" In Nürnberg, the S.S. was proclaimed an army of criminals. It may sound paradoxical, but Kempf may have kept that seal of belonging just because in " In Nürnberg, the S.S. was proclaimed an army of criminals. It may sound paradoxical, but Kempf may have kept that seal of belonging just because in his case there could be no question of real belonging."
It's such a big book in every way: scope, structure, story. The Age of Brass by Slobodan Å najder is a powerful and intricately layered novel that intertwines personal and historical narratives to explore the legacy of war, complex identity, belonging, and memory.
The story spans over 200 years. In 1769 , as a year of famine strikes Germany, Kempf the ancestor, leaves his homeland along with others like him , seeking a better life, a land of prosperity promised by Maria Theresa. Over the years, generations of Germans settle in Slavonia, making it their new home. But as Europe plunges into war by 1940, this minority group, the Volksdeutsche, are summoned to fight for the Reich—a country that has become alien to them. Among them is Georg Kempf, the father of the narrator. Drafted into the Waffen SS against his will as a forced volunteer, Georg deserts after a while, fully aware of the grave risk. At the war's end, he falls in love with Vera, a dedicated partisan but the thing is : had they met earlier, they would have been compelled to kill each other. They are enemies. Can they beat that even at war's end?
It's a really complex, intricate with shifting perspectives, an unusual narrator that's outside the flow of time and covers a really vast region and intersections of various interests, personal conflicts and identities on top of timely questions about how wars are waged and where it leaves innocents. How historical shifts sweep individuals along.
The novel’s structure is non-linear, fragmented and told through shifting perspectives, reflecting the fragmented and often contradictory nature of memory. One of the most unique and intriguing aspects of *The Age of Brass* is its narrator: the protagonist’s unborn son. This choice of narrator adds a layer of distance and reflection to the story, as the unborn child observes and recounts the events leading up to his own conception and birth. The narrator’s position outside the flow of time allows for a broader, more philosophical perspective on the events that unfold, imbuing the narrative with a sense of inevitability, albeit he does sometimes question it and points to alternate ways things might have gone. This narrative voice deepens the exploration of legacy and identity, as the unborn son contemplates unfolding events. The story continues mostly in his voice afterwards,but still shifts to his parents for the briefest time left.
The novel is rich with themes of guilt, complicity, and the burden of history. Å najder skillfully portrays the psychological and emotional toll that the war has taken on his characters, particularly the father. The characters are complex and deeply human,, he presents a nuanced portrait of individuals caught in the tides of history, forced to navigate the treacherous waters of complicity and survival. And hus take really is very broad, taking in the political situation of the entire region, including Poland with all the emotional turmoil.
The Brass Age is an affecting and intellectually stimulating novel that confronts the moral ambiguities of history....more
I really liked this story with its imaginative flair, a flair for the wonderful and fantastical. It's a lovely faiThe Circus arrives without warning.
I really liked this story with its imaginative flair, a flair for the wonderful and fantastical. It's a lovely fairy tale with a touch of well- placed romance but also about the fantastic in our lives. It's a well-structued meandering story, we visit the circus as events unfold in it and as it begins to unravel. It's storytelling where you are inside of things, a microcosm built of wonder and intrigue and the protagonists strive to find a way out to forge their own path, their happiness; in general to make their own choice at last. But to gain something, they must lose something else. Is the price too high? You decide.
-the plot revolves around a bet, a game of wits between old adversaries who choose to imprison two young people in an impossible situation. it propels the story forward, we observe how the game affects not only the chosen ones, Marco and Ceila but others around them - I loved this -also loved how we travel with the circus in space and time , meeting ensemble cast, seeing how the lore of the circus spreads and grows, what it brings to people outside the circus -the descriptions of the circus are wonderful, you feel the sense of wonder - I love how Ceila and Marco fall in love, that was a very palpable connection between them, and I was happy they found their freedom from roles neither of them ever wanted and that freedom was in each other. -the ending brings more to the table and all in all I'd say it's a thoughtful fairy tale.
