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abradybuysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.5
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I saw this book in the bookstore I worked at before I really knew who M.T. Anderson was, so it's nice to come to this nearly a year later having read two of his other books from different genres. What ties his works together is satire, and that becomes a huge part of the morals of his stories--if there are any. Sometimes the moral is that you have to keep on keepin' on, that capitalism is inherently evil, and you should never prostitute yourself for the betterment of others. But, y'know, whatever.
Really though, this book was so concise in its analysis, and everything that Anderson writes is with reason and has some sort of underlying Marxist critique. Also, there's a good deal of poop in this novel. Which is actually kind of funny and terrible, considering that it stems from Adam having a totally preventable and curable disease.
In all honesty, this book speaks for itself. It weaves art theory, economics, and Marxism in a way that is absolutely wonderful, talented, and something to be acknowledged in the YA community. This is perfect for the beginning sci-fi reader, who's new to the world of speculative fiction, alien interaction, and colonialism.
Review cross-listed here!
Really though, this book was so concise in its analysis, and everything that Anderson writes is with reason and has some sort of underlying Marxist critique. Also, there's a good deal of poop in this novel. Which is actually kind of funny and terrible, considering that it stems from Adam having a totally preventable and curable disease.
In all honesty, this book speaks for itself. It weaves art theory, economics, and Marxism in a way that is absolutely wonderful, talented, and something to be acknowledged in the YA community. This is perfect for the beginning sci-fi reader, who's new to the world of speculative fiction, alien interaction, and colonialism.
Review cross-listed here!
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
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
5.0
Disclaimer: I purchased this book from my local bookstore. Support your Indie Bookstores!
Book: Landscape with Invisible Hand
Author: M.T. Anderson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: MC with a chronic illness (mentions a name, but it didn’t look like it was an actual name when I googled it? But if I’m wrong please correct me)
Recommended For...:
Publication Date: September 12, 2017
Genre: YA Dystopian Sci-Fi
Age Relevance: suicide mentioned, slight romance, bullying, slight language
Explanation of Above: There are a couple of mentions of suicide and scenes of bullying. The romance is slight and there is some slight cursing in the book.
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages: 149
Synopsis: When the vuvv first landed, it came as a surprise to aspiring artist Adam and the rest of planet Earth - but not necessarily an unwelcome one. Can it really be called an invasion when the vuvv generously offered free advanced technology and cures for every illness imaginable? As it turns out, yes. With his parents' jobs replaced by alien tech and no money for food, clean water, or the vuvv's miraculous medicine, Adam and his girlfriend, Chloe, have to get creative to survive. And since the vuvv crave anything they deem "classic" Earth culture (doo-wop music, still-life paintings of fruit, true love), recording 1950s-style dates for the vuvv to watch in a pay-per-minute format seems like a brilliant idea. But it's hard for Adam and Chloe to sell true love when they hate each other more with every passing episode. Soon enough, Adam must decide how far he's willing to go - and what he's willing to sacrifice - to give the vuvv what they want.
Review: I think this is my new favorite dystopian read! I loved that the book wasn’t scary in like a horror sense, but when you think about it it’s absolutely terrifying. The main focal point of the book is our MC and his family as they try to get money to survive in an economy run by aliens who don’t understand Earth economics. The hellish Earth left after they’ve assumed power is startlingly worse than the current predicament we’re in and in the end the “solution” was very bleak but freeing. I didn’t really expect this to be the book I got when I started reading it because I only had seen the movie trailer prior to picking up this read, but the book I got was so much better than I thought it would have ever been and I only hope the movie does it justice. The book also took me awhile to get through, while short, because it left me with a lot of things to ponder about the world as the author clearly intended this to be commentary on modern day politics. I also loved that the MC was a chronic illness rep, as you normally don’t see that in dystopian reads. I loved this book. I would love anything set in this world.
The only issue I had with the book is that the pacing is quick as the book is quite short. I would have loved to see more character development from some of the side characters, but otherwise I loved the read.
Verdict: I highly recommend this one.
theangrystackrat's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rebcamuse's review against another edition
5.0
Full disclosure: I know the author.
