What do you think?
Rate this book
Freedom Club
The year is 2085, and the world dives blindly into capitalistic hysteria while dreaming of a technologic singularity. India and China now dominate as economic leaders, and people have become over-reliant on the cold logic of artificial intelligence. Who can save the world from such self inflicted decay?
Here we find Sumeet, the cream of Indian education, and a top notch investment banker. But he's unhappy with the good life laid before him, and soon meets Shinzou Friemann, a mysterious consultant who offers solace from the fetters of unbridled Capitalism. But Shinzou is not all that he seems, and Sumeet is unwittingly drawn into the hunt for an unusual terrorist group. One where the lines between terrorist, freedom fighter, hero, and madman all break down...welcome to the Freedom Club.
Both men explore a future world overrun by consumerism, technology, and discontent. Where being human isn’t good enough, as God-like Sentient Beings threaten the very meaning of life. Written in a way that echoes John Brunner’s Stand on Zanzibar, Freedom Club is frighteningly prescient, and intensely powerful.
Here we find Sumeet, the cream of Indian education, and a top notch investment banker. But he's unhappy with the good life laid before him, and soon meets Shinzou Friemann, a mysterious consultant who offers solace from the fetters of unbridled Capitalism. But Shinzou is not all that he seems, and Sumeet is unwittingly drawn into the hunt for an unusual terrorist group. One where the lines between terrorist, freedom fighter, hero, and madman all break down...welcome to the Freedom Club.
Both men explore a future world overrun by consumerism, technology, and discontent. Where being human isn’t good enough, as God-like Sentient Beings threaten the very meaning of life. Written in a way that echoes John Brunner’s Stand on Zanzibar, Freedom Club is frighteningly prescient, and intensely powerful.
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2011
About the author
Saul Garnell
7 books41 followersRaised in New York State, and now living in Arizona, I enjoy writing part time. Having lived in Australia, Japan, India, and Germany, I bring an international perspective along with an unusual point of view driven by many years of experience in the banking and software industries. My first book, Freedom Club, a speculative fiction novel in the near future.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 5, 2017
Review copy kindly provided by GR author Saul Garnell.
In the not too distant future, humans are content with their jobs and have lots of technological servants and gadgets, not to mention Sentients. These beings, who seem practically perfect in every way, are well equipped to advise humans, help them and care about them. So life is beautiful. Or is it?
Sumeet, having just been fired from a corporate job, doesn't think so. Feeling threatened by thoughts of mortgage, marriage and unemployment, he is floundering. But unbeknownst to him, Shinzou with his Sentient companion, is watching, considering whether he can use Sumeet to his advantage.
For Shinzou is a member of a clandestine organization called the Freedom Club. Now, the first rule of Freedom Club is that you don't talk about Freedom Club--except to the select few who are ready to listen. So Shinzou must find out whether or not Sumeet is ready.
While all this is going on, we experience a series of interesting flashbacks. Here there are episodes from the lives of great and controversial thinkers of the past, whose ideas are revealed as important. We ponder with various characters on crucial issues, such as what makes a human being human, the dangers of consumerism and technology, and the meaning and value of existence and spirituality.
The novel is quite complex. I found that there were a lot of characters and threads to keep track of. I could not decide how I felt about the Sentients. (Of course, I've been reading A Song of Ice and Fire, with its plethora of plot twists and morally ambiguous folk, so that shouldn't have been a problem.) But in the end, Saul Garnell weaves it all together, and produces a surprising conclusion.
In the not too distant future, humans are content with their jobs and have lots of technological servants and gadgets, not to mention Sentients. These beings, who seem practically perfect in every way, are well equipped to advise humans, help them and care about them. So life is beautiful. Or is it?
Sumeet, having just been fired from a corporate job, doesn't think so. Feeling threatened by thoughts of mortgage, marriage and unemployment, he is floundering. But unbeknownst to him, Shinzou with his Sentient companion, is watching, considering whether he can use Sumeet to his advantage.
For Shinzou is a member of a clandestine organization called the Freedom Club. Now, the first rule of Freedom Club is that you don't talk about Freedom Club--except to the select few who are ready to listen. So Shinzou must find out whether or not Sumeet is ready.
While all this is going on, we experience a series of interesting flashbacks. Here there are episodes from the lives of great and controversial thinkers of the past, whose ideas are revealed as important. We ponder with various characters on crucial issues, such as what makes a human being human, the dangers of consumerism and technology, and the meaning and value of existence and spirituality.
The novel is quite complex. I found that there were a lot of characters and threads to keep track of. I could not decide how I felt about the Sentients. (Of course, I've been reading A Song of Ice and Fire, with its plethora of plot twists and morally ambiguous folk, so that shouldn't have been a problem.) But in the end, Saul Garnell weaves it all together, and produces a surprising conclusion.
