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koalha's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
This satirical masterpiece (from 1936!) captures expertly the absurdity of modern society's relationship with existential threats of their own making. When humanity realizes they are in a speeding car headed towards a cliff, all they can do is increase speed.
Besides being a pessimistic yet sharp-eyed analysis of society, the book is a treasure trove of memorable (if not always short) quotes.
"What are we supposed to do; quite likely the world will collapse and disappear under water; but at least that will happen for political and economic reasons we can all understand, at least it will happen with the help of science technology and public opinion, with human ingenuity of all sorts! Not some cosmic catastrophe but just the same old reasons to do with the struggle for power and money and so on. There's nothing we can do about that."
Besides being a pessimistic yet sharp-eyed analysis of society, the book is a treasure trove of memorable (if not always short) quotes.
"What are we supposed to do; quite likely the world will collapse and disappear under water; but at least that will happen for political and economic reasons we can all understand, at least it will happen with the help of science technology and public opinion, with human ingenuity of all sorts! Not some cosmic catastrophe but just the same old reasons to do with the struggle for power and money and so on. There's nothing we can do about that."
bolshoi's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
anko19's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
thewaywardchild's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
codycampbell's review against another edition
3.0
An excellent satire, a creative critique of 1930s politics, and scathing commentary on the human condition - but it's also quite impersonal (no leading characters) which I'm personally not fond of
thinkspink's review against another edition
5.0
Every time I read it, it seems to get more relevant. The whole bit on not being able to stop selling arms to the newts because of the impact on factory profits, despite them sinking most of the world in particular.
mchapmansydney's review against another edition
5.0
A powerful and scathing indictment of humanity and a funny and richly satisfying story. Written before wwii broke out proper it would have been insanely prophetic, even now, in the light of economic failure, climate change, impending civil war and increasing misinformation, in all the ways humans have dug holes that they rely on completely and are destined to fall into, this book paints human reality with absurd strokes, and is as good a mirror into our greed and folly than anything I’ve read. If that was all it was, that’s something, but this book is funny, entertaining, page-turning and inventive. Vonnegut before Vonnegut. A true pity Capek died so young, he was a real artist and striking poet. A masterpiece.
amka_slamka's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.5