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zmb's review against another edition
3.0
Certainly a different style. I am cautiously optimistic about the sequels.
peterkovacs's review against another edition
1.0
Got halfway through an audio book performance, but this is a terrible book — basically a rape fantasy with no redeeming value whatsoever.
antkneeomonster's review against another edition
3.0
3.5, maybe?
This was my first Donaldson and while it's certainly well written, it wasn't a whole lot of fun. Apparently this opening novella is the least of the series to come, but it felt like the endless rape and misery ratio was disproportionately weighted in favour of bleakness over story.
Don't get me wrong, I like my narratives dark and violent and hideous at times, but what's it all in service of, I wonder. Anyway, I'll give the next book a bash, it sounds much more interesting.
This was my first Donaldson and while it's certainly well written, it wasn't a whole lot of fun. Apparently this opening novella is the least of the series to come, but it felt like the endless rape and misery ratio was disproportionately weighted in favour of bleakness over story.
Don't get me wrong, I like my narratives dark and violent and hideous at times, but what's it all in service of, I wonder. Anyway, I'll give the next book a bash, it sounds much more interesting.
crowmaster's review against another edition
3.0
I did not expect this story to be so dark. I did enjoy the ending. The characters are something.
pfanzie's review against another edition
3.0
I was originally going to rate this two stars. The subject matter is pretty grotesque, and I struggled to relate to any of the characters. On a scale that measures personal enjoyment alone, this barely reaches a two star. However, in hopes of salvaging some respect for this book, I turned to the author's words at the very end.
After reading the afterword, I was pleasantly surprised at the motivations behind this book. I appreciate and greatly respect the decisions that the author made in writing and publishing this story. Many of the reservations that I hold about this narrative are shared with the author. I know some of the disgust and confusion I have about this book may be cleared up in future installments and that calms my frustration slightly, however I believe that the psychology and motives of Angus are too gruesome for me to continue.
This story was not my favorite read, but I have to give credit to goals the author is trying to accomplish. I believe that I was challenged by this book. I needed to live in a different "head space" for awhile to appreciate this book for what it is. I appreciate the challenge and I think I have grown as a reader and human being after reading this. Regardless of the literary merit of the novel (and possibly the series as a whole), I will not be continuing onto the next book.
After reading the afterword, I was pleasantly surprised at the motivations behind this book. I appreciate and greatly respect the decisions that the author made in writing and publishing this story. Many of the reservations that I hold about this narrative are shared with the author. I know some of the disgust and confusion I have about this book may be cleared up in future installments and that calms my frustration slightly, however I believe that the psychology and motives of Angus are too gruesome for me to continue.
This story was not my favorite read, but I have to give credit to goals the author is trying to accomplish. I believe that I was challenged by this book. I needed to live in a different "head space" for awhile to appreciate this book for what it is. I appreciate the challenge and I think I have grown as a reader and human being after reading this. Regardless of the literary merit of the novel (and possibly the series as a whole), I will not be continuing onto the next book.
linark's review against another edition
4.0
Donaldson is a funny guy. Such dark and disgusting subject matter yet it's still a stellar book. Bases the story on simple ideas - Victim, Villain and Rescuer (and the shifting of these roles) - unbelief and leprosy. Stephenson seems to gravitate toward stories that contain his male protagonist raping a female character, with complex motivations behind the rape. The rape or sexual abuse is always a large part of the book(s), with many consequences. It's like Uncle Ben's murder or when I drop my bread butter side down on the floor after a long tumultous day - the last straw off the camel's back, the point after which the plot starts tumbling.
I find it endlessly faschinating the way he handles it in his books, how he explores the minds of immoral peope, allows us to look around and understand - and the discussion of redemption, which is interesting because Stephenson is never actually pushing the agenda of redeeming rapists. He lets the characters speak for themselves. That's quality! So I do really want to read more.
What I also do admire about his books is how he manages, after a quality first book, make the subsequent ones of the same high quality. Both Lord Foul's Bane and now The Real Story have been of exceptional quality, with that same shine true classics have, and the next two of the Thomas Covenant books were the same. I have high expectations of Forbidden Knowledge. Victim turned Rescuer question mark?
I find it endlessly faschinating the way he handles it in his books, how he explores the minds of immoral peope, allows us to look around and understand - and the discussion of redemption, which is interesting because Stephenson is never actually pushing the agenda of redeeming rapists. He lets the characters speak for themselves. That's quality! So I do really want to read more.
What I also do admire about his books is how he manages, after a quality first book, make the subsequent ones of the same high quality. Both Lord Foul's Bane and now The Real Story have been of exceptional quality, with that same shine true classics have, and the next two of the Thomas Covenant books were the same. I have high expectations of Forbidden Knowledge. Victim turned Rescuer question mark?
ravenlynne's review against another edition
1.0
I don't think I'm this book's target audience AT ALL.
brandolini's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Drug use, Rape, and Sexual assault
tits_mcgee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An intense character focussed romp with a refreshing structure and perspectives not usually seen in the sci-fi genre, A Gap into Conflict follows an anxiety riddled rapist as he exploits a female police officer using brain-controlling technology. Yeah . . . it’s as messed up as you’re thinking.
Man, this book gets dark fast and holds that tone with a tight grip through the whole story. For the most part, this book feels like the antithesis of the normal sci-fi tropes. There is no “hero”, no glory and no epic plot, instead we get a short but focussed study of psychotic and erratic behaviour and some grimly delicious world building that leaves you in the dark about the broader picture.
Certainly not a book for everyone, but if you like fucked up characters and unique reading experiences then I definitely recommend this. I think my rating of it is going to be a strong 8/10, but it’s a difficult one to score, it feels a bit like watching dark-web nonce porn and saying “yeah that’s good shit.”
So . . . 8/10, I think.
Man, this book gets dark fast and holds that tone with a tight grip through the whole story. For the most part, this book feels like the antithesis of the normal sci-fi tropes. There is no “hero”, no glory and no epic plot, instead we get a short but focussed study of psychotic and erratic behaviour and some grimly delicious world building that leaves you in the dark about the broader picture.
Certainly not a book for everyone, but if you like fucked up characters and unique reading experiences then I definitely recommend this. I think my rating of it is going to be a strong 8/10, but it’s a difficult one to score, it feels a bit like watching dark-web nonce porn and saying “yeah that’s good shit.”
So . . . 8/10, I think.