May 10, 2004
Altered Carbon, by Richard Morgan
Michael Reed strongly recommends to me in email Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan as "an absolutely knock-out sci-fi novel", so I've put it in my queue. I've not read it yet, so I'd welcome opinions.
I don't generally read science fiction nowadays, having gotten increasingly picky as time goes by (and science fact often holds more fascination for me the better educated I become). I did however take a weekend recently to relax with Ken Macleod's Dark Light and Engine City, which were a mixture of disappointment and amusement for me. I've read all his work so far, and will continue to do so, but the man seems to be afflicted recently with the problem Heinlein had during the late period of his life when he was stricken with a cerebral arterial blockage: at some point near the end of each story, he seems to simply get tired, and tries to wrap up the story abruptly.
My bedside reading the last couple of days: Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics: A Citizens Guide to the Economy, Revised and Expanded, a fantastic book I very highly recommend.
Posted by Russell Whitaker at May 10, 2004 10:27 AM | TrackBackTry Greg Egan. Not always an easy read (can get bogged down with descriptions of physics, mathematics and coding principles) but usually worth the slog for the completely different viewing angle on existence for several hours.
Plot-wise ...hrmm...interesting. The endings aren't always satisfying, but the ride is always worth it.
I'd offer to lend my collection, but that's not particularly practical. (Note to self: try hiring tug boat to move island a little to the left)
M
Posted by: Monica on May 10, 2004 12:21 PMHi Monica,
I've read most of Egan's work, and would recommend him for similar reasons and with similar caveats.
Posted by: Russell Whitaker on May 10, 2004 02:54 PMHi Russell,
I enjoyed Ken Macleod's first three books, and he, his very own self, has a most enthusiastic comment in the review blurb pages inside _Altered Carbon_.
I've also got Sowell's Basic and Advanced Economics in my queue.
Cheers.
Posted by: Michael Reed on May 11, 2004 10:23 AMHi Russell,
I enjoyed Ken Macleod's first three books, and he, his very own self, has a most enthusiastic comment in the review blurb pages inside _Altered Carbon_.
I've also got Sowell's Basic and Advanced Economics in my queue.
Cheers.
Posted by: Michael Reed on May 11, 2004 10:24 AMOops. You *did* want to read it twice, didn't you? ;-D
Posted by: Michael Reed on May 11, 2004 10:31 AM
My review of one of the most overrated poorly written pieces of shit on the shelves.
Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
Altered Carbon is a detective novel set in 26th century. Yes, yet another piece of shit detective novel with a sci fi background. Obviously Mr Morgan liked Willian Gibson in the eighties and you know what, we all did (to a certain extent, Neuromancer was actually pretty average and the less said about Johnny nemonic the better) but its not the eighties anymore. For all those people out there raving about this being a new generation of the sci fi genre, go the fuck away. For those raving about him being an amazing writer, read some Hamilton, Bear, Card or even old school sci fi such as Wyndham then see if you can handle reading this rehashed detective/cyberpunk/Jack Bauer shit.
Altered Carbon is poorly written thinly disguised detective shit that belongs in the 1950's.
The technology is neither original or conceptual (try Pandoras Star for real advancement in technology) but simply more rehashed eighties 'plug into the mainframe and live in a virtual world' crap and the author should be ashamed of himself for doing this to our genre and the masses who bought it AND RECOMMENDED IT should be ashamed for being such pathetic lemmings.
The character development in this book is great ie. there is none and thats great because the characters are cliche and 2 dimensional and I couldnt give a fuck about them so the less learnt the better.
This is pulp shit. Aimed at and loved by spotty teens who dont know there is better out there. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy of Pandoras Star by Peter F Hamilton, this is where gibsonist possibilities have progressed to the standards we deserve. The writing is simply beautiful, the technology conceptual and desirable, character development precise and the story telling... I get shivers up my spine thinking about what I went through with this novel.
Heres the crux of this piss weak little book by Richard Morgan (rich from releasing this shit to you drones):
An implant is placed in the base of the skull, recording your mind and this copy of your mind can be downloaded into a new body. (Wow how conceptual, only seen that in 30 or so scifi movies and at least hundred novels) Or into a Matrix-like Virtuality.
Kovacs (the star of this piece of shit) is no stranger to death or violence. He is contracted to find a killer so off he goes into the dark underbelly of 26th century New York… Altered Carbon is a book that could have gone very wrong very quickly. And does.
Minus 2 stars. Piss Weak.
