THE MOON BLEW UP WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. This is going to be one of the greatest opening lines ever written to commence 5/5 stars.
THE MOON BLEW UP WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. This is going to be one of the greatest opening lines ever written to commence a novel if not already being given that tag.
And that is how the novel begins- with the disintegration of the moon into seven pieces (and they are named Potatohead, Mr. Spinny, Acorn, Peach Pit, Scoop, Big Boy, and Kidney Bean) leaving all of humanity in a state of discombobulation. The best minds in the world try to piece together the cause of such a catastrophe because something that shouldn’t have happened has happened. Now that it has happened, it has to have a reason behind it. While the best minds in the world get together to figure out the source of the event, two pieces of the moon collide into each other breaking apart one of them and it is at this juncture the scientists ask the most pertinent question- what does this mean to earth?
Doc Dubois Harris believes and calculates that these collisions are going to increase at an exponential rate and thus they are going to witness the Kessler Syndrome or what they call it “White Sky”. The bolides are going to hurl themselves towards the earth causing a meteor strike on the earth’s surface- which is nicknamed as Hard Rain. The scientist calculates that the earth has approximately 2 years before the Hard Rain occurs and then the earth is going to remain uninhabitable for at least 5,000 years.
The solution? Leave the earth behind.
The book is divided into three parts.
The first part deals with the preparations taking place in space from the time of the breaking of the moon to the event of the Hard Rain. Humanity plans to build an ark in space around the International Space Station with several arklets riding behind the ISS. Representatives from every nation are sent into space after the nation follows the process of selection called The Casting of Lots.
The second part involves preparing for the big ride to the safe space located within the moon called “Cleft”. A little over 1500 people are involved in the Big Ride to the Cleft and the journey takes over 3 years to complete.
The third part describes the lives and lifestyles of humanity 5000 years into the future and what has become of the earth.
I had some knowledge about Neal Stephenson and his writing style before I began reading the book, which enhanced my reading experience. I knew that he excels at providing in-depth information about how things work, reflecting his background. I was also aware that character development is not his strong suit. Since the novel falls under the genre of Hard Science Fiction, I appreciated the abundance of scientific information throughout the book. This story doesn't delve into the emotions and interactions of the characters, focusing instead on the scientific aspects, making the lack of character development a positive aspect.
In my opinion, Seveneves is a masterpiece that seamlessly integrates art and cutting-edge technology to create a narrative that defies traditional storytelling. The book exemplifies what happens when an author recognizes their strengths and weaknesses and focuses on writing about their strengths. This approach is why the information overload and lack of memorable characters in the book are effective.
The book does not have a traditional conclusion, and the revelations towards the end of the third part suggest the possibility of additional books, turning Seveneves into a series. I believe that the world created by the author is so skillfully and finely crafted that it has the potential to rival well-established fantasy series, and I think readers deserve many more books set in this world....more
The plot of the book can make use of the very famous space warning - "Houstan, we have a problem!" and use it very aptly. A space mission on mars goesThe plot of the book can make use of the very famous space warning - "Houstan, we have a problem!" and use it very aptly. A space mission on mars goes eerily wrong thanks to a dust storm and a special thanks to an antenna which bumps into Mark Whatney, who loses contact and consciousness only to have his team deem him dead. Only, he is not! And now Mark has to find ways to find a way in which he has to survive on Mars which includes growing potatoes, creating oxygen, producing water, modiifying the HAB and everything else that is needed of him. Does he manage to do it?? One must read to find out. The beauty of the book lies in the accuracy of the improvisations undertaken for survival. Almost everything mentioned in the book is a fact and nothing has been fabricated. The writing is impeccable too, managing to hold the reader from the first word to the final full stop. The whole situation of Mark Whatney is like that in Life of Pi (minus Richard Parker of course) that happens on Mars. I must say I did have my fair share of apprehensions at the start of the book. But now, its only celebration (Just wondering how Whatney would have fared in Indian traffic). Maybe we will see it as a sequel some day....more
Every now and then one must let go of the apprehension of wandering into the unknown realms, straying away from the routine and the familiar to head iEvery now and then one must let go of the apprehension of wandering into the unknown realms, straying away from the routine and the familiar to head into an unknown and unchartered territory, for you may end up finding the treasure at the end of the rainbow or even better, a book like Bridge of Birds. The children of a village aged between 8 and 13 are mysteriously poisoned leaving the villagers in a state of shock and worry. The Abbott asks Number Ten Ox( named so because he is the tenth child to his parents and is strong as an ox) to bring a wise person for help and Number Ten Ox finds Master Li, a old man with a slight flaw in his character. Master Li inspects the situation and proclaims that only "the great root of power" can heal the kids. And then begins the adventure! Bridge of birds is a fascinating novel with a host of memorable characters. It is a novel containing stories within story. It is a book full of mystery which is no less thrilling than the best thriller while also being no less entertaining than the most entertaining book. The story which seems to meander without any particular direction in a confusion like a vagabond escaping his own shadow. But nothing is as it seems as seen by Master Li and Number Ten Ox. I purchased this book only because of the unique name of the trilogy which fascinated me. And when I started reading the book, the narration hypnotised me and it also transformed me as a kid listening to stories from my grandmother. And I am sure it will be the same with you. It is a very fresh novel and though it may not be a tome like many other fantasy novels, it is better than most of them....more