June 3, 2012
I'd like to give this book three and a half stars, landing it between "liked it" and "really liked it." But as goodreads disallows or disavows the decimal world, I'll gladly round up.
This is maybe the widest novel I've ever read. By that I don't mean to refer to its thickness in terms of pages nor, since I read it in ebook form, an abstract metric like virtual thickness. Rather I mean it is horizontally protracted with words and concepts and scenes, while the vertical elevation of the plot per se is not so lofty as the aesthetic architecture seems to call for.
I'm not suggesting that Freedom Club is bloated with extraneous material. Everything here contributes to the whole. There is no padding. But the overall artistic effect is more squat and extended than lithe and exalted. One important consequence of the unusually tamped down story arc is, I should imagine, that many readers might get a certain distance into Freedom Club and then set it aside unfinished. Which would be a shame, because in Saul Garnell one discerns the sound of an important new voice in speculative fiction.
Besides the trappings of a world cluttered in technological gizmos and supersaturated in virtualosity, Freedom Club is utterly submerged in philosophical contemplations, all of which screw down toward the question of how much more enslaved we become with each new introduction of technological wizardry. The theme is well-defended and explored, whether or not I ultimately agree with its merits. Regardless of the proximate cause, Garnell's maiden novel exposes the somnambulant, entertainment-hypnotized culture of the not-too-distant-future – and of the present – with signal acumen, sensitivity and insight.
Some might quibble with the philosophizing here, but I'm not one of them. I'll take a novel like this one that engages the brain and the human spirit over another run of the mill thriller that's jammed up with action-adventure and car chases and ticking bombs any old day. The problems in this novel, rather, tend to be in the technical craftwork, which after all are the kind of problems that are not so uncommon in first novels. Too often extended dialogs substitute for action instead of enhancing it, and the flat personalities of the characters tend to run together.
But let's not prejudge this new author, whom I trust and expect will have learned much from the writing of this book. I for one consider Freedom Club to be a most promising harbinger, and I look forward to reading the novels Saul Garnell will be writing in the years to come.
This is maybe the widest novel I've ever read. By that I don't mean to refer to its thickness in terms of pages nor, since I read it in ebook form, an abstract metric like virtual thickness. Rather I mean it is horizontally protracted with words and concepts and scenes, while the vertical elevation of the plot per se is not so lofty as the aesthetic architecture seems to call for.
I'm not suggesting that Freedom Club is bloated with extraneous material. Everything here contributes to the whole. There is no padding. But the overall artistic effect is more squat and extended than lithe and exalted. One important consequence of the unusually tamped down story arc is, I should imagine, that many readers might get a certain distance into Freedom Club and then set it aside unfinished. Which would be a shame, because in Saul Garnell one discerns the sound of an important new voice in speculative fiction.
Besides the trappings of a world cluttered in technological gizmos and supersaturated in virtualosity, Freedom Club is utterly submerged in philosophical contemplations, all of which screw down toward the question of how much more enslaved we become with each new introduction of technological wizardry. The theme is well-defended and explored, whether or not I ultimately agree with its merits. Regardless of the proximate cause, Garnell's maiden novel exposes the somnambulant, entertainment-hypnotized culture of the not-too-distant-future – and of the present – with signal acumen, sensitivity and insight.
Some might quibble with the philosophizing here, but I'm not one of them. I'll take a novel like this one that engages the brain and the human spirit over another run of the mill thriller that's jammed up with action-adventure and car chases and ticking bombs any old day. The problems in this novel, rather, tend to be in the technical craftwork, which after all are the kind of problems that are not so uncommon in first novels. Too often extended dialogs substitute for action instead of enhancing it, and the flat personalities of the characters tend to run together.
But let's not prejudge this new author, whom I trust and expect will have learned much from the writing of this book. I for one consider Freedom Club to be a most promising harbinger, and I look forward to reading the novels Saul Garnell will be writing in the years to come.
July 9, 2013
This is a an intellectual story, with very subtle humor.
The Freedom Club is set in the near-future setting while exploring questions about the value and meaning of life. The book is placed in a time when artificial sentience is beginning to pervade all walks of life and people are beginning to resent it.
Does technology have a dehuminising influence? Is it a blessing or a curse? These are questions that humans have probably been asking probably since the first one chipped a stone into a spear point.
Garnell puts us at the centre of the technological resistance movement as his characters follow their various paths towards understanding and enlightenment. The protagonist Sumeet is a consumption-oriented, technology-prone high-flyer. His life comes apart at the seams when he realizes that he is a pawn in a much bigger game and he gets involved in the activities of the Freedom Club, a secret organization whose target is the renouncing of consumption and a life detached from technological dependency.
What I like is that throughout this story the author interweaves historical events such as of the young Lord Byron, Karl Marx or Sartre Thoreau, Ludd, and others as the author explores the intellectual roots of the people struggling against what they see as the technologies that have come to dominate and dehumanise humankind.
