A great read for any Star Trek fan, a real page-turner. Though I didn't really like the end but the story right until the end kept me completely captiA great read for any Star Trek fan, a real page-turner. Though I didn't really like the end but the story right until the end kept me completely captivated. I love way various racial features are discussed with abundance, and all the fear or fight decisions taken by the Federation commanders against all odds. ...more
Captivating classic science fiction story with plot which kept me glued to every page. Man is pitted against its own most pervasive memory in flesh crCaptivating classic science fiction story with plot which kept me glued to every page. Man is pitted against its own most pervasive memory in flesh created by an imperfect god like being. Not exactly sure why perfectly rational scientists are so hell bent in destroying creature created out of their own souls. Is every man really so afraid of facing its innermost memory? I mean I did understand the initial fear to the ghost like creation but when the scientists had understood the phenomenon, why didn’t they choose to communicate with the god like ocean through these creatures?...more
Very difficult to follow the story as it keeps twisting and turning. But it did have the effect of keeping me thinking about the end for hours after IVery difficult to follow the story as it keeps twisting and turning. But it did have the effect of keeping me thinking about the end for hours after I had finished it though. It did capture my imagination especially the protagonist who was the most likeable character. Guess broke people with no money have a certain magical charm for some reason?...more
This is a book for science junkies. I tried to get engaged but the scientific details derailed me over and over again. Nothing wrong with the story thThis is a book for science junkies. I tried to get engaged but the scientific details derailed me over and over again. Nothing wrong with the story though, lovely plot and setting as long as you live geology, chemistry and botany... ...more
Is morality and values evolving constantly with the progression of civilization? Are we not inexorably moving towards communalism in the guise of indivIs morality and values evolving constantly with the progression of civilization? Are we not inexorably moving towards communalism in the guise of individualism? If the latest trend of the Western world veering clearly towards far right is any indicative of the shifting trend than surely these are worrying times, especially when you consider that the last time Europeans favoured Right wing parties was after the Great depression of 1929. The dialogue between Jack Savage and his father the 'Controller', seemed to be analogous to any Liberal trying to argue with any Big Media organization of today.
Hundred years on, but the book still makes pretty relevant reading. ...more
Do we have a soul? Are we really as individual as we think we are? Is individual data protection necessary or a hindrance to development? Are mechanical Do we have a soul? Are we really as individual as we think we are? Is individual data protection necessary or a hindrance to development? Are mechanical logarithms more powerful than Human beings? Do we need to procreate anymore? Are we going to stay younger, fitter and even immortal? Will we have any jobs left for humans to preform? Will human range of emotions help us or impede us? And finally is our time finally up in this world?
A world where books are destroyed isn't very hard to imagine as I come form a non-literary culture myself. Books are not destroyed but are ignored, riA world where books are destroyed isn't very hard to imagine as I come form a non-literary culture myself. Books are not destroyed but are ignored, ridiculed and derided. It's a culture where all knowledge is contained in the Book, therefore no other book is not needed. Its a culture where majority are if the opinion that knowledge can only be gained through faith alone. Therefore, all book warms are on the wrong path which will eventually lead to a confused mind. So science fiction? I think we might have to change the genre of this book.
I found the story very poor. The book could have been reduced to short story....more
This story made me think about the world I live in, devoid of almost no contact with Mother Nature, depending on super markets for my daily sustenanceThis story made me think about the world I live in, devoid of almost no contact with Mother Nature, depending on super markets for my daily sustenance, where the only shape of chicken I know is in a lovely packing. By the end I realized that the Book of strange New Things is not the Bible, but this novel. Which forced me to respect the so called underdeveloped cultures of the world, who still live simply and contently among their kin, close to nature. Because to step into a USIC base (modern city) is inviting constant detachment from the real. It is an artificial world where we create a new personality, to act in a Shakespearean drama on a daily basis.
This morning I happened to see my neighbor for over 8 years in my driveway, terrible weather isn't it? I don't think we have gone pass discussing the weather in all of the years living next to each other. Why? Because there is little need to. All of my needs and wants don't require any interaction with him. Sad, but then from the other end of the spectrum as very aptly discussed in the story from the Oasian attempts try and remain alive. In an attempt to live they were willing to experiment with any alien medicine to get better. Life is pre-programmed to survive, no matter or how we choose to live....more
This was a fantastic listening experience. The narrator was brilliant with a story which was both engaging and thought provoking. I thought the authorThis was a fantastic listening experience. The narrator was brilliant with a story which was both engaging and thought provoking. I thought the author's analogy of religions and the Metaverse was extremely apt, as religion for me is the Metaverse of the ancients. Religion provides a perfect excuse for all injustices in our life, the afterlife. So the more you suffer in this world, the more recompensation should you expect in the next. I also quite enjoyed the depiction of various cultures. All in all this was a brilliant listening experience, highly recommended. ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the concept of the series of interviews looking at the same event. The most enjoyable bits were the unique wI thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the concept of the series of interviews looking at the same event. The most enjoyable bits were the unique ways each country reacted to the common Zombie menace. The war brought out all hidden prejudices and fault lines plaguing the different cultures.
My one critique is the complete absence of any medical response against the Zombie virus. Surely any future Zombie virus threat should be countered in the research labs?...more
The book is probably the first I have read spotlighting the Emirate states in Gulf. Most characters depicted in the book were vivid and reflective of The book is probably the first I have read spotlighting the Emirate states in Gulf. Most characters depicted in the book were vivid and reflective of the real people I have met in my own contact with the Gulf. Most apart from the many types of jins which I have absolutely no experience of meeting..
The book is very enjoyable and reads like a comic book at times, actually it is a like a comic book story written up. I thought the most vlaue in the story was the author's attempt to keep Quranic knowledge current and relevant. There are several dialogues in the book which focus on the importance of Quranic wisdom with latest science is justified, which is what converts are really good at. Willow Wilson has tried to do her bit for her new religion in a manner which I found pleasantly palatable.
The real value in the book was it brought all the ancient and mythological beings like the jins back in my technologically infested life of today, which is no small feat in itself.