paulataua's review against another edition
3.0
The story is set in a seemingly perfect world ruled by a computer called UniComp. Any deviation from the happiness of being in a world where all decisions are made for you is kept in check by information received from your bracelet or by others reporting your strange behavior to supervisors . The novel runs along the now well known path of a small group of the dissatisfied few rebelling against the system. I was totally surprised to find out the Ira Levin has written anything in this genre and just had to read it. It is a fair read, but feels a little tame when placed against the many more sophisticated dystopian societies that have appeared since it was published in 1970. It is worth reading even if it seems a little quaint at times, especially felt for me when the group discard their bracelets and pass round the dreaded and banned tobacco filled cigarettes and begin to smoke. Better to be a pig satisfied than Socrates with degenerative lung disease?
wm_allo's review against another edition
5.0
Better than Brave New World. Following Chip, the main character, throughout his life of discovery was truly a pleasure. The ups and downs he endured created great empathetic suspense. The world Levin creates epitomizes the genre and left me wanting more.
literaryloquacity's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dajna's review against another edition
3.0
It's good, but I didn't like it as much as the other ones.
It's the usual scenario of a totalitarian entity - Uni - who's running the planet: I saw some of the Matrix in it. Few people realize that their life is not a real one and they try to fight back. Only Chip will succeed.
To be honest, I don't think that life in Uni is as bad as in other alternative realities. And once in a while Chip is annoying: a know-it-all in infancy and a macho man in his adult, non-sedated life. There is a rape and it doesn't add anything to the story, so why go there?
It's the usual scenario of a totalitarian entity - Uni - who's running the planet: I saw some of the Matrix in it. Few people realize that their life is not a real one and they try to fight back. Only Chip will succeed.
To be honest, I don't think that life in Uni is as bad as in other alternative realities. And once in a while Chip is annoying: a know-it-all in infancy and a macho man in his adult, non-sedated life. There is a rape and it doesn't add anything to the story, so why go there?
marjoleinrath's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kytimeforbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the story and was able to enjoy it, but the treatment of the women characters was nothing short of infuriating. I expected more from the creator of the Stepford Wives.
ditte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
lukerik's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A particularly well thought out world. It actually feels quite real rather than a collection of clichés. Very Levinesque in it’s exploration of horrible things being done to people without their consent. Also explores moral questions around personal accountability.
Basically, people in the past (our future) have programmed a computer to control the entire population through a combination of drugs, and genetic and social engineering. Basically condemning their own descendents to a half lived life and the end of which they are killed.
There’s a great twist at the end which luckily I’d managed to forgot in the thirty years since I last read it. Be careful what you read about it before starting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Rape, Violence, Death, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Murder
megancassidy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shiradest's review against another edition
2.0
I may read this again, as it has been a rather long time since I read it, after being shocked to hear that my parents had read it together just before I was born, around the time this book came out, I believe.
I was very disappointed at the selfishness of Wei, and at the idea that a world with so much potential could go so badly wrong. That a man who could have done so much good for the entire world would choose to hoard that benefit for himself. But maybe it is "more real," as another reviewer put it. Certainly more real than [b:Brave New World|5129|Brave New World|Aldous Huxley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575509280l/5129._SY75_.jpg|3204877] .
I just felt so bitterly hopeless at the end, after all of the struggle. I felt such fear for humanity. There has to be a better way. And a better future.
I was very disappointed at the selfishness of Wei, and at the idea that a world with so much potential could go so badly wrong. That a man who could have done so much good for the entire world would choose to hoard that benefit for himself. But maybe it is "more real," as another reviewer put it. Certainly more real than [b:Brave New World|5129|Brave New World|Aldous Huxley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575509280l/5129._SY75_.jpg|3204877] .
I just felt so bitterly hopeless at the end, after all of the struggle. I felt such fear for humanity. There has to be a better way. And a better future.