hardbackednooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
I have genuinely no idea how to rate this. I think reading it pre-2020 would have made it less...too close to home, but reading it now in 2023 gives me complicated feelings (mostly because of the trauma). It's a testament to Scalzi's research that the first 1-2 parts of the story read exactly like all of the articles and breaking news from early pandemic. Haden's syndrome is obviously worse in so many ways, but the pandemic aspect of the book, both in terms of spread and public reaction, was eerily accurate.
I'm not sure I'll read the rest of the series anytome soon, but this was a good intro to the concept and gets the reader thinking about medical and morale ethical problems.
I'm not sure I'll read the rest of the series anytome soon, but this was a good intro to the concept and gets the reader thinking about medical and morale ethical problems.
_artsychild's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Now this makes sense. This is just a short story about some experiences of the Haden syndrome and how it developed. This answered most of my questions about the disease.
leland_hw's review against another edition
4.0
This gives some great background for [b:Lock In|21418013|Lock In|John Scalzi|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1399037491s/21418013.jpg|26115712], told in brief "historical" narratives.
The audiobook was read by multiple actors and that seemed to enhance the idea that these were historical recordings. Kind of like listening to "This American Life" on NPR without the host.
The audiobook was read by multiple actors and that seemed to enhance the idea that these were historical recordings. Kind of like listening to "This American Life" on NPR without the host.
a_ab's review against another edition
informative
reflective
5.0
I enjoyed this novella a whole lot more than the 'Lock In' book. The multiple perspectives were very refreshing and realistic. Especially after the 2020 pandemic, a lot of this seems downright prophetic.
P.S. After reading the whole series, I can confidently say that this is the best book of the lot, and if you read this one, you can skip the other 2 unless you are a huge fan of FBI procedurals in book form.
P.S. After reading the whole series, I can confidently say that this is the best book of the lot, and if you read this one, you can skip the other 2 unless you are a huge fan of FBI procedurals in book form.
allanvdh's review against another edition
5.0
Page Turning
This is a great short story introduction to what I’m hoping will be an amazing series. I’m moving directly into the next book. The way it’s written as a collection of interviews makes the book really interesting.
This is a great short story introduction to what I’m hoping will be an amazing series. I’m moving directly into the next book. The way it’s written as a collection of interviews makes the book really interesting.
chickensaregreat's review against another edition
Too many random disjointed stories, I just can't.
jaymeks's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this novella was highly more interesting than the book. As a bit of a history nut, I truly enjoyed seeing the short form history of the virus itself. I almost wish I had read this story before the book...
rileywill77's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
dana_naylor's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0
Fun! Along the lines of World War Z, it’s an imaginary history with interviews of people. I’ve already read Lock In, so the world made sense to me. Rather wild reading about a pandemic after having gone through one recently! Quick read.
fdterritory's review against another edition
5.0
World War Z.... If the author of World War Z could write.