Scan barcode
timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars if you are willing to abandon logic and just go with the idea. So don't ask how they got on Garbagetown, why them, what they drink, ... I am Mr. Logic-Required and I was willing to let it go and say, "I know, but what if anyway?"
Valente's afterword explains cleanly what she was aiming for, and she hit the target. Don't read the afterword first, though; afterwords are placed there by author's choice.
Tetley is intriguing, and I especially liked how she is driven by her commitment to what is True and Right even when it's to her disadvantage (and it often is).
Tetley is very optimistic. I wonder if Valente tried out drafts in which she wasn't. I suspect they wouldn't have worked.
Global warming isn't specifically mentioned, but very clearly implied. Fracking is blamed for seismic activity, and while I wanted to say "it will never be THAT widespread" all would require only a few more governors and senators of a certain kind ...
A worthwhile read, and an interesting what-if.
And if you liked the floating city, go read China Miéville's The Scar.
Valente's afterword explains cleanly what she was aiming for, and she hit the target. Don't read the afterword first, though; afterwords are placed there by author's choice.
Tetley is intriguing, and I especially liked how she is driven by her commitment to what is True and Right even when it's to her disadvantage (and it often is).
Tetley is very optimistic. I wonder if Valente tried out drafts in which she wasn't. I suspect they wouldn't have worked.
Global warming isn't specifically mentioned, but very clearly implied. Fracking is blamed for seismic activity, and while I wanted to say "it will never be THAT widespread" all would require only a few more governors and senators of a certain kind ...
A worthwhile read, and an interesting what-if.
And if you liked the floating city, go read China Miéville's The Scar.
jaxofspades's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
8ekka's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
earlymorningbells's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
aerinelf's review against another edition
Seems really cool, just not vibing with it right now.
marissa_w's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
primmiiee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
c3poth3dr0id's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.0
I love unreliable narrators and Tetley is just that. It’s clear that the climate destruction of human civilization has taken a toll on her mental health and sanity, as is the case with the rest of humanity that survives. Often, the meandering stream of consciousness was hard to follow. There were parts where I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I decided to chalk it up to the unreliability of a narrator who is hated by most of the remaining population in Garbagetown.
There is excellent commentary about capitalism, consumerism, ecology, and anarchy in the midst of learning about the daily life of Garbagetown. I appreciated all the glimpses into the past of the fuckwits and their catastrophic desire to consume.
There is excellent commentary about capitalism, consumerism, ecology, and anarchy in the midst of learning about the daily life of Garbagetown. I appreciated all the glimpses into the past of the fuckwits and their catastrophic desire to consume.
kstericker's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mweir710's review against another edition
4.0
What a strange little book. I listened to it and it was a little hard to see the switches in times. My brain had a really hard time wrapping around the story as it has a meandering plot line. The end was what brought me back and made me enjoy this book more than I thought I would. 3.5/5 for me :)