If you don't like books that make you think, steer clear of this one.
The Freedom Club is set in the near-future setting while exploring questions about the value and meaning of life. The book is placed in a time when artificial sentience is beginning to pervade all walks of life and people are beginning to resent it.
Does technology have a dehuminising influence? Is it a blessing or a curse? These are questions that humans have probably been asking probably since the first one chipped a stone into a spear point.
Garnell puts us at the centre of the technological resistance movement as his characters follow their various paths towards understanding and enlightenment. The protagonist Sumeet is a consumption-oriented, technology-prone high-flyer. His life comes apart at the seams when he realizes that he is a pawn in a much bigger game and he gets involved in the activities of the Freedom Club, a secret organization whose target is the renouncing of consumption and a life detached from technological dependency.
What I like is that throughout this story the author interweaves historical events such as of the young Lord Byron, Karl Marx or Sartre Thoreau, Ludd, and others as the author explores the intellectual roots of the people struggling against what they see as the technologies that have come to dominate and dehumanise humankind.
If you don't like books that make you think, steer clear of this one.
September 18, 2013
I signed up for a GoodReads giveaway for Freedom Club. I didn't win the drawing, but was pleased and surprised to receive an email from the author Saul Garnell, who offered me an e-book download with his compliments.
Freedom Club takes its name from the writings of PhD, madman, and domestic terrorist Theodore Kaczynski, who killed three people and maimed dozens more during his malignant reign of terror as the Unabomber. Garnell does an interesting job of folding Kaczynski's madness into the plot. In fact he makes frequent digressions into the history of a variety of deep (and - in the case of Kaczynski - evil) thinkers.
Cleverly plotted, Freedom Club features a variety of engaging characters and a story that is a plausible extrapolation of current social and technological trends. Along the way we are treated to some moral ambiguity and and several very effective action scenes. Garnell's writing reminds more than a little of early Neal Stephenson.
I did Saul's novel a serious disservice by reading it on my iPhone where this science fiction novel's 416 densely written pages were magically expanded to 1985 virtual snippets, each only a paragraph or two in length. The format leaves much to be desired.
My next Garnell e-book is Eat Fish and Die, for which I must find a method to read in a full-size or at least paperback-sized format.
Freedom Club takes its name from the writings of PhD, madman, and domestic terrorist Theodore Kaczynski, who killed three people and maimed dozens more during his malignant reign of terror as the Unabomber. Garnell does an interesting job of folding Kaczynski's madness into the plot. In fact he makes frequent digressions into the history of a variety of deep (and - in the case of Kaczynski - evil) thinkers.
Cleverly plotted, Freedom Club features a variety of engaging characters and a story that is a plausible extrapolation of current social and technological trends. Along the way we are treated to some moral ambiguity and and several very effective action scenes. Garnell's writing reminds more than a little of early Neal Stephenson.
I did Saul's novel a serious disservice by reading it on my iPhone where this science fiction novel's 416 densely written pages were magically expanded to 1985 virtual snippets, each only a paragraph or two in length. The format leaves much to be desired.
My next Garnell e-book is Eat Fish and Die, for which I must find a method to read in a full-size or at least paperback-sized format.
November 17, 2012
Freedom Club is an intricate and finely detailed science fiction tale that explores a near future when technology and biology become indistinguishable from one another. Humans have created a modified artificial brain bestowing super-intelligence unclouded by emotion to shape-shifting biological creatures they call "Sentients" that have been manufactured to serve man. During early experiments with the creatures, three are removed for special training. Two die, but one survives and grows into something quite different than what had been intended. This difference challenges the status quo, including corporatism, capitalism, the loss of individuality, and ultimately the existence of humanity. Along the way, there are entertaining digressions featuring Henry David Thoreau, Sigmund Freud, Jean Paul Sartre, Allen Ginsberg and William Blake, among other historical figures. It's filled with scientific specifics as well as philosophical ramblings, and reflects some serious heavy lifting by first-time author Saul Garnell. He's taken on a lot with this book and manages to pull it off in fine form. If you're one of those who is curious about what could happen after the machines become smarter than we are, then this is one of those books. Five-stars and I look eagerly forward to seeing what the fertile imagination of this author comes up with next.
May 23, 2012
Very fun read. The story has various angles that take a while to come together, but when they do, they reveal a future world of considerable conceptual breadth. "Visionary" is a word that comes to mind, in that this type of future Humankind is a distinct possibility and the author digs deep into history to validate that point. The writing is done with a good balance of imagination and realism, and it's obvious the author has been to most of the places he describes. Keep up the awesome writing, Mr. Garnell. I look forwad to your next book!
January 11, 2013
Based in the year 2085, the Freedom Club is a futuristic sci-fi novel based around the existence of technology and how it affects our everyday lives. In the novel, technology has advanced so far that advances in biology, robots and A.I. have created Sentient Beings, who have much greater thinking power than humans and are therefore replace them in many different areas of employment and industry.
In amongst this new age of technology is Sumeet. Sumeet is an extremely clever human who, if born a century before, would be the CEO of a large company. However, in this new age where many high ranking jobs are taken by Sentients, Sumeet starts to feel unappreciated in his job as his attempts to try and gain recognition keep failing. Things become much worse for Sumeet when his company sends him to see over a merge with a company in Japan. In this age, Japan is seen as a backwards country technologically. This is because it has strict rules on sharing information both internally and externally in the country. After finishing his task, Sumeet is told that he has lost his job. However, his trip to Japan does offer a silver lining to his cloud as Sumeet meets Shinzou, a mysterious technological consultant.
But, this meeting is not a mere coincidence, Shinzou has been tracking Sumeet for some time. Shinzou believes Sumeet will be a perfect recruit to ‘The Freedom Club’. The Freedom Club is a club of individuals who all have a shared belief. That belief is that technology, materialism and capitalism have too much of a stranglehold over society and want to discard the influence that technology has. What is most interesting about the Club is that it has been in existence over the past few centuries with poets like Lord Bryon and William Blake been members. Shinzou tries to convince Sumeet to join by showing him the destruction technology has had on his life. Nevertheless, Sumeet has his own problems, he is getting married and is preparing to buy an apartment complex and has no real desire to join the Club.
However, when Shinzou and Sumeet are thrown into a mystery regarding a Sentient Being that has a unique gift and a hatred for technology that far exceeds that of the Freedom Club, Sumeet’s opinion is changed, as he and Shinzou have to prevent the Sentient from destroying the human race.
I found this novel a very interesting read. The message it asks throughout is what affect will technology have on our lives? It does really make you think about how companies like Apple already have a massive effect on people’s lives (including mine!) and that when technology further advances, will technology ultimately replace humanity? In addition to the interesting underlying question, the book itself was a great read. I especially liked reading about how Garnell saw the politics of the future, with China and India becoming the world’s superpower, merging and becoming Chindo. The way Garnell goes back and tells the tales of the members of the Freedom Club is also great as it adds a bit of historical-fiction to the novel (which I love!).There was also some very subtle humour in the book, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
Nevertheless, at first I did find the book at little hard to get into. I think this was because of all the technological, economic and political jargon that starts in the book. I really didn’t have a clue what most of the words meant, but after reading a few more pages, Garnell goes onto explain a lot about the situation in which the world’s in, which made the book much easier to read. As well as this small issue, I did think that the book was based too early in the future. I know that might not make sense, but personally, I can’t see technology been as advanced in 70-75 years as it is in the novel. I think one day it will be, but not within the next 100 years (thinking about it, the events in the novel might take place in my lifetime, that’s how soon it is based!).
Anyway, even though I did have some small issues with the book I still really enjoyed it and found it both interesting and engaging. I would suggest this book to anyone who is interested in sci-fi novels or films, especially films like iRobot.
For more book reviews check out http://adam-p-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/
In amongst this new age of technology is Sumeet. Sumeet is an extremely clever human who, if born a century before, would be the CEO of a large company. However, in this new age where many high ranking jobs are taken by Sentients, Sumeet starts to feel unappreciated in his job as his attempts to try and gain recognition keep failing. Things become much worse for Sumeet when his company sends him to see over a merge with a company in Japan. In this age, Japan is seen as a backwards country technologically. This is because it has strict rules on sharing information both internally and externally in the country. After finishing his task, Sumeet is told that he has lost his job. However, his trip to Japan does offer a silver lining to his cloud as Sumeet meets Shinzou, a mysterious technological consultant.
But, this meeting is not a mere coincidence, Shinzou has been tracking Sumeet for some time. Shinzou believes Sumeet will be a perfect recruit to ‘The Freedom Club’. The Freedom Club is a club of individuals who all have a shared belief. That belief is that technology, materialism and capitalism have too much of a stranglehold over society and want to discard the influence that technology has. What is most interesting about the Club is that it has been in existence over the past few centuries with poets like Lord Bryon and William Blake been members. Shinzou tries to convince Sumeet to join by showing him the destruction technology has had on his life. Nevertheless, Sumeet has his own problems, he is getting married and is preparing to buy an apartment complex and has no real desire to join the Club.
However, when Shinzou and Sumeet are thrown into a mystery regarding a Sentient Being that has a unique gift and a hatred for technology that far exceeds that of the Freedom Club, Sumeet’s opinion is changed, as he and Shinzou have to prevent the Sentient from destroying the human race.
I found this novel a very interesting read. The message it asks throughout is what affect will technology have on our lives? It does really make you think about how companies like Apple already have a massive effect on people’s lives (including mine!) and that when technology further advances, will technology ultimately replace humanity? In addition to the interesting underlying question, the book itself was a great read. I especially liked reading about how Garnell saw the politics of the future, with China and India becoming the world’s superpower, merging and becoming Chindo. The way Garnell goes back and tells the tales of the members of the Freedom Club is also great as it adds a bit of historical-fiction to the novel (which I love!).There was also some very subtle humour in the book, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
Nevertheless, at first I did find the book at little hard to get into. I think this was because of all the technological, economic and political jargon that starts in the book. I really didn’t have a clue what most of the words meant, but after reading a few more pages, Garnell goes onto explain a lot about the situation in which the world’s in, which made the book much easier to read. As well as this small issue, I did think that the book was based too early in the future. I know that might not make sense, but personally, I can’t see technology been as advanced in 70-75 years as it is in the novel. I think one day it will be, but not within the next 100 years (thinking about it, the events in the novel might take place in my lifetime, that’s how soon it is based!).
Anyway, even though I did have some small issues with the book I still really enjoyed it and found it both interesting and engaging. I would suggest this book to anyone who is interested in sci-fi novels or films, especially films like iRobot.
For more book reviews check out http://adam-p-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/
June 19, 2012
I received this book through the GoodReads Giveaway.
I would like to give this book 3 1/2 stars.
Sumeet is a human living in the not too distant future; technology is ever developing and Sentients are able to do the work of many humans in a more efficient manner. Is man in danger of extinction from something he created?
After working diligently on a project, Sumeet is dispatched to Japan (which is now a third world type country) for another job. He feels belittled and wonders why he is battling to keep up with technology, purchase a condo or get married. He is contacted by a stranger named Shinzou who shares empathy over his plight. When Sumeet is summarily fired, he accepts Shinzou's invitation to meet.
Shinzou is a member of the Freedom Club. It's an idea that stretches across years and continents. We are treated to flashes of England's Industrial Revolution, a day in Walden's American Life, and a Japanese Christian Warrior. Shinzou hopes to "recruit" Sumeet and try to bring humanity back to the idea of self. The Freedom Club believes that the mad race for technology and material goods comes at a great price: the soul.
There are many layers to this book. There is the obvious story of an investigator trying to find out about "terrorists" trying to bring down the technology grid, the Freedom Club's fight for humanity, and even the Sentient Beings are facing a struggle.
There is a nice flowing style to the book, but it was slow going for me. I would read until I reached a "flashback" and used that as a good stopping point to absorb and think through that portion of the book. I did not find the "flashbacks" irritating at all and their purpose becomes very clear as the book nears the end.
This book left me thinking about what is really important in a life. The accumulation of goods or the accumulation of deeds, ideas, a legacy? Do we have to live in hermit style to have a quality spritual life or can there be a balance?
My only complaint is that there are very few female characters and the ones portrayed were very crude. There was a bitter mother, bossy & needy fiance and a broken, drunk American woman.
Cool cover art
I would like to give this book 3 1/2 stars.
Sumeet is a human living in the not too distant future; technology is ever developing and Sentients are able to do the work of many humans in a more efficient manner. Is man in danger of extinction from something he created?
After working diligently on a project, Sumeet is dispatched to Japan (which is now a third world type country) for another job. He feels belittled and wonders why he is battling to keep up with technology, purchase a condo or get married. He is contacted by a stranger named Shinzou who shares empathy over his plight. When Sumeet is summarily fired, he accepts Shinzou's invitation to meet.
Shinzou is a member of the Freedom Club. It's an idea that stretches across years and continents. We are treated to flashes of England's Industrial Revolution, a day in Walden's American Life, and a Japanese Christian Warrior. Shinzou hopes to "recruit" Sumeet and try to bring humanity back to the idea of self. The Freedom Club believes that the mad race for technology and material goods comes at a great price: the soul.
There are many layers to this book. There is the obvious story of an investigator trying to find out about "terrorists" trying to bring down the technology grid, the Freedom Club's fight for humanity, and even the Sentient Beings are facing a struggle.
There is a nice flowing style to the book, but it was slow going for me. I would read until I reached a "flashback" and used that as a good stopping point to absorb and think through that portion of the book. I did not find the "flashbacks" irritating at all and their purpose becomes very clear as the book nears the end.
This book left me thinking about what is really important in a life. The accumulation of goods or the accumulation of deeds, ideas, a legacy? Do we have to live in hermit style to have a quality spritual life or can there be a balance?
My only complaint is that there are very few female characters and the ones portrayed were very crude. There was a bitter mother, bossy & needy fiance and a broken, drunk American woman.
Cool cover art
December 30, 2011
Saul Garnell's 'Freedom Club' is a thought-provoking book that, for this reader, had flavours of the 'Illuminati' series by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea (in particular the activities of the Hagbard Celine character from those books), William Gibson's 'Neuromancer' and Ted Chiang's 'Lifecycle of Software Objects'.
Originally I wanted to give it three stars for reasons which I will go into shortly but, when it engendered a long conversation with my wife about the main socio-political crux of the book, I realised that the author had succeeded in what I believe was his main endeavour - to get people thinking on this matter - and so I have awarded him the extra star.
As a work of fiction, the book didn't have the entertainment appeal of the Illuminati trilogy (there was little of the sex, drugs, rock-and-roll and out-there thinking that made this series one of the compelling reads of the eighties for this reader). It also didn't quite match up with the perceived post-technological spike worlds which this reader expects when reading about science futures that deal with our world and advances in technology.
However, as a work on philosophy and society, I found it very powerful and I particularly enjoyed the historical links that the author includes in the book. Also, as I have recently read Ted Chiang's 'Lifecycle of Software Objects', I found the author's approach to the subject matter these two books have in common to be very interesting and for the two to be complementary.
In closing, I would not recommend this book to those interested in a dramatic adventure. This book is more for those of a philosophical bent.
Disclosure: I have met this author twice at science fiction related conventions in Australia and, for a yank, I think he's a pretty nice guy ;-)
Originally I wanted to give it three stars for reasons which I will go into shortly but, when it engendered a long conversation with my wife about the main socio-political crux of the book, I realised that the author had succeeded in what I believe was his main endeavour - to get people thinking on this matter - and so I have awarded him the extra star.
As a work of fiction, the book didn't have the entertainment appeal of the Illuminati trilogy (there was little of the sex, drugs, rock-and-roll and out-there thinking that made this series one of the compelling reads of the eighties for this reader). It also didn't quite match up with the perceived post-technological spike worlds which this reader expects when reading about science futures that deal with our world and advances in technology.
However, as a work on philosophy and society, I found it very powerful and I particularly enjoyed the historical links that the author includes in the book. Also, as I have recently read Ted Chiang's 'Lifecycle of Software Objects', I found the author's approach to the subject matter these two books have in common to be very interesting and for the two to be complementary.
In closing, I would not recommend this book to those interested in a dramatic adventure. This book is more for those of a philosophical bent.
Disclosure: I have met this author twice at science fiction related conventions in Australia and, for a yank, I think he's a pretty nice guy ;-)
December 19, 2011
It is often said that science fiction is the literature of ideas, yet most of what we see in the genre are shoot-'em-up adventure stories that could have been set anywhere and any time but just happen to be on a spaceship. The Freedom Club is not like that at all. It's near-future setting is crucial to the story and to the deep questions it raises about the value and meaning of our lives. The book is set in a time when artificial sentience is beginning to pervade all walks of life and people are beginning, perhaps belatedly, to resent it. It is a society filled with a vague unease, an undercurrent of self-doubt and uncertainty. The anti-technology terrorism that forms a backdrop to everyone's lives is merely the surface manifestation of a deep malaise.
Garnell puts us at the centre of this fast-crystalising resistance movement as his characters follow their various paths towards understanding and enlightenment. If you don't like books that make you think, steer clear of this one, because you will meet the ideas of Thoreau, Sartre, Marx, Ludd, and many others as the author explores the intellectual roots of the people struggling against what they see as the dehumanising influence of the technologies that have come to dominate humankind.
I have a few quibbles about the pace of the story and the author's writing style, but that's a gripe based on personal taste. All that aside, this is an intelligent, thoughtful book that is asking important questions about who we are and how we want to live. It's the kind of book that belongs squarely in the science fiction canon and which we need more of.
Garnell puts us at the centre of this fast-crystalising resistance movement as his characters follow their various paths towards understanding and enlightenment. If you don't like books that make you think, steer clear of this one, because you will meet the ideas of Thoreau, Sartre, Marx, Ludd, and many others as the author explores the intellectual roots of the people struggling against what they see as the dehumanising influence of the technologies that have come to dominate humankind.
I have a few quibbles about the pace of the story and the author's writing style, but that's a gripe based on personal taste. All that aside, this is an intelligent, thoughtful book that is asking important questions about who we are and how we want to live. It's the kind of book that belongs squarely in the science fiction canon and which we need more of.
February 24, 2015
I'm waiting on this one to arrive in the mail, I can't wait to read it!
3.5 stars
Won through First reads.
This book is set in the future where artificial intelligence (called Sentients in the novel) have evolved to a point where they threaten humanity's way of life.
It's not light reading, it's a deep mix of science fiction and philosophy. In my own mind I call this "idea" science fiction. It's the type of book you think about long after you've finished reading, and find new things on every subsequent reread. There's a light sort of humor, it sits well with the serious tone of the book. Sumeet's conversation with the elevator sticks out in my mind as one of my favorite humorous moments.
I will say I like finding something that feels new and original, and isn't rehashing old territory. This wasn't like any other version of artificial intelligence I've encountered.
