skusaroo's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Revels in violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Violence, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, and Murder
Graphic descriptions of violence including simulated rape and sexual violence,Spoiler
graphic description of sex between a character and his daughter, a minormonmothra97's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Sexual violence, and Violence
shardertarik's review
5.0
Despite everything I read, the concept of artificial intelligence makes me hopeful. The ability of an A.I. to solve every problem we are tackling and to develop itself into a being capable of solving every problem we will ever tackle is alluring. How much strife could be avoided by not only meeting peoples' every need but also their every want? Here we reach something of a paradox, demonstrated spectacularly by this novel. We work towards a day where we solve every problem and never have to work again. We work for this because solving problems is our barometer for progress. Prime Intellect (the A.I. of this novel) solves every problem known to humankind and gives us everything. So what do humans do when there are no more problems to solve? What do we do without purpose? These are the kinds of questions this book grapples with and it does so in a thought-provoking way.
The novel itself has 3 (important) characters, Lawrence, Caroline, and Prime Intellect. We learn the stories of all three characters and their situations before and after the massive Change. It is short, saying only what it needs to for its point to come across. Williams does this by showing us a vision of humanity and what our cultures become post-Change, or post-Prime Intellect. By doing so, he forces us to ask what it means to be human in our time. This novel provides a dark counterpoint to the optimistic futurologists who created Star Trek. Roddenberry envisioned a world without need and without a need for want. The culture in Star Trek is one of self-enrichment. When taking care of oneself is unnecessary, people will better themselves by learning new things and exploring. In Williams' world, people will become bored with life to the point where only brushes with death will excite them. Like always though, neither will be completely right nor wrong.
A novel like this is not a comforting kind of read, especially because some of the scenes can be downright disgusting. A novel like this is recommended for those who wish to explore human purpose and wants to engage rather than relax. This novel is deserving of all the stars because it isn't safe and it isn't sanitary. Some might call it raw. I call it excellent.
The novel itself has 3 (important) characters, Lawrence, Caroline, and Prime Intellect. We learn the stories of all three characters and their situations before and after the massive Change. It is short, saying only what it needs to for its point to come across. Williams does this by showing us a vision of humanity and what our cultures become post-Change, or post-Prime Intellect. By doing so, he forces us to ask what it means to be human in our time. This novel provides a dark counterpoint to the optimistic futurologists who created Star Trek. Roddenberry envisioned a world without need and without a need for want. The culture in Star Trek is one of self-enrichment. When taking care of oneself is unnecessary, people will better themselves by learning new things and exploring. In Williams' world, people will become bored with life to the point where only brushes with death will excite them. Like always though, neither will be completely right nor wrong.
A novel like this is not a comforting kind of read, especially because some of the scenes can be downright disgusting. A novel like this is recommended for those who wish to explore human purpose and wants to engage rather than relax. This novel is deserving of all the stars because it isn't safe and it isn't sanitary. Some might call it raw. I call it excellent.
wong3rz's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
setteno's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
spilt_moonlight's review
4.0
An intriguing read.
The book started off sharp and intense, perhaps too sharp for some, and retains its edge for most of the way. The graphic sex and violence, while not without a purpose, is quite squicky, and if this were a fanfic, would make the pure-cinnamon-rolls screaming "Where is my trigger warning?"
Jokes aside, I was pleasantly suprised. MoPI manages to fit AI, singularity, BDSM, Asimov's laws of robotics, morality and the question of "what measure is a non-human" in one short story. It poses some interesting questions (with equally interesting, if disturbing, hypotheses). Still, there was a bit of a lull in the end, starting right after The Fall. The story wraps up nicely, but I feel a little lost.
The book started off sharp and intense, perhaps too sharp for some, and retains its edge for most of the way. The graphic sex and violence, while not without a purpose, is quite squicky, and if this were a fanfic, would make the pure-cinnamon-rolls screaming "Where is my trigger warning?"
Jokes aside, I was pleasantly suprised. MoPI manages to fit AI, singularity, BDSM, Asimov's laws of robotics, morality and the question of "what measure is a non-human" in one short story. It poses some interesting questions (with equally interesting, if disturbing, hypotheses). Still, there was a bit of a lull in the end, starting right after The Fall. The story wraps up nicely, but I feel a little lost.
ahsansenan's review
5.0
Diamond-in-the-rough doesn't even begin to describe what this book is. MOPI is the best sci-fi book I have read. Ever. Ever. The idea is not unique; the writing-style flawed; and the plot-line cluttered. But by god this book will take a sledge-hammer to your head and destroy the last vestige of innocence you may have had and open you up to infinite possibilities at the same time.
Holy mother of god this has been a weird day. Started off reading George Eliot and Iris Murdoch, and it had to end with this? Hell. I need ice cream. For my heart.
MOPI! MOPI!! MOPI!!!
Holy mother of god this has been a weird day. Started off reading George Eliot and Iris Murdoch, and it had to end with this? Hell. I need ice cream. For my heart.
MOPI! MOPI!! MOPI!!!
willberry's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Torture
gubbo's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Rape, Gore, Death, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
skepticalmoose's review
2.0
I don't know why everyone is giving this five stars. The concept was interesting, but the writing was mediocre.