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laurieb755's review against another edition
Bobbler. A dome that appears over an area (or an individual – it can vary in size from small to large enough to envelop a city) and freezes the contents in time, until it bursts, and inhabitants emerge, a bit dazed. Developed by Paul Hoehler, who never intended its negative use, the Bobblers were coopted by "The Peace Authority" in an attempt to prevent nuclear war and tamp down insurgent countries.
Really, they were a quasi-benign dictatorship, who Naismith (Hoehler) has been trying to derail for 50 years. What's left of those who enjoyed tinkering with electronics and digital devises (the "Tinkerers") have banded with Naismith, along with Wili (a young black teenager who needs medical attention), Mike Rosas (a "cop" of sorts, who plays things both ways), Jill (Naismith's hologram), and Allison (Naismith's bobbled romantic interest - upon who Jill was modeled - who emerges from a popped bobble 50 years later) to attack the Livermore Center, where the "Peace Authority's" power supply is housed for creating bobbles.
And then there's the "Peace Authority" plays – Della Lu (tough lady with a past) and Hamilton Avery (head guy with an intense desire to get Paul Naismith). So now you know the characters just a wee bit, but what about their story? Typically not a Sci Fi reader, I was absorbed by Vinge's tale written in 1984 and reissued in 2003. I read into it a bit of worldly commentary on the state of global affairs, not much improved in 2009 from 1984, sadly. Fred (my husband) called Vinge a good writer, which is probably why I enjoyed the story.
Now I'm primed to read another of his books that Fred bought. Vine coined the term "singularity" which I believe is what brought him to Fred's attention in the first place. Go on – look it up on the Internet!
Really, they were a quasi-benign dictatorship, who Naismith (Hoehler) has been trying to derail for 50 years. What's left of those who enjoyed tinkering with electronics and digital devises (the "Tinkerers") have banded with Naismith, along with Wili (a young black teenager who needs medical attention), Mike Rosas (a "cop" of sorts, who plays things both ways), Jill (Naismith's hologram), and Allison (Naismith's bobbled romantic interest - upon who Jill was modeled - who emerges from a popped bobble 50 years later) to attack the Livermore Center, where the "Peace Authority's" power supply is housed for creating bobbles.
And then there's the "Peace Authority" plays – Della Lu (tough lady with a past) and Hamilton Avery (head guy with an intense desire to get Paul Naismith). So now you know the characters just a wee bit, but what about their story? Typically not a Sci Fi reader, I was absorbed by Vinge's tale written in 1984 and reissued in 2003. I read into it a bit of worldly commentary on the state of global affairs, not much improved in 2009 from 1984, sadly. Fred (my husband) called Vinge a good writer, which is probably why I enjoyed the story.
Now I'm primed to read another of his books that Fred bought. Vine coined the term "singularity" which I believe is what brought him to Fred's attention in the first place. Go on – look it up on the Internet!
masterofdoom's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this even better than the Zones of Thought series. Strange, mind blowing post-apocalyptic world, great characters and a fascinating exploration of what it means to control time and technology.
lightiron's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
douglasjsellers's review against another edition
2.0
Really mediocre that turns almost into techno babble by the end. Some good ideas but none of them are really explored .
platinumwookie's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jonathan_von's review against another edition
2.0
There are some very interesting ideas extrapolating a Cold War mentality to a distant future using time, withholding technology and enforceable isolation as a weapon. But the result is shockingly boring and tedious. I lost track of the number of times a female character was described as intelligent despite being a woman. And the racial politics, hoo boy. I’m pretty sure this was poorly aged when it was written. I’ll keep the faith with Vinge but this was a struggle.
pfracassi's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating take on time travel and invasion. A sci-fi masterpiece.
jeromy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
I enjoyed this, would continue the series