THE MOST EXHILARATING BOOK THAT I HAVE READ SO FAR. Middlesex is a story about discovery, about finding oneself, about coming in terms to who or what oTHE MOST EXHILARATING BOOK THAT I HAVE READ SO FAR. Middlesex is a story about discovery, about finding oneself, about coming in terms to who or what one really is. It is about bonding, love, friendship and everything one desires. Its about grief, sorrow, pain and accepting the actualities. Its about hope, optimism, being upbeat and moving on. ...more
Ah. Another adventure down with the eccentric Master Li, a genuis but with a slight flaw in his character and his former client now accomplice Number Ah. Another adventure down with the eccentric Master Li, a genuis but with a slight flaw in his character and his former client now accomplice Number Ten Ox,as they set forth to solve a murder that seems to have been committed by a prince who has been dead for over seven hundred years! What seems like a supernatural story, which could be laughing ridiculously at the intellect of the reader for believing the premise, ends up being nothing short of a Conan Doyle masterpiece or a Agatha Christie gem. Barry Hughart, no doubt, is a brilliant writer who knows how to glue together a story using the right ingredients to create a tale, so engrossing that you wish for it to be true. (I did). Its just too sad that he didn't get the necessary support that would have otherwise garnered him a reputation much more glorious than what it is now. But I must admit, Story of the Stone is not as refreshingly awesome as Bridge of Birds, the predecessor to this one. While that had a host of marvellous characters and loads of ancient tales, this book is more to the point like an answer in a examination. ...more
This book is a phenomenon. That is all that I can say because it cannot be explained in any ways else!! It was magical, paranormal, supernatural, straThis book is a phenomenon. That is all that I can say because it cannot be explained in any ways else!! It was magical, paranormal, supernatural, strange and yet it wasn't any of those!! But I am baffled regarding one thing. I am not sure if I should give the credits to Haruki Murakami or to the narrator Philip Gabriel! This book has been the most refreshing read in a long long time!!...more
This book was a litmus test for me and it showed me two things. Where I stand amongst the global ambigram community and what I need to do to be recognThis book was a litmus test for me and it showed me two things. Where I stand amongst the global ambigram community and what I need to do to be recognised widely as an Ambigram artist. The ambigrams featured in this books are beautiful and magnificient. Some exhibit high prodigal skills and ingenuity. But all of them are inspirational. I know now, what I have to do to be a top class ambigram artist.....more
This happens to be a book written by my relative and its about my ancestors. having said that, the rating isnt biased. I genuinely loved the book. ItsThis happens to be a book written by my relative and its about my ancestors. having said that, the rating isnt biased. I genuinely loved the book. Its one of those books, where when you say that you could connect to the characters doesn't become cliched!!!...more
Inspiration can come from anywhere. It can be handed down to you from your parents, it can come from divine intervention, or at a spur of the moment, Inspiration can come from anywhere. It can be handed down to you from your parents, it can come from divine intervention, or at a spur of the moment, or from reading a book, or simply from within yourself! For Captain Gopinath it was mostly from the last one. He always looked within himself for inspiration, for the rest of the ingredients needed to succeed was already there in him. Simplyfly is not a 'How to'book. Captain makes it very clear in the foreword itself that this book is everything but that. And it is everything but that! The story retraces the footsteps of Captain from his childhood days in Gorur, and thereafter his term as an officer in Indian Army where he fought the 1971 Indo-Pak war, after which he returns to be a farmer!!! And then he establishes a motorcycle showroom after he which he ventures into helicopter tourism and finally he enters the industry which made him famous! Low cost airlines!!! The narration is captivating. One almost feels that Captain is standing right in front of you and narrating this, in person! And the story is one about grit, guts and gumption! (This is taken from the title of a book which narrates the turn around of SBI, but can be used here as well). Nothing came easy to him, nothing was handed to him in a silver platter. Just like a tennis player has to win 7 matches to get the trophy handed to him, Captain had to earn his reputation. And by God, he earned it alright! The book is not only an insight into the life and mind of the Captain, but also about human determination. Its about what a person can do if he breathes the dream and not just ponders it! If you have a dream then YOU must get out and get it done for no one is going to hand it to you! The part I loved the most was his period as a farmer. He converted a barren land which was always attacked by floods in the monsoon to a huge, yielding farm! And he did this trick by not using moden methods, but by being one with the nature, by understanding how the balance of nature works! here is an paragraph from the book. Farmers and people from the agricultural department advised me to keep the soil 'clean' and use chemicals to prevent termite attack. I posed the question: If termites are indeed so lethal how could forests have survived over thousands of years? Termites ought to have slowly assaulted and reduced them to dust. But forests have survived. SO have termites.... I supposed the termites must have lived off the litter and the debris that you find on the floor of the forest. I sought to create a similar environment here on the farm... I dumped the debris closely around the trunk of the trees as mulch, hoping that the termites would find it as rewarding to feed off the debris as off the trees. And, I discovered to my surprise that instead of attacking the trunk, the termites attacked the mulch and found it delicious. They left the trees alone. The book is filled with many such insights and innovations. They are all triggered bu asking the question WHY NOT at a new idea and WHY at a prevailing mindset! This book is a must read for all!!!...more
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