So the book arrived today and I just thought I'd take a little peek...(PEEK, GEDDIT?)...now it's 1am and, well, if there's such a thing as a belch of appreciation after a satisfying read, consider this to be mine (belch? second breath?)

I read "Above" first and found the language gorgeous, the mileu one of depth and consistency, and the many levels of conflict skilfully intertwined. A couple of quiet, enjoyable character studies in a luxuriantly described world.

Bonus points for mentioning the Li More...

This review forms part of my contribution to theAustralian Women Writers 2012 Reading Challenge.

Above/Belowis made up of two novellas - Above by Stephanie Campisi and Belowby Ben Peek. The stories are based in the same world - a world where the inhabitants have split themselves into two main groups. The inhabitants of Loft have built cities that take to the skies and float amongst the clouds, while the inhabitants of Dirt remain on the surface of the planet. It is a fairly blatant have/have not More...

The first thing I noticed about this book was the cover. I was scrolling through the First Reads Giveaways (from which I received my copy) page and was attracted by the vibrant, crisp, contrasting colors of the cover. As I read the book I discovered that the cover reflects the two stories within it perfectly: they are vibrant, crisp, contrasting, and fascinating.

Above, the first book (or at least the on I read first) transported me into the Loftian world of clean floating cities, seemingly utop More...

This is a book that is actually two short stories about the same world. Above is set in the floating city Loft, Below is set in the planet Dirt. Dirt is below many floating cities, with Loft the most prestigious. Dirt does the hazardous work of providing fuel, oil, coal for the floating cities and disposing of their garbage. The floating cities trade medicine and other supplies to Dirt. The citizens of Dirt have a maximum lifespan of 48 as long as they have an operation at age 12 that helps figh More...

I really liked this book (which is actually 2 novellas by 2 authors) and would love to see more of the world in the book...I have so many questions. I could not find this in the kindle store but the publisher sells it direct & it was pretty easy to figure out the download. I read Above first but you can download below/above where you can read it last. I think you would understand it better with Above first.
I read this right at the same time as I heard "Mr Daisey & the Apple Factory" from More...

For an in depth discussion of Above / Below, please listen to my podcast, The Writer and the Critic, episode 6.

I won this book duo on First Reads. I thought the concept of the book was very interesting. I also like that the two books (by two authors) tell opposite sides of one story. There were many parts of the story left unexplained, in my opinion. Sometimes, I felt, Campisi's story was too wordy which caused the story to not flow very well.