UPDATE (after seeing the movie): Another one to go in the list of great books and disappointing movies (nicely fits next to Cloud Atlas & Hitchhiker'sUPDATE (after seeing the movie): Another one to go in the list of great books and disappointing movies (nicely fits next to Cloud Atlas & Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy & many others)
The Martian has been on my to-read list for quite some time (I was waiting for a pocket version to be available in my favorite bookstore) so I was quite keen to get started. The lady from the bookshop couldn't resist saying she had read it and enjoyed it, although she did so a little hesitant in my opinion. Sort of like a guilty pleasure. The Martian, originally self-published, isn't what you would call "classic literature", it falls in the sci-fi category which is already a little frowned upon by "serious readers", add that that it will be turned into a Hollywood flick (coming out Oct. 2015) and that it is widely popular (if something becomes too popular, some people try to avoid it altogether), can create some prejudices before even reading the first letter. I personally like science fiction and although I tend to shed away from those overly popular books, I am not too snobbish to admit that they are often excellent reads.
When I started reading I immediately was confronted with a couple of things. 1. This is a very fast-read. I finished the book in less than 2 days (well it isn't a very long book either). It is well-written, in a no-nonsense kind of way. 2. This is not really a sci-fi book but rather a sci(ence) book. The amount of calculations and scientific explanations is quite elaborate. I personally didn't mind, on the contrary, but I can imagine some people being put off by it. 3. This is a funny book that made me laugh on numerous occasions. 4. This is a exciting book that gave me goosebumps on numerous occasions. The suspense is huge and the story and your curiosity drives you forward. 5. This is an excellent book, end of story.
Now, it does have its flaws which more critical people than myself will be all to happy to point out, but for me those were all drowned in the enjoyment I had reading it. I really liked it and I look forward to the movie. :-)
Not really original in its ideas but the execution is excellent. Not a far of dystopia like 1984 or Brave New World, but all very subtle with good intNot really original in its ideas but the execution is excellent. Not a far of dystopia like 1984 or Brave New World, but all very subtle with good intentions across the board. Slightly predictable but it reads away rapidly so it's not like you have to stare the oncoming "twists" in the eyes too long. It did struck a cord when I recently bought new contact lenses online...every since I am haunted by commercials for the website I bought them with to buy lenses. I was wondering, not really smart is it. I get "personalized" commercials for an item I have just bought and won't need to buy for another at least half year. All in all quite an enjoyable read.
UPDATE: Since finishing this book the following evolutions were mentioned in the news. "Barclays bank wants replace your pin-code with the layout of your veins to make payments" / "Facebook will modify it's algorithms again. / "A wristband that contains all your medical information" Especially this last one is scaring me a little. ...more
Awesome book! I really enjoyed RPO. And it wasn't just the geekiness or the Ad&d references. The book is fast-paced, thrilling, well-written and quiteAwesome book! I really enjoyed RPO. And it wasn't just the geekiness or the Ad&d references. The book is fast-paced, thrilling, well-written and quite original. It probably has its flaws as well, but I am hard-pressed to name any. It seems that because I like this book as much as I do, it is very hard to see it with "objective" - if there is anything like objectivity when reviewing a book -goggles.
Besides all the qualities attributes above, RPO does something that very few books manage to do and that is captivate the reader in such a way that you would like to be IN the book. I've had similar experiences with The Night Circus where I seriously contemplated starting midnight dinners, The Raw Shark Texts, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, Gold after which riding my bicycle wasn't the same anymore (for at least a couple of weeks) and maybe a handful others that don't immediately spring to mind.
I believe it is also the first book to get 5 stars this year...so that counts for something as well. [Correction: It is the third book of the year to receive 5 stars. But still...:-)]
On a side note, it is the second book in a row that sees the future as a world where civilization is in decline due to (sudden) lack of energy resources. ...more
It is always a fine line between "I really liked it" and "It was amazing". Normally I only reserve the 5-stars for bookDon't worry, no spoilers ahead!
It is always a fine line between "I really liked it" and "It was amazing". Normally I only reserve the 5-stars for books that have a life-altering impact on me, for books that have that extraordinary edge over other books, for novels that exhibit a certain novelty that stir a jealousy in me and a wish that I could write or at least thought the idea myself. Frankly,Gold doesn't really have any of those things.
So I guess I could have withheld that 5th star as penalty for what it misses, but I preferred to keep it for what it does have. And that is an extremely good, well-written story that moved me from one end of the spectrum. Books that make you laugh with tears in your eyes are rare enough and - in my humble opinion of course - Gold is just such a book.
With only 5 more pages to go, I drove my bike home last night and (admittedly on a downhill section) felt the wind howl in my ears with cold tears stinging my eyes, my heart was pumping blood like a boxer-engine and my legs slowly sour up and turn to lead. I was happy to be alive and happy to have read this book... ...more
An almost 5-star read...Recommended for everyone who loved Jonathan Franzen's Freedom. "A book about deciding who you want to be..." as written on theAn almost 5-star read...Recommended for everyone who loved Jonathan Franzen's Freedom. "A book about deciding who you want to be..." as written on the Sterling bookstore recommendation.
It helps to cover your bases on the rules of baseball though, otherwise you might strike out rather quickly. :-)...more
As a colleague of mine called it: "A timepiece." Written more than 40 years ago, it definitely resonates its time, but it also resisted the erosion thAs a colleague of mine called it: "A timepiece." Written more than 40 years ago, it definitely resonates its time, but it also resisted the erosion that often comes with the passage of the years. There is an abundance of little ideas that is floated into the air - and that in only 300 pages - but Ursula does it in a very subtle manner. The plot may not be elaborate, but then again, why should it be? In my opinion it is more than enough to hold everything together.
According to me it was also not extremely science-fiction (with exception to the names, timetables,...) nor was it overtly feminist (I read The Night Watch before this, which was a lot more focused on gender then this one). My advice: read it, with the time when it was written in mind, and let her ideas grab hold of your thoughts once in a while.
P.S. Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ asks me in this review: "Do you think there is a strong female character in this book?" :-)...more
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