fletchie's review
- 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
If you're interested in an old school sci-fi romp that feels like it could've been written yesterday, then here it is.
Moderate: Classism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, War, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Gun violence, Violence, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Death
reddrabbbit's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Misogyny and Rape
itsnicholaslashay's review
- 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
Graphic: Medical trauma, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racial slurs, War, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, and Trafficking
leahmonroe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I mean, it's almost never dull - apart from the beginning of Part 2, but it's just my opinion, and it very quickly picks up from there. And the characters are all fucking nuts - or at least neurotic. I'd argue that the female characters could've been written better, but it's a novel from the 50s, and one written by a man, so obviously there's a certain narrative to be expected and it could've been a lot worse. Gully Foyle is a character that naturally you don't cheer for, but that's good, because Bester proves here that you can write a good book with a protagonist whose fate you still care about even though you wouldn't be friends with him. Also, there's quite a lot of funny dialogue in this, which actually made me laugh! In a sci-fi novel! Who knew?
I found the world-building to be really interesting, one that I would happily read more about. Though if you think about it, Bester didn't go super crazy with his 'future' - it's the 25th century, and apart from jaunting (teleportation), a few gadgets here and there, there's nothing too extravagant. I mean, the guy goes five hundred years into the future and he goes this easy? Luckily the plot and the overall politics prove to be captivating enough for this kind of lackluster future not to baffle the reader. I like that he explained certain issues connected with the development of teleportation and he answered the key questions, not all of them though, so we're still left with stuff to ponder about. Jaunting was introduced and incorporated into the novel well enough for me to love the concept to bits.
The pace was a bit uneven, but still, for this kind of length and plot density we got a lot out of The Stars My Destination.
Moderate: Misogyny
torpidcup's review
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, and Rape
Minor: Violence, Sexism, Addiction, Drug use, and Ableism