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danielmbensen's review against another edition
1.0
A lazy morality play.
The science fiction conceit is interesting, but the worldbuilding is thin, the characters thinner, and the story is Communist propaganda. I do think Communism is a bad idea, but that's not why The Book of All Skies upset me so much. It was the rage I felt coming off the story, the contempt Egan seems to feel for anyone who disagrees with him. In his other books, he digs into potential problems with his world-building, but here, he dismisses them with blithe sarcasm. In his rush to convince the reader of his property-less utopia, his writing becomes so sloppy that it comes off as insulting. His characters turn into sketches, the problems they solve a to-do list. Plot holes open, and the book ends abruptly with a hollow shout of "we will resist you!" bravado. The Book of All Skies is a shoddy piece of work, and does not reflect well on Egan's beliefs. If he was serious about them, he would have argued them with more honesty.
The science fiction conceit is interesting, but the worldbuilding is thin, the characters thinner, and the story is Communist propaganda. I do think Communism is a bad idea, but that's not why The Book of All Skies upset me so much. It was the rage I felt coming off the story, the contempt Egan seems to feel for anyone who disagrees with him. In his other books, he digs into potential problems with his world-building, but here, he dismisses them with blithe sarcasm. In his rush to convince the reader of his property-less utopia, his writing becomes so sloppy that it comes off as insulting. His characters turn into sketches, the problems they solve a to-do list. Plot holes open, and the book ends abruptly with a hollow shout of "we will resist you!" bravado. The Book of All Skies is a shoddy piece of work, and does not reflect well on Egan's beliefs. If he was serious about them, he would have argued them with more honesty.
mattp3's review against another edition
4.0
Very nice little book, fun and interesting. Called the 'twist' though...
owenbiesel's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
athryn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I didn't fully grok the math going on in this, but I ultimately enjoyed the travelogue through this very strange world. Reminded me of some Larry Niven style sci fi, like The Integral Trees.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
slukalesni's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
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