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ebook_em's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I honestly could have rated this anywhere between 3 and 5 stars, but I landed on 4.5 because the story was so engrossing and I’ll probably think about this book for a long time.
Set in the 1960s, Singer Distance is a genre-bending novel about the disappearance of Crystal Singer following her successful communication with Martians using a mathematical proof etched into the desert. There is some hard sci-fi in the book, but it’s mostly about relationships among very flawed humans and the distance (real and figurative) between them.
The premise was a bit confusing at times and I suspected some scientific accuracy might have been sacrificed for the sake of poetry. The dialogue and character depictions felt more contemporary than mid-20th century, and the two main characters were incredibly frustrating. That said, I loved the writing style, the road trip motif, and the reflective mood. It reminded me of Station Eleven mashed together with Interstellar. Overall, I highly recommend this for people looking for a really unique & meandering story with a sci-fi twist.
My spotify playlist based on Singer Distance: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6LM7vRZIpZqDhORmXih1zq?si=77a0f059b43e4456
Set in the 1960s, Singer Distance is a genre-bending novel about the disappearance of Crystal Singer following her successful communication with Martians using a mathematical proof etched into the desert. There is some hard sci-fi in the book, but it’s mostly about relationships among very flawed humans and the distance (real and figurative) between them.
The premise was a bit confusing at times and I suspected some scientific accuracy might have been sacrificed for the sake of poetry. The dialogue and character depictions felt more contemporary than mid-20th century, and the two main characters were incredibly frustrating. That said, I loved the writing style, the road trip motif, and the reflective mood. It reminded me of Station Eleven mashed together with Interstellar. Overall, I highly recommend this for people looking for a really unique & meandering story with a sci-fi twist.
My spotify playlist based on Singer Distance: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6LM7vRZIpZqDhORmXih1zq?si=77a0f059b43e4456
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
jazhandz's review
reflective
medium-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
3.5
A compelling scifi story about math and love and human nature that inexplicably got smashed together with pretty meh literary fiction about family. A really strong first act and a decent second act but the third act really let the book down for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
starrysteph's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Singer Distance is a beautiful meditation on love and relationships. It’s about tackling the unknown with curiosity and wonder. And really, it’s about the great journeys we take to stay connected with each other.
What if we knew for a fact that we weren’t alone in the universe? That fellow intelligent life was practically next door – right on Mars?
It’s 1960. Our story begins with a group of five brilliant & eager graduate students, crossing the country in a grungy van in an attempt to respond to Mars’ latest mathematical challenge. Crystal Singer is a mercurial genius, and her boyfriend Rick is both practical and deeply loyal. But after Crystal’s proof is presented, she disappears … and Rick will do anything to keep his love alive and grounded.
While Singer Distance creeps into sci fi territory with its galactic plot, its real charm and strength lies in the moments that are earthbound. Yes, it features a slightly alternate history with interplanetary communication … and yet the distance to other intelligent life still feels uncrossable.
Instead, we focus on all the known languages spoken between humans: math, science, poetry, music, and so on. Rick is fighting for his relationship and captivated by his love. The scope is both magnificent and minute, but it is all driven by curiosity, and obsession, and wonder of the unknown.
Chatagnier ruminates on detachment & connection, loneliness & companionship, and the tensions and paradoxes between these concepts.
It’s messy at times, but I found it thoroughly charming and was swept into the ocean of the story. I found this little book to be transportive and emotionally touching. I loved it.
CW: grief, abandonment, mental illness, suicide attempt, death of parent, stalking, mental illness
(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism