cavine's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
abookishtype's review against another edition
4.0
Johanna Drucker’s Downdrift is the first (and probably only) book I’ve ever read that was narrated by a microorganism. Funny enough, this isn’t the strangest thing about the novel. This novel imagines a world in which animals, from lions and house cats to mice and badgers to flies, start to behave like humans. They stop hunting each other (except for some hold out species) and start social networking, data-mining, building homes, breeding hybrid, species, running food stands, suing each other, and other activities. Downdrift is very much a thought experiment and, while it probably didn’t have to be as long as it is, still offers plenty to intrigue readers...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.
madgerdes's review against another edition
2.0
I was truthfully very excited to read this book. It caught my attention on the "new books" shelf at the library and the premise was too interesting for me to pass up - I mean, a book from the perspective of a 3.8 million year old Archean about the genetic seepage of human social qualities into the animal kingdom? Of course I'm gonna pick it up. However, I think a lot of it unfortunately went over my head. There were definitely funny moments, usually quick witty bits that made me appreciate Drucker's genius. The moments that lost me included the Archaean's existential ramblings and philosophical analyses of the "downdrift."
This book wasn't particularly plot or character driven, and really just advanced with the passing of time. While I can appreciate that sometimes, in combination with the confusing philosophical word vomit it just caused more confusion for me. I really had to motivate myself to finish this book (and I'm glad I did) but I think the anti-climactic absence of a traditional ending (the result of the absence of a traditional plot) was pretty disappointing to me. I definitely understand the praise and appreciation for this book, it just definitely isn't the type of writing that I digest easily.
This book wasn't particularly plot or character driven, and really just advanced with the passing of time. While I can appreciate that sometimes, in combination with the confusing philosophical word vomit it just caused more confusion for me. I really had to motivate myself to finish this book (and I'm glad I did) but I think the anti-climactic absence of a traditional ending (the result of the absence of a traditional plot) was pretty disappointing to me. I definitely understand the praise and appreciation for this book, it just definitely isn't the type of writing that I digest easily.
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