Historical, contemporary, and science fiction are masterfully executed to tell a story beautifully in their exploration of philosophy and physics. AutHistorical, contemporary, and science fiction are masterfully executed to tell a story beautifully in their exploration of philosophy and physics. Auto-biographical influences are clear in the narrative, as are pandemic themes. The plot leaves readers as lost as some characters but that doesn't distract from the storytelling. Ambitious is an understatement for where the author takes the story, each chapter, and each character increases the complexity of the plot with rich flavors of mystery, poignant moments of loss, and welcome assurances of joy.
Mandel may write fiction, but it's really long-form poetry disguised as prose. Highly recommend this book to anyone who reads fiction or is interested in where physics and philosophy intersect with life. It's a book to read, then share. ...more
Physics accurate science fiction that never forgets the human element of storytelling, The Expanse is well worth the journey. At its core, political iPhysics accurate science fiction that never forgets the human element of storytelling, The Expanse is well worth the journey. At its core, political intrigue, space combat strategy, and human destiny are layered on the science fiction plot devices. The series' scope grows, starting with one crew in the solar system, to a diverse and morally ambiguous cast of characters across space. The television series by the same name is an excellent companion to the first 6 books, covering the first two trilogies neatly. The final three books are standalone but essential to complete the whole story.
Nine books is a lot, but sci-fi readers won't think it's enough. Highly recommend watching a few episodes of the show first, then picking up the books.
Random Quotes from the Series: "All beautiful things should have just a little sorrow about them."
"In his opinion, faith was generally for people who were bad at math."
"Whoever screws up last loses. Whoever screws up second to last wins. That’s what war is."
"She understood now why adults lied to children. It wasn’t love. It was exhaustion."
"We’re scientists. We only know things until someone shows us we’re wrong."
"The lone atom of steel at the tip of the tip of the spear." ...more
Liu's fans will enjoy this collection; his work is often self-referential and hints of both his translated and authored pieces. See The Three-Body PrLiu's fans will enjoy this collection; his work is often self-referential and hints of both his translated and authored pieces. See The Three-Body Problem and The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories). All of the stories are original, but hints of cross-pollination from previous works are present.
This might not be the place to start for others not familiar with his short, academic, and poetic hard science fiction. The stories are almost connected, but not; It's an uneasy feeling that takes getting used to. New readers might not adjust.
An emotional and wonderful read none the less; more original than most. Recommend to sci-fi and fantasy readers.
Quotes:
"The story is co-told by the author and the reader, and every story is incomplete until a reader comes along and interprets it."
"You humans think you are what you've done, ...But you're really what you remember."
"Your biology is such that with each act of recall, you also rewrite the memory."
"Sometimes I wonder if we have misunderstood the notion of freedom. We prize "freedom to" so much more than 'freedom from'."
"America is only a democracy for those lucky enough to be Americans. To everybody else, it's just a dictator with the biggest bombs and missiles."
"I understand her language, but she doesn't understand mine—or care to. That's how power works in this world."
Source material for the excellent movie "LIVE DIE REPEAT" (also called "Edge of Tomorrow") this book is page-turning action combined with a war-time gSource material for the excellent movie "LIVE DIE REPEAT" (also called "Edge of Tomorrow") this book is page-turning action combined with a war-time ground hog's day scenario. The translation from the original Japanese is superb.
Following the main protagonist's inner monologue about life, war, and developing into the perfect soldier are entertaining. The why and how the aliens invaded the earth is interesting, but not elaborated on and also the limit to the hard science fiction in the book. This is more an action book using science fiction as a vehicle for plot development, than the other way around.
It's a quick and fun read; if you enjoyed the movie, this is different, but you'll likely enjoy it.
Some quotes:
"Good ideas don’t stand a chance against good bureaucracy."
"I don’t care how many lives you have, if you followed the orders of every officer fresh from the academy, you’d end up getting bored of dying."
“You shouldn’t assume everything you don’t understand is a message”
“Our lives should be written in stone. Paper is too temporary—too easy to rewrite.”
"If there’s a heaven, it’s a cold place. A dark place. A lonely place."
"All around you, your friends are breathing in and out without a second thought while you drown alone in a sea of air."
With skillful enough authors, the black and white on the paper can mix into color. This book, a correspondence of letters between enemies on the frontWith skillful enough authors, the black and white on the paper can mix into color. This book, a correspondence of letters between enemies on the frontline of a time war, is best described as experimental fiction. Unfocused, confusing, and challenging to read, the experience is still rewarding and satisfying. The letters blur the lines between poetry, prose, and insanity. Wartime romance tropes are present, but only as incidental symbolism, barely noticeable. Seldom giving hints about the world the protagonists live in, the narrative focuses more on the purple thread that connects the main character Red and Blue.
Experimental, Romanic, Hard Science Fiction; not for casual reading, but can be read casually.
Highly recommend for readers looking for original, provocative, cerebral literature. Highly discourage others. ...more
Having watched the excellent Netflix show based on this title, I decided to read it. Highly recommend watching the show over reading the book if debatHaving watched the excellent Netflix show based on this title, I decided to read it. Highly recommend watching the show over reading the book if debating between the two. Not that the book is bad, the show's story is just much better, and it builds the world much better. The core story is the same in both, but with major character development differences. The idea of transferred consciences between bodies/virtual reality is the main plot vehicle, a concept that opens up some pretty cool philosophical ideas about the human condition and mortality, these are better discussed in the book. ...more
Like every cyberpunk story, this is also a detective story. Technology plays a big role, with the internet of things and augmented reality role-playinLike every cyberpunk story, this is also a detective story. Technology plays a big role, with the internet of things and augmented reality role-playing serving as vehicles for plot development. Characters change throughout the story, a few main ones stick around, but the story is the main attraction. This is the continuation and conclusion to the first book in the series, "Daemon." Entertaining and easy to digest if you are into technology.
Highly recommend to people who are early adopters of technology, play RPGs, or enjoyed "Ready Player One."...more
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