kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This was so dark, and so well-written I couldn't stop reading it. The best sci-fi is the kind where you could easily imagine the future created by the author unfolding... and this fits the bill. It is much more disturbing than what I usually like, and even though I had to put it down a couple of times, I had to keep going back. Fascinating concept, thought-provoking and well-written.
dllh's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the book but had hoped it'd be a little more highbrow than it turned out to be. It sits for me in the same tier of literary accomplishment that a lot of Stephenson and Powers sit, in that it takes an interesting idea and deals with it in a way that's more sophisticated in a literary sense than the way in which a Dan Brown or a Michael Chrichton deals with it but that falls short stylistically of other authors I admire and is accordingly sort of disappointing.
tramuntana's review against another edition
Die Prämisse gefällt mir, aber der Schreibstil nicht. Frau Graedon ist sehr detailverliebt in Nebensächlichkeiten, wodurch sich die Handlung in selbigen verliert, und sie schreibt auch gewollt hochgestochen, wodurch man beim Lesen mit dem Text fremdelt.
jesssika's review against another edition
3.0
This is a mostly believable tale that the author abused a thesaurus on. I found the horrendous info dump of the first 2 chapters to be very difficult to get past. However, once the story begins roughly 30% into it, it becomes good. The characters are believable and make realistic mistakes. The over use of words that the author clearly feels is being forgotten amongst the general populace is preachy. It was a too long book with excessive use of words and footnotes for what is at its base a fiction read.
darbar's review against another edition
I gave this 25% and the plot had yet to get moving. Also, the authors whole rant was our dependency on digital devices and a "word flu" where people are forgetting normal words, but then the author goes out of her way to use overly complicated and obscure words. I had to use my distionary at least 20 times in that 25% (and I consider myself relatively intelligent with an English degree and over 100 books per year read, usually.), While enduring the mockery of the author for having to use the dictionary. Not for me.
jen_nicole's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
abeth_parker's review against another edition
2.0
Nope. Any fiction book that has a footnote every other page is not for me.
pbobrit's review against another edition
5.0
This is about as good a debut novel as they come.
I would hate to be accused of hyperbole, but I think in a very short time this book could rank in importance alongside books such as Orwell's '1984', Huxley's 'A Brave New World'. The author, as all good authors, do uses the text discuss the bigger issues facing us right now. The differences between information and knowledge. How we obtain said knowledge. The purpose and use of language. The loss of the the skill of memorization through over reliance on technology. The ways we communicate and their effects on communication.
Clearly the author does have a manifesto, but doesn't ram it down the reader's throat and personally it is one that as I get older and learn more, I am increasingly starting to think she has right. As well being a great exploration of all these thing, it is a really good read, a page turner, but one I want to come back to at some point savour the small details and ponder more deeply the questions raised.
I would really recommend this book for anyone, if you enjoy science-fiction you might additionally enjoy it as it is set in a not too distant future. I look forward to seeing if she can repeat her success with future books.
I would hate to be accused of hyperbole, but I think in a very short time this book could rank in importance alongside books such as Orwell's '1984', Huxley's 'A Brave New World'. The author, as all good authors, do uses the text discuss the bigger issues facing us right now. The differences between information and knowledge. How we obtain said knowledge. The purpose and use of language. The loss of the the skill of memorization through over reliance on technology. The ways we communicate and their effects on communication.
Clearly the author does have a manifesto, but doesn't ram it down the reader's throat and personally it is one that as I get older and learn more, I am increasingly starting to think she has right. As well being a great exploration of all these thing, it is a really good read, a page turner, but one I want to come back to at some point savour the small details and ponder more deeply the questions raised.
I would really recommend this book for anyone, if you enjoy science-fiction you might additionally enjoy it as it is set in a not too distant future. I look forward to seeing if she can repeat her success with future books.
eweidl's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
cake0hh's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m glad y’all got through this book, because I sure couldn’t.