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reconbot

reconbot@books.mxhdr.net

Joined 3 years, 1 month ago

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2025 Reading Goal

77% complete! reconbot has read 27 of 35 books.

reviewed Agency by William Gibson

William Gibson: Agency (Hardcover, 2020, Berkley)

They call Verity 'the app-whisperer,' and she's just been hired to evaluate a pair-of-glasses-cum-digital-assistant called …

More of the good stuff convoluted story

I listened to this book with a sinus infection so maybe I missed some of the charm, but there are not one but two exposition characters constantly asking what's going on, and they're abosulty necessary to keep the story straight. And are often apologized to because nobody has any idea what is gong on or why people are going places and doing things. There are narrative reasons for all of this, but it's a big glamor show with no real impact. In fact the last 30% of the book could have not included the protaganist and it would have gone exactly the same way. While we got flashy fights and over the top stunts with the main character keeping a stiff upper lip and going along for the ride, I still can't tell you why.

It's a narrative full of "and then" and no "there for" or "but".

Kim Stanley Robinson: Aurora (2015)

Aurora is a 2015 novel by American science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson. The novel …

It could have ended a 100 pages earlier but I'm glad it didn't. It's a long walk with good ideas, and wonderful explorations. Well written, interesting and sad? it's not just sad but it is full of hardship. It's a cruel universe but wherever people are there are communities and joy.