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A review by saazhar
The Return of the Incredible Exploding Man, Volume 1 by Dave Hutchinson
4.0
I grew up in a city and in a time without bookstores. There were plenty of booksellers, though, selling the stuff people most wanted to read - the Stephen Kings, the Danielle Steele's. There were only a few who stocked less popular books, wrapped in clear plastic to ward off fingerprints and dust. When I had finally exhausted the local inventory, I went to these shops to discover new authors and new stories, and I had no way to judge the books other than by their covers, since the sellers would not remove the plastic unless you bought the books. And that is how I have discovered some of my favorites authors - for example The Sacred Art of Stealing took me down a very enjoyable Christopher Brookmyre rabbit hole, and I have happily read most of his stories. Sometimes, such a practice of judging a book by its cover has not failed me, but it isn't always foolproof as the adage says. But it is an unconscious practice honed by experience.
And with this book, it paid off. I had heard of the author in passing, particularly because of his sci fi awards, and so thought I would give this book a shot when I saw it on Netgalley, since it seemed like a standalone book and the cover seemed intriguing. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this before publication.
I really really enjoyed this book - in fact, if I had to pick one word to describe the experience, I would say it was a very enjoyable read. This is despite the many contradictions that it left behind.
First of all, the main character Alex. I very much liked how relatable he was - the sense of constant befuddlement that he felt at his situation throughout the book was superbly written, but at the same time made me want to scream at him internally on various occasions - I haven't felt so much for a book character in a while.
Second, I loved that the author didn't try to spend a lot of time trying to explain everything - quite a few things were left unresolved, which is perfectly fine. I don't need a detailed explanation for all of the science behind the science fiction to enjoy the book. Plus I enjoyed how there was no super-scientist who figured it all out which would ruin the story. But some readers might be a bit turned off by how the author sometimes throws in a few scientific terms - gravitons, gravity shear - as possible explanations, only for none of the ideas to take root. Frankly, readers need to suspend their need for an explanation and let the story itself overtake you - which I find the book really does well.
Finally, I loved the ending. There is no resolution or pay-off at the very end, and I quite liked that. Readers who prefer everything wrapped up and tied with a bow - and I admit there is a part of me that wants similar endings - might be a bit disappointed, but I thought the story that it tries to tell rather deserves the ending, and that it is difficult to try and end it neatly. Unlike other similar books, I liked that it felt like the ending was planned all along - it didn't feel like the author had run out of ideas and was struggling to end the book. Plus I am excited by the potential for the story and the universe to continue in future books - I wouldn't mind returning to another journey into this world in the future.
The only thing that was a negative to me about the book - and it is a very minor point - was that it felt to me that the author has a tremendous sense of humor that he was intentionally trying to limit. There were significant moments of levity - but I couldn't help feel like the author had much more in store that was left out that would have been amazing to have. It is a bit hard to explain - I don't want a laugh-out-loud book because I am not sure how it would contrast with the rest of the story, but I couldn't help feel the author was holding back on the jokes.
I'm really happy I got the chance to read this book, and many thanks again to Netgalley and the publisher. Now, if you excuse me, I think I see a Dave Hutchinson-shaped rabbit hole of books that I need to go jump down.
And with this book, it paid off. I had heard of the author in passing, particularly because of his sci fi awards, and so thought I would give this book a shot when I saw it on Netgalley, since it seemed like a standalone book and the cover seemed intriguing. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this before publication.
I really really enjoyed this book - in fact, if I had to pick one word to describe the experience, I would say it was a very enjoyable read. This is despite the many contradictions that it left behind.
First of all, the main character Alex. I very much liked how relatable he was - the sense of constant befuddlement that he felt at his situation throughout the book was superbly written, but at the same time made me want to scream at him internally on various occasions - I haven't felt so much for a book character in a while.
Second, I loved that the author didn't try to spend a lot of time trying to explain everything - quite a few things were left unresolved, which is perfectly fine. I don't need a detailed explanation for all of the science behind the science fiction to enjoy the book. Plus I enjoyed how there was no super-scientist who figured it all out which would ruin the story. But some readers might be a bit turned off by how the author sometimes throws in a few scientific terms - gravitons, gravity shear - as possible explanations, only for none of the ideas to take root. Frankly, readers need to suspend their need for an explanation and let the story itself overtake you - which I find the book really does well.
Finally, I loved the ending. There is no resolution or pay-off at the very end, and I quite liked that. Readers who prefer everything wrapped up and tied with a bow - and I admit there is a part of me that wants similar endings - might be a bit disappointed, but I thought the story that it tries to tell rather deserves the ending, and that it is difficult to try and end it neatly. Unlike other similar books, I liked that it felt like the ending was planned all along - it didn't feel like the author had run out of ideas and was struggling to end the book. Plus I am excited by the potential for the story and the universe to continue in future books - I wouldn't mind returning to another journey into this world in the future.
The only thing that was a negative to me about the book - and it is a very minor point - was that it felt to me that the author has a tremendous sense of humor that he was intentionally trying to limit. There were significant moments of levity - but I couldn't help feel like the author had much more in store that was left out that would have been amazing to have. It is a bit hard to explain - I don't want a laugh-out-loud book because I am not sure how it would contrast with the rest of the story, but I couldn't help feel the author was holding back on the jokes.
I'm really happy I got the chance to read this book, and many thanks again to Netgalley and the publisher. Now, if you excuse me, I think I see a Dave Hutchinson-shaped rabbit hole of books that I need to go jump down.