The concept of the world was so repulsive, not to mention how relevant its prediction was to this age, it should be horrfiying to read. But instead itThe concept of the world was so repulsive, not to mention how relevant its prediction was to this age, it should be horrfiying to read. But instead it didn't leave any kind of vivid feeling. The overexplanation, the info dump, the stilted prose, the execution, sorry, but Orwell was just much better at it....more
It's 2021, are we any closer to the answers to all of these same old same old questions? But dear chapter 7, part three, it's definitely not just a phIt's 2021, are we any closer to the answers to all of these same old same old questions? But dear chapter 7, part three, it's definitely not just a phase....more
Slaughterhouse-Five was bizarre to say the least and absolutely deserving its spot as a memorable classic. This anti-war book was distinctly separate Slaughterhouse-Five was bizarre to say the least and absolutely deserving its spot as a memorable classic. This anti-war book was distinctly separate from the others precisely because of its narrative style and tone, which totally brilliant and generated a strong pull to keep one in its pages. It was so despairing and horrendous that it became hysterically hilarious which was the symbolism of the absurdity and nonsensicalness of wars. Deaths became inconsequential, that soldiers to survive and in keeping their sanity had to distant themselves from the reality of it by developing black humor, impersonal and indifferent detachment from other human beings and their own emotions, regressed into a cocoon of basic functions and sleepwalking through a grey haze or in case of the protagonist, created a whole reality inside his mind.
“There are almost no characters in this story, and almost no dramatic confrontations, because most of the people in it are so sick and so much the listless playthings of enormous forces. One of the main effects of war, after all, is that people are discouraged from being characters.”
Slaughterhouse-Five showed the impact of wars on mental and mind of veterans that had survived the terror of it by the twisted lens of how they viewed reality, the world had gained a new dimension. In the case of Billy Pilgrim, he injected the idea of a time travel with its own nature into his reality and broken, splintered mind. He never left the war, fact and fiction melded into one; there was no past, present and future; there was just one time of infinite moments; no death and nothing mattered because everything is, had happened, and always will. So "Everything was beautiful and nothing hurts." Peaceful, wasn't it? Well, personally I found this idea to be very terrifying, because then why care? Why live? Why do anything at all? There never was any choice, so it's pointless and meaningless. “Well, here we are, Mr. Pilgrim, trapped in the amber of this moment. There is no why.” Could you imagine when there is no why? When you stopped asking the word 'Why?' No progress, nothing changed, no growth, thing is because it is, no need for freewill or identity, anything could happen and it won't matter, you wouldn't care. As we saw in Billy's attitude toward life and death, it stopped having any impact on him, someone died? "So it goes". When he lost someone, when he was afraid, when it hurt, he time-traveled, "So it goes". This nature of time and his belief that no one really died became his coping mechanism in life, in his inescapable nightmares. This was what war did to a human being. And The Children's Crusade captured it brilliantly in its satirical, gripping approach....more
“So where they should have seen a living being, they saw only another thing to exploit. Where they should have asked, or left alone, they raped.”
That “So where they should have seen a living being, they saw only another thing to exploit. Where they should have asked, or left alone, they raped.”
That was one of the BESTEST conclusion I’ve ever read. It cleared up everything, there was no loose ending, and how immense all the revelations were. There were so many lessons here about humanity, society and morality. These philosophical questions was ancient, discussed often but Jemisin skill in framing them still able to make it fresh and richly felt, deeply provoking. This whole series was so distinctly original, intricate and complex, just freaking ingenious. I don’t think that I could ever completely understand all the magic, science and geology in this series, but the genius was crystal clear.