Note that while Ceila, Marco and others were absolutely lovely, it's not a story you will remember for characters, but for the central idea and some considerations about storytelling and where events take the characters. The circus is central to everything, the circus is the main character as well as the field, where everything happens: the wonders, but also how those wonders affect others.
The central idea was super and I loved meandering through the circus, loved observing the game and loved how the game turned into a desire to give and collaborate; that Marco and Ceila couldn't help but fall in love and that feeling helped them challenge the game and build a collaboration instead. It's a pleasant read, the game propels the plot and you are drawn into the night circus , enjoying all it has to offer, you cheer for Marco and Ceila and for the supporting characters.
Ordered a physical copy and going to enjoy the love story in the night circus again. It's a good read for when you look for something magical and fairy tale like.
"And there are never really endings, happy or otherwise. Things keep going on, they overlap and blur, your story is part of your sister’s story and is part of many other stories, and there is no telling where any of them may lead."...more
"the world is always ending over and over again in one place but not another and that the end of the world is always a local event, it comes to your c"the world is always ending over and over again in one place but not another and that the end of the world is always a local event, it comes to your country and visits your town and knocks on the door of your house and becomes to others but some distant warning, a brief report on the news, an echo of events that has passed into folklore".
Similar in style to The Road, but a lot more powerful. Because the Road feels too distant. Prophet Song could take place here and now. And in some places - it does. It hits as close to home as it can. The setting in Ireland highlights just how much. And it's shattering. Because the end of the world is a local event, but at the same time, putting in a specific locality like Dublin, you highlight so much more powerfully how UNIVERSAL it is.
It portrays the rapid collapse of a society that is intimately familiar to us, our very own. The speed at which our known world, along with its laws and relationships, can disintegrate is what lends this book its profound impact. This style of writing seems even more potent here than in works like McCarthy's, as it reflects a chilling reality that is not just possible but actually happens. Everything is normal - until it's not. Is it too late then?
The story unfolds against the backdrop of an encroaching totalitarian regime, gradually stripping away freedoms and rights, invading every aspect of life. It poignantly explores a woman's fight to keep her family and her own world amid the crumbling structures of law, education, work, and societal bonds. Even as everything else fades into chaos, the significance of loved ones remains paramount. The narrative's relentless pace mirrors the protagonist's struggle, set in a contemporary, developed Western nation, making the events feel all too real. All too close. It's a stark reminder of how quickly rights can be eroded, emergency and martial laws enacted in the name of false truths, false ideology, rights to information likewise taken away, mounting - and very costly- bureaucracy, and ordinary people can vanish without a trace � a scenario that has been a reality in many parts of the world. But we cling to hope along with the character. Even in the face of facts, until one particularly hard hitting event finally strips us of all illusion.
It's a sobering reminder to cherish and protect our freedoms, as they can be swiftly taken away by those in power. It really makes you appreciate what you have. Powerful read, truly. Like a punch in the gut. It's unrelenting from start to finish. You literally feel the oppression coming down on you....more
Reviewing this as part of Coffee and Thorn Book Tours. My reviews are guaranteed to be honest. My ratings are based on how much the book resonated witReviewing this as part of Coffee and Thorn Book Tours. My reviews are guaranteed to be honest. My ratings are based on how much the book resonated with me.
My brother had a phase in his life when he lamented that we are all living dead people. Well, I did not expect to find that phrase reflected so chillingly here.
A story about a historical topic I had no idea about. Luminous presents the fight of women who were employed by radium dial paint companies
I read that the women painting dials were instructed to lick their paintbrush tips while painting the numbers on the dials. They were not warned about dangers and did not suspect problems until they began to suffer severe symptoms. The tragedy is that for its time, this work was well-paid skilled labour available for women, and could even be considered patriotic contribution to WWI effort. They painted watch dials for soldiers and instrument panels for military equipment—all glowing in the dark.
The story focuses on Catherine Donahue, a strong and compassionate woman who joins Radium Dial to support her family. The book paints a fairly idyllic picture at first, but as the consequences of radium exposure become evident, it takes a chilling turn.
