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tacanderson's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Disclaimer: I'm an American who has worked in tech for decades and worked with a lot of Indians both in India as well as in America and England. I've spent several weeks in India, but my review is ignorant of the realities of India and is only presented as an outsiders view. Normally that's fine, books open up new worlds to us, that's the beauty of books. But this book obviously has a specific message for and about India and reading this book feels a little bit like you're eavesdropping on a long-standing family discussion.
That being said, I've long enjoyed Samit Basu's books and readily recommend him to people. The near-future sci-fi ideas in this book are some of the best I've read in a long time. The City Inside definitely shares some DNA with William Gibson's Pattern Recognition. India is the perfect setting for the new wave of cyberpunk. I've read quite a few books by local Indian authors and I always find new compelling ideas. India is this fascinating mix of post-colonial western with a core that is staunchly Indian. They proudly hold on their heritage and traditions but can't escape their 3,000 year old caste system. This book brings all of that to the forefront while highlighting the struggles in a future context.
That being said, I've long enjoyed Samit Basu's books and readily recommend him to people. The near-future sci-fi ideas in this book are some of the best I've read in a long time. The City Inside definitely shares some DNA with William Gibson's Pattern Recognition. India is the perfect setting for the new wave of cyberpunk. I've read quite a few books by local Indian authors and I always find new compelling ideas. India is this fascinating mix of post-colonial western with a core that is staunchly Indian. They proudly hold on their heritage and traditions but can't escape their 3,000 year old caste system. This book brings all of that to the forefront while highlighting the struggles in a future context.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment, Trafficking, and Sexual assault
scornweed's review
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
smoakwithwifi's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I have very complicated thoughts about this book. On the one hand, there were some very interesting worldbuilding concepts and perspectives of a near-future India. On the other, characters were rather unlikeable and the author used a dialogue-heavy writing style tending toward stream of consciousness—building up a feeling almost of doomscrolling, which may have been intentional but set my teeth on edge nevertheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Moderate: Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Gaslighting, War, Classism, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Trafficking, Emotional abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Stalking, Death, Genocide, Islamophobia, Bullying, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Drug use
ehmannky's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think I liked this book more once I let go of the idea that this was going to be a book of plot where I got super invested in the characters and more of an Idea book. It felt more like a small snapshot of this dystopian future, with a little hint of the potential for change that was coming. I almost would have liked it better without the epilogue, even if I understand the reason why it was there. The epilogue is an interesting look at the way someone could change from the shadows, and push society in a direction without revolution. Much to ponder, which made it a worthwhile read in my opinion, but also not my favorite thing I've ever read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Violence
Minor: War, Racism, and Genocide
thereadingrambler's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book emphasizes the everyday stories of people living in a dystopian world (rather, a near-future projection of our current world). While there are the normal horrible dystopian things happening, the story focuses Joey, who is essentially a producer for a social media star's life, and Rudra, the second son of a rich family who comes to work for her. Both of these people use privilege and power to work to make the world a slightly less dystopian place--although the world is definitely not in any way significantly better at the end of the book. But that's not the point of the book at all. The point is that we don't need to all be save-the-world types to make a difference, we need to look at what we have at hand and use that to make the world around us a better place, even if it is only a slightly better place.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
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