(3.0) Narrative seemed (probably intentionally) far removed
I kind of get the rhythm of the novel is supposed to feel like the rapid orbits of the eart(3.0) Narrative seemed (probably intentionally) far removed
I kind of get the rhythm of the novel is supposed to feel like the rapid orbits of the earth, and the astronauts are likely captivated (maybe more so the first month or so rather than third or sixth?) by the land the see—or don’t—“below� them. It gets repetitive to read about this or that continent, these land features, those cities. It may capture life up there well, but doesn’t necessarily mean that’s a novel-worthy experience.
And one more thing on that note…I kept feeling like we were getting a pinpoint view, not the whole of the vast view I would expect. We do get a few descriptions of the horizon/atmosphere, butch those again are their own pinpoints, not integrated with the entirety of the view I would expect from the space station. But what do I know? ;)
In between the descriptions of orbital paths, we do get some insight into our characters, but even then it felt like from a distance. Large passages are general impressions of astronauts up there, not individual events or experiences. And the experiences we do read are often jarring jumps into second person. Not sure why this choice was made when the rest of the novel emphasizes the distance between these six souls and everything else?
A few interesting philosophical moments, including the notion that anyone who sees the earth from space suddenly sees clearly the futility and inanity of politics, war etc., which makes “you� (ok this might not have been a second person passage but it feels like it in retrospect) both at peace and despondent.
Was expecting the lunar mission to play some more significant role here. I guess they’re just meant to feel old and of an earlier era on the space station (soon to plunge into the earth below), doing their part to allow humanity’s next steps.
I just dunno. Given that it won the Booker, pretty sure I’m missing some of the enlightening experience better readers had....more
Title novella was my favorite in the book. We kept revisiting moments of Mendelssohn’s last day. His experi(3.5) Longer the story, the more I enjoyed.
Title novella was my favorite in the book. We kept revisiting moments of Mendelssohn’s last day. His experience, others� observations, surveillance cameras, absence of surveillance coverage. Little ambiguous ending but not much....more
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