Author: Brian Evenson
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: April 10th 2012
Pages: 256
Who will read it: Science fiction fans into dystopias
Rating: 2/5
Buy: Amazon: / Barnes&Noble:
Official Synopsis: When you open your eyes things already seem to be happening without you. You don't know who you are and you don't remember where you've been. You know the world has changed, that a catastrophe has destroyed what used to exist before, but you can't remember exactly what did exist before. And you're paralyzed from the waist down apparently, but you don't remember that either.
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: April 10th 2012
Pages: 256
Who will read it: Science fiction fans into dystopias
Rating: 2/5
Buy: Amazon: / Barnes&Noble:
Official Synopsis: When you open your eyes things already seem to be happening without you. You don't know who you are and you don't remember where you've been. You know the world has changed, that a catastrophe has destroyed what used to exist before, but you can't remember exactly what did exist before. And you're paralyzed from the waist down apparently, but you don't remember that either.
A man claiming to be your friend tells you your
services are required. Something crucial has been stolen, but what he tells you
about it doesn't quite add up. You've got to get it back or something bad
is going to happen. And you've got to get it back fast, so they can freeze you
again before your own time runs out.
Before you know it, you're being carried through
a ruined landscape on the backs of two men in hazard suits who don't seem
anything like you at all, heading toward something you don't understand that
may well end up being the death of you.
Welcome to the life of Josef Horkai….
My Review
Plot: Mainly, I was curious about the ending and the actual Kollaps, yet the book failed to answer most of my questions. Instead, as Horkai struggled to understand his new society, I struggled to understand the ambiguous text. While some themes seemed to emerge of the dangers of living in hives (communism), acceptance of predetermined roles and paths, the separation of science and faith, or the trust of authority, there was not enough of a driving force behind the characters to keep me fully entertained.
The story was underdeveloped and never truly delivered on the
suspense it promised. The unexplained information in the story was highly confusing.
Characters: When dealing with an oppressive situation, Josef Horkai showed few emotions. His self-doubt and rationality were never filled with passion. He seemed to be a big brute with little intellectual capacity, one that only served to carry out tasks. His only undisputable quality was the strangeness of how and why he could survive without protection in the wasteland’s toxic air.
Characters: When dealing with an oppressive situation, Josef Horkai showed few emotions. His self-doubt and rationality were never filled with passion. He seemed to be a big brute with little intellectual capacity, one that only served to carry out tasks. His only undisputable quality was the strangeness of how and why he could survive without protection in the wasteland’s toxic air.
Rasmus, the
enigmatic leader of this last-of-humanity shelter, has unfrozen Horkai and tasked
him with stealing a mysterious silver cylinder, which he says is essential to
their survival. While purposefully vague, the uncertainty of his details did
not fascinate me, but frustrate me. Overall, his exchanges with Horkai did
allude to the direct fallout of the Kollaps, and make him the more interesting character
by default.
Qatik and Qanik are Horkai’s “mules,” people tasked to carry the
paraplegic to where he can steal the cylinder, knowing they will not survive
the journey. Their objective certainty and acceptance of the roles they must
play in Horkai’s journey are disheartening. The conversations along the road
are particularly frustrating as Horkai learns little information from them
besides their strong desire to fulfill the “purpose” despite their physical
weakness.
Relationships/ Romance: There was no romance within this novel. The relationships were all characterized by an imbalance of power either through lack of knowledge or physical strength. The relationship between science and faith was mostly the source of conflict (either letting the human race die out or prolonging their existence).
Writing Style:
The stumbling writing provided
little imagery and the characters’ respective point of views felt fake. The
middle provided some interesting characterization but by the end, the writing had
reverted back to bland unclear writing.
Best lines/Favorite part: The problem with faith, thought Horkai, is that there’s no arguing with it. Same problem, he admitted to himself, with lack of faith.
Best lines/Favorite part: The problem with faith, thought Horkai, is that there’s no arguing with it. Same problem, he admitted to himself, with lack of faith.
(Page 134)
Ending: This is a standalone book. I was screaming about the wasted time I had spent reading it. The ending cancels out the entire novel and left me unsatisfied and disgruntled. The ending was of very poor quality.
The Star-worthy Aspects: The plot was interesting at times, and my curiosity led me to learn more.
The Deficiencies: The entire novel itself was disappointing from start to finish. I am completely turned off from some of Brian Evenson’s other writing.
Ending: This is a standalone book. I was screaming about the wasted time I had spent reading it. The ending cancels out the entire novel and left me unsatisfied and disgruntled. The ending was of very poor quality.
The Star-worthy Aspects: The plot was interesting at times, and my curiosity led me to learn more.
The Deficiencies: The entire novel itself was disappointing from start to finish. I am completely turned off from some of Brian Evenson’s other writing.
Rating and Closing Remarks: The horrendous throw-away ending was a mess, but I did finish the book (while impatiently trying to uncover the answers to my questions). The characters felt either too melodramatic or too stolid. While certain elements were interesting, I felt continuously bewildered. All in all, the book earned a 2/5 from me. I would not recommend it to anyone.
If you would like to find out more about Brian Evenson and his other books, please read his Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Evenson or visit his research faculty page at Brown: http://brown.edu/academics/literary-arts/faculty/brian-evenson/brian-evenson
-S
