Aleks
Answered a promptWhat are your favorite books of all time?
Updated a reading goal:
Read 10 books by December 31, 2024
Progress so far: 25 / 10 250%
One thing I'm struck by is how the female characters in this book are much more numerous, important, and striking than the men.
One thing I'm struck by is how the female characters in this book are much more numerous, important, and striking than the men.
My original review for this just said "Too tidy!! Why??" One thing I loved about BOTNS was the way you really just get tossed into this world with little explanation and have the opportunity to put things together for yourself. Urth ties things up a little too neatly for me; I enjoyed the ragged edges.
My original review for this just said "Too tidy!! Why??" One thing I loved about BOTNS was the way you really just get tossed into this world with little explanation and have the opportunity to put things together for yourself. Urth ties things up a little too neatly for me; I enjoyed the ragged edges.
Ugh. The twist in this book is so sleazy and gratuitous it honestly made me feel a little gross. (And on top of that, it's absolutely nonsensical.) My mom recommended this author to me, and I'll read anything she suggests... but ugh.
Ugh. The twist in this book is so sleazy and gratuitous it honestly made me feel a little gross. (And on top of that, it's absolutely nonsensical.) My mom recommended this author to me, and I'll read anything she suggests... but ugh.
The first time I read this, I was deeply frustrated & yet compelled to keep going until about 2/3 of the way through. This time I feel like I'm reading it with my eyes open for the first time. Incredibly rewarding, rich, layered. My original review in my notes app said "I still don't understand and maybe never will but I see the edge of the illusion now."
The first time I read this, I was deeply frustrated & yet compelled to keep going until about 2/3 of the way through. This time I feel like I'm reading it with my eyes open for the first time. Incredibly rewarding, rich, layered. My original review in my notes app said "I still don't understand and maybe never will but I see the edge of the illusion now."
My original review for this just said "Too tidy!! Why??" One thing I loved about BOTNS was the way you really just get tossed into this world with little explanation and have the opportunity to put things together for yourself. Urth ties things up a little too neatly for me; I enjoyed the ragged edges.
My original review for this just said "Too tidy!! Why??" One thing I loved about BOTNS was the way you really just get tossed into this world with little explanation and have the opportunity to put things together for yourself. Urth ties things up a little too neatly for me; I enjoyed the ragged edges.
Just not my vibe.
Potent images drowning in unbelievably tedious prose. (Tell me one more goddamn time how many food tablets you took today.) Cloying, sexist, and generally irritating... yet at the same time a completely singular vision like nothing else I've read.
I cannot believe this version I've read is the condensed one-- still way too goddamn long.
Potent images drowning in unbelievably tedious prose. (Tell me one more goddamn time how many food tablets you took today.) Cloying, sexist, and generally irritating... yet at the same time a completely singular vision like nothing else I've read.
I cannot believe this version I've read is the condensed one-- still way too goddamn long.
I did like a few things about it, i.e. the brevity and the implied gay sex. But for the most part I feel like my opinion can be summed up by the fact that I spent like 100 pages waiting for the "actual" story to start before realizing that this was it. Just something, idk, missing for me. Gene Wolfe broke me, probably. The romance feels unearned, the odd modern lingo and references are really immersion-breaking (referring to drunkenly flying a hovercraft as "drunk driving"??) Charming at times, but I left feeling 0 interest in this world or these characters.
I did like a few things about it, i.e. the brevity and the implied gay sex. But for the most part I feel like my opinion can be summed up by the fact that I spent like 100 pages waiting for the "actual" story to start before realizing that this was it. Just something, idk, missing for me. Gene Wolfe broke me, probably. The romance feels unearned, the odd modern lingo and references are really immersion-breaking (referring to drunkenly flying a hovercraft as "drunk driving"??) Charming at times, but I left feeling 0 interest in this world or these characters.
"There has been joy. There will be joy again." Did not click with me as much as "Stars My Destination" but I don't think I'll ever not enjoy being tossed around by Bester's manic yet purposeful prose-- it's like dancing with a real weirdo of a partner who you eventually realize is following steps!
"There has been joy. There will be joy again." Did not click with me as much as "Stars My Destination" but I don't think I'll ever not enjoy being tossed around by Bester's manic yet purposeful prose-- it's like dancing with a real weirdo of a partner who you eventually realize is following steps!
Really cool idea, but far too eager to explain itself; and the plot is not really complex enough to justify all that. I felt like I was ten steps ahead of the protag at times and you never really want to feel that way. Also I personally find it irritating when alien races are portrayed as basically the same as human beings. Like really an alien with mommy issues. We have enough of those.
Really cool idea, but far too eager to explain itself; and the plot is not really complex enough to justify all that. I felt like I was ten steps ahead of the protag at times and you never really want to feel that way. Also I personally find it irritating when alien races are portrayed as basically the same as human beings. Like really an alien with mommy issues. We have enough of those.
Did not enjoy the interplay of "plot" chapters and "reflection" chapters-- a real pace-killer. I'll never not enjoy a Wolfe book to some degree... but I don't see myself ever reading this again.
Did not enjoy the interplay of "plot" chapters and "reflection" chapters-- a real pace-killer. I'll never not enjoy a Wolfe book to some degree... but I don't see myself ever reading this again.
Absolutely loved this.
It's giving The Long Tomorrow. Cool idea but the prose is so workmanlike, I wish I could read the, like, Gene Wolfe version of this. Which I guess is just BOTNS.
It's giving The Long Tomorrow. Cool idea but the prose is so workmanlike, I wish I could read the, like, Gene Wolfe version of this. Which I guess is just BOTNS.
Almost more confusing than BOTNS and almost as rewarding when you start to smell what he's cooking.
Almost more confusing than BOTNS and almost as rewarding when you start to smell what he's cooking.
Really cool idea, but far too eager to explain itself; and the plot is not really complex enough to justify all that. I felt like I was ten steps ahead of the protag at times and you never really want to feel that way. Also I personally find it irritating when alien races are portrayed as basically the same as human beings. Like really an alien with mommy issues. We have enough of those.
Really cool idea, but far too eager to explain itself; and the plot is not really complex enough to justify all that. I felt like I was ten steps ahead of the protag at times and you never really want to feel that way. Also I personally find it irritating when alien races are portrayed as basically the same as human beings. Like really an alien with mommy issues. We have enough of those.
Before I used Hardcover I just wrote my book thoughts in my Notes app on my phone. The entirety of the entry for this book says "Side chick diaries. Bleak af."
Before I used Hardcover I just wrote my book thoughts in my Notes app on my phone. The entirety of the entry for this book says "Side chick diaries. Bleak af."
Really does nothing less than take apart our entire world, cultures, expectations, lives.
Really does nothing less than take apart our entire world, cultures, expectations, lives.
I love how, both plot-wise and prose-wise, this is sedate on the surface but absolutely roiling with meaning and emotion underneath. Frickin electric.
I love how, both plot-wise and prose-wise, this is sedate on the surface but absolutely roiling with meaning and emotion underneath. Frickin electric.