A review by driedfrogpills
Infomocracy by Malka Ann Older
3.0
This is a really interesting piece of speculative (poli-)sci-fi. While dry at times the world-building was intriguing if a little hard for me to wrap my head around at times. Maybe it's a sign that for the first half of the book I was either a bad reader or the book didn't gel with me, but I had to remind myself that place names and locations =/= governments and countries (and really for a book that is all about the election process taking place globally that's a rather "uh duh" moment for me. In hindsight, how I could have forgotten when every major plot point focuses on which centenal is voting for which party is beyond me).
But while I may not have been the best fit for this book, this book is incredible for what it offers. Malka Ann Older's experience with international affairs shines through every aspect of the story, bringing such credibility and authenticity to the text that will definitely satisfy anyone who enjoys exploring all the nuances and behind-the-scenes jockeying in the political sphere. This is not the book if you want to escape from the drama and frustrations of the current election cycle, but I am planning on revisiting this book once I'm no longer burned out on American politics.
I admit that I am not a huge fan of political intrigue or political thrillers. I admit that what first drew me to Informocracy was the description of the organization Information and the roles that data collection were going to play and in that I was so not disappointed. Mishima and Ken were easily my favorites. Older's futurist view of data usage and access was easily one of my favorite bits of world-building; to experience a world so saturated with data from a (somewhat trusted) monopoly raises all kinds of questions in how information today is verified, spread and presented.
I appreciate this book; I'm not sure I like it. I love that it exists, and that it is so well-presented and intelligent. And I'm glad that I read it, but feel like a re-read is required to better grasp all the political aspects involved.
Thanks to Macmillan-Tor and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for a review.
But while I may not have been the best fit for this book, this book is incredible for what it offers. Malka Ann Older's experience with international affairs shines through every aspect of the story, bringing such credibility and authenticity to the text that will definitely satisfy anyone who enjoys exploring all the nuances and behind-the-scenes jockeying in the political sphere. This is not the book if you want to escape from the drama and frustrations of the current election cycle, but I am planning on revisiting this book once I'm no longer burned out on American politics.
I admit that I am not a huge fan of political intrigue or political thrillers. I admit that what first drew me to Informocracy was the description of the organization Information and the roles that data collection were going to play and in that I was so not disappointed. Mishima and Ken were easily my favorites
Spoiler
primarily because of the work Mishima starts and Ken joins in on towards the end of the bookI appreciate this book; I'm not sure I like it. I love that it exists, and that it is so well-presented and intelligent. And I'm glad that I read it, but feel like a re-read is required to better grasp all the political aspects involved.
Thanks to Macmillan-Tor and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for a review.