bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
5.0
I love it when this happens: I half-heartedly pick up a book I know nothing about from the library, and it turns out to be one of the best reads of the year. A gripping story about science and time travel, it's both intellectually and emotionally satisfying. There are so many layers to this novel, but it never feels laboured or overstuffed. I feel like this is the book Richard Powers would write if he knew how to be more restrained and less self-indulgent.
susanw's review against another edition
4.0
Literary, yet sci fi, physics-y yet not text book. This book covered so much ground, and did it well.
bethmalena's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I was intrigued with the premise from the start, but then the book meandered in backstory and dating app drama for like 500 pages. Then there was one really cool twist that caught me off guard… then more meandering. I think there were some good ideas in the book but the character arcs and the character’s decisions made no sense to me. And the many references to sexism and racism without really bringing that theme to any landing place felt strange too. The functioning theory of time travel in this book wasn’t really explained until the coda; and even then it was confusing to me. Sadly unsatisfying.
acanthae's review against another edition
Not bad; not for me. Thought the commentary on tech would make it worth it, but I work in tech and I'm tired.
pzpelleriti's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.75
This is a tricky one to give stars to for me. The first half felt slow, but held my interest enough to keep going. The second half got me more interested, but still seemed off to a slow "start" for where the story was. But I did really enjoy the end and seeing the development and paths of the characters. Probably more of a 3 star for the first half, maybe two-thirds of the book, but then 4 stars for the ending.
grae's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
breadsips's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rachelb36's review against another edition
3.0
This one was just okay... I read this book because I thought it was a science fiction book about time travel! Turns out, it is only pseudo-science fiction. Actually, it is more like contemporary fiction about a failing marriage after the couple's child dies, but one of the main characters is a scientist working on a time machine.
The set-up took forever but I kept plugging away because I was promised an epic time travel twist. But... that never really came. The ending felt rushed and was quite dissatisfying.
Also, there is a lot of profanity, alcohol and drug abuse mentioned, some sexual content, evolutionary theories referenced as fact, and disdain for religion.
If this had been advertised for what it is - that is, not science fiction - I think I would have been less disappointed.
The set-up took forever but I kept plugging away because I was promised an epic time travel twist. But... that never really came. The ending felt rushed and was quite dissatisfying.
Also, there is a lot of profanity, alcohol and drug abuse mentioned, some sexual content, evolutionary theories referenced as fact, and disdain for religion.
If this had been advertised for what it is - that is, not science fiction - I think I would have been less disappointed.
antigonus's review
4.0
This is a brilliantly written story filled with philosophical rumination, near future possibilities, and the growing influence of technology on humans. But its essence somehow manages to be the tale of a marriage wrong gone, and the (intentional or unintentional) attempts to set it right.
While the Time Machine gimmick obviously looms large, it is quickly supplanted by expertly-placed essays on Big Data, science vs religion, growing into the role of adult and a parent, etc. Definitely worth multiple reads.
While the Time Machine gimmick obviously looms large, it is quickly supplanted by expertly-placed essays on Big Data, science vs religion, growing into the role of adult and a parent, etc. Definitely worth multiple reads.