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marct22's review against another edition
3.0
A very weird book, when reading, one must remember the time it was written in. I had to re-start it a couple of times, getting use to the slang. Once you get past that, it got going. Early though, he introduced a Cherokee as a character, which, while nice, the main protagonist referred to him by, in my mind as a Native American, a bit insulting name-calling. that is on me, but I personally dislike being referred to as 'chief' (I am not one, haven't done enough to deserve that title) or other famous Native Americans. My name is Marc, that character's name is 'Guess', how hard is it to call me by 'Marc' and him by 'Guess', both single syllables, not difficult to remember... And how he described how Cherokees expect Cherokee women to behave was just 100% wrong.
But as a story, it was kinda interesting, and again, one should remember how old this book is. Wonder if Highlander (there can be only one) took some inspiration from this book. But not really Bester's best work. Demolished man was a better story.
But as a story, it was kinda interesting, and again, one should remember how old this book is. Wonder if Highlander (there can be only one) took some inspiration from this book. But not really Bester's best work. Demolished man was a better story.
una_10bananas's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
brandoninvergo's review against another edition
3.0
If you can get past the painfully out-dated stereotypes, it's a fun little story.
ruskoley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This is that Zelazny/Leiber style popular in the late 60s & early 70s that moves fast, styles it's own lingo, and contains snark from self-assured and competent authors.
Many readers aren't able to get into this novel. It takes faith and work. But most of the best novels do.
Lightning quick pacing, huge cast of outrageously diverse, but loveable, characters - the plot, believe it or not, IS solid and interesting. But it's probably a bit too much for readers who want basic stories served on a platter. This one is for the big kids. Loved it.
Many readers aren't able to get into this novel. It takes faith and work. But most of the best novels do.
Lightning quick pacing, huge cast of outrageously diverse, but loveable, characters - the plot, believe it or not, IS solid and interesting. But it's probably a bit too much for readers who want basic stories served on a platter. This one is for the big kids. Loved it.
pennybeth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
loonyboi's review against another edition
2.0
Alfred Bester is unquestionably one of the greatest sci-fi writers of all time. [b:The Stars My Destination|333867|The Stars My Destination|Alfred Bester|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1298507693s/333867.jpg|1398442] and [b:The Demolished Man|76740|The Demolished Man|Alfred Bester|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360171879s/76740.jpg|1247570] are absolute classics.
This book is not of the same caliber.
It's not entirely without merit - Bester does do some interesting things with language, similar to his other works. And it has some genuinely funny slapstick moments.
But for the most part it's just not very good. It moves too quickly, the gags (linguistic or otherwise) don't always work, and it all falls flat.
I'm glad I read it...but I wouldn't recommend others do the same. Read his celebrated works. Skip this one.
This book is not of the same caliber.
It's not entirely without merit - Bester does do some interesting things with language, similar to his other works. And it has some genuinely funny slapstick moments.
But for the most part it's just not very good. It moves too quickly, the gags (linguistic or otherwise) don't always work, and it all falls flat.
I'm glad I read it...but I wouldn't recommend others do the same. Read his celebrated works. Skip this one.
vincent1126's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Ableism and Body horror
cheezvshcrvst's review against another edition
3.0
Stylistically another wonder by Bester, but the execution gets sloppy and falls off near the end. Somewhere around the second act, definitely after the marriage and before the underground meeting, I discovered that while I was laughing appreciatively at the absurdities and quirks of this interesting word Mr. Bester offers us here, I was sleeping through whatever threadbare storytelling was going on. The bulk of the action relies heavily on plot details being told through the world-building and it’s easy to go a bit glazed in the eye while reading. Worthwhile for fans of alternate history/pulp-ish spec fiction, and it’s clearly been influential in certain circles, but this one is a swing and a miss overall. (Bonus points to Bester for imagining a future in which caucasians are inbred self-indulgent morons. That took real cajones to throw at science fiction readers/writers/publishers in the mid-70s.)
mikepearce's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as The Stars My Destination and quite hard to read, but the core story is pretty cool.