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A review by rheren
Aristoi by Walter Jon Williams
2.0
A very tiresome book. The story had some creative points, but it was mostly just tiresome. Main strikes against it:
1) It's a utopia. Whatever else a utopia can be, it makes for a dreadfully dull book. But I could've overlooked that (it ventures outside the utopia), except that...
2) It's a preachy utopian book. The worst kind. I don't read sci-fi to get preached at: I don't have much respect for the philosophical pretensions of sci-fi authors. I don't mind thought-provoking discussion or speculation, but this was preachy. Finally,
3) Way too much sex. Yes, it's THAT kind of utopia, at least for the pompous, self-satisfied, virtually omnipotent people at the top of the strict caste system in this utopia.
I hated the utopia, and was really hoping that the ending would be some sort of insightful critique about what was good about it and what was bad, or something redeeming, but nope. There were a few bright spots, but overall, not worth the read.
1) It's a utopia. Whatever else a utopia can be, it makes for a dreadfully dull book. But I could've overlooked that (it ventures outside the utopia), except that...
2) It's a preachy utopian book. The worst kind. I don't read sci-fi to get preached at: I don't have much respect for the philosophical pretensions of sci-fi authors. I don't mind thought-provoking discussion or speculation, but this was preachy. Finally,
3) Way too much sex. Yes, it's THAT kind of utopia, at least for the pompous, self-satisfied, virtually omnipotent people at the top of the strict caste system in this utopia.
I hated the utopia, and was really hoping that the ending would be some sort of insightful critique about what was good about it and what was bad, or something redeeming, but nope. There were a few bright spots, but overall, not worth the read.