Catherine lives with her Uncle and Aunt and tries to come up with a way to help them financially � she finds the ad for Radium Dial and enrols nearly immediately. It’s sad how that’s pretty much her only option. She is told lies about radium and though initially work and camaraderie are as I described � quite idyllic and Catherine meets the love of her life � things begin to change drastically very soon. First, they are but distant echoes but materialise into something truly hard hitting the closer to home things start happening.
In the midst of this Catherine enjoys a truly heartwarming happiness with her husband Tom and their kids. All those early moments , falling in love, hopes and plans, and warm moments are written with such endearing charm that it makes me want to revisit them.
Catherine's bond with Tom, is a highlight of the story, showcasing unwavering support in challenging times.They enjoy the kind of strong bond one can be jealous of. It was truly something I fell in love with in the book. The stalwart, unbreakable support was something to treasure throughout the pages. Catherine made significant observations that I strongly agreed with about how such everyday things, the love and support you get, especially in small, subtle everyday ways, shouldn’t be taken for granted. But even more so the love that comes when the going really gets hard, as it most definitely did for Catherine,Tom and their children.
Their faith plays a significant role in their lives and keeps them resilient. I am usually wary of religious worship in books, because sometimes it’s too preachy, but Catherine and her husband are presented from the start as having strong faith, it’s part of who they are, and maybe part of the community they live in, with a simpler way of life. But faith keeps them fighting.
This small community they are part of has its dark side, as few believe Catherine's fight against Radium Dial, most are against it considering it's a major source of employment. This kind of desperation is what really got to me. Tom and Catherine count their blessings among all this, their life is fortunate - they start out with no mortgage, a meager life but blessed with love and joy. And even when things take a turn for the worse, they find their silver linings and their love is like a beacon. In a sense this bittersweetness is amazing - radium helped them meet, radium forces them to say goodbye.There's a scene in which Catherine says something to the effect that she at least wanted to look like a glowing angel for her husband, because that's the final thing she'd be able to do to show she loves him. That really hit me hard.
The writing is simple yet effectively conveys the contrast between the idyllic beginning and the chilling reality that unfolds under the surface and creeps on its victims when their lives are at their high points. Each chapter is preceded by telling quotes that reflect the developments. She shows how far reaching the consequences of radium were and even more so � how steep was the price for naivety at the hands of a company with no integrity. Naivety, but also unnerving lack of viable employment choices.
The girls keep working happily despite the distant echoes that not all may be well. It’s chilling to see how the mood gradually changes as they start to see their suspicions are true and their fears come to pass as the illness starts claiming more and more of them. It’s chilling how desperation to keep a job leads them to the horrors they have to live through. It’s chilling to see the first victim experience the effects of radium poisoning. Catherine reflects how lonely and terrifying that must have felt. It's chilling how even doctors tell them there is no such thing as radium poisoning. Tom and Catherine have every reason to be furious because they know their life, the life they'd live with love, has been stolen from them.
The gradual change in mood and the desperation to keep their jobs,and the impact of radium poisoning are unsettling, with Catherine's love providing some comfort amidst the grief.
Catherine is half-prepared for what’s to come as a "living dead woman", she fights for her family, but even in all the grief the love she has is comforting. It kind of cushions the impact for the reader, but at the same time makes it even more hard-hitting because for such people, you want a happy ending and yet it's one that cannot come in this case. There is a particularly heartbreaking scene in the courtroom when all emotions spill out. It's devastating and doesn't leave you indifferent. And yet, Catherine and Tom keep the love and the fight until the end, against the odds.
They are fictionalised but they were real people and I’m, glad the writer decided to write the book the way she did, because she created emotional attachment to characters and through that � the story resonates more strongly with me. And chills me more. I also appreciate she picked up a topic I had no knowledge of and also showed the resolve of these women. And the meaning of simple happiness, where love is true, despite the odds. I believe in these things.
However, I also think it would be interesting to write the novel from the perspective of the Reeds, the company owners, the lawyers defending them. The novel creates emotional attachment and successfully conveys the sense of dread that unfolds for good people, good people you want happy. . But I think I'd like to read this story from the side of the Reeds- could be interesting. How did all this affect them when they hid the medical results, when they kept lying? The grey morality here would be interesting to explore. There's potential there....more
"He had done many things in the world—he had done almost all but one: he had never, never forgotten".
