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A review by pbobrit
The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon
5.0
This is about as good a debut novel as they come.
I would hate to be accused of hyperbole, but I think in a very short time this book could rank in importance alongside books such as Orwell's '1984', Huxley's 'A Brave New World'. The author, as all good authors, do uses the text discuss the bigger issues facing us right now. The differences between information and knowledge. How we obtain said knowledge. The purpose and use of language. The loss of the the skill of memorization through over reliance on technology. The ways we communicate and their effects on communication.
Clearly the author does have a manifesto, but doesn't ram it down the reader's throat and personally it is one that as I get older and learn more, I am increasingly starting to think she has right. As well being a great exploration of all these thing, it is a really good read, a page turner, but one I want to come back to at some point savour the small details and ponder more deeply the questions raised.
I would really recommend this book for anyone, if you enjoy science-fiction you might additionally enjoy it as it is set in a not too distant future. I look forward to seeing if she can repeat her success with future books.
I would hate to be accused of hyperbole, but I think in a very short time this book could rank in importance alongside books such as Orwell's '1984', Huxley's 'A Brave New World'. The author, as all good authors, do uses the text discuss the bigger issues facing us right now. The differences between information and knowledge. How we obtain said knowledge. The purpose and use of language. The loss of the the skill of memorization through over reliance on technology. The ways we communicate and their effects on communication.
Clearly the author does have a manifesto, but doesn't ram it down the reader's throat and personally it is one that as I get older and learn more, I am increasingly starting to think she has right. As well being a great exploration of all these thing, it is a really good read, a page turner, but one I want to come back to at some point savour the small details and ponder more deeply the questions raised.
I would really recommend this book for anyone, if you enjoy science-fiction you might additionally enjoy it as it is set in a not too distant future. I look forward to seeing if she can repeat her success with future books.