Absolutely hilarious take on humanity. The book is a great reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. Highly recommended if you find yourself belieAbsolutely hilarious take on humanity. The book is a great reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. Highly recommended if you find yourself believing your thoughts are meaningful. It’s particularly helpful to bring sanity for those at child bearing age. Vonnegut does it again. Might be one of my favorites of his. ...more
Good to read while traveling to India. The book starts off like a cheesy romance story but I soon loved the characters and the story. It provides goodGood to read while traveling to India. The book starts off like a cheesy romance story but I soon loved the characters and the story. It provides good lesson on indian-hindi-american culture and several tragic events. I cried while reading a lot. Historical events are detailed and seem to be portrayed realistically. An important read. Could do without the cringe lovey stuff but bought into it so it was done well. ...more
The most interesting concepts detailed in the most dull, round-about way. There are books that explain the implications of quantum and the connectionsThe most interesting concepts detailed in the most dull, round-about way. There are books that explain the implications of quantum and the connections to what we now understand as spirituality much better. But sometimes we need to hear it in a different way. A few good examples will stick with me. ...more
Excellent writing and a very interesting scifi thread that connects all the characters. There are multiple ways to read this book. Just enjoy each secExcellent writing and a very interesting scifi thread that connects all the characters. There are multiple ways to read this book. Just enjoy each section as standalone or try to catch how all the characters are related. I found each mini-story captivating. There are various narratives types throughout. This was an experience. It can be distracting to try to connect it all. I wish there was more of a conclusion or point at the end but it may have been beyond my comprehension. ...more
Great timing to read a book about the role of machines as we face the acceleration of AI. Vonnegut doesn’t disappoint with typical poking fun at socieGreat timing to read a book about the role of machines as we face the acceleration of AI. Vonnegut doesn’t disappoint with typical poking fun at society and silly, laugh out loud moments. Eerily accurate on many predictions (remaining jobs are managers & service, basic needs are met for the population), and way off on others (government leads w tech, socialism, people are ranked by IQ & role). His POV is heavily influenced with contrasts to war times and the related expectation that people need moral purpose. Sadly, he assumed the population would care more about tech doing things for them. He underestimated how easily culture would be influenced by luxuries and corporatism. Like all his books it was a well-paced, fun read. This one did seem like an early work. Too many characters and a little clunky at times with random tangents I felt like skimming. ...more
Bland overview of scifi with some observations worth considering as a fan of the genre. But nothing too interesting so it was difficult to get throughBland overview of scifi with some observations worth considering as a fan of the genre. But nothing too interesting so it was difficult to get through. ...more
Buried beneath the excessive dialog, cliche characters and nonsense plot twists, there was some interesting concepts here. This is soft sci-fi that waBuried beneath the excessive dialog, cliche characters and nonsense plot twists, there was some interesting concepts here. This is soft sci-fi that was so simple it was somewhat painful to read. Found myself skimming through the unnecessary back and forth debating what to do next passages. It seems the author was trying to reach a word count. Nothing was left unsaid. Abrupt ending. Easy read and some laugh out loud moments. Cute and unserious. ...more
Good story with some touching moments but really drawn out and wordy. The beginning was rough and hard to get into. I did like the overall premise andGood story with some touching moments but really drawn out and wordy. The beginning was rough and hard to get into. I did like the overall premise and creative way to show appreciation for life. Love this author. Definitely not his best but still worth reading. ...more
Worth a read for the twist in the end I did not see coming! Speculative fiction is ripe for criticism on the possibilities outlined world building butWorth a read for the twist in the end I did not see coming! Speculative fiction is ripe for criticism on the possibilities outlined world building but I have to say a lot of this is very unrealistic. If the author did more research on how IVF is done today it might give more hints on the future of reproductive technology. Putting that aside, the book was easy read and couldn’t put it down. Characters weren’t particularly believable or likable but the story moved fast and suspense done well. ...more
Interesting concept relating history to AI. Could have been a lot shorter. This is a very pessimistic and limited view on technological advancement thInteresting concept relating history to AI. Could have been a lot shorter. This is a very pessimistic and limited view on technological advancement that doesn’t give humans much credit. It assumes we won’t react to AI overreach and just let it do horrible things to us. The author is very judgmental and has no spiritual take. ...more
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