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athnyx230's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
mgreer56's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pine_wulf's review against another edition
3.5
Very entertaining. I really enjoyed some scenes and the climax is phenomenal. I got a little bored during the cat-and-mouse game when Powell is trying to prove Reich committed the murder. And the way that women were written is very much a product of its time. It's definitely worth a go if you're interested in sci-fi classics.
infinimata's review against another edition
3.0
Re-read this and found that it holds up a lot less well than it did before. Pros: amazing breakneck pacing and noir atmosphere. Cons: horribly dated pseudoFreudioJungian psychobabble casserole that leaves the worst taste in the mouth after the 2/3rds mark.
Oliver Stone was at one point trying to get a film adaptation off the ground sometime in the 1980s, but it never went anywhere because it apparently ran too long and would have been too difficult to film. A miniseries adaptation today might fly ... but only after a very, very extensive reworking.
Oliver Stone was at one point trying to get a film adaptation off the ground sometime in the 1980s, but it never went anywhere because it apparently ran too long and would have been too difficult to film. A miniseries adaptation today might fly ... but only after a very, very extensive reworking.
safuya's review against another edition
5.0
Got it for Christmas and finished it in a day. Great book.
pomegranatepanacea's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alfred bester is clever but sometimes he is so obsessed with his own cleverness that it's outright annoying. the romantic subplot was unnecessarily uncomfortable. (he didn't have to make barbara age regress, did he? that whole plot line was uncomfortable.) it's a shame because it's such a compelling story and it's creatively executed, but parts of the novel were just unenjoyable. i was hoping for more from the winner of the first hugo award.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abandonment
lilli_w12's review against another edition
2.0
HUGO AWARD WINNER 1953
The first book in my quest to read all the Hugo Award winners.
2.5.
Far and away the best part of this novel is how telepathy is implemented/shown. From how it impacts society as a whole to how Espers communicate with each other. This was a very interesting book, especially for its time. The actual crime stuff was okay, but the romance made me want to throw up.
The first book in my quest to read all the Hugo Award winners.
2.5.
Far and away the best part of this novel is how telepathy is implemented/shown. From how it impacts society as a whole to how Espers communicate with each other. This was a very interesting book, especially for its time. The actual crime stuff was okay, but the romance made me want to throw up.