The Future, Naomi Alderton

The Future

by Naomi Alderton

science fiction

copyright 2023

read in May 2024

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Bear in mind, I  have read only 40% of this book.

I plan to finish reading. So I may need to add something. But for now:

There are several ways to interpret this book.

It may be a fictional overview of all the ideas, expectations and actions associated with the expected end of civilisation.

There are the preppers. And the influencer who makes a living by reviewing and recommending prepper products that she barely understands.

On a minor note: there is a scene where the "outdoor expert" prepares rabbits for dinner. For all her supposed expertise with a knife, she may as well have used a chainsaw.

The are the filthy rich tech billionaires who are super-effective preppers -- and blamed for all the problems of the world.

The author manages to give an "inside" view of these groups -- while giving the impression of having no actual understanding. It's all a set of biased opinions by an uninvolved outsider.

A bit like a Louis Theroux show: He talks to a lot of people. Not to find out, but to impose his own pureconceived opinions on the situation.

This book offers nothing new. It is unconvincing.

At a different level, this book is ridiculous modern stereotypes.

Every lesbian is "good". Straight husbands are evil, power-mad destroyers.

The enbee character is both good and incredibly clever. This is where the book becomes ridiculous.

The trouble is, the enbee ideas are presented as though the book's author sees them as the solution to all the world's ills.

... Save energy and the world by providing insulation for everyone. Really? Insulation will not help the people of Gaza --and many other devastated areas -- who live in structures made of canvas and scrap.

At this point the book has descended into impractical woke nonsense.

There are also religious references.

Cain and Abel are presented as brothers who fought, with all later fighting brothers causing many of the worlds ills. The author misses an important point: 

God told one brother to grow crops, the other brother to breed livestock. (Not, as the author claims, to hunt).

Then god praised the animal breeder and dissed the cropper. Of course the cropper was upset. This caused the fighting.

Man, men, even, may have lived in harmony. Until the boss set them up as enemies.

Don't only blame brothers.

===

That's 40%

It's easy reading, I plan to read on.

I expect that the billionaires will reach their bunkers. Start fighting. Be brought to peace by the lesbians. Then follow the enbee outside, to rebuild the world as a place of peace and plenty.

Oh good grief. I hope not.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood
   

killing floor, Lee Child

killing floor

(Jack Reacher #1)

by Lee Child

copyright 1998

read in May 2024

thriller

rated 8/10: really quite good

I've only read three Reacher books. So far, they seem to all have the same plot.

But what a very enjoyable plot.

From memory, the violence in this first book is just as brutal but nastier.

Every villain gets his (yes, his) comeuppance. Good people may be threatened, maybe hurt but they will survive.

Great fun and very satisfying. Though not suitable for children or the sensitive.
Characters are sympathetic. Even the weeds have their strong points.

The plot becomes more and more complex... unbelievably complex and somewhat ridiculous, really. But great fun.

I can see why this book was followed by many more.

I started with a rating of seven. Just upped it to eight: if you like any Reacher books then this first book is really quite good.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood
   

Star's End, Cassandra Rose Clarke

Star's End

by Cassandra Rose Clarke

dystopia, science fiction

copyright 2023

part read May 2024

rated 7/10: well worth reading

... though that may change.

The idea of worlds ruled by a sales oriented corporation is not new. Though the word corpocracy is new, to me.

This book is science fiction. It is also dystopia -- on several levels.

The corpocracy has complete control of its citizen/employees. The control is not benevolent.

Worse, the corporation is owned and controlled by one man. A man who is -- in the words of his own family -- an arsehole.

This brings the second level of dystopia, the family.

The father is a psychotic control freak. There are constant, unexplained, references to the terrible things he has done to his family and to his worlds. I think, in general terms, I can guess.

The story jumps in and out of three or four time periods. Presumably the book will end in the "now" and all will be explained.

I'd like to get the explanation but... I can't be bothered.

Over the years my reading speed has slowed. At my current speed this book is sooo very tedious.. And repetitive.

After 220 pages -- of 400 -- I stop reading.

I've rated it seven. Since it has proven to be unreadable, I may change that rating to a much lower score. I'll think about it.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood
   

Exogenesis / Peco Gaskovski

Exogenesis 

by Peco Gaskovski

dystopia,

copyright 2023

read in May 2024

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

traditional science fiction explores, what-if? What if this advance becomes common, how will it affect society. Exemplified by a small group of affected protagonists.

This book uses that approach.With a double what if leading to a schism: a society based on religion and a society based on science (of the body and of the mind).

the author compares the two. He seems to balance his views. The science society, in particular, is intelligently presented.

I find that both societies are terrible. 

Both societies aim for absolute control of their citizens.

Anyway. the main characters do their thing, with mixed success. The key characters are likeable enough that I hope they survive, if not necessarily succeed.

At the end, all is nicely wrapped up. At the society level the end is satisfying. The end for the individuals, however, is rushed, disjointed and unclear.

what if exogenesis well presented, with good analysis of its effects.

Two, in my view, dystopian societies, with less misery than most.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood