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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
A modern classic of high-concept science fiction. Anthony explores ideas in several areas of life and thought in this novel - it has good character development, a plot with action and mystery, fascinating scientific ideas, and some strong philosophical questions.
Love hate relationship with this one... Started reading it two years ago and stopped reading around 50% of the book, because I couldn't stand those long discussions about astrology. Also, I'm not a SJW but I had a feeling that the author is just too much focused on Afra's womanly parts (a bit sexist and chauvinistic), maybe I'm wrong tho.
Started reading it again a few weeks ago, just to see if I was wrong, this time I've just fast forwarded through (semi-serious) astrology book parts and focused on the story about Macroscope.
The first thing I've noticed that while at the beginning of the book there was a big focus on overpopulation, but that focus suddenly disappears once the group is gone rogue, and it seems that search for overpopulation solution died with Brad. After that, the part about Neptune and Triton seemed a bit like filler content to me, no clear purpose or doing. And after this part book get a bit better, there are finally some interesting stories being told, still with some astrology spiced over but oh well...
Really a great idea for the story, with (sort of) interesting and a unique main character but it failed abysmally. In the end, I felt divided about the book: did I liked it or not? I guess something in between. 4/10
Started reading it again a few weeks ago, just to see if I was wrong, this time I've just fast forwarded through (semi-serious) astrology book parts and focused on the story about Macroscope.
Spoiler
The first thing I've noticed that while at the beginning of the book there was a big focus on overpopulation, but that focus suddenly disappears once the group is gone rogue, and it seems that search for overpopulation solution died with Brad. After that, the part about Neptune and Triton seemed a bit like filler content to me, no clear purpose or doing. And after this part book get a bit better, there are finally some interesting stories being told, still with some astrology spiced over but oh well...
Really a great idea for the story, with (sort of) interesting and a unique main character but it failed abysmally. In the end, I felt divided about the book: did I liked it or not? I guess something in between. 4/10
Yep. Before his writing became too silly with the 'Xanth' series, Piers Anthony was writing stuff like this. Mind blown to infinitesimal pieces with this book!
While Anthony is known more for his fantasy work, he also wrote sci-fi. I don't remember this one at all, though. According to the Amazon reviews, it is much better than his later works.
This book is full to the brim with carefully crafted, ingenius ideas. The macroscope is only the tip of the iceberg. There was a very Stapledon/Star Maker quality that came in at the end which I really enjoyed. Childhood's End also comes to mind as far as the tone of the book. The scale is massive, philosophy deep, adventure non-stop. I really enjoyed this book. It's a wonder this isn't on the top science fiction lists.
However, be aware that there is a particular scene, "the handling", which is completely unnecessary and upsetting. I ripped out about 4 pages. It was not only dirty, but logically failed in it's stated purpose. Just skip this section before the melting technology is first applied. You'll know when it's coming.
However, be aware that there is a particular scene, "the handling", which is completely unnecessary and upsetting. I ripped out about 4 pages. It was not only dirty, but logically failed in it's stated purpose. Just skip this section before the melting technology is first applied. You'll know when it's coming.
The first half of this was better than I expected, which just made the second half more of a disappointment, I think. The very beginning was confusing, but once I got into it, I found it quite fast-paced, until I hit the final showdown. And then things kind of fell apart. I didn't particularly care for the way he handled that whole thing. Also, the entire book is laced with sexism, homophobia, and racism, so there's that. It could have been worse, considering when it was written, but it certainly could have been better.
Anthony might be a decent writer if he wasn't so enthralled with misogyny
This book took me a long time to get through, but it was very enjoyable. As most of Anthony's work, it is science fiction, but includes a great deal of fantasy. This book is a commentary on cultures and some of their prejudicies and predelictions. Includes some cool galactic technology too. :-)