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A review by robotswithpersonality
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Just over here chortling with glee. There are funny moments, mostly as a result of wry asides and the 'why me, why am I saddled with the humans with no survival instincts?!' reflections of Murderbot, but mostly I'm just happy because I love being back in this world.
I'm keeping up with my spreadsheet for this series reread as I promised myself and it's making such a difference to the reading experience to take the time to record the details.
If I was marathoning the books I don't think it would be a issue, but as they're a lovely palate cleanser between other reads, the notations are necessary.
This book in particular stands out because it introduces us to ART, Asshole Research Transport extraordinaire, and begins Murderbot's journey of introspection, exploring the idea of choice (making decisions on its own, only sharing what it wants to share, thinking about what it wants to do next), considering past actions under duress in the light of new liberty. There is also that bit of pathos, the ComfortUnit plot line, the parallels in Murderbot's current choices and those actions taken in the past towards it: what it means to choose to help others even if it's not in your best interests (Murderbot's choices with Tapan, the ComfortUnits's in Ganaka Pit), to free someone who didn't have a choice in their actions before(Murderbot musing on Dr. Mensah's actions, and doing something similar for the ComfortUnit encountered).
This is why I love this series. This is why I love good sci fi. Yes, there are bots and planets and space going vessels and strange synthetics, and kickassery, but there are also important discussions with modern parallels and there is heart. Love it.
I'm keeping up with my spreadsheet for this series reread as I promised myself and it's making such a difference to the reading experience to take the time to record the details.
If I was marathoning the books I don't think it would be a issue, but as they're a lovely palate cleanser between other reads, the notations are necessary.
This book in particular stands out because it introduces us to ART, Asshole Research Transport extraordinaire, and begins Murderbot's journey of introspection, exploring the idea of choice (making decisions on its own, only sharing what it wants to share, thinking about what it wants to do next), considering past actions under duress in the light of new liberty. There is also that bit of pathos, the ComfortUnit plot line, the parallels in Murderbot's current choices and those actions taken in the past towards it: what it means to choose to help others even if it's not in your best interests (Murderbot's choices with Tapan, the ComfortUnits's in Ganaka Pit), to free someone who didn't have a choice in their actions before
This is why I love this series. This is why I love good sci fi. Yes, there are bots and planets and space going vessels and strange synthetics, and kickassery, but there are also important discussions with modern parallels and there is heart. Love it.