Aleks
Read this, immediately sensed I was just scratching the surface of it, started reading analysis of it, and then started rereading it. Spooky, awesome stuff.
Read this, immediately sensed I was just scratching the surface of it, started reading analysis of it, and then started rereading it. Spooky, awesome stuff.
The problem with reading a bunch of Ito stories back to back like this is you realize huh the guy only has like 3 ideas. And some of the variants get real stupid.
The problem with reading a bunch of Ito stories back to back like this is you realize huh the guy only has like 3 ideas. And some of the variants get real stupid.
I spend too much time on the Internet and that's how I know when other people, like this author, spend too much time on the Internet. Something in the style of writing. Vibe-killer for me.
I spend too much time on the Internet and that's how I know when other people, like this author, spend too much time on the Internet. Something in the style of writing. Vibe-killer for me.
Enjoyed this. Calvino-ish. Would like to read this in Srpski.
Enjoyed this. Calvino-ish. Would like to read this in Srpski.
I actually really enjoyed this, but the density of description made me move through this at a slow pace, and then I had to return it to the library. I'd like to read it again now that I better understand what to expect from it.
I actually really enjoyed this, but the density of description made me move through this at a slow pace, and then I had to return it to the library. I'd like to read it again now that I better understand what to expect from it.
I waited like 200 pages for them to hopefully go on the damn journey to the mysterious land and they didn't so I gave up. I will probably try again at some point.
I waited like 200 pages for them to hopefully go on the damn journey to the mysterious land and they didn't so I gave up. I will probably try again at some point.
Read this in one sitting. LOVED the world, loved the narration, loved the atmosphere... but was ultimately disappointed with how many of its secrets this book was willing to give away. Was really disappointed once it explained literally the whole deal and then turned into a pretty conventional crime drama. Why is there a damn COP stalking through my spooky enigmatic mystery house?!
Read this in one sitting. LOVED the world, loved the narration, loved the atmosphere... but was ultimately disappointed with how many of its secrets this book was willing to give away. Was really disappointed once it explained literally the whole deal and then turned into a pretty conventional crime drama. Why is there a damn COP stalking through my spooky enigmatic mystery house?!
Dated and debilitatingly Boomer-y but with a solid core of information.
Dated and debilitatingly Boomer-y but with a solid core of information.
My friend asked me what I was reading and I said "this cool Indigenous sci-fi from the 90s". She said, "my friend loves stuff like that! I'll recommend it to her!" I said "NOOOOO OKAY STOP BEFORE YOU DO THAT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS LIKE, A LOT OF BESTIALITY IN THIS BOOK." And she was like "meh... she won't mind." Gives me a laugh whenever I think about it.
People talk about books being one-of-a-kind, unique, different, etc. Here's a book that genuinely deserves those descriptors. Terse, muscular, compact prose (like corned beef). A violent and vibrant not-so-distant future. This is like if Parable of the Sower was unhinged and unselfconscious. (Much more to my preference.)
My friend asked me what I was reading and I said "this cool Indigenous sci-fi from the 90s". She said, "my friend loves stuff like that! I'll recommend it to her!" I said "NOOOOO OKAY STOP BEFORE YOU DO THAT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS LIKE, A LOT OF BESTIALITY IN THIS BOOK." And she was like "meh... she won't mind." Gives me a laugh whenever I think about it.
People talk about books being one-of-a-kind, unique, different, etc. Here's a book that genuinely deserves those descriptors. Terse, muscular, compact prose (like corned beef). A violent and vibrant not-so-distant future. This is like if Parable of the Sower was unhinged and unselfconscious. (Much more to my preference.)
A kaleidoscope, a text-based adventure game, a pinwheel. The only book.
A kaleidoscope, a text-based adventure game, a pinwheel. The only book.
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.
The first time I read this I was like "okay, weird". Now, the second time I've read this, I think it's probably one of the best things I've ever read? Uncanny and eerie and frightening, and so deft that you don't even realize what's happening until after it's over. How the hell did this guy do this. Pisses me off.
The first time I read this I was like "okay, weird". Now, the second time I've read this, I think it's probably one of the best things I've ever read? Uncanny and eerie and frightening, and so deft that you don't even realize what's happening until after it's over. How the hell did this guy do this. Pisses me off.
Got 1/3 of the way through and just was not clicking with it. I hate to say it but I think part of the problem is that this was SO influential that it now feels trite. I don't like having that issue because it's not the book's fault for being iconic! Idk. I just did not care what happened to this guy. But I do want to play Cyberpunk 2077 again.
Got 1/3 of the way through and just was not clicking with it. I hate to say it but I think part of the problem is that this was SO influential that it now feels trite. I don't like having that issue because it's not the book's fault for being iconic! Idk. I just did not care what happened to this guy. But I do want to play Cyberpunk 2077 again.
Completely fucking crazy and singular. Really loved the art.
Completely fucking crazy and singular. Really loved the art.
"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!
Lovely little book. Some sentences in here stopped me dead.
Lovely little book. Some sentences in here stopped me dead.
Wow!!! Eco gets a lot of shit for being deliberately dense, so I was intimidated going into this... only to get a really bright, light-of-foot narrative. He has a real fluidity and complexity of thought to envy. Really enjoyed the very thoughtful and interesting author's notes, where he specifically mentions that he writes for his and the reader's pleasure.
Wow!!! Eco gets a lot of shit for being deliberately dense, so I was intimidated going into this... only to get a really bright, light-of-foot narrative. He has a real fluidity and complexity of thought to envy. Really enjoyed the very thoughtful and interesting author's notes, where he specifically mentions that he writes for his and the reader's pleasure.