novella42's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fascinating, cerebral, full of political machinations on a heavy foundation of subtext. I felt like most of the exposition was unpacking the subtle meanings—or rather the POV character's interpretation of what something really meant.
I loved witnessing this vision of the future from the lens of Vietnamese culture, values, and spirituality. The Mind ships were a beautiful blending of human and AI, but I especially loved the mem implants that allowed AI versions of your ancestors to travel with their descendants through a generational legacy, imparting wisdom—and cultural pressures—over centuries. Alliette de Bodard did not hold back on the world building implications of this technology, and I have a feeling her vision will stay with me.
As for the plot itself, I had a hard time getting into this story because it was hard to visualize most of the characters, who mostly went to great lengths to show no emotion and to hide their intentions from each other. I am pretty sure some of the disconnect for me must be my discomfort as a white person and an American used to direct communication styles and big facial expressions. I tried to relax my expectations and immerse myself in the nuance, focusing on what was at stake for each character (especially if they allowed themselves to be as emotionally demonstrative as I wanted them to be) and that helped.
Most of the characters seemed to want to communicate as indirectly as possible, using references to poetry to prove their social status. I love poetry, and at the same time I felt a little lost, the way you do when you enter a conversation where everyone is talking in memes you don't know and referencing media you've never seen. The author did a pretty good job cutting right to the heart of the meanings intended, rather than slowing the book down explaining all the references. The moments when we get to read the poetry felt really special because of that, I think.
I appreciated the description of food, everything from the flavors of tea to the making of fish sauce in space, to the cultural significance of banquet dishes. It made me feel the way I did when I first discovered Chinese vlogger Li Ziqi who shares peaceful, beautiful videos of rural life and traditional Chinese cooking. The food ways of the Dai Viet Empire and the Xuya influences were a lovely humanizing aspect of this story that I really enjoyed.
Prosper Station was gorgeously described, and even in its darkest moments I felt entranced by the peaceful spaces and evocative holograms. I'd much rather explore Prosper than, say, Deep Space 9. To live in a place with a genuine personality, that valued poetry and the natural world even in a metal space station in the void of space... It was one of the gentlest and loveliest visions of space travel I can remember. I think the setting, as much as anything, was what kept me coming back to the book. I really felt for the Mind Ship character as well, and thought she was beautifully represented.
I loved witnessing this vision of the future from the lens of Vietnamese culture, values, and spirituality. The Mind ships were a beautiful blending of human and AI, but I especially loved the mem implants that allowed AI versions of your ancestors to travel with their descendants through a generational legacy, imparting wisdom—and cultural pressures—over centuries. Alliette de Bodard did not hold back on the world building implications of this technology, and I have a feeling her vision will stay with me.
As for the plot itself, I had a hard time getting into this story because it was hard to visualize most of the characters, who mostly went to great lengths to show no emotion and to hide their intentions from each other. I am pretty sure some of the disconnect for me must be my discomfort as a white person and an American used to direct communication styles and big facial expressions. I tried to relax my expectations and immerse myself in the nuance, focusing on what was at stake for each character (especially if they allowed themselves to be as emotionally demonstrative as I wanted them to be) and that helped.
Most of the characters seemed to want to communicate as indirectly as possible, using references to poetry to prove their social status. I love poetry, and at the same time I felt a little lost, the way you do when you enter a conversation where everyone is talking in memes you don't know and referencing media you've never seen. The author did a pretty good job cutting right to the heart of the meanings intended, rather than slowing the book down explaining all the references. The moments when we get to read the poetry felt really special because of that, I think.
I appreciated the description of food, everything from the flavors of tea to the making of fish sauce in space, to the cultural significance of banquet dishes. It made me feel the way I did when I first discovered Chinese vlogger Li Ziqi who shares peaceful, beautiful videos of rural life and traditional Chinese cooking. The food ways of the Dai Viet Empire and the Xuya influences were a lovely humanizing aspect of this story that I really enjoyed.
Prosper Station was gorgeously described, and even in its darkest moments I felt entranced by the peaceful spaces and evocative holograms. I'd much rather explore Prosper than, say, Deep Space 9. To live in a place with a genuine personality, that valued poetry and the natural world even in a metal space station in the void of space... It was one of the gentlest and loveliest visions of space travel I can remember. I think the setting, as much as anything, was what kept me coming back to the book. I really felt for the Mind Ship character as well, and thought she was beautifully represented.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Classism, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Religious bigotry, Confinement, Medical content, War, and Violence
A couple more detailed/spoilery content warnings:Spoiler
Memory loss and a metaphor for an elderly family member with Alzheimer's
More...