maxed's review against another edition
2.0
Constant time jumps and POV changes that are too close together make this book seem badly written. Worse, there is little need for it, since we have far superior "Firestar" series by Michael Flynn, which deals with very similar themes, but have better pacing, deeper characters and style.
Fan service provided by name-dropping famous writers can't carry this novel far, but I must admit that the description of the first sci-fi con in NY is the most interesting part of the book.
Fan service provided by name-dropping famous writers can't carry this novel far, but I must admit that the description of the first sci-fi con in NY is the most interesting part of the book.
varshiniramaraj's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the transition from generation to generation, from space travel and new planets being just a sparkle in someone's eye to it being as normal as breathing. The end seemed a bit incomplete to me, but I liked the book.
antigonus's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This is a weird book, but in a good way. The concept of interstellar travel on a generational starship is very familiar and popular. The unique aspect of this book is that it deals with the construction of such a starship rather than what follows.
It has a very interesting narrative style where we are given glimpses into the life of a famous science-fiction author from his teenage years during the 1930s till his death. We also follow his friends, the idea for an interstellar voyage, the motivation behind it, etc. Upon the death of the author, the construction of the starship is shown through the eyes of 6 generations (!) of his descendants.
Naturally, 6 generations of people being crammed into such a short book can only be possible by avoiding or keeping character depth, arcs, etc., to a bare minimum. Every time period serves just 2 purposes: the current situation of the starship and continuation of the bloodline. This book is entirely focused on the plot.
An unusual aspect for such a science-fiction book is that the scientific concepts are rarely explained in depth. Hard science is restricted to a few lines at most.
Finally, the contrasts with Kim Stanley Robinson’s ‘Aurora’ are fun to think about. Aurora focuses entirely on the journey of a generational starship. It is very realistic, explains the scientific concepts in great detail and pays attention to characters. On the other hand, Arkwright is very optimistic, avoids scientific concepts and focuses on speeding up the plot at the cost other aspects.
I would recommend both books so as to enjoy 2 different points of view which are on opposite sides of the spectrum of interstellar travel. Overall, Arkwright was a fun and short read.
This is a weird book, but in a good way. The concept of interstellar travel on a generational starship is very familiar and popular. The unique aspect of this book is that it deals with the construction of such a starship rather than what follows.
It has a very interesting narrative style where we are given glimpses into the life of a famous science-fiction author from his teenage years during the 1930s till his death. We also follow his friends, the idea for an interstellar voyage, the motivation behind it, etc. Upon the death of the author, the construction of the starship is shown through the eyes of 6 generations (!) of his descendants.
Naturally, 6 generations of people being crammed into such a short book can only be possible by avoiding or keeping character depth, arcs, etc., to a bare minimum. Every time period serves just 2 purposes: the current situation of the starship and continuation of the bloodline. This book is entirely focused on the plot.
An unusual aspect for such a science-fiction book is that the scientific concepts are rarely explained in depth. Hard science is restricted to a few lines at most.
Finally, the contrasts with Kim Stanley Robinson’s ‘Aurora’ are fun to think about. Aurora focuses entirely on the journey of a generational starship. It is very realistic, explains the scientific concepts in great detail and pays attention to characters. On the other hand, Arkwright is very optimistic, avoids scientific concepts and focuses on speeding up the plot at the cost other aspects.
I would recommend both books so as to enjoy 2 different points of view which are on opposite sides of the spectrum of interstellar travel. Overall, Arkwright was a fun and short read.
yasmine_w's review against another edition
3.0
Like 3.5. I read some reviews describing this as a very light/easy "Seveneves." I'd say that's a fair description.
ginnikin's review against another edition
I just don't care. Maybe if it got to the story from the synopsis sooner, but this isn't interesting to me.
mikiher's review against another edition
3.0
A kind of an antithesis to Kim Stanley Robinson's Aurora, and much less convincing... a nice story but not much beyond that.
asha_17's review against another edition
3.0
A sweet and endearing novel that is a love letter to the science fiction and space exploration. Very easy and quick to read!
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
Apparently I read the first section of this book in some form, which left me with deja vu, which kind of impacted the rest of the book. Basically this was a set of stories told from the point of view of one generation and then the next in a single family. The pieces on Earth leading up to the launching of the starship was pretty good. The bit on the colony planet, a bit less good - certainly felt like I'd read this before as well. All in all it kind of felt clumsy, though readable enough. The ideas weren't bad, but they really didn't feel all that interesting or original. 3.5 of 5.