C. Brown

too ruminative for me.

Revisado: 05-18-24

I'm glad to see writers moving away from war and violence, but I like exploration, speculation, and a sense of wonder. These stories were so self-consciously literate that forgot to take us somewhere new and fascinating. and if Science Fiction need not be all running gun battles, it also does not need to rdtreat to expository rumination, either. There is a middle ground of discovery and extrapolation, or the genre is wasted.

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Truly expands our understanding of Thomas Nagel's

Revisado: 03-09-23

Umwelt is like Qualia on steroids. In 1974, Thomas Nagel opened philosophy's eyes with "What Is It Like To Be a Bat?"
This books adds science, depth and breadth, and accessibility, substantiating and enormously expanding on Nagel's think-piece. Kudos to Ed Yong for narration which makes this fairly technical work feel like a relaxing chat with a very well-informed friend. The author writes in a clear and unadorned manner, but is not above the occasional salty language. Would not read some parts out loud to a circle of children!
I got this because NPR promised it would my understanding into a sensory and experiential multiverse, and it fully delivered.
Still listening as I write, but felt compelled to recommend.

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More Belletrist than Scientist or Journalist

Revisado: 03-09-23

Pros: Really important, innovative, meticulous science. Should be considered for Nobel.
Cons: Fans of Michael Pollen, Stephen J Gould, or Mary Roach will regret that one of them did not write this. There is so little science sprinkled grudgingly into this poetic autobiography that I gave up and searched infographics instead, after reading about a third of the book. Professor Simard uses such emotional, subjective, and anthropomorphic language that her exquisite thesis may not be taken as seriously as it should. Although she is very much the face of this new and consequential science, I gather that, as with Einstein and Darwin, she is far from the sole researcher who built this edifice, and hearing more about the others would strengthen credibility. If your are looking for a personal narrative with a garnish of science, the writing is adequate.

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does not work

Revisado: 07-30-22

does not respond to voice input. instant death. semi-cool idea ruined in the execution.
BTW, if review is optional, how does a 15-word minimum make sense?

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just excellent

Revisado: 07-29-22

Good story, some insightful moments, excellent writing, and Will Wheaton turns out to be among the very best narrators. Ron Perlman also shone. Will watch for this author, Ben Winters.

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Complex Character Study reminiscent of Joseph Camp

Revisado: 04-17-22

Great use of multiple narrators/perspectives to reveal a compelling character via the partial understandings of others. Like the TV Character, Monk, his virtues and flaws are linked, unlike that character, Nick is a kind of genius, whereas Monk is merely a savant.
Strictly speaking, the story does not require a SF setting, though the setting is used to make various plot elements work. This could all have occurred within Horatio Hornblower's world, but there is a lot of Expanse-like jargon and detail used well.
It was a relief to me to read modern science fiction NOT driven by military or interpersonal violence.
Audio format probably enhanced the experience, as compared to good old fashioned reading.The multiple excellent cast members helped keep the characters strong and distinct.
Finished the book five minutes ago, and starting the sequel after I type this. Will definitely read more from Mr. Shoemaker.

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An Exercise in Straw Man Argument

Revisado: 05-03-21

I was hoping Ben Shapiro would give a more credible voice to the Right. I agree the Left is not the place to learn how the Right thinks. But his version of both is a string of self-serving caricatures. Certainly his fantasy Right comes off better than his fantasy Left, but learning anything about political reasoning from this is like learning military strategy from Lord of the Rings.

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Maybe for pre-teens?

Revisado: 02-16-20

I finally gave up and deleted about 4 hours in. I just couldn't handle Dave Wright's narration, which sounds to my ear like a 1950's Disney documentary for children. In fairness, my spouse was not as bothered.
The narration actually isn't completely wrong for the book, which seems to be aimed at 10-year-olds like the protagonist, Alex. I may well have liked it myself at that age.
The plot is Erich von Däniken's "Chariots of the Gods," but appropriately marked as fiction.
So far, this is to Science Fiction what Muzak is to Rock and Roll.
I think the simplest fix is to more clearly mark this as a children's book.

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Pseudo-Lovecraft

Revisado: 11-04-19

In fairness to the author, if you are jonesing for Lovecraft, this might hit the spot.
I'd somehow gotten the impression this was Science Fiction. I do not believe this author has ever sat in on a biology class, Nor met a biologist. Also, his protagonist's inferences, hallucinogenic as they are, are simply not derived from anything we are shown or told. It is as if you saw a bird flying north and inferred that foxes ruminate over what it must be like to live as a domestic dog.
Literally NOTHING meaningful happens. At all. Though various people die horribly for literally no apparent reason.
This audiobook has the complete trilogy, but I didn't have the stamina to continue after the first book.
This might be a shaggy dog story, But I do not believe the punchline will repay the hours of gibberish.
Moody, pretty writing, though.

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A 14 year old boy’s idea of a “Real Man”

Revisado: 04-16-19

First, a disclaimer: I finished all 10 books. Probably because Mark Boyett is a fantastic narrator. Make that, Storyteller. I do not think I would have stuck it out as text.
Pros:
Well-written, flows well, story builds on itself, and, like Horatio Hornblower, the protagonist rises in rank and significance over the course of he books.
Many call-backs to earlier stories, well-developed characters (within the functional requirements of the narrative) are distinct from each other. You could probably identify each bit of dialogue without attributions.
Some nice plot twists.
The central speculative hook is revivication of the legionnaires, and it is fairly well developed, though never deeply.
Lots of ripsnortin’, rootin’ tootin’ action!!!
Cons:
Unlike Hornblower, he never matures in the slightest.
The problem with charming rogues is that they are rogues. McGill is a childish, self-absorbed misogynist (I am a centrist straight male) with a bull-in-a-china-shop approach to EVERYTHING, and phenomenal luck (Authorial intent, deus ex machinae) which is supposed to pass for good ol’ boy genius.
He is a Randian superhero: Only he knows what to do. How? Well, he just … y’know … knows. He never listens to anyone; they’d only slow him down. He literally hits on every female he meets, often missing important points in the process. Most of them are his own species. He makes Captain Kirk look grown up. He dozes through briefings with the fate of all humanity at stake, does whatever his amygdala fancies, and it always turns out for the best.
Graves would have been a much better protagonist.
All of the aliens are shallow, funny-looking humans, in terms of personality, intellect, and psychology.
This series panders to the child in each of us who wishes there were no rules, and we could write on the wall using our own feces. Why do I have to wash my hands before dinner anyway? Why can’t I just take what I want? If he weren’t such a terrible example, this would be a children’s series.
This is Peter Pan with sex, violence, and alcohol, and never any consequences.
If you’re looking for science fiction that leaves you thoughtful, this isn’t it. If you’re doing heavy labor all day, and want some background entertainment, well, Mark Boyett makes this a great comic book.
Would I read more by this author? I would test him on another series.

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