Reviews

Version Control by Dexter Palmer

bookph1le's review against another edition

4.0

This is not a fast-paced, action-packed read. Instead, it's a deeply meditative and thought-provoking novel about a variety of issues, including racism, sexism, and the ethics of science and technology. It's character-driven and concerned with the psychological effects both technology and humans have on other humans. It's also very funny. I found it engrossing and challenging, forcing me to confront my own thought process at times.

gwillad's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.5

telerit's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

shareen17's review against another edition

4.0

I went back and forth when reading this book between liking it and really liking it. It would be a good book club choice as there are so many issues raised to talk about. Plus you could have a discussion about what various parts meant/what really happened. At times the world the book takes place in is quite similar to ours, which make the differences extra trippy. Various discussion points in the book: failure to launch, online privacy, alcoholism, faith systems of scientists versus the religious, racism, the role of chance in determining fate - in addition to many others! My least favorite part of the book was how the tone changed from one part and topic to the next.

nderiley's review against another edition

1.0

I am truly surprised at the glowing reviews for this book. Here are the reasons I did not like it:
1. Way too long. It didn't start to get even remotely interesting until page 250
2. Poor character development. I didn't personally care about any of these people
3. Juvenile writing style, which feeds into #2 and #4
4. Gimmicky plot.

I love dystopian fiction but verison control was a total flop!

olivia63096's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

good writing, this book felt like a fictitious introduction to philosophy. The book started off in one direction, but then became very slow with character development, sometimes i felt i was reading a whole different book. then towards the end you’re just SLAPPED with information dumps. not that i didn’t enjoy the book, just felt the pacing to be very awkward. I liked the sci fi aspect but very info-dumpy as said.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, and Car accident

Moderate: Grief

killyourdarlings105's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

1.0

aberdeenwaters's review against another edition

4.0

As much about relationships and shared experiences as it is about time travel. I found it engaging and filled with ideas that made me think.

thomasin2's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.5

ettuladyblue's review against another edition

2.0

I feel like Palmer tried to cram a bit too much into this. The online dating? Super interesting. Marital drama/Trauma? I'm a sucker for it. Time travel (but don't call it that!)? I dig. All of those halfheartedly converging lose me.It's all so interesting I'll keep reading, but I there'd been more of a self edit to develop one or two of these ideas instead of halfbaked mishmashes of all three.