Reviews and Comments

Bithive

bithive@tomes.tchncs.de

Joined 1 year ago

I like Sci-fi. I am also working on my personal hypertext inside my head and follow down trails of books.

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Ayn Rand: The Fountainhead (Hardcover, 1979, MacMillan Publishing Company) 5 stars

The Fountainhead is a 1943 novel by Ayn Rand. It was Rand's first major literary …

I wanted to dislike it, but it changed my views

5 stars

Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead" is undeniably one of her most influential works. It is a novel that demands attention - and often, introspection - from its readers. Ayn Rand, known for her philosophy of Objectivism, has been a controversial figure, and upon first approaching this book, I expected my disagreements with her philosophy to color my reading experience. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

Despite being a significant read length-wise, "The Fountainhead" presents a compelling case for Rand's philosophy, embodied in the determined, individualistic character of the protagonist, architect Howard Roark. Rand's commitment to her philosophical standpoint, reflecting in the complex themes and characters in her novel, is undeniable.

The narrative of the novel certainly has its drawbacks. From a modern perspective, the moral framework might seem quite antiquated; the characters often resemble archetypal heroes and villains, unyielding in their respective narratives. However, this stubborn extremity, almost Shakespearean in its magnitude, …

Kim Stanley Robinson: The Ministry for the Future (Paperback, 2021, Orbit) 4 stars

Established in 2025, the purpose of the new organization was simple: To advocate for the …

A cozy book about climate change

4 stars

Title: Review - "The Ministry of the Future"

Kim Stanley Robinson's, "The Ministry of the Future", is undeniably an ambitious novel. Esteemed for his brilliantly envisioned science fiction, Robinson seeks to offer a fresh lens to view climate change - and perhaps therein lies the book's greatest strength and its most glaring weakness.

The book takes us on a riveting journey that begins in 2025 with the establishment of an organization, ironically named the Ministry for the Future. Its mandate is simple yet profound; advocate for future beings and protect all life forms, present and forthcoming. A story recounting the trials of this new ministry, fraught with complications and challenges, unfurls into an engaging narrative that holds your attention from the start.

Robinson’s story shines in the careful crafting of climate change’s apparent reality. It's not a far-off apocalypse but a brewing storm just over the horizon that we might …

reviewed Echopraxia by Peter Watts

Peter Watts: Echopraxia (2014) 5 stars

Echopraxia is a hard science fiction novel by Canadian writer Peter Watts. It is a …

great read, recommended

5 stars

Peter Watts’s "Echopraxia" is a tour de force in the hard sci-fi genre. Peerlessly cerebral and phenomenally gripping, it proves to be not just a book, but a vortex that pulls you in, page by page.

The main theme echoing throughout the novel is the illusion of free will — a question that has puzzled humankind for millennia. This theme, cleverly woven into a multilayered narrative extolling a hypothetical world both fascinating and terrifying, sets a compelling backdrop for the story.

Readers seeking light-hearted, breezy reads might find themselves challenged. "Echopraxia" is not for those looking for a casual dalliance with science fiction. It is an immersion in hard sci-fi, dense with scientific concepts, philosophical ideas, and it pulls no punches when it comes to its narrative complexity. Those seeking a book as mentally stimulating as it is adventurous will appreciate what "Echopraxia" brings to the table.

Adding to the …

Francis Spufford: Red Plenty (Paperback, 2011, Faber & Faber) 5 stars

Strange as it may seem, the gray, oppressive USSR was founded on a fairy tale. …

Red Plenty: The Rise and Fall of a Noble Dream in the Soviet Union

5 stars

Red Plenty delves deep into the ideals of the Soviet Union, specifically its vision of equitable wealth distribution. It reveals the tantalizingly close attainment of this dream, only to witness its tragic abandonment. Throughout the book, one cannot help but become sympathetic to this noble idea and comprehend the reasons behind its untimely collapse. The narrative sheds light on the intricate lives of individuals maneuvering within this system, brilliantly demonstrating how they adapted and organized themselves. The reader is left in awe of the compromises that were necessary for the system's initial survival, yet ultimately became its undoing. Inevitably, the once unshakable dream crumbled and disintegrated, leaving behind a profound sense of loss and failure.

Gabrielle Zevin: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (Hardcover, 2022, Knopf) 4 stars

In this exhilarating novel, two friends--often in love, but never lovers--come together as creative partners …

Exploring Human Connections and Creativity: A Thought-Provoking Journey

5 stars

The book delves into the intricate dynamics of a crew of programmers who are immersed in the world of creating video games. It particularly focuses on the captivating relationship between Sam and Sadie, whose unique creative partnership stands out amidst a landscape dominated by romantic entanglements. There is an interesting exploration of the emotional world of the protagonists, which adds depth and intrigue to the narrative.

One notable aspect of the book is its inclusion of thought-provoking quotes. For instance, the line, 'Long relationships may be richer, but relatively brief and relatively short encounters can also be lovely. Not every person you know or love has to consume you to be worthwhile,' resonates with its insight into the nature of human connections. Another gem, 'Programmer: diviner of possible outcomes; seer of unseen worlds,' beautifully captures the essence of the protagonists' work and their ability to envision new possibilities.

The author …