Heidi Suen
Overall review:
This book had me thinking about it days after I reading because of the existential questions and in-depth concepts introduced. I really enjoyed unravelling the story’s mysteries alongside the protagonists, but blundered through the hard science parts. It’s hard to know if my amazement is just being overwhelmed from lack of understanding coupled with the fact this won a Hugo, but I can’t deny I did feel engaged for the better after finishing this story.
Summary (w/ spoilers):
Our past protagonist experiences the worst that humanity has to offer and reacts realistically. She is not a stubbornly positive main character with superior morals - she is a hurt character who loses faith in humanity, and operates in a state of shock and single-mindedness. There is scant accountability or even repentance for humanity's self-serving destruction, so when she is presented with a chance to right wrongs, she sets in motion a future where all of humanity will get what they deserve.
To me, this is what can happen when horrible acts are turned a blind eye - history is doomed to repeat itself. The stifling of progress and science in 1966 China scars her, and in turn, she pushes the button and borrows power to stifle modern day progress and science that will last generations after her, and send humanity to extinction.
Overall review:
This book had me thinking about it days after I reading because of the existential questions and in-depth concepts introduced. I really enjoyed unravelling the story’s mysteries alongside the protagonists, but blundered through the hard science parts. It’s hard to know if my amazement is just being overwhelmed from lack of understanding coupled with the fact this won a Hugo, but I can’t deny I did feel engaged for the better after finishing this story.
Summary (w/ spoilers):
Our past protagonist experiences the worst that humanity has to offer and reacts realistically. She is not a stubbornly positive main character with superior morals - she is a hurt character who loses faith in humanity, and operates in a state of shock and single-mindedness. There is scant accountability or even repentance for humanity's self-serving destruction, so when she is presented with a chance to right wrongs, she sets in motion a future where all of humanity will get what they deserve.
To me, this is what can happen when horrible acts are turned a blind eye - history is doomed to repeat itself. The stifling of progress and science in 1966 China scars her, and in turn, she pushes the button and borrows power to stifle modern day progress and science that will last generations after her, and send humanity to extinction.