Brain Plague is the new hard SF novel by Joan Slonczewski, set in the same future universe as her award-winning A Door into Ocean and...
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Oct 30, 2011
Elf
rated it: 
It's not often that I re-read a book that, while I enjoyed it, I had a struggle doing so. However, several of Joan Slonczewski's fans, one of whom I trust quite a bit, encouraged me to re-read her book Brain Plague.
The basic plot is straightforward: a middle-tier artist who has moved to her interstellar empire's capital world to be part of the art scene is accepted for an "experimental" medical procedure that, she is told, will boost her intellectual capabilities. While thi More...
The basic plot is straightforward: a middle-tier artist who has moved to her interstellar empire's capital world to be part of the art scene is accepted for an "experimental" medical procedure that, she is told, will boost her intellectual capabilities. While thi More...
Mar 17, 2011
Lori L
rated it: 
Brain Plague by Joan Slonczewski is the forth book in the Elysium Cycle Series (the other three are A Door Into Ocean, Daughter of Elysium, and The Children Star) but it is also a stand-alone science fiction novel. In many ways Brain Plague encompasses a treatise on symbiotic relationships between individuals and societies, nanotechnology (with the microbes), artistic creativity, free will and personal responsibility, and what it means to be a god.
On the planet Valedon a struggling a More...
On the planet Valedon a struggling a More...
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Jun 23, 2009
Samantha
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I really liked this book, which picked up where The Children Star left off. All of the books in the series have crazy strange worlds that you get pulled into, but Brain Plague has a nice protagonist that you like and want to see do well in the situations that she finds herself in. I'm not sure if I'd like it as much if I hadn't read the Children Star, because it provided a good introduction to micropeople, and all their weirdness. This is probably my second favorite in the series, I liked Daught
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Jan 24, 2012
Kirk
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 05, 2009
Christy
rated it:
This is an entertaining read with plenty of interesting developments; however, after reading, teaching, and loving Slonczewski's A Door Into Ocean, which is a careful examination of nonviolence and gender, philosophically interesting as well as carried along by an interesting plot, Brain Plague falls short.
The central character, Chrysoberyl, is an artist who chooses to become a carrier of the "brain plague" (really not a disease but a colony of "micropeople" who More...
The central character, Chrysoberyl, is an artist who chooses to become a carrier of the "brain plague" (really not a disease but a colony of "micropeople" who More...
May 12, 2011
Jenn
rated it: 
Probably one of my all-time favourites. I really need to buy another copy and reread it before I give an in depth review, but I think about this book any time a book brings up computer AI or nano-technology.
The first time I bought this book, I bought it by accident - (It was the book of the month, and I forgot to check the "please do not send" box.) Man, what a happy accident it was though.
The first time I bought this book, I bought it by accident - (It was the book of the month, and I forgot to check the "please do not send" box.) Man, what a happy accident it was though.
Feb 23, 2010
Rantalica
rated it:
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. The idea seemed vaguely familiar - I must have read something similar to it, what exactly I cannot recall, and yes, it has been bugging me - but I think she did a really good job. I must admit I only read it because it had a Nancy Kress recommendation on the cover (I know, but still) and I love Kress' writing.
Jul 27, 2011
Wendy
rated it: 
I almost put this down after 3 pages because the writing was so bad. But then I was bored one day and just picked it up. It was a good idea but it was a mess. There was no sex or swearing until the end, when suddenly there was a perfunctory, laughable sex scene. The main girl would sometimes put "like" in her sentences. Was she supposed to be a valley girl?
Apr 09, 2011
Darceylaine
rated it:
Really liked this one. I enjoyed how Slonczewski developed this story line about the ambiguities of sentience throughout the series, and thought this was a really surprising jumping off point from "The Children Star". I guess it figures that she's a micro-biologist in her day job.
Sep 22, 2009
Heather
rated it:
One of the best Scifi writers of all time. Her novels are thought-provoking and painful!
Apr 11, 2011
Bluelily3
rated it:
While I was reading this book, it was hard for me to get into, because a lot of the ideas were really foreign. But by the time I was done, I really started to like it. I checked it out at the library, and every once in awhile, I remember something from it and I want to read it again. The idea of having those little civilizations in your head is very creative.
Feb 27, 2007
Joni
rated it:
I love this book. I love the idea behind it, I love the world it's set in, I love the main character. It's set in a future world, a fantasy/sci-fi, written by a biologist. So intresting!! A good book even if you aren't a sci-fi/fantasy person
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