If Salvador Dali and H.G. Wells birthed a novella together, this is what I imagine it might look like. It is a model of crafting dystopia, wherein humankind seemingly has welcomed our vuvv overlords, and "creativity" becomes the currency of survival--at least for a time. Seemingly very few stones are left unturned as the book takes aim at the climate crisis, capitalistic inequity, voyeurism of social media...just to name a few.
While marketed as a book for young adults, I think anyone who enjoys satirical dystopian fiction would enjoy this. My only issue was that it seemed too short--I didn't get to invest deeply in any of the characters, but as they are stand-ins for you, me, and possibility, I guess that makes sense.
If Salvador Dali and H.G. Wells birthed a novella together, this is what I imagine it might look like. It is a model of crafting dystopia, wherein humankind seemingly has welcomed our vuvv overlords, and "creativity" becomes the currency of survival--at least for a time. Seemingly very few stones are left unturned as the book takes aim at the climate crisis, capitalistic inequity, voyeurism of social media...just to name a few.
While marketed as a book for young adults, I think anyone who enjoys satirical dystopian fiction would enjoy this. My only issue was that it seemed too short--I didn't get to invest deeply in any of the characters, but as they are stand-ins for you, me, and possibility, I guess that makes sense.
kristenremenar's review against another edition
4.0
Sci-fi with some great discussion points:
"reality shows" and what it means to sell our private lives
our assumptions about people who are out of work
colonialism and tourism
health care for those who can and can't afford it
why we make art
"reality shows" and what it means to sell our private lives
our assumptions about people who are out of work
colonialism and tourism
health care for those who can and can't afford it
why we make art
libreroaming's review against another edition
5.0
M.T. Anderson pulls no punches in his sci-fi story where an advanced alien species comes to Earth, promising technological advancements and prosperity in exchange for trinkets of humanity's "primitive" culture. But our own capitalist society takes these gives and results in an even more massive wealth gap between the rich who side with the aliens and everyone else. Now it a society stripped of basic jobs that are no obsolete because of technology, where Adam and his family desperately try to make ends meet and are told they just aren't trying hard enough.
His dystopia is not the one easily fixed by fighting an evil overlord, or facing an obviously corrupt regime, but the entrenched systems of disinterest that we already are familiar with. And the crippling despair that comes from seeking value in a world that has deemed your commodities in traits they appropriate but never seek truth in. A depressing read (even with all the poop humor) that is both short and lingering with its bitterness.
His dystopia is not the one easily fixed by fighting an evil overlord, or facing an obviously corrupt regime, but the entrenched systems of disinterest that we already are familiar with. And the crippling despair that comes from seeking value in a world that has deemed your commodities in traits they appropriate but never seek truth in. A depressing read (even with all the poop humor) that is both short and lingering with its bitterness.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
4.0
To paraphrase another reviewer, this book is basically an overview of Trump's America even though it was most likely written before the current administration took office. Feed lies to the gullible and watch them eat it up. After taking over, start fucking over the poor people. Cater to the wealthy. Greed is good. Healthcare is only for the rich.
Also, the squatters that Adam's family took on in an attempt to make some income were such a-holes, I wanted to smack all of them.
Also, the squatters that Adam's family took on in an attempt to make some income were such a-holes, I wanted to smack all of them.
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
Short, sharp novel with a new take on aliens arriving. Usually, aliens either want to kill us all or solve all or problems. The vuv do bring new technology and new medicine - but not for free. They charge for it all. New technology means less jobs, means less money, means no one can afford anything. It's a depressing, vicious cycle for our hero, Adam.
A quick, timely read I enjoyed a lot.
A quick, timely read I enjoyed a lot.
ellenmc07's review against another edition
3.0
To be honest, I chose this based on the cover. I thought it was intriguing and why not give it a shot? Thank goodness it wasn't very long as I don't think I would have finished it. Yes the satire and social commentary were the book's strong points but, the characters sucked. Like wildly sucked so bad, I almost stopped reading. I know they aren't the main point but, I felt disappointed in them. Maybe this could have faired better as a short story rather than a novel but, for me, it's about 100 pages too long. Again, if you like the biting, realistic view of what would happen should an alien species come to Earth, maybe give this go.