The Quantum Thief
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Paperback
Charles Stross has a blurb on the cover of this book, claiming that Rajaniemi is better at this stuff than he is. This stuff is the wild imagination of post-human existence, where its possible for minds to be removed from biological systems and shuffled around into other systems. Where the engineering of life and intelligence itself leads to novel social systems that can both crush and celebrate individuality. And Stross is right... Rajaniemi did manage to out-Stross Sci-Fis current post-human master.
But was it good? Yeah, actually it was. The story itself is a dual plotline one, following a detective through one thread, and a thief through the other. The detective and the thief dont meet for most of the book, their struggles are really directed against the bizarre system they find themselves in. The images Rajaniemi paints are vibrant and interesting; and the ideas his social systems are based upon are equally fascinating. Its a book that can really make you think, though not about any topics that are likely to lend much meaning to your life in the 21st century.
As is true with all the post-human books Ive ever read, its really easy to get confused. And the existence of two plotlines means that details vanish from my brain from one chapter to the next, which doesnt help at all. Rajaniemi also introduces a large vocabulary as he discusses his world, most of which has initially only the vaguest of contextual definition. My advice is to not worry about this and keep reading, the definitions of those words come throughout the bulk of the novel.
If youve enjoyed post-human stuff in other novels, youll probably like this one. Its definitely well-crafted.
4 of 5 stars.
But was it good? Yeah, actually it was. The story itself is a dual plotline one, following a detective through one thread, and a thief through the other. The detective and the thief dont meet for most of the book, their struggles are really directed against the bizarre system they find themselves in. The images Rajaniemi paints are vibrant and interesting; and the ideas his social systems are based upon are equally fascinating. Its a book that can really make you think, though not about any topics that are likely to lend much meaning to your life in the 21st century.
As is true with all the post-human books Ive ever read, its really easy to get confused. And the existence of two plotlines means that details vanish from my brain from one chapter to the next, which doesnt help at all. Rajaniemi also introduces a large vocabulary as he discusses his world, most of which has initially only the vaguest of contextual definition. My advice is to not worry about this and keep reading, the definitions of those words come throughout the bulk of the novel.
If youve enjoyed post-human stuff in other novels, youll probably like this one. Its definitely well-crafted.
4 of 5 stars.