Haven't read much of James but this particular s"He had done many things in the world—he had done almost all but one: he had never, never forgotten".
Haven't read much of James but this particular story is spiritual and emotional. It's a story of a man who doesn't forget the dead, does everything he can to preserve their memory from being lost in the rush of everyday life.In doing so, he befriends a woman who turns out to be related to a friend that betrayed him and who remains devoted to this one memory, the memory the protagonist doesn't face. They drift apart and he sees more of his friends depart this world, with that one unlit candle kind of haunting him.
In the end, the story is more than about honouring the dead: it's about unselfish love and how forgiveness and love can overcome past wrongs. A beautiful, heartfelt, touching read....more
I read it online,just picking a single story edition to add to my shelves.
A family embarks on a road trip that takes a dark turn when they encounter I read it online,just picking a single story edition to add to my shelves.
A family embarks on a road trip that takes a dark turn when they encounter a criminal known as The Misfit, leading to an unexpected and unsettling conclusion.
It's a powerful gothic south story about redemption and Grace of God. Is only God good?...more
"The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton: Set in an ancient kingdom, this story presents a moral dilemma where a condemned man must choose betwe"The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton: Set in an ancient kingdom, this story presents a moral dilemma where a condemned man must choose between two doors, one hiding a tiger and the other a lady.
It stands for an unsolvable dilemma. Great story....more
A cute little story about giving with love, gifts that from the heart.
A couple in dire financial circumstances each sacrifices their most prized possA cute little story about giving with love, gifts that from the heart.
A couple in dire financial circumstances each sacrifices their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other, resulting in a heartwarming and unexpected conclusion....more
When a family acquires a mystical monkey's paw that grants three wishes, they soon discover the unexpected and sinister consequences that come with itWhen a family acquires a mystical monkey's paw that grants three wishes, they soon discover the unexpected and sinister consequences that come with it.
Be careful what you wish for. An atmospheric horror story that explores the co sequences of tampering with fate and builds suspense....more
A young girl tells a visitor a chilling story about the tragic fate of her family. The unexpected twist lies in the truth behind her tale. Truth vs fiA young girl tells a visitor a chilling story about the tragic fate of her family. The unexpected twist lies in the truth behind her tale. Truth vs fiction, escapism, dramatic irony. Great little story with sinister undertones....more
1. Reader-writer story 2. Moving story of a father and a daughter in a return narrative. What is home? Where is home? Coming of age as Nao learns the 1. Reader-writer story 2. Moving story of a father and a daughter in a return narrative. What is home? Where is home? Coming of age as Nao learns the truth about her father and confronts her early assumptions and learns to deal with her bullies and persecutors. 3. How do we face evil we are met with? What is a hero? 4. Lots of references to Japanese culture 5 Proust is important for this book
There's Nao who writes a diary and Ruth who finds the diary years later. Nao is a teenage girl born to Japanese parents who moved to America when her father got a job...but returned to Japan after things went downhill..Nao has trouble adjusting to the new life in a place she doesn't see as home and whose realities are strange to her. Her father is suicidal ..Nao has assumptions about it but the truth is very moving in the end.
Truths are discovered as we read the story together with Ruth. But perhaps it's Ruth who is the subject of Nao's story.
It's a really stimulating read that's easy to pick up after aa slump and keeps you engaged,asks relevant questions and creates the characters with much love and humanity....more
I love the concept. It's all at once a story about language in a reworking of the Babel story, and how language shapes relations, including those of pI love the concept. It's all at once a story about language in a reworking of the Babel story, and how language shapes relations, including those of power. She shows, rather than tells, the abuses of imperialism. And she's not preachy. And the devil is in the little details. Here she draws on the father-son storyline, in another on the trope of a jilted lover. On top of extensive knowledge and engaging research. Engaging characters too. All the while the book reads like a bit of a steampunk adventure with all the silver working, secret societies, plot twists, drama. It's an engaging read that covers a lot of topics, but with a clear focus, the Babel Tower being a focal point of power. Can there be one language/ unity or is it destined to failure because of power relations where sides usurp higher ground on some vague ideas of superiority ? It's not so much divine intervention but humans that ruin the idea of Babel. The book also explores corrupt, dark academia and that aspect was riveting.
