scifi_rat's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Violence, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, and War
Minor: Bullying, Mental illness, Medical content, Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Drug use, Murder, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship
rorikae's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
'Vagabonds' by Hao Jingfang is an engaging science fiction novel that discusses the political strife between Earth and Mars through the eyes of teenagers.
Vagabonds follows a group of Martian kids that were sent to Earth as a delegation from Mars. Returning to Mars after five years on Earth, they begin to explore the differences between the two societies and their faults. The story primarily focuses on Luoying, one of the kids that was sent to Earth whose grandfather holds a prominent place in the Mars government. As Luoying learns more about her grandfather's role and her parent's deaths, she begins to unravel more about the history of both societies.
'Vagabonds' is a slow and meticulous science fiction story that I can see not being for everyone. It doesn't have the large battles that some people seek out in science fiction but is more of a slow political and social exploration through a science fiction lens. Jingfang does this exceptionally well by centering the group of kids that were sent to Earth as a delegation from Mars, especially with the character of Luoying. Luoying's unique perspective based on her family's involvement in politics gives the reader a personal investment in figuring out what has happened in this world.
One of my favorite parts of this story is how it explores what art could potentially look like in the future. Luoying is a dancer and the first section of the book also focuses on a filmmaker named Echo. By exploring these characters, Jingfang offers ways that artistic pursuits have been impacted by technological advancements. I do wish that Echo had a larger part throughout the rest of the story.
Though I don't think this book will be for everyone, I think that those who are interested in a character study set in space with political machinations going on in the background will really enjoy it. Despite it's setting, the story skews slightly toward literary fiction. Jingfang paired these in an engaging way that makes me interested to read more of her work.
Vagabonds follows a group of Martian kids that were sent to Earth as a delegation from Mars. Returning to Mars after five years on Earth, they begin to explore the differences between the two societies and their faults. The story primarily focuses on Luoying, one of the kids that was sent to Earth whose grandfather holds a prominent place in the Mars government. As Luoying learns more about her grandfather's role and her parent's deaths, she begins to unravel more about the history of both societies.
'Vagabonds' is a slow and meticulous science fiction story that I can see not being for everyone. It doesn't have the large battles that some people seek out in science fiction but is more of a slow political and social exploration through a science fiction lens. Jingfang does this exceptionally well by centering the group of kids that were sent to Earth as a delegation from Mars, especially with the character of Luoying. Luoying's unique perspective based on her family's involvement in politics gives the reader a personal investment in figuring out what has happened in this world.
One of my favorite parts of this story is how it explores what art could potentially look like in the future. Luoying is a dancer and the first section of the book also focuses on a filmmaker named Echo. By exploring these characters, Jingfang offers ways that artistic pursuits have been impacted by technological advancements. I do wish that Echo had a larger part throughout the rest of the story.
Though I don't think this book will be for everyone, I think that those who are interested in a character study set in space with political machinations going on in the background will really enjoy it. Despite it's setting, the story skews slightly toward literary fiction. Jingfang paired these in an engaging way that makes me interested to read more of her work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Violence
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