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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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, and War
zubers's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I don’t know how to rate this. The characters were all…bad? It felt like the women were badly written and the men were also flat/terrible but on purpose. It kind of read like Snow Crash in that it had a plot but also had to quickly explain the technologies & culture of the future. Interesting thoughts in here, interesting ending - feels like a book that’s kind of all about the ending. I was reading it quickly as the mystery did intrigue me.
Okay how about a 2.5? Apparently it was a big deal for sci fi? I did read it because it was mentioned in an interview with SA Corey. And I definitely could see its influence on The Expanse series.
Okay how about a 2.5? Apparently it was a big deal for sci fi? I did read it because it was mentioned in an interview with SA Corey. And I definitely could see its influence on The Expanse series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Genocide and Rape
jadelaporte's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Racial slurs
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.
This book might be a classic, but for me it’s so cliche and crude that I can’t find any enjoyment in it.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Rape, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Death of parent
rain02's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Racism
Moderate: Rape
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!
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!
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and War
Moderate: Sexism and Xenophobia
Minor: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
lelcopter's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Rape
yvarg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reads like a far more modern book than it is. Why isn't this at least as popular as some of the more well-established classics like the Foundation trilogy??
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape