Alan is a middle-aged entrepeneur in contemporary Toronto, who has devoted himself to fixing up a house in a bohemian neighborhood. This naturally ...
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Nov 19, 2010
This maddening book contains two major plot threads which happen to be, respectively, the least banal and most banal I have ever encountered:
Least Banal: The protagonist's father was a mountain and his mother was a washing machine. He is trying to save his brothers, who may or may not have been eaten by another of his brothers, a zombie whom he himself killed years earlier. I wish stories like this were spread on every morning's breakfast toast.
Most Banal: The context f More...
Least Banal: The protagonist's father was a mountain and his mother was a washing machine. He is trying to save his brothers, who may or may not have been eaten by another of his brothers, a zombie whom he himself killed years earlier. I wish stories like this were spread on every morning's breakfast toast.
Most Banal: The context f More...
Dec 17, 2009
Brooke
rated it: 
This novel contained two stories that were smushed together in a not-entirely-convincing way: a story about blanketing a neighborhood in Toronto with free WiFi, something I'd expect from author Cory Doctorow, and a story about a man whose parents are a mountain and a washing machine, a magical realism twist that I wasn't expecting. The result felt incomplete since neither story was fully fleshed out, and they just didn't seem to go together. The WiFi plot seemed like it was just a platform for t
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Jan 29, 2012
Juliet
rated it: 
A truly weird read. We meet the central character, Alan, as he prepares to move into his new apartment by sanding the floors obsessively, then rocks up on his unknown neighbours' doorstep early in the morning with coffees for everyone, and insists they get out of bed to be sociable. This is the protagonist? How can we ever empathise with him?
The story gets ever stranger as Alan's throwaway references to his father the mountain, his mother the washing machine and his nesting dolls of More...
The story gets ever stranger as Alan's throwaway references to his father the mountain, his mother the washing machine and his nesting dolls of More...
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Feb 11, 2012
Ruby
rated it: 
There were some amazing beginnings in this book. Or some potentially amazing ideas. That is, they could have been amazing ideas, had Doctorow seen any of them through to completion. While that is almost the hallmark of Doctorow's novels, I found that the first three in particular were so scattered and poorly structured that the ideas themselves actually suffered. In this case there are also two main stories at play which really have very little to do with each other: the story of A and his bizar
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Apr 18, 2008
Astray
rated it:
I felt the book had a lot of promise but failed to deliver on it. The story seems to just be the beginning and then comes to a climax of the side story while leaving the main completely in the dark.
I enjoyed some of the characters, but found them to act at random and be dull in general. Relationships were unexplained and why two characters team up together is just impossible to work out.
I also feel the book is too much of a political statement by the author. The more I re More...
I enjoyed some of the characters, but found them to act at random and be dull in general. Relationships were unexplained and why two characters team up together is just impossible to work out.
I also feel the book is too much of a political statement by the author. The more I re More...
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Mar 04, 2008
Howard
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 21, 2011
Tracey
rated it:
Doctorow gives magical realism a whirl in this novel - his protagonist is a thirty-something man who refurbishes a house in Toronto and teams up with a neighbor to create an ad-hoc Internet WiFi network in their area... he's also the son of a mountain and a washing machine whose undead brother has attacked his matroshka-like siblings, abducting them from the inside out.
I read about the first third of the novel last night and had a very hard time putting it down - imaginative & compe More...
I read about the first third of the novel last night and had a very hard time putting it down - imaginative & compe More...
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Dec 05, 2008
Bruce
rated it:
There were moments when I was thinking, 5 star book? But no... while this book was a very enjoyable read, something I was glad to read rather than having felt like I was just sort of killing time in a not unpleasant fashion, 3 star style, it has a couple of flaws.
First, it is a novel of x,y,z, and internet connectivity. The IC is a hobbyhorse of the author, but does not actually contribute anything to the plot of this book, other than to give the protagonist an excuse for a friend. More...
First, it is a novel of x,y,z, and internet connectivity. The IC is a hobbyhorse of the author, but does not actually contribute anything to the plot of this book, other than to give the protagonist an excuse for a friend. More...
Aug 04, 2011
Windwaker
rated it:
Cory Doctorow is somewhat famous on the Internet.
A journalist, blogger, sci-fi writer, and liberal-copyright proponent, Doctorow should know better than to write a book that makes no sense.
The main character--who is called "Alan" initially but answers to and is referred to by any masculine name beginning with A--and his siblings are all children of a mountain and a washing machine.
One of Alan's sibling is prophetic, one is undead, one is an island, and thr More...
A journalist, blogger, sci-fi writer, and liberal-copyright proponent, Doctorow should know better than to write a book that makes no sense.
The main character--who is called "Alan" initially but answers to and is referred to by any masculine name beginning with A--and his siblings are all children of a mountain and a washing machine.
One of Alan's sibling is prophetic, one is undead, one is an island, and thr More...
Jan 12, 2011
Lis
rated it:
Even after my disappointment with Eastern Standard Tribe, this still looked really interesting, and this time I wasn't disappointed.
Alan (Andy, Adrian) is the son of a mountain and a washing machine, and he has seven brothers. Alan (Alex, Andreas) is the oldest, and also the one who can pass for human the most easily and comfortably. In fact, only gradually do we learn that there's anything unusual about him at all, except for his parentage and his casual attitude about what name he gi More...
Alan (Andy, Adrian) is the son of a mountain and a washing machine, and he has seven brothers. Alan (Alex, Andreas) is the oldest, and also the one who can pass for human the most easily and comfortably. In fact, only gradually do we learn that there's anything unusual about him at all, except for his parentage and his casual attitude about what name he gi More...
Aug 19, 2010
Tivasyk
rated it:
short review in ukrainian:
http://www.tivasyk.info/2010/08/blog-pos...
----->8-----
як на мене, найцікавіший твір докторова з усього прочитаного. навіть не намагатимусь переказати фабулу, це треба читати. мікс романтичної драми та детектива з елементами містичного хорору — мабуть, ось так можна було б визначити жанр, але самі ці слова ні про що не скажуть, текст треба читати. твір не ідеальний, деякі фрагменти та ідеї мені видалися… м’яко кажучи, недостатньо опрацьованими — але More...
http://www.tivasyk.info/2010/08/blog-pos...
----->8-----
як на мене, найцікавіший твір докторова з усього прочитаного. навіть не намагатимусь переказати фабулу, це треба читати. мікс романтичної драми та детектива з елементами містичного хорору — мабуть, ось так можна було б визначити жанр, але самі ці слова ні про що не скажуть, текст треба читати. твір не ідеальний, деякі фрагменти та ідеї мені видалися… м’яко кажучи, недостатньо опрацьованими — але More...
Jul 02, 2010
Sazerac
rated it:
I read this book because I've been interested in checking out novels that have elements of unreality without borrowing too heavily from well established fantasy tropes. This book certainly fit that description and was interesting in a unique way. Other elements of the book also reflect the exceptional skill and creativity I expect from Corey Doctorow. The off-beat characters and a certain irreverent nod to suspense were clever and reminded me of Rudy Rucker's The Hacker and the Ants. Hacker
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May 07, 2011
Tina
rated it:
What to say about this book? At times too wordy, at times heartbreaking, at times hilarious, and at times bizarre. This book, I can't say that I loved it, but I enjoyed it very much. The strange pseudo-reality that Doctorow created drew me in and Alan was such an intriguing character. I enjoyed how the normalcy of life was given a touch of magic with the "magical" characters. I liked how there was no real explanation for why certain characters were "magical" (I'm not sure wha
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Jun 19, 2009
Guy
rated it:
Intriguing but ultimately unsuccessful mixture of magical realism and technopunk. Doctorow does not lack for creativity, but he does lack focus... and perhaps either a good editor or the willingness to listen to the one he has. There are numerous problems: the two strands of the story don't fit together well, the narrative jumps back and forth haphazardly (at times leaving the impression that whole sections have been inadvertently left out), the ending leaves too much unresolved (in sort of t
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Jan 29, 2012
Petr
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Dva kamarádi staví v Torontu free wi-fi síť. Kurt je hacker, který hledá součástky v odpadkových kontejnerech a staví z nich routery a bezdrátové access pointy. Alan je úspěšný mladý podnikatel. Normálnější z těch dvou je Kurt. Alan nemá pupík, jeho otcem je hora a matkou automatická pračka, jeden z jeho bratrů je třídílná matrjoška, druhý jasnovidec, třetí ostrov a čtvrtý ztělesněné zlo. Knížka je pěkná v detailech, jako celek drží pohromadě jen tak tak. Chybí jí silnější příběh, vypadá jako dr
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Jan 31, 2010
Erik
rated it:
Cory Doctorow's third book is an interesting but uneven blending of two entirely disparate genres: cyberpunk and magical realism. While an attempt to meld the two is admirable, the very nature of the clashing styles makes the book hard to approach. Cyberpunk science fiction is all about explanations of technology, both in theory and practice. Magical Realism, on the other hand, asks the reader to accept fantastic elements as a given without explanation.
I found the magical realism More...
I found the magical realism More...
Aug 28, 2010
Robert
rated it:
Recommended for 16- to 24-year-old geeky males who enjoy computers and sometimes feel a bit out-of-the-mainstream. I'm a little too old for that, and much better adjusted nowadays, but I can see how this might have appealed more to a younger version of me.
This story is about family. And not quite fitting in with normal life. And unexplained magic. And internet connectivity. It has some interesting and odd details, and is more than a little disturbing in parts.
I've ne More...
This story is about family. And not quite fitting in with normal life. And unexplained magic. And internet connectivity. It has some interesting and odd details, and is more than a little disturbing in parts.
I've ne More...
Jul 31, 2010
Ryun
rated it:
Up until recently, I’d been avoiding Cory Doctorow’s books. Seriously! I would have these internal dialogues every time I saw one of his books at the store:
Good Me: “Hey, Cory Doctorow has a new book out. He’s supposed to be awesome.”
Evil Me: “Don’t believe the hype, you wannabe hipster. That dude is totally milking his involvement in the Boingboing.net blog phenomenon. He can’t be as ‘all that’ as they say. Nobody’s that ‘all that.’”
GM: “If you say so. I just More...
Good Me: “Hey, Cory Doctorow has a new book out. He’s supposed to be awesome.”
Evil Me: “Don’t believe the hype, you wannabe hipster. That dude is totally milking his involvement in the Boingboing.net blog phenomenon. He can’t be as ‘all that’ as they say. Nobody’s that ‘all that.’”
GM: “If you say so. I just More...
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Jul 15, 2010
Osho
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 24, 2009
Dale
rated it:
First, read the description. Now you know why I had to pick this book up. It is some of the most original and unique fantasy I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the world Doctorow creates. He's also has some interesting ideas about writing. My particular favorite was the way he played with the names of his characters. That said, I did have some problems with the plot. I couldn't rap my mind around how Alan would get distracted from a family members murder, which could easily be foll
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Apr 19, 2009
LNimz
rated it:
The main character's dad is a mountain and his mom's a washing machine. I thought maybe I'd understand by the time I finished the book. Alas, no. I created all the metaphors I could in an attempt to understand this book. But I'd much rather read a book with a plausible plot line and characters instead of putting so much energy trying to figure out what could he have meant when he wrote... and what could this be symbolizing.
I didn't like the violence. I didn't like the main character' More...
I didn't like the violence. I didn't like the main character' More...
Jun 07, 2011
Hester
rated it:
This book reminds me of a Harold Pintner play--long passages make no sense, but you cannot turn away. You cannot figure out how ethical the characters are, but you still hurt when they hurt. You feel frustrated that you do not know what happened, but on a deep artistic level, satisfied. If you get past the weird(I can understand having a mountain for a father, but a (literal) washing machine for a mother?), you will find real literature.
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Mar 20, 2011
Kelly
rated it: 
Wow, what a great book.I was slightly worried at first as the beginning chapters shocked and awed me, but I found myself praising it to those who ask (daily) about the books I am reading and whether to read them themselves or not. I have to say that maybe not all people will be into this type of story..
*(SPOILER)*
the father is a mountain... the mother a washing machine. That isn't the most bizarre part of the book.
*(SPOILER OVER)*
Read it, or at least try. It's a b More...
*(SPOILER)*
*(SPOILER OVER)*
Read it, or at least try. It's a b More...
May 09, 2010
yoli
rated it:
This was a very interesting book to read (well, skim). The entire time I had to forcibly suspend disbelief, which it made it more difficult. It was hard for me to relate or comprehend what was happening.
The good parts had wonderful phrases and beautiful imagery, making it almost realismo magico (which I'm also reading a lot of), but more magico in a way that was accessible.
This may have been because technology focused very heavily in the novel. Regardless of my love for it, More...
The good parts had wonderful phrases and beautiful imagery, making it almost realismo magico (which I'm also reading a lot of), but more magico in a way that was accessible.
This may have been because technology focused very heavily in the novel. Regardless of my love for it, More...
Jun 22, 2009
Chris
rated it:
The first magical realism I've liked. The beginning of the story is nice and interesting. Inside, quite a ways in, is a much stranger story, which gradually goes horror-movie. Additionally, there are a few other people's stories, all woven in, and a story written by the main character. They all work together, but I wished for BLOCKQUOTE tags and different colors so I could tell the different stories (interspersed paragraph-by-paragraph a few times) apart.
I actually told Julia part of More...
I actually told Julia part of More...
Jul 08, 2009
Zack
rated it:
I suppose you might call this magic realism, but its also got some sci-fi, experimental fiction, fantasy and cyberpunk flavors in the mix.
The story is about a very odd -- but certainly humanoid -- man who is the child of a mountain and a washing machine. Literally. His got some brothers too: an island, some nesting dolls and a zombie/demon.
I was skeptical, but this ended up being one of the best novels I've read lately. Doctorow is somewhat too crude sometimes, but he' More...
The story is about a very odd -- but certainly humanoid -- man who is the child of a mountain and a washing machine. Literally. His got some brothers too: an island, some nesting dolls and a zombie/demon.
I was skeptical, but this ended up being one of the best novels I've read lately. Doctorow is somewhat too crude sometimes, but he' More...
Jun 01, 2011
Deedee
rated it: 
The first 18 pages described the perfect house for a bibliophile. Yes! Walls that have bookshelves, floor to ceiling, filled with books, in every room --- perfection. I wanted to live there.
After page 18, the novel focussed on other areas. I wasn't pulled into the events post-page 18, but I was willing to give the novel some time to tell its story.
I tossed the novel when it began describing how our hero's brothers were birthed by his mother (around pages 35-40). More...
After page 18, the novel focussed on other areas. I wasn't pulled into the events post-page 18, but I was willing to give the novel some time to tell its story.
I tossed the novel when it began describing how our hero's brothers were birthed by his mother (around pages 35-40). More...
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Sep 12, 2009
When I read somewhere that Cory Doctorow (of whom I'd never read anything) was planning to podcast his own novel, I decided to listen, because I liked the concept so much. I kept listening until the end (which came today), and I liked it, even though I didn't get big parts of the main story arc, because of how long it took to complete the novel (36 episodes, which means as many weeks) - I kept forgetting what had happened before. I liked the parts about the wireless internet guerilla a lot, thou
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Feb 23, 2009
Mykl
rated it:
Finally Cory D. combines very creative ideas with a well developed story line. Who would not be interested in a character whose family includes a washing machine for a mother, a mountain for a father, siblings including an island, one who is able to see the future, and a mean son of a gun whose digits fall off from time to time. Oh yeah, a girlfriend with wings as well. Hard to imagine with all of these characters but a well developed story line which gives me great hope for the continued gr
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May 21, 2011
Christina
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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