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A review by kaylielongley
Kiln People by David Brin
4.0
Whoa. How do I summarize this hefty, provocative volume by acclaimed sci-fi great David Brin? I can’t, and I won’t. I truly think this is a book filled with questions and little answers, surely to result in polarizing results from readers. As such, my thoughts are perhaps best summarized in a pros and cons list:
Pros:
While many Goodreads readers critique Brin for his metaphysical philosophies, his tangents about individuality in an increasingly inhibited world kept me reading.
The scope of this novel is colossal, from physical to psychological. Brin explores a range of topics: from the force(s) that hold us together: religion, time, space, individual and collective thought; one’s sense of self and society when technology subsumes a person’s ‘oneness’; and the malleability of space and time and their effects on life as we know it.
Filled with puns, Brin’s writing is often tongue in cheek yet the tone is never self-satisfied. This is a difficult balancing-act, and Brin usually succeeds. Even main character/clone Albert is aware how his world feels a bit like a bad sci-fi movie.
By cloning himself, Albert observes his world in different perspectives, and each clone receives an individual chapter. Each clone has a different function and capability, and their shared and divergent thoughts and actions reveal his true self and soul.
Cons:
This novel can easily be condensed a good 100 pages and deserves a sharp edit to eliminate fundamental grammatical errors.
Brin assumes his readers understand dit-tech (how ‘real’ people clone themselves). Though he often shows, not tells, the first chapters do not establish setting and left me confused.
While Brin tries to give his female characters more layers than the last few sci-fi books I’ve read, Albert’s girlfriend has limited page space, though her power surpasses more than Albert’s attraction to her.
Overall, I was fascinated by this book. By exploring souls, clones, and their ever-changing world, Brin weaves together a novel that is both repelling and captivating. Take a chance on this book!
Pros:
While many Goodreads readers critique Brin for his metaphysical philosophies, his tangents about individuality in an increasingly inhibited world kept me reading.
The scope of this novel is colossal, from physical to psychological. Brin explores a range of topics: from the force(s) that hold us together: religion, time, space, individual and collective thought; one’s sense of self and society when technology subsumes a person’s ‘oneness’; and the malleability of space and time and their effects on life as we know it.
Filled with puns, Brin’s writing is often tongue in cheek yet the tone is never self-satisfied. This is a difficult balancing-act, and Brin usually succeeds. Even main character/clone Albert is aware how his world feels a bit like a bad sci-fi movie.
By cloning himself, Albert observes his world in different perspectives, and each clone receives an individual chapter. Each clone has a different function and capability, and their shared and divergent thoughts and actions reveal his true self and soul.
Cons:
This novel can easily be condensed a good 100 pages and deserves a sharp edit to eliminate fundamental grammatical errors.
Brin assumes his readers understand dit-tech (how ‘real’ people clone themselves). Though he often shows, not tells, the first chapters do not establish setting and left me confused.
While Brin tries to give his female characters more layers than the last few sci-fi books I’ve read, Albert’s girlfriend has limited page space, though her power surpasses more than Albert’s attraction to her.
Overall, I was fascinated by this book. By exploring souls, clones, and their ever-changing world, Brin weaves together a novel that is both repelling and captivating. Take a chance on this book!