What I've been reading, what I'm reading

[19_crows]

I finished The Intuitionist; two stars. My review:

Novel set in a universe in which elevators seem to be the highest form of technology, and there are disputes between two schools of inspectors, the Intuitionists and the Empiricists. Lila Mae Watson, the city's first female black inspector, is being framed for an elevator crash designed to show up the Intuitionists. We're in a city that's clearly New York, in a era when segregation is just ending. I'm not sure I got all the subtext. I liked its quirkiness, the alternate universe, but ultimately I was bored and disappointed. I think I missed its subtleties and metaphysics. Okay, elevators are a way to rise, and being an elevator inspector is a rise in status, but beyond that I got nothing. There are a couple of big revelations, one of them about people not being what they seem; I couldn't discern the significance of the other.

Now I'm reading The Knife of Never Letting Go and am enjoying, as usual, viewing a different world and society. So far it's pretty intense and the tension is getting to me.

Comments

[wild_irises]

That's a super-intense book, and the typography makes it more so. I haven't found myself wanting to read the later ones, although I'm glad I read the first one. Apparently now becoming a major (motion picture? TV series?).

[19_crows]

I hadn't thought of that about the typography; I just thought it was a clever way of showing the Noise. I also hadn't thought that I could skip the sequels if I felt like it - thanks for the reminder! Lots of people on the Well are raving about the series and excited about the major motion whatever.

[elainegrey]

I got it as an audio book, and boy was it intense. I was traveling for work and listened as i walked treadmills in the hotels. I have the next in the series to listen to, but it is not a drive time narrative!