This is an amazing short story about a time in the future when committing a crime (whatever may be considered a crime in the future!) is punished by mThis is an amazing short story about a time in the future when committing a crime (whatever may be considered a crime in the future!) is punished by making the person become "invisible." Not literally invisible, but to the community around them (the criminal is made to wear marker on their forehead). No one is allowed to acknowledge them in any way (under penalty of law) until they have completed their term of punishment and the marker is removed.
It is very interesting to go through this year of invisibility with the main character. And it really makes you think about how you would feel in the same situation, and what mental and psychological affect a year (or more) of being a complete social outcast would have on a person.
What a quaint, fun little series! Very similar in style to "All Creatures Great and Small," but the local constable is telling his stories as a young What a quaint, fun little series! Very similar in style to "All Creatures Great and Small," but the local constable is telling his stories as a young police officer. I will definitely read more of these :)...more
Oh my! What an unusual story! Of course, it is science fiction, so I guess that was to be expected!
It is the story of people living on an island and tOh my! What an unusual story! Of course, it is science fiction, so I guess that was to be expected!
It is the story of people living on an island and things start to get "disappeared." When they do -- such as "hats" -- the people just accept it, throw away all the hats, and forget that hats ever existed! :0 But there are some people on the island that don't forget, so they must go into hiding from "The Memory Police"!
I have read this author before and so enjoyed The Housekeeper and the Professor! This book was written in that same style, which I loved. But the story was very different!
I just finished, and am still not sure what to think. I'm going to have to stew over this one for awhile :)...more
I always enjoy Mark Twain and his playfulness with words and wonderful sense of humor. This embellished telling of a hiking trip in Europe goes to extI always enjoy Mark Twain and his playfulness with words and wonderful sense of humor. This embellished telling of a hiking trip in Europe goes to extremes in every way and often had me laughing! There were times when it was obvious that his use of language had not aged well (you know, the 1880 era compared to the present!), but only a couple of times.
Overall it was very cute! But I was glad he didn't go on a lot longer. As much as I love Twain, a little goes a long way ;)
This is one of the strangest books I've ever read! It is considered science fiction (thank goodness!), and is about a 40-storey high-rise where the reThis is one of the strangest books I've ever read! It is considered science fiction (thank goodness!), and is about a 40-storey high-rise where the residents, over time, form into what are equivalent to "tribes" (upper level, middle level, and lower level apartment dwellers) that fight against each other. They are nearly like jungle dwellers, with garbage everywhere; nonfunctioning facilities and utilities; fights over use of the elevators -- it is really strange!!! I kept thinking "Where are the police? Where are the ambulances? or any kind of authorities?!" And the people seem to be enjoying it!!!
My guess, is that the author was trying to show what ends up happening to people when they are left completely to their own devices, that they revert back to their most base natures.
But it was really hard for me to read because this was written in 1975, and supposedly semi-futuristic, and everything that happened went against my views of society -- thus, the "science fiction" label.... I think..... ;)
I didn't like it and was uncomfortable throughout, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. BUT it must have been good enough in someone's eyes because they made a movie of it in 2015, and it included actors like Jeremy Irons, Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss, and Keeley Hawes, among others! In truth it might be a better movie than book!! I wanted to read something by Ballard, but I think I'll probably stay away from him in the future :p...more
This is a very sad, but hopeful story told wonderfully in Sophie's trademark style. I was so sorry to hear of her brain cancer diagnosis and all that This is a very sad, but hopeful story told wonderfully in Sophie's trademark style. I was so sorry to hear of her brain cancer diagnosis and all that she has gone through, and wish her all the best....more
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