Reviews tagging 'War'

The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

7 reviews

on_a_sunbeam's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

It was not as good as The Demolished Man by any means, but it was still a well put together and engaging book. Bester seems to like his late act twists and I’ve got to hand it to him because he executes them well.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexism, and War

mrsori's review against another edition

You hear ‘powerful/dangerous man’ and you can be sure there will be rape. Alas, there it is, just for the fun of it. (not even important for the story)

This book might be a classic, but for me it’s so cliche and crude that I can’t find any enjoyment in it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

Minor: Confinement, Gore, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, and War

jovanh's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

I didn't love this book. Perhaps if I had first read The Count of Monte Cristo, the story's inspiration, I'd have better appreciation for this story. I do appreciate Bester's typographic attempt at simulating synesthesia, and his worldbuilding is pretty cool.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Rape, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War

Minor: Death of parent

jdnew18's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A tour de force of sci-fi concepts and ideas which leap out at the reader, often wholly unexpectedly, as they traverse through the story. This book is deceptive, starting off as a pulp novel, then rapidly progressing into a far higher form of art.

The gritty, vengeful, and unthinking main character undergoes a massive moral enlightenment via a dizzying yet balanced plethora of influences arising from both the cast and plot. The extremely fast pace and short length of this novel does not leave time for lengthy character monologues or introspections. Instead, the reader is simply strapped in for the ride - white knuckled, skin pulled back - their fate left to the seemingly indefatigable depths of the author's muse.

Enjoy!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Sexism, Violence, and War

Minor: Rape and Suicide attempt

stabilesero's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Having read other reviews, but also personally wanting to read through the SF Masterworks series; I thought I was really going to struggle with this... I was pleasantly surprised.
As a female, yes, the tropes of a woman and how being a woman was a disadvantage throughout the book was a bit of a bore but it wasn't constantly shoved down my throat. It was mentioned to explain some of the characters. The use of girl rather than man when referring to female characters, I didn't feel could be looked into too much. It was the basic language of brutes. 
This is the only book I have read so far with an anti-hero that I didn't immediately put down after 2 chapters.
It really is the sort of book that if you manage to detatch from the characters and think more about the themes and setting, it really is outstanding. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and War

Moderate: Sexism and Xenophobia

Minor: Rape and Suicidal thoughts

fletchie's review against another edition

adventurous fast-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

4.5

An absolute blast to read. The pace of this book is something to behold.

If you're interested in an old school sci-fi romp that feels like it could've been written yesterday, then here it is. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

itsnicholaslashay's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Trafficking, War, and Injury/Injury detail