel could go, he starts channeling [a:Raymond Carver|7363|Raymond Carver|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1201118985p2/7363.jpg]. In a space opera. Well played, sir.
'A Problem of Proportion'
Back aboard a spaceship in this episode, which reads like an episode of Star Trek -- a really good, particularly touching episode where you see what a big heart the protagonist -- in this case, Harry Wilson -- has.
'The Gentle Art of Cracking Heads'
This is the penultimate episode in this serial novel, and I am already lamenting its impending ending. Sigh. Also, I'm having trouble figuring out how it will wrap in only one more story. On an unrelated note, Scalzi worked the following line into this episode's dialogue: "I have no idea, Jim... I'm a doctor, not a private investigator." Homage paid.
'Earth Below, Sky Above'
A fitting, exciting double-length segment to wrap up this episodic novel. My only complaint would have been that it left some loose ends, but alas, Scalzi announced today on his blog that "The Human Division has been renewed for a second season." I am already looking forward to the as-of-yet unwritten sequel.
Merged review:
For as much as I love John Scalzi, The [b:Old Man's War|51964|Old Man's War (Old Man's War, #1)|John Scalzi|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1389915805s/51964.jpg|50700] universe, and [b:The Human Division|15698479|The Human Division (Old Man's War, #5)|John Scalzi|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1341582413s/15698479.jpg|21356077], I didn't care much for this short story. There just wasn't enough here, and what was here read like a PSA for human-alien relations. It isn't bad by any means, but definitely skippable.
'The B-Team'
Well this is certainly off to a hell of a start. Not only does Scalzi give the requisite background information on the "Old Man's War" universe without being boring or summarizing his previous books, he also tells a very compelling story about a ragtag group of low-level diplomats who are forced into a dangerous, last-minute replacement mission of dire importance to the Colonial Defense Forces.
'Walk the Plank'
After finishing the first story, I wasn't sure what to expect with the second. Possibly a continuation of B-Team's story? A shift to other characters from that story? Something from the Earth's point-of-view? What I definitely did not expect -- an as-of-yet unrelated tale of disaster at a "wildcat" colony -- is exactly what I got, and in the form of a one-act play, nonetheless (this was done as a transcription of a tape recording). It was a bold shift that has me excited to see where exactly the rest of this experiment is going.
'We Only Need the Heads'
We're back to the main cast of characters from the B-Team, and the momentum from the first episode carries right through this one, and neatly ties in the disaster at the "wildcat" colony. I love how this is shaping up so far, I wish I didn't have to wait week-to-week to read on.
'A Voice in the Wilderness'
This episode shifts back to Earth, giving us the perspective of a media personality who has a radio talk show. I love these different vignettes are both self contained and satisfying but are also adding to the plot and tension of the overall narrative.
'Tales from the Clarke'
The overall story arc is beginning to become clear, and at the same time, each individual episode remains interesting in its own right. Having a plot element in this episode revolve around the play of Chicago Cubs back on Earth was genius.
'The Back Channel'
This episode brings us the interesting point-of-view of General Gau, the leader of the Conclave, and the political and diplomatic webs being woven in his court. Not the most action packed or exciting episode, but it gave interesting insights into the antagonists, and can also be read as an allegory on human racism.
'The Dog King'
The episodes featuring Colonial Forces technical consultant Harry Wilson and deputy ambassador Hart Schmidt, such as this one, are quickly becoming the highlights of this serial for me. Wilson is like an intergalactic MacGyver, and to really muddle analogies, Schmidt is his Watson.
'The Sound of Rebellion'
This episode shifts to another CDF soldier, Lieutenant Lee, who has been abducted by a rebel faction on the CDF-controlled planet Zhong Guo, in an attempt to interrogate her. Her character was pretty bad-ass and I hope she is revisited later.
'The Observers'
Back to Harry Wilson and the diplomats on the Clarke -- and this time for a closed spaceship whodunit. Another great quick read. The sheer variety of stories in this episodic adventure is astounding, and without having any that fall flat is even more impressive.
'This Must Be the Place'
And Scalzi has done it again. Just when I thought there was no other places this episodic novel could go, he starts channeling [a:Raymond Carver|7363|Raymond Carver|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1201118985p2/7363.jpg]. In a space opera. Well played, sir.
'A Problem of Proportion'
Back aboard a spaceship in this episode, which reads like an episode of Star Trek -- a really good, particularly touching episode where you see what a big heart the protagonist -- in this case, Harry Wilson -- has.
'The Gentle Art of Cracking Heads'
This is the penultimate episode in this serial novel, and I am already lamenting its impending ending. Sigh. Also, I'm having trouble figuring out how it will wrap in only one more story. On an unrelated note, Scalzi worked the following line into this episode's dialogue: "I have no idea, Jim... I'm a doctor, not a private investigator." Homage paid.
'Earth Below, Sky Above'
A fitting, exciting double-length segment to wrap up this episodic novel. My only complaint would have been that it left some loose ends, but alas, Scalzi announced today on his blog that "The Human Division has been renewed for a second season." I am already looking forward to the as-of-yet unwritten sequel.
Merged review:
For as much as I love John Scalzi, The [b:Old Man's War|51964|Old Man's War (Old Man's War, #1)|John Scalzi|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1389915805s/51964.jpg|50700] universe, and [b:The Human Division|15698479|The Human Division (Old Man's War, #5)|John Scalzi|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1341582413s/15698479.jpg|21356077], I didn't care much for this short story. There just wasn't enough here, and what was here read like a PSA for human-alien relations. It isn't bad by any means, but definitely skippable.