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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I have a feeling this book deserves five stars. But my current state of mind has me so much distracted. I definitely want to reread this later when my brain is more limber.
It is an interesting combination of Pratchett/Gaiman’s Good Omens, Shanna Swenson’s Enchantment Inc., and several other recent best sellers that I don’t want to spoiler by naming. Although since this was written back in the 60s, that means that more likely, those stories derive from these.
What can I say? I can say that this is a lighthearted series of related stories (3), both scientific and magical. So perhaps, the best of both Science Fiction and fantasy. Longtime readers of both will enjoy the characters and paradoxes.
I think I might have to move up to 5 stars now.
It is an interesting combination of Pratchett/Gaiman’s Good Omens, Shanna Swenson’s Enchantment Inc., and several other recent best sellers that I don’t want to spoiler by naming. Although since this was written back in the 60s, that means that more likely, those stories derive from these.
What can I say? I can say that this is a lighthearted series of related stories (3), both scientific and magical. So perhaps, the best of both Science Fiction and fantasy. Longtime readers of both will enjoy the characters and paradoxes.
I think I might have to move up to 5 stars now.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
A computer programmer is lured into the aptly bureaucratic world of Soviet magic.
This is a fabulous book, and if you love Terry Pratchett, I particularly recommend it--there are a thousand and one things from Discworld's Unseen University that seem to have come from this book! Of course, Sir Terry added his own particular spice, and, ahem, a PLOT. This book is almost pure setting, without actual plot or character development, so keep that in mind. But what a setting! I also highly recommend if you like Charlie Stross's Laundry Files, whose parallels will be immediately obvious as well. Hm...and maybe Neil Stephenson as well.
Side note: I listened to this on audio, and it was an excellent reading.
At any rate, this is one of the most fundamental, delightful, and goofy books of sci fi-fantasy, and I highly recommend it if you want to dig deeper into the genre.
This is a fabulous book, and if you love Terry Pratchett, I particularly recommend it--there are a thousand and one things from Discworld's Unseen University that seem to have come from this book! Of course, Sir Terry added his own particular spice, and, ahem, a PLOT. This book is almost pure setting, without actual plot or character development, so keep that in mind. But what a setting! I also highly recommend if you like Charlie Stross's Laundry Files, whose parallels will be immediately obvious as well. Hm...and maybe Neil Stephenson as well.
Side note: I listened to this on audio, and it was an excellent reading.
At any rate, this is one of the most fundamental, delightful, and goofy books of sci fi-fantasy, and I highly recommend it if you want to dig deeper into the genre.
Lo he intentado leer conjuntamente y creo que se me han mezclado varias cosas: falta de background en el folklore ruso, poco nexo entre sucesos y demasiado absurdismo. No he podido pasar de la mitad del libro.
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2.5/5
A strange, interesting, and comedic book. It's three stories following one character. The first story is by far the most confusing and weakest in my mind. It's a fun read, but not really and character development. Almost written like a journal.
A strange, interesting, and comedic book. It's three stories following one character. The first story is by far the most confusing and weakest in my mind. It's a fun read, but not really and character development. Almost written like a journal.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I feel like a grump lately when I'm reviewing books because I've been handing out so many negative reviews. I'm willing to take part responsibility for this but I don't feel solely to blame here.
This book is a series of sketches, references, and vague ideas about the study of magic in the USSR, barely connected by a broader plot. They scarcely relate to each other and many don't have much broader context, meaning that if they baffle or otherwise don't land, they also don't do anything to advance the plot or understanding of the world. If this sequence of sketches, scenarios, and vague magical ideas were more funny, interesting, or clever this book probably could have succeeded on the strength of that without a plot; unfortunately I found them at most vaguely amusing, and at worst, a slog.
I'm sure there are also references I didn't get because of the time period and setting, and most of the humour related to soviet bureaucracy didn't hit for me — I can tell it's there, but I'm missing the context or experience to get the joke. So that part's on me.
What a grump, huh? Sorry, everyone. I was very keen to read something more from the Strugatskys after Roadside Picnic, but this book disappointed me.
This book is a series of sketches, references, and vague ideas about the study of magic in the USSR, barely connected by a broader plot. They scarcely relate to each other and many don't have much broader context, meaning that if they baffle or otherwise don't land, they also don't do anything to advance the plot or understanding of the world. If this sequence of sketches, scenarios, and vague magical ideas were more funny, interesting, or clever this book probably could have succeeded on the strength of that without a plot; unfortunately I found them at most vaguely amusing, and at worst, a slog.
I'm sure there are also references I didn't get because of the time period and setting, and most of the humour related to soviet bureaucracy didn't hit for me — I can tell it's there, but I'm missing the context or experience to get the joke. So that part's on me.
What a grump, huh? Sorry, everyone. I was very keen to read something more from the Strugatskys after Roadside Picnic, but this book disappointed me.