I'll be sure to add this book to my shelves....more
It's hard for me to describe how much I admire this. It's a beautiful, elegiac meditation on time and the whirlwinds of difficult history and the fateIt's hard for me to describe how much I admire this. It's a beautiful, elegiac meditation on time and the whirlwinds of difficult history and the fates of humans caught in it. It's about time, timelessness, and being stripped of time.
A village and nearby forested property on a lake outside Berlin is the protagonist. The story encompasses over one hundred years of German history, from the nineteenth century to the Weimar Republic, from World War II to the Socialist German Democratic Republic, and finally reunification and its aftermath.We see how the land and the house witness the turbulences of history and how the characters, its tenants who seek home here are swept into its tides.
The daughters whose father and prejudices led to tragedies. Jews who had to flee during WWII. The woman and her husband who decided not to have children during the Hitler era, and a woman who never left her possessions to anyone else but other women. The childhood friend who stayed behind, the Russian soldier who caused damage. the communists. The characters who got caught in the division of Germany into east and west. The chapter that hit me the most was the one called the girl.
The novel shows the everyday life of the house, while presenting the fates of its inhabitants. It tears open wounds, dealing with topics such as time, estrangement, death, displacement.
When you’ve arrived, can you still be said to be fleeing? And when you’re fleeing, can you ever arrive?
The language and structure of the novel reflect the confusions and turbulences of each era. She describes customs, surroundings and then all of a sudden brings out the essence and meaning in one single sweep of a sentence.
And in all this is a landscape that never really changes, despite humans and their constant fights, just like the gardener who tends to it.
It's a contemplation on the whirlwind of history, people's fates in it and since characters are mostly nameless, it feels so much more timeless.
Perhaps eternal life already exists during a human lifetime, but since it looks different from what we’re hoping for—something that transcends everything that’s ever happened—since it looks instead like the old life we already knew, no one recognizes it. The house too is still standing there, and he doesn’t know what it is that is still standing. And he himself. And no doubt she as well, somewhere in the world.
You need to pay attention, it's not an easy read, it's descriptive, slow and thoughtful, meditative, but it is a beautiful and affecting read. And one to return to, to read a second time and notice what you missed the first time.
The new world is to devour the old one, the old one puts up a fight, and now new and old are living side by side in a single body. Where much is asked, more is left out....more
‘Would you consider a relationship with me, based on a premise of love?�
‘That’s how love is,� she used to say. ‘If the love is true, then treat it the‘Would you consider a relationship with me, based on a premise of love?�
‘That’s how love is,� she used to say. ‘If the love is true, then treat it the same way you would a plant � feed it, protect it from the elements � you must do absolutely everything you can. But if it isn’t true, then it’s best to just let it wither on the vine.�
An absolutely lovely book. It's charming in the way I like charming to be, I absolutely love the professor.
It's a series of vignettes about a woman in her forties who meets her old Japanese lit teacher and they reconnect. The vignettes show them in various situations, on trips ,on dates, during arguments. Everyday life. Two lonely souls, who feel stranded outside normal flow of time, caught up in their own introspective lives and fears, find a connection, understanding and ultimately intimacy. It's full of poetry and lyricism, though I felt the translation was a little iffy in places. Still, the overall feel was exactly the sort of thing that speaks to me.
Old-fashioned character and a younger career woman, seemingly so different, but sharing implicit understanding where it matters. They do things their own way, there are moments I chuckled at how awkward they could be and I loved that.
The story has that "mono no aware" feel to me that I enjoy. It's sweet and sad, heartwarming and wistful. It gives me a sense of peace and ultimately brings a smile to my face, even if partings are inevitable. The people we meet in our lives always give us something previous, I think. And this book is in this vein for me.
