Scan barcode
A review by jelundberg
For the Win by Cory Doctorow
4.0
For the Win is told as a narrative tapestry, switching points of view between key characters to present a global tale of workers’ rights and economic gamesmanship. It is a big ambitious novel that delivers on its promise: an action-packed (pun intended) suspenseful narrative and a well-explained lesson in both in-game and IRL economics and labor. Doctorow’s writing has never been more passionate and concise, nor his intellectual abilities more fully on display.
(P.S. The only reason I didn't get the book 5 stars is that the intrusions of the didactic lessons on economics, both in the mouths of his characters and from author directly to reader, got tiring at times; although it must be said that these interruptions come far less than the book’s predecessor, Little Brother, lessening the feel of polemic and focusing more on the workers’ revolution in the narrative itself. There are also a few tiny incorrect details with regards to Singapore, but anyone other than a resident will just gloss right over them.)
(P.S. The only reason I didn't get the book 5 stars is that the intrusions of the didactic lessons on economics, both in the mouths of his characters and from author directly to reader, got tiring at times; although it must be said that these interruptions come far less than the book’s predecessor, Little Brother, lessening the feel of polemic and focusing more on the workers’ revolution in the narrative itself. There are also a few tiny incorrect details with regards to Singapore, but anyone other than a resident will just gloss right over them.)