“They’re afraid because we exist, she says. There’s nothing we did to provoke their fear, other than exist. There’s nothing we can do to earn their approval, except stop existing – so we can either die like they want, or laugh at their cowardice and go on with our lives.”...more
It was not as impressive as the first book. The narration read easier, but the lack of plot was a letdown. This felt like a setting up for the last boIt was not as impressive as the first book. The narration read easier, but the lack of plot was a letdown. This felt like a setting up for the last book though, so I have high hopes....more
Awesome sequel, great adventure. The world building was expanding to the size of galaxy, and it was more complex than Skyward. But somehow in a way, SAwesome sequel, great adventure. The world building was expanding to the size of galaxy, and it was more complex than Skyward. But somehow in a way, Starsight felt sort of rougher in the execution. And even though it was more extensive, it lacked the spirit that was inspired in Skyward. It was fun, but the revelation and answers was too obvious....more
This book was an inspiration. A huge and powerful inspiration told in form of magnificent journey. For me, the best thing about Sanderson's books was This book was an inspiration. A huge and powerful inspiration told in form of magnificent journey. For me, the best thing about Sanderson's books was the fact that he always explored the most important thing in life, which was self discovery, identity, purpose and dream as the main theme. And as so, Skyward was so provoking to me, it evoked so much emotions, that I felt overwhelmed at times. I love how I don't really like the main heroine, 'Spensa' in the beginning, but this character evolved and grew deeply and tremendously, it was elevating. By the end, I was in love with her. I also developed a crush on FM (she was so hot, elegant and eccentric) and Ned (he was so smart and very very interesting). I wish there were more conversation and interaction among the characters. The world building was superb. Their flight, fight and battles were thrilling and mind blowing (though most times, my brain could not catch up, but I imagine it was super awesome). And the revelation was surprising, everything always made sense with Sanderson. ...more
Not a typical mind blowing ending of Sanderson, and almost all of the revelations kind of predictable, but overall still a superb series with extraordNot a typical mind blowing ending of Sanderson, and almost all of the revelations kind of predictable, but overall still a superb series with extraordinary world building, charming characters, engaging writing, super fun and action packed plot. ...more
Completely hooked! Sanderson still presented the best plot among all. I always like the way the stories turned out with him. Always surprise me in a vCompletely hooked! Sanderson still presented the best plot among all. I always like the way the stories turned out with him. Always surprise me in a very good way. The characters were developed greatly here. I love the logic and the philosophy element and the humor slipped between serious moments. High expectation for the the final book!...more
Wow, Fahrenheit 451 was a brilliantly fascinating book with a terrifying close prediction of a future (considering it was published in 1953). It was aWow, Fahrenheit 451 was a brilliantly fascinating book with a terrifying close prediction of a future (considering it was published in 1953). It was a bit hysterical and had an odd romantic sense, but it was so interesting and amazed me endlessly....more
Not a bad book. Not that impressive of a book either. The thing about dystopian book that it has to be able to leave the resonance of being probable, sNot a bad book. Not that impressive of a book either. The thing about dystopian book that it has to be able to leave the resonance of being probable, shocking enough but somewhat tangible. This book just didn't. I keep searching for the logic, the explanation. This book left thousand of things unanswered. The ending is the worst. It's like the writer just decided to stop writing or out of ideas. But if I put aside that thought, and just think that's the thing about story, think too much of the logic and you won't enjoy any of it, it's quite interesting. The writing style is melodramatically beautiful and touching at times....more
Maybe it's a bad idea to read a post-apocalyptic story in this pandemic time or maybe it's a suitable time to read one, because it reminded you no matMaybe it's a bad idea to read a post-apocalyptic story in this pandemic time or maybe it's a suitable time to read one, because it reminded you no matter how bad things looked like, it could always be worse. Not uplifting much? Depends, I guessed. Station Eleven told you how fragile the concept of civilization was, in matters of days the order that people depended on, every life conveniences that we had taken for granted, decades, centuries of invention, knowledge, and what people called progress could be simply wiped out. I think what I liked about this book was that it was not as much about the virus itself, it wasn't science fiction, it wasn't about surviving an apocalyptic world, okay it's about that, but still it's more about how to live, to pursue truth and beauty, to dream because "Survival is insufficient". The story was told in two time frames revolving around the lives of characters that all tied to one person, created a convergence point to an event in the future. This supposedly plot was actually not that significant, it's quite predictable and kind of underwhelming, except to serve as a connection. I found the pieces of memories, lives of the characters before and after the apocalypse to be more interesting, especially how the people who survived it struggled to build a home, to keep their sanity, to preserve history and art, to drag through death and grief, bringing light to lost souls or probably to find it together....more
Remarkable! The idea of mortal left to face super villain with powers drew me in. And I was swept along a fantastic journey. It was action packed fromRemarkable! The idea of mortal left to face super villain with powers drew me in. And I was swept along a fantastic journey. It was action packed from beginning, and I doted on David from almost the first second. The world was easily believable and the revelations were amazing....more
Legend was entertaining enough, I guessed. Nothing very special, it actually very common take, the plot was too straightforward, and predictable. The Legend was entertaining enough, I guessed. Nothing very special, it actually very common take, the plot was too straightforward, and predictable. The ending was underwhelming also. The world building was especially weak. But the execution was quite good and the MCs was likable. It was not bad for a YA, especially when one considered how young the writer was when this was written. There was not much flowery prose and the romance was even though kind of insta, was not heavy and cringy. I wished the MCs were older, it will much more believable. Overall, fun enough for a quick and easy read....more
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