It is deep, not exactly a page-turner. Some people might have trouble getting through the first fifty or so pages, and be tempted to set it aside. That's a common problem with a lot of science fiction, you have to stick it out for the world-building to pay off.
I liked the quotes at the start of every chapter. I enjoy this in all books, just because I like quotes, but they work well here. The quotes are by people like Freud and Sartre, and fit well with the philosophical ideas woven into the story.
3.5 stars
Won through First reads.
This book is set in the future where artificial intelligence (called Sentients in the novel) have evolved to a point where they threaten humanity's way of life.
It's not light reading, it's a deep mix of science fiction and philosophy. In my own mind I call this "idea" science fiction. It's the type of book you think about long after you've finished reading, and find new things on every subsequent reread. There's a light sort of humor, it sits well with the serious tone of the book. Sumeet's conversation with the elevator sticks out in my mind as one of my favorite humorous moments.
I will say I like finding something that feels new and original, and isn't rehashing old territory. This wasn't like any other version of artificial intelligence I've encountered.
It is deep, not exactly a page-turner. Some people might have trouble getting through the first fifty or so pages, and be tempted to set it aside. That's a common problem with a lot of science fiction, you have to stick it out for the world-building to pay off.
I liked the quotes at the start of every chapter. I enjoy this in all books, just because I like quotes, but they work well here. The quotes are by people like Freud and Sartre, and fit well with the philosophical ideas woven into the story.
December 31, 2012
When is technology too much?
The quest to make an existence for Mankind more leisurely and less tedious in daily tasks and toils has always been the ideal solution in this new age of Electronics and Computer Science.
The creation of 'Intelligent Artificial Life' (referred to as Sentient Beings) was developed to alleviate Mankind from making bad judgement decisions and by overseeing the inner workings of the everyday modern world. The Modern World could and would not run properly without them.
There was one flaw to the design of these Sentient Beings: Emotion (or the lack of per say).
That is until a rogue SB develops their own form of self-preservation that borders on delusional Godhood and Religious Christian Dogma in the name of Survival of their established species by creating the downfall of Man to a simpler time before Technology.
Interesting premise that touches on many aspects to consider as the novel unfolds to a very surprising ending.
Great Science Fiction! The story's twist and turns will keep the Reader absorbed.
The quest to make an existence for Mankind more leisurely and less tedious in daily tasks and toils has always been the ideal solution in this new age of Electronics and Computer Science.
The creation of 'Intelligent Artificial Life' (referred to as Sentient Beings) was developed to alleviate Mankind from making bad judgement decisions and by overseeing the inner workings of the everyday modern world. The Modern World could and would not run properly without them.
There was one flaw to the design of these Sentient Beings: Emotion (or the lack of per say).
That is until a rogue SB develops their own form of self-preservation that borders on delusional Godhood and Religious Christian Dogma in the name of Survival of their established species by creating the downfall of Man to a simpler time before Technology.
Interesting premise that touches on many aspects to consider as the novel unfolds to a very surprising ending.
Great Science Fiction! The story's twist and turns will keep the Reader absorbed.
April 5, 2015
Thank you to the author who kindly sent me a free copy. I will start reading it soon, and I will post a review when I am done.
Well I have mixed feelings about this book. There is a lot I liked about it. The storytelling is good. The characters are interesting, and I care about them even with their flaws. The author does a nice job of imagining a realistic future in terms of technology, economy, and society. My interest faded at times but never for long. I liked much of the philosophical discussions.
The downside is that this book has a strong anti-technology theme. While I like hearing other points of view and I do believe we should be cautious with technology, I can't get on board with how much this book talks about that. Finally, including a certain real life person just rubbed me the wrong way. I got that ultimately the book was promoting nonviolence but the inclusion of that one particular person in the freedom club just made me cringe.
Well I have mixed feelings about this book. There is a lot I liked about it. The storytelling is good. The characters are interesting, and I care about them even with their flaws. The author does a nice job of imagining a realistic future in terms of technology, economy, and society. My interest faded at times but never for long. I liked much of the philosophical discussions.
The downside is that this book has a strong anti-technology theme. While I like hearing other points of view and I do believe we should be cautious with technology, I can't get on board with how much this book talks about that. Finally, including a certain real life person just rubbed me the wrong way. I got that ultimately the book was promoting nonviolence but the inclusion of that one particular person in the freedom club just made me cringe.
May 22, 2012
I liked the juxtaposition of history with the "current" events of a future Earth. Garnell poses some interesting questions, especially about the relevance of humans in the future they've created. No eye-rolling moments or gaping plot holes, which is more than I can say for a lot of books out there.
Reader beware: this isn't a thrill-a-minute page turner, and the beginning is a bit slow going. Took me about 50 pages to get into it. People looking for action-packed testosterama should know this before they start reading.
