Melly11

Eye opening insights

Revisado: 07-22-23

I heard Pahlka on the Ezra Klein show and picked up her book immediately after finishing the podcast, she was that interesting, intelligent and engaging.
This book was a truly an eye opening insight into why government implementation, especially digital, feels so clunky and outdated - administratively heavy and yet still not enough - generating criticism from both left and right on the political spectrum. Great stories that kept me riveted (even though I already knew the real world outcomes), frustrated, and somehow managed to also leave me slightly hopeful for the future of tech in government. The author also does an excellent job narrating!

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Nonsensical stream of consciousness

Revisado: 10-01-18

This book had so much potential, but in the end I couldn’t even finish it. I have never not finished a book. Usually, I love long, poetical descriptions of beautiful scenes. I enjoy backstory that gives context to the minor characters. I am even an academic and can relate to the well-described little quirks of scholars who spend too much time away from the “real world.” But there needs to be a plot! Instead, the story just meanders between (albeit beautifully written) different streams of consciousness, with no way to connect it to what little plot there is, and no way to relate one character to another. Perhaps that was the point and they all will converge at the end of the book, but I stopped with about 2 hours left (about 75% of the way through) because I couldn’t take it anymore. That’s what I get for taking summer reading recs from a tabloid magazine....

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Engrossing tales within tales, but ends flat

Revisado: 05-21-12

I think I voice similar sentiments as other reviewers. This story is amazing and engrossing. Each tale begins so far away from the main story, but manages to end up tying together the story in the present. There are great juxtapositions between science and supernatural, love and war, right and wrong. Because of the beautiful and elaborate descriptions throughout the book, in comparison, the ending seems quick, dry, flat, with a good part of the tale left untold. Sure, the author gives you enough information for you to surmise what happens, but why end so abruptly? It really does feel like the author was forced to hastily finish up the last chapter for a deadline. If you like extremely descriptive stories that make you feel like you in the characters' world, then you will like almost all of this book. The enjoyment of listening to the first 11 hours makes up for the disappointing last 5-10 minutes, but I wish the ending was given the care and time the rest of the story received.

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