The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. / Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland

The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.

(DODO #1)

by Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland

fantasy, science fiction

copyright 2017

read in August 2017

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

In a word: disappointing.

Stephenson writes hard and heavy science fiction. A Stephenson book will have chapters of hard science, more chapters of explanation of the hard science. With a few interesting -- overblown -- characters to manage a complex plot.

Dodo seemed to be going the same way. First twenty pages and I thought, this is great! Solid science -- plus humour! That's a first for Stephenson. Galland is new to me, I guess that she provides the humour. But...

One hundred pages in and I'm thinking, This is not a Stephenson book. Yes, there's humour, that's a plus. But where is the scientific depth?!

The story is being told by a woman, a linguistics expert. A very likeable character. Except that her approach to science is, Oooh... that went right over my head. So, no real explanations. Which is fine -- but disappointing in a Stephenson book.

Then the science is used -- entirely -- to build a box in which magic can be performed. Magic? Yes, magic. Which is explained as... Well, I obviously can't explain that, it's magic.

Science is supplanted by magic. The book shifts from science fiction to fantasy.

Okay, there's a lot of time travel. With some dependence on multi-strand universes. Some of it may be new... that is... not done to death in other time-travel stories.

With "suspense" provided by one woman who says -- many times, Well, of course I knew that that would go wrong but I couldn't be bothered telling you... Disappointing.

After a while the humour also begins to fade. There's a major strand of humour from acronyms. Funny... for a while.

The major characters are very pleasant. Except that they are really cogs in the vast bureaucratic machine that is the government agency which controls their actions. In their own time they have great skills and very little authority. Worse yet...

When they travel back in time, there are enormous difficulties. Which is interesting: setting the scope of time travel then exploring the very practical difficulties.

Except that the hero and heroine are stupid.

Not really stupid. They just meet people who know so much more than they do. Who couldn't be bothered doing anything with their abilities except -- now that someone else has started -- these new people are so much better at what has to be done.

Which leads to the disappointing finale.

The main characters finally take independent and strong action. A few other characters join them... and suddenly, it's the scene setting for a series. These other characters are sterotypes. They get together to form a standard, ethnic / gender / ability balanced team.

And this book -- after a quick wrap-up of the current conflict -- sets the stage for a series of books. Here's the huge / powerful / evil baddie organisation, here's the small / friendly / skilled team of goodies.

The story ends satisfactorily. Despite its haste and dubious logic.

The series has only just begun.

Acceptable as light fantasy. Disappointing as Stephenson science fiction.

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
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Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming 'WOO HOO what a ride!'