R. D. Archer

Instant cult classic

Revisado: 10-09-23

If you enjoy tongue-in-cheek satire and supervillain stories, what are you waiting for?
Would not surprise me if this story becomes an enduring cult classic or a movie. Or both.

I feel there are so many fun elements that it's best to let them unfold and not write about them.
However, you have to love unionized dolphins. That cat, as it were, is already out of the bag.. and not the only one..

Wil Wheaton's narration pairs perfectly with the material, even if, like me, occasionally you like to shout "Shut up, Westley!".
He's a very talented narrator and breathes life into the story.

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A novel of ideas, from an unusual perspective

Revisado: 03-19-23

This novel is deeply subversive in the best tradition of stories that ask questions others assume answers to, or don't even think to ask. It explores deep ideas from a fresh and unusual perspective, in this case from the outside perspective of a sentient robot interacting with a human searching for meaning and direction. The motive power of this novel is mostly in the dialog between Dex and Mosscap, which is unusual enough to be subversive in and of itself.

It's subversive for explicitly asking questions like "is meaning important to life, and where does it even come from?" and implicitly for imagining what machine sentience might look like and how robot-human friendship might not only be possible, but of mutual benefit. While these themes are touched upon elsewhere (thinking of Isaac Asimov's robots and Iain M Bank's Minds), the storytelling is intensely personal, and that too, is a bit unusual.

This is definitely a "big ideas" exploration of machine sentience and the interaction and learning possible between a human and a sentient robot. If that interests you, you'll likely love this novel. If you're looking for a space opera or battles and wiz-bang technology, this just isn't that kind of story.

More obviously subversive (but far less significant and missing the point to get hung up on) is how she imagines a human future where people largely get along and have discovered a sustainable way to live, and are tolerant of individual differences and respectful of human rights, including the right to live unconventionally where it harms no one.

Those of a more authoritarian mindset will likely dislike the novel for imagining that kind of open and tolerant future. Also, there are those who can't or won't imagine an optimistic human future and argue it's unrealistic. Not going to engage in that debate, but note this novel imagines a world where it is not only possible, but was achieved.

Also, someone who can't get past the mere application of ungendered pronouns isn't going to enjoy this novel. It is best appreciated when read with an open mind when confronted by something new. That's the whole point of this novel, in my view, is what you can learn from embracing a different perspective.

Overall I give it an A+ for examining machine sentience and the possibilities that may lie in a human-robot partnership, an A for storytelling, and a C- for action. So it all depends what you're looking for.

It won a Hugo in 2022. I believe it's justified to write a big idea novel like this that bends the genre and a lot of conventions, but not everyone is going to like something this far off the main sequence.

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Great fun, especially for Those of A Certain Age

Revisado: 10-10-22

I will be brief. This is a wonderfully wacky and satirical sci-fi comedy exploring an alternate time-line where Kennedy survived and the US pressed the space race far beyond the moon landing.
Nixon is despicable and oddly lovable, and Kennedy is lovable and oddly despicable. There are legion 60's cultural jokes that anyone who remembers Laugh-In or the Nixon Administration will undoubtedly appreciate.

Nurse Nancy is a larger-than-life character.

The best summary I can make is I enjoyed every minute, and the cast performances were great.

If you remember Nixon or love the Futurama Nixon, this is a satire you'll probably enjoy.

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There's a Sea. And revenge. Truth in advertising!

Revisado: 07-11-21

An interesting and fun mystery / thriller. The immediate and personal style was delightful and makes the story feel as though it's a major motion picture for the mind.
Lots of fun and recommended.

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Peak 50's Asimov sci-fi stands the test of time

Revisado: 06-14-21

A detective novel that, nearly 70 years on, still feels futuristic.
This is beyond remarkable. It's amazing. Once again one of science fiction's visionaries expounds on the idea of the Three Laws and positronic brains, often at the margins, to weave a good detective tale. Complete with two twists at the end.

Few sci-fi novels from this era stand the test of time as this one.

The narration was excellent. Was a great way to spend some long commutes.
Definitely read/listen to "The Caves of Steel" first. It is similarly visionary and surprisingly fresh considering its age.

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Fun story, engaging dialog and story. Great escape

Revisado: 04-19-21

Be sure to count spaces between sentences.
A fun story that's easy to put yourself inside.
Recommended.

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