Reviews and Comments

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Braden Solt

corvusolty@bookwyrm.social

Joined 1 year, 10 months ago

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finished reading Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (Little Brother, #1)

Cory Doctorow: Little Brother (EBook, 2010, Tor Teen)

Seventeen year old Marcus and his friends are in the wrong place at the wrong …

Nice quick read that fore fronts security liberty and government overreach. It's themes are extremely timely for a book that's as old as it's teenage protagonist. Its main villain is the DHS, which can hit a bit close to home today. I read this after the later Attack Surface, and I'll have to follow it up with also reading Homeland. Would recommend!

finished reading The Socialist Manifesto by Bhaskar Sunkara

Bhaskar Sunkara: The Socialist Manifesto (AudiobookFormat, 2019, Hachette B and Blackstone Audio, Basic Books)

This is a well written piece about the history and future of the socialist movement. The present portion that the author bases his future upon seems to be aging quickly, as it was written before the rise and chaos of Trump. The text has a healthy dose of optimism while also rightfully critiquing previous movements and outlining ongoing challenges.

finished reading The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin (DUPLICATE) (Hainish Cycle, #4)

Ursula K. Le Guin (DUPLICATE): The Left Hand of Darkness (Paperback, 2010, Ace Books)

On the planet Winter, there is no gender. The Gethenians can become male or female …

A deserved classic of the genre, this thought provoking story makes me want to pick up more titles from the author. Also can't want for the hainish to come to earth and enlighten us. Any day now would be great!

reviewed Attack Surface by Cory Doctorow

Cory Doctorow: Attack Surface (2020)

Cory Doctorow's Attack Surface is a standalone novel set in the world of New York …

An adventurous, techy romp

Jumping between Iraq, Eastern Europe, and the US west coast, Doctorow's narrative guides the reader through a whirlwind of technology, power, and espionage. Marsha's journey was illuminating and exhilarating. As her character arc bends towards justice it tensions your heart strings. Lessons abound in the this thought provoking and essential 21st century work.

reviewed The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

Albert Camus: The Myth of Sisyphus (Paperback, 2018, Vintage)

Challenging yet Delightful

Camus references a vast number of contemporary and classical works. He weaves a tapestry of ideas from his influences to lay out his seminal philosophy. The prose can be dense and slow going, but the result is rewarding. I recommend familiarity with Don Juan, Kafka, or, Dostoevsky. Would be five stars if the style was more approachable or less French.