Humans are dangerous, to themselves...
What might the future hold?

A review of Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (2003, Doubleday)

So, Atwood does seem to write about the creepiest things (dystopia, post apocalyptic earth, human horribleness), but it's so real it's worse than creepy. She sucks you in with the amazing futuristic happenings, so much SCIENCE, and making a better world... but then you begin to see the cracks and the artifice, and so forth. And, here, the narrative switches back and forth from three different periods in the protagonist's life, making it all come together near the end. It's grim and mournful, but also so gripping that it's hard to put down.

So breathtakingly sad, but also so incredibly thought provoking. We must really ponder: What are we doing to our planet? What are we doing to one another? What is really important?

It's a warning to us all.

I listened to this via Audible audio and the narrator is very good.

4/5 stars mostly because I really need something positive or pleasant to look forward to in books and this one is thin on that, of course, as it should be given the topic...

An Academician in Midlife Crisis with Family Issues

A review of Our Lady of the Prairie by Thisbe Nissen (2018: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

So this is a fascinating and creative mix of following this theatre professor through the upheaval of a year or so of her life, including her failing marriage to another theatre professor, her often very ill adult daughter, the drama of the daughter's upcoming marriage, meeting a new lover who is also in academia, interacting with the Amish community and other locals, and her mysterious and cranky mother in law. It's a cornucopia of all sorts of characters!

Because I am an academician, the academic angle is especially interesting to me and some of it is puzzling but it's also interesting. All of this is set against the mystery of the mother in law's possible past in world war two France, as well as the 2004 US presidential election. The election provides lots of funny and not so funny commentary that is quite timely given the 2016 election craziness.

It's an enjoyable read. I found the flashback bits to the mother in law's possible past a bit lengthy but otherwise it's interesting and well written and full of interesting characters and human emotions and interactions, and lots of family and midlife issues.

A solid four stars.

4/5 stars

Interwoven War Stories

Interwoven War Stories

A review of The Alice Network by Kate Quinn (2017: William Morrow/HarperAudio)

I've read some very good books lately but this historical fiction is completely gripping. I did not want to stop.

It jumps between World War I and post World War II, tying together the lives of several people in post-war Europe including an aging former spy, a pregnant young college student, and an ex-con with a love for automobiles. And that's just for starters. Almost everyone has lost someone in one or both of the wars and almost everyone is dealing with loss and grief. That doesn't sound exciting, but it is.

The story line switches back and forth from WWI to present day 1947 effortlessly, weaving the stories that bring together this unlikely trio trying to right wrongs and uncover secrets, or keep them covered, as may be. Every character has flaws but also has wonderful strengths in time of need.

A beautiful story of retribution and redemption, of death and life. I think anyone who reads this will enjoy it very much.

I listened to the audiobook via audible and the narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, is very good.

5/5 stars

An Exciting Galaxy with an Interesting History

An Exciting Galaxy with an Interesting History

A review of Our Dark Stars by Audrey Gray and Krystal Wade (2018: Blaze Publishing)

What a fun and interesting read. Very sci-fi, somewhat YA, but fascinating. A vast human ruled dynasty is about to go down to the enemy in revolt, who are not human. One member of the ruling family escapes but is missing for one hundred years. When she reappears everything has changed and the galaxy is confusing. The roles of humans and non-humans have been reversed. So, one group still represses and enslave the other, predictably. Can Talia live to give the human rebels hope? Read and see.

Only one plot turn seemed implausible to me, or perhaps just not smooth enough. But it's all pretty exciting, with plenty of new things to learn about all the primary characters, and, of course, space ships, and fights of all sorts.  Just the kind of science fiction I enjoy.

Adults and young adults who like science fiction will enjoy this book.

I received a free pre-publication electronic copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 stars