chirson's review against another edition
3.0
A marked improvement over the previous section (it was much more substantial, both plot- and page-wise, I think).
tylertylertyler's review against another edition
5.0
While the third instalment of Positron is a lot slower, plot-wise, it does nothing to harm the series. In fact, it becomes emotionally charged in a way that the slow-burn of "Erase Me" brought to a boil. With a slightly different character focus, we get a less aggressive side of the story and see some very human writing.
In my own opinion, the best part so far of the series.
In my own opinion, the best part so far of the series.
sortabadass's review against another edition
4.0
Atwood slowed the pace waaay down in Erase Me, and the Positron series is better for it.
Plot-wise, not a ton happens in this single. The events that were discussed at the end of [b:Choke Collar|15980853|Choke Collar|Margaret Atwood|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346541678s/15980853.jpg|21733179] came to pass.
What the series needed, and Erase Me provided, was the human element. Yes, Stan and Charmaine are still caricatures of people that are kind of horrible to one another, but now they have a bit of heart. Although they've betrayed one another both by choice and necessity, their failings are more relatable -- white-picket fence moral flaws.
I can't wait until [b:Moppet Shop|16080200|Moppet Shop|Margaret Atwood|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png|21878618] comes out.
Words Below
Looking back on his life, he sees himself spread out on the earth like a giant covered in tiny threads that have held him down. Tiny threads of petty ares and small concerns, and fears he took seriously at the time. Debts, timetables, the need for money, for comfort; the earworm of sex, repeating itself over and over like a neural feedback loop. He's been a puppet of his own constricted desires.
Plot-wise, not a ton happens in this single. The events that were discussed at the end of [b:Choke Collar|15980853|Choke Collar|Margaret Atwood|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346541678s/15980853.jpg|21733179] came to pass.
What the series needed, and Erase Me provided, was the human element. Yes, Stan and Charmaine are still caricatures of people that are kind of horrible to one another, but now they have a bit of heart. Although they've betrayed one another both by choice and necessity, their failings are more relatable -- white-picket fence moral flaws.
I can't wait until [b:Moppet Shop|16080200|Moppet Shop|Margaret Atwood|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png|21878618] comes out.
Words Below
Spoiler
Looking back on his life, he sees himself spread out on the earth like a giant covered in tiny threads that have held him down. Tiny threads of petty ares and small concerns, and fears he took seriously at the time. Debts, timetables, the need for money, for comfort; the earworm of sex, repeating itself over and over like a neural feedback loop. He's been a puppet of his own constricted desires.
mysticalmegan's review against another edition
4.0
In the third installment in Atwood’s Positron series, Stan finds himself at the mercy of a scary Consilience security team member as a result of his rebellion against the system. Soon he finds himself a pawn in a plot to take down the system. His wife Charmaine, meanwhile, is being held indefinitely in the prison system as a result of her own rebellion. These stories are hailed as a “dark comedy,” which I don’t really understand. I don’t find anything funny about this scenario On the contrary, I always come away from reading these novellas with a sick feeling in my stomach. I am not really sure about the psychology behind my coming back for more considering how creeped out I am about these books, but all I can say is that I have been a big Margaret Atwood fan for a long time and they are just really well written, strangely compelling, and they feed on my conspiracy theory nut tendencies.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
3.0
It seems more like a filler story. But it’s an Atwood filler story so it has punch and bite.
jamsreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
While good, this installment was much slower and less exciting than the previous two. It is definitely that mild lull period in books where some story is developed and characters are fleshed out more. The development between Charmaine and Stan is interesting and I want to so much to see how everything turns out.
Also I've never enjoyed hating a character more than I do Charmaine and this installment definitely centered a lot more on her.
Also I've never enjoyed hating a character more than I do Charmaine and this installment definitely centered a lot more on her.
jlbazr's review against another edition
3.0
I love M. A. and really love this short story series. Can't wait for more.