There's a lovely companion story, Parade, that imagines a day in their life because "The world that exists behind a story is never fully known, not even to the author".
Jackson really had a knack for writing about the psychological unravelling of vulnerable characters in a manner that gets under your skin.
Eleanor , tJackson really had a knack for writing about the psychological unravelling of vulnerable characters in a manner that gets under your skin.
Eleanor , the central character, is invited to take part in a live-in experiment at a mansion rumored to be haunted. She's sensitive and has an active imagination and seems to attract supernatural occurrences. She longs for acceptance and in due course attaches herself to other characters. Along her we meet the doctor behind the plan, a free spirit Theo who rejects Eleanor's attachment and Luke who's meant to inherit the house . Ensemble characters include Mrs Dudley, the housekeeper not unlike Mrs Danvers. She feels even more sinister because her only lines pertain to order of things in the house.
Occurrences and manifestations begin as soon as they step into the house. Eleanor is most affected. Shes almost maniacal. The slow unravelling of her psychology as she is driven to wildness is affecting. The house itself is built at weird angles, it's disorienting, nothing is ever where it's meant to be and has a long and interesting story behind it. There's a touch of magic snout it as it feels it can come alive at any moment ,with its statues and there's a sense something lurks behind every corner.
The tension, uncertainty put this book up there with The Turn of the Screw for me.. I both hate and pity Eleanor and, like with Merrikat from We have always lived in the castle I felt she's a bit like a pixie, especially with her active, beguiling imagination seeking fantastical worlds places and stories to call home and be herself, she just wants to be happy.
"once they have trapped you into being like everyone else you will never see your cup of stars again".
But the way she goes about it is part of what's unsettling.
Jackson's psychological terror and unravelling of characters really get under your skin. It's a gripping story to read in one day, my favourite parts are about the house, its story, abut how the characters respond to the fright. Good read. Interesting house. . . ....more
A beautiful love letter to music and the music each of us makes in our lives and how the music affects others, butEveryone in this life joins a band.
A beautiful love letter to music and the music each of us makes in our lives and how the music affects others, but also about connections and bonds and how our kindness affects others and also about coincidences or providences that guide our lives. It's a sweeping story spanning from the protagonist's childhood to his death, through mamy problems and storms he lived through. Does music play to make a career? Does music need anything more than one's passion ? Albom skilfully navigates the trappings of the music business, while offering a look into its history and presenting a soulful story about talent and the change it can bring.
I loved Frankie. I called him stupid at times. I kind of wanted to shake him MANY times. I wept for him and his mother and father.
It's told from the perspective of what music is. Insanely lyrical with mamy perspectives, it's like a song for many voices. I sincerely loved the way the novel was structured. It's completely magical with unique storytelling, rich characters and characterisation. An unforgettable journey. Mitch Albom has the knowledge to write this love letter to music, and I loved how he credited the artists for whom he created fictional lives to insert Frankie Presto. It's a story of pure emotions, lovely and compelling, it speaks to and captures my sentiments thoroughly. I love how he begins each chapter. There's so much reflection on what music is and how are lives are musical. It's touching. So beautifully written.
An instant favourite. This is my kind of book and my kind of story. Put it on my physical shelves.
Everyone joins a band in this life. And what you play always affects someone. Sometimes, it affects the world....more
I’d like to thank Blackthorn tours and the author for providing the book for free with a request for an honest review. The latest read for Blackthorn I’d like to thank Blackthorn tours and the author for providing the book for free with a request for an honest review. The latest read for Blackthorn explores very timely matters of being under lockdown and of over-relying on technology.
Unlike many people around me, I have no problem staying under lockdown during the rampant pandemic. I can stay at home for days at a time and not feel affected� To me, those days are like any other. I get up, sit down to work and write a report on my daily remote activities. I do not need to make excuses when I don’t want to attend a social gathering � as an introvert, I do not always feel comfortable going. I chat on messenger with people I know and I’m certain they are on the other side. I do not use video chats and find it easier to trust a person’s style when we are typing.
