Reviews and Comments

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David Whitmarsh

whitmad@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 9 months ago

Read widely, but mainly science fiction, which I also write.

I'm also at @whitmad@wandering.shop and @whitmad@paper.wf

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reviewed Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters

Ben H. Winters: Underground Airlines (2017, Mulholland Books)

"It is the present-day, and the world is as we know it: smartphones, social networking …

Review of 'Underground Airlines' on 'Goodreads'

Stark, clear writing, describing a hideous society that differs from our own in degree, not in kind. Victor's conflicts - internal and external - are drawn well. The whole thing is frighteningly believable until the climax: I found the ending felt a little hurried, the actions of the Bridge character unconvincing. Hence four stars rather than five.

reviewed Recursion by Blake Crouch

Blake Crouch: Recursion (Hardcover, 2019, Crown Publishing)

Memory makes reality.

That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he …

Review of 'Recursion' on 'Goodreads'

A clever premise, worked out in detail, described clearly and consistently. A story that starts slowly but builds with some real surprises. Prose that flows, a pleasure to read. Well-drawn characters all with their own emotional baggage. This is the first of Blake Crouch's books I've read. I will read more.

reviewed Roadside Picnic by Борис Стругацкий (SF Collector's Edition)

Борис Стругацкий, Arkady Strugatsky: Roadside Picnic (Paperback, 2000, Gollancz)

Red Schuhart is a stalker, one of those young rebels who are compelled, in spite …

Review of 'Roadside Picnic' on 'Goodreads'

Interesting idea, but the prose is uneven (though that may be due to the translation) and the characters are both unconvincing and unlikeable, making it hard work to engage with the story.