Providence

hardcover, 320 pages

Published March 31, 2020 by G.P. Putnam's Sons.

ISBN:
978-0-593-08517-2
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4 stars (24 reviews)

4 editions

A Timely Novel

4 stars

Max Barry's speculative fiction has often been published just ahead of big cultural moments it is well suited to shed light on. This novel from 2020 focuses on AI and PR in a way that seems perfectly suited for the 2022-2023 surge in AI use. There are thrilling space war trappings, but Barry's wit and those presently pressing concerns make it more than just another sci fi adventure.

Review of 'Providence' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Although I’m generally a big fan of Max Barry, I liked this book the least of those I’ve read. Providence is much more conventional than his other novels and far less satisfying to me. It feels like basic space opera sci-fi, but it’s definitely not hard SF. The science is weak, with FTL travel and communications completely glossed over. There’s also a highly unlikely planetary landing, and meanwhile back on Earth global warming, species collapse, and resource depletion are totally ignored.

The author is smart enough to know all this, so I’m wondering whether he dumbed the science down in hopes of reaching more of a mass audience, or if perhaps the whole thing is supposed to be read as allegory…?

Review of 'Providence' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

So I really REALLY enjoyed aspects of this book a lot. But I feel like it could have been much stronger with some strategic construction decisions.

The back of the book description really propped this up as a dive into the relationship with humanity and AI that is so advanced it's intentions become unknowable. And for the most part, that's what this book was about, and I REALLY loved those parts. The discussions between Gilly and Talia about what AI is and their relationship with the ship as almost "lesser beings" was fantastic. I also loved the "marketing war" parts of this book, like how Talia viewed her role on the crew, the need to have human crews on automated ships, and Anders' difficult relationship with his role in the war.

I enjoyed how the actual war served as more of a backdrop for the real story between the crew …

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