“The Warden� questions whether we can really live our lives under lock and key in completely virtual reality. Is it even a life, and if not, what is it? And what impact is technology having on us and this kind of life? Jon Richter has crafted a page-turning thought-provoking piece of a fast-paced techno-thriller that takes on the pandemic and explores its potential development and impact but goes much further by including our dependence on technology and the connection we have to the world through technology. He uses parallel narratives conveyed in short alternating chapters to build suspense and interest that is maintained until the last page. I couldn’t put it down. The story has completely clicked with me.
There’s a block of flats called the tower whose residents cannot go outside due to strict restrictions related to the increasingly aggressive spread of Covid. There is a warden, James, who takes his job very seriously, but that suits the protagonist, Eugene, just fine. He gets food, online access, chats with other people online, and takes classes. Even funerals are held online. Human labour is not just cut to avoid danger; it becomes redundant. Everything humans could possibly want is provided by smart homes and other technological innovations. Life’s a dream now, unlike the nearly forgotten life he had. Who needs all the burdens it carried before, anyway? In this utopia, he needs nothing more from the outside world, or does he? But one day, the utopian routine of robotic deliveries is interrupted when one of the building managers, an employee of the tower’s developer, is literally slaughtered. Eugene then begins a race against time as he must not only investigate but also get to the top of the tower and rescue a woman he met in an online class. But is everything what it seems? We will find out with him. The story is set in 2024 and we follow his quest as he discovers what it means to be a prisoner in his own home, how easily an isolated community falls apart and how lockdown affects individuals when leaving home feels like danger but at the same time staying feels like imprisonment. I really like how this part becomes an escape the tower story showing how buildings can be traps while also showing what it means to stay at home during lockdown and what’s the price.
The narrative also moves back in time to another protagonist who contributes to the situation we find in 2024. We meet Felicity, an ambitious woman who will do anything to work her way up the corporate ladder. She and her surrounding in general are not likeable; her story, rather, shows a corporate race for control and power that capitalises on the chaos of the pandemic. Felicity develops a life-like AI. This parallel narrative explores the aggressive race for control of corporations vying to dominate technological markets, but also the increasing demand for and impact of technology on lives confined to four walls, and how invasive it is � we see the effects with Eugene. The two narratives are brought together by the AI character James, who shows the great learning potential of programmed intelligence to do many things humans do and becomes a ubiquitous presence in the lives of people, the country, and the world at large. Richter takes AI’s role far; at one point, James even seems like a kind of a god, sometimes observing without interfering but sometimes dispensing poetic justice to its creators and everyone around � I really liked one bit when it does, however, it raises many questions and issues, including how far it can really go. James represents many sides of technology, the good- but also one that may go too far in its “benevolence�- and the aspects that can be used to mislead and threaten us, such as deep fakes and manipulations of identity. Do we really know who we are talking to online? Can we trust the people on screen to be who they are?
Very interesting and timely ideas are put together in a well-crafted and engaging way. The mystery was so compelling that at one point I wondered what, rather than who, the characters actually are.
The book ends with a bang that sums up the invasiveness of technology. In the end, like Eugene, we want nothing more than to get out. To find out the truth first, but ultimately to get out. This book is frighteningly plausible and will make you want to be out more and especially talk to people face-to-face and not take the risks of technology for granted. Live life with its emotional experiences outside instead of completely locking yourself in the ivory tower pretending it’s a utopia. Get rid of defences and move on even if it means leaving yourself open to whatever comes (to me this is literally represented in the book by brick walls and breaking them). Technology has many benefits, but relying on it too much and letting corporations spoon feed it can lead to more problems than good. I really like how the author used the Covid pandemic experience and turned it into a creative exploration of the situation with a sci-fi twist. It’s a combination that works really well for me. It’s relatable because we have been there and because the technological part is actually a possibility in this day and age. It makes the story and ideas that much stronger. Stepping outside in this book really feels like freedom, with a renewed sense of appreciation of it.
As for me, I have noticed that I am far less reluctant to go to social events after sitting at home for almost three months � I just excuse myself when I get tired instead of not going out at all. There’s something to be said about balance in life....more
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