A review by revafisheye
The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Fast-paced and funny, a la screwball comedies of Hollywood's golden age, The Spare Man is a delightful space romp, though with a few flaws. The world building and character creation are stellar; the disability rep and treatment of PTSD are handled with care and realism. I thought it was an interesting choice to create a future with such enlightened gender consciousness while maintaining a very 20th-century class stratification. The pacing lags a bit in the middle, and a deus ex machina to tie up (most of?) the mystery is a little disappointing. But, all in all, it was a ripping good time. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings