simonator's Reviews (183)

Likeable characters and interesting plot idea. Interesting historical processes are adapted but not adequately transposed to an engaging fantasy setting. Fascinating processes such as workers' revolution, the creation of a middle class are teased at, but not in length explored. Maybe more in the sequels? In a way, the concept was too ambitious for the story. 
Only one major event happens in the book's middle and the rest is just ... talking. Also, the regrettable characteristic of fantasy authors to mistake gritty realism with vulgar sexuality is strong here. The humour falls often flat. Some characters remain hard to grasp in this first volume.

Masterful exploration of duty, ethos as well as manhood and desire. The contemporary reader will find the dissection of the latter concepts could have benefited from a non-old-male perspective but it is a product of its time still. 
The haunting landscape and eerie world is painted into the reader's brain and poses the central questions of right and wrong, dignity in face of personal failure and shortcoming, and the inescapable humiliation of aging, impotence and the powerlessness of both the wretched and the blessed of the earth.

Unbelievable masterwork that like no other work makes it clear what it means to be truly and utterly impoverished by colonialism; the health detriment, the patriarchal oppression, racist thought colonising the mind, but also the tale of female solidarity in face of it all. Characters are truly believable and illustrations of the intersections of multiple violences. The nightmarish ending remains haunting for days after finishing the novel. 

A masterpiece. An intelligent description of both modern capitalism and Utopist Anarchism. Fantastically smart critique of gender roles and the individual's place in society. Every once in a while, a heartfelt and gut wrenching scene hits the reader out of left field and leaves you sobbing with effortless poetry. 

Fantastic read that is both educational for one's general knowledge  and not too heavy reading. Inspires hope and opens up interesting questions. Humour and illustrative examples make for an engaging experience. Myth-busting at its finest. 

The discussions on the findings' implications on our economy and capitalism vs communism was just mildly disappointing - some sharper consequences could have been drawn. But then again, the policy implications are more deeply discussed in Bregman's other book Utopia for Realists. 

Often poignant and sharply put, Fischer argues against the inhumanity of postmodern capitalism. The pop-culture anecdotes help, but sometimes, some Oomph to the point would be nice. Sometimes, he does sound like a disgruntled boomer extrapolating a bit too much from personal experience. Overall, there are more convincing and comprehensive arguments about Capital's absorptive capacity out there. 

The impact of this book is indescribable. Mysterious in its deeper meaning and yet poignant in its critique of orientalism, patriarchy, empire and the ego, it rattles the reader to the core.

The first half of this work is of the stuff of great literature. It speaks with eerie accuracy about the inhumane modernity of 2010. While it gets a lot wrong about overpopulation and neglects the centrality of climate change (Marx is right after all), it is nonetheless remarkably prophetic for a book created in 1968. Brunner describes an atmosphere of claustrophobia and numbness with paralysing skill. However, the second half becomes incredibly tiring, the only somewhat interesting central plot is annoyingly cut up every two pages by unrelated worldbuilding incerpts (which may have been intriguing enough for the first 300 pages but become tedious and distracting quickly), and the vulgarity of the violence and the treatment of female characters becomes simply uncomfortable. A pity, because these weaknesses pollute what could have otherwise been a masterwork in the league of 1984, Brave New World or Fahrenheit.

Didn't connection to me in large parts, but she is undoubtedly great. On the matter writing, she is at her best in this. She writes chiefly about America-ness which is not ideal if you find America unimportant.