Gradisil is an epic space opera of family revenge and the birth of a nation.
Not very long from now, if you are wealthy, space can be yours, spa... read full description
Not very long from now, if you are wealthy, space can be yours, spa... read full description
reviews
Jul 29, 2008
Jason
rated it: 
(My full review of this book is much longer than Goodreads' word-count limit; find the entire essay at the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com].)
Well well, so what do you know; we're finally at the end of a special series of reviews I've been doing here at CCLaP this month, taking a look at eight out of the twelve science-fiction novels nominated this year for either the Hugo or Philip K Dick award, basically two out of the four most prestigious awards in t More...
Well well, so what do you know; we're finally at the end of a special series of reviews I've been doing here at CCLaP this month, taking a look at eight out of the twelve science-fiction novels nominated this year for either the Hugo or Philip K Dick award, basically two out of the four most prestigious awards in t More...
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Dec 21, 2011
Shara (Calico Reaction)
rated it: 
For all my ramblings, nit-picks, complaints, and curiosities, I really did enjoy this book. It’s not often you get something entertaining that makes you think as well. And I’m looking forward to reading more of Roberts’ work. And I mentioned the “moral” earlier, and for me, I took this away from the book: no matter how optimistic or grand the technology, humans will always find a way to fuck things up.[return][return]That may be pessimistic of me, and I may very well be projecting, but as a read
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May 13, 2009
Tim
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Although certainly the exception and not the rule, science fiction is sometimes viewed as little more than the American western set in space. It tends to stem from placing characters with an independent streak as pioneers or settlers in new frontiers. If you imagine this trope placed in the hands of a British professor of 19th century literature, you have a taste of Gradisil.[return][return]To be fair, Adam Roberts invokes and utilizes elements of Oresteia -- a trilogy of Greek tragedies -- as
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Sep 26, 2010
Alex
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Gradisil's a hard sci-fi space opera of a strongly libertarian bent - it's a page-turner but flawed in so many ways. At heart, the author can't work out whether he's writing straight sci-fi or satire - when he attempts the latter he's clunky, and unfortunately a couple of the major plot elements (especially his description of a future legal system) hang on this. Adam Roberts has created a fascinating concept that draws you in - you want it to work - but the implausibilities keep stepping in to w
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Jan 27, 2012
Rob
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Excellent adult-Nicholas-Fisk type account of an early history of Earth-orbit colonisation. A plausible and compelling unpacking of a wealth of scientific, political, emotional and satirical ideas. Adam Roberts creates a vivid and poetic sense of place out of Earth orbit - 'the Uplands' - without resorting to the phrase 'like a blue jewel'.
One complaint - as the years in the book pass, Roberts adds some slight 'language evolution' which in the last 100 pages becomes intrusive enough More...
One complaint - as the years in the book pass, Roberts adds some slight 'language evolution' which in the last 100 pages becomes intrusive enough More...
Aug 07, 2009
Kristin
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A sprawling novel in parts that follows three different generations of a family that inhabits the developing community in the orbital space zone of the earth and the tragedies, betrayals and politics that surround them. The three parts hang loosely together linked by a few characters but all have a very different feel. This lack of cohesion and as well as a shortage of sympathetic characters makes the whole seem a little less than the parts but it was still a good read.
Oct 24, 2010
Peter
rated it: 
Enjoyable and not too geeky. Some nice ideas presented yet disappointingly lack exploration. Didn't get an amazing depth from the characters or find them terribly believable.
Overall the novel relies too much on convenience to pull the plot, characters and the politics together. There is nothing offensive in the content yet there is nothing challenging either.
Overall the novel relies too much on convenience to pull the plot, characters and the politics together. There is nothing offensive in the content yet there is nothing challenging either.
Dec 29, 2011
Bob
rated it:
I picked Gradisil up in a used book store on the edge of the University of Pennsylvania campus recently. This is not the sort of space novel that you will find at your neighborhood book store. I'm currently reading Gradisil and really enjoying it. Reading Gradisil reminds me of the first time I read a William Gibson novel. There are so many interesting ideas and thoughts that it introduces that I keep getting distracted and want to talk to people about them. There is a refreshing perspectiv
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Aug 29, 2010
Mark
rated it:
An interesting thought experiment, leading to a fascinating investigation of culture. Beginning and ending the book with the murder of a father was a nice way of Closing the Circle, as it were, the ending still seemed to get a bit lost.
Mar 27, 2009
The_antichris
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I don't find some of his future spelling conventions terribly plausible (there's a difference in sound and meaning between backing and baking that it's useful to be able to see), but that's my only real complaint.
Sep 03, 2009
Joey
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There are probably better times to read this than during a series of chilly, uncomfortable plane flights, since that's basically its setting. Since it was one of my best reads last year, I'm looking forward to a reread.
Feb 07, 2010
Siobhan
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Liked but didn't love it. there was something unsatisfiying about this book but can't put my finger on it.
Feb 28, 2008
Genevra
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Most surprising murder scene I've ever read; null-g is something that isn't often fully explored even in hard SF, so int was interesting to see it used in such an abrupt fashion.
Also, I'm fond of hard women in fiction, provided they can also be kind, and Gradisil is pretty good at both when she needs to be.
Also, I'm fond of hard women in fiction, provided they can also be kind, and Gradisil is pretty good at both when she needs to be.
Sep 06, 2011
Jeremy
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Read the first 180 pages and had to put the book down. It was plodding and dull all around. I did find it funny that the author said he was greatly indebted to Wikipedia for his research. Which probably partially explains why this book wasn't good.
Jun 14, 2011
Ashish
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This was a soap opera. Decent in terms of the real-life implications of technology, believable and accurate, but ultimately, too much human relationships and family issues over three generations to be really enjoyable.
Oct 02, 2008
Billy
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The physics sounds plausible enough to me, even if it turns out not to, and the ideas are great and the writing is strong like usual. I'm not as big a fan of his closer to the present books, but this is still a good read.
Dec 16, 2009
the reviews are right: good with characterisation, but what a load of political and scientific crap. besides, I am so sick of space libertarians.
Feb 08, 2012
Jan 13, 2012
Jan 08, 2012