Reader beware: this isn't a thrill-a-minute page turner, and the beginning is a bit slow going. Took me about 50 pages to get into it. People looking for action-packed testosterama should know this before they start reading.
June 10, 2013
I tried for the first read giveaway and didn't win. The author contacted me directly (we have similar reading lists) and gave me a digital copy. Thank you. One of the best books I've read in a while. It entertains on the surface, but has you thinking deep thoughts about many things. You consider moral perspectives of what is sentient life. What is enslavement, do we enslave ourselves by turning wants into needs. I will be thinking about this one for a while. There is likely a reread in the future. This goes on my favorites shelf.
March 12, 2013
I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads program.
An interesting and well paced novel filled with philosophical ideas and historical context. Taking place in the near future, issues of consumerism and technology are addressed.
The author has a reader's guide on his website (www.freedomclubthebook.info)which allows the reader to explore the issues raised in the book in greater depth. The book and reader's guide would be great for a book club as the material should lead to great thought provoking discussions.
I look forward to future writings by this author.
An interesting and well paced novel filled with philosophical ideas and historical context. Taking place in the near future, issues of consumerism and technology are addressed.
The author has a reader's guide on his website (www.freedomclubthebook.info)which allows the reader to explore the issues raised in the book in greater depth. The book and reader's guide would be great for a book club as the material should lead to great thought provoking discussions.
I look forward to future writings by this author.
April 22, 2015
Got a copy of this one free from the author, thanks again for that!
Overall this is an enjoyable book. It brings up some things about our society that are near and dear to my heart. Especially the parts about consumerism.
I was a little frustrated by the tangents at the front of most chapters though, I felt they took away from the flow of the book, but I understand what was being done.
I also felt like the end was a little too abrupt. I think there is enough here for a second book and enough loose ends to tie up to make it interested.
I'd definitely read a second one!
Overall this is an enjoyable book. It brings up some things about our society that are near and dear to my heart. Especially the parts about consumerism.
I was a little frustrated by the tangents at the front of most chapters though, I felt they took away from the flow of the book, but I understand what was being done.
I also felt like the end was a little too abrupt. I think there is enough here for a second book and enough loose ends to tie up to make it interested.
I'd definitely read a second one!
July 1, 2013
A fairly good book. I would have liked to give it 3.5 but no halves allowed. Sequel(s) will definitely be on the way. It was entertaining and the author is certainly better versed in philosophy and the history of philosophy than I am. I take exception to rather incomplete treatment of theological precepts that are important to the book. They are not fully formed. On the other hand he is no Dan Brown and actually shows a great deal of respect in his treatment of religion.
February 17, 2014
This is a good book. Its full of ideas about the present and relatively near future. Freedom, artificial intelligence and technology are the principal themes and the information technology aspect of the book is well done. The characterizations are somewhat light compared to non-science-fiction writing but still hold together pretty well. The author portrays clearly and chillingly the present and near-future paranoid surveillance society we are presently creating and experiencing.
November 3, 2012
Won a copy from the Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
It was a very interesting book. Well written and engaging. A spooky possibility of how our future could be. Most sci-fi fans should enjoy reading this book. I am amazed that this was the 1st book by this author. It's quite ambitious for a 1st novel.
It was a very interesting book. Well written and engaging. A spooky possibility of how our future could be. Most sci-fi fans should enjoy reading this book. I am amazed that this was the 1st book by this author. It's quite ambitious for a 1st novel.
January 8, 2014
It's a blend of sci-fi and philosophy. A deep mix indeed. The story jumps from time to time but stay with it and it all clicks together well.
March 31, 2019
Just an awful mess. I stopped at 27% because I realised, that continuing would be self-inflicted pain.
December 1, 2015
Freedom Club by Saul Garnell Set in 2085, the world is technology dependent. More and more, humans have come to rely on their Sentients to run things, everything from large financial structures to household schedules. Sumeet, who was top of his class, and excellent in his chosen field, eventually finds himself not satisfied. Shinzou offers up his advice and a possible job, both of which give Sumeet pause. The Freedom Club pushes for simpler, less tech-infused lives, but how does one explain that to a Sentient?
This book offered up a lot of food for thought. The plot was intricate and the cast interesting. Also, if one wanted to do some inferring, there was a deeper message about dependence on technology. The story starts off with a little historical flashback to 1600s Japan and the last remaining Christians. This flashback is explained later in the book. In fact, these little historical flashbacks happen regularly throughout the book, showing various members of the Freedom Club throughout history.
The tale then launches into a mystery crime story with a virus taking down payment systems. Phoenix is the first city hit and Hugo is the cop assigned to look into it. He suspects an anti-tech group might be behind it, but he will have a hard time proving it. He hesitantly teams up with Shinzou for info swapping. This opening is what hooked me on the story – I like a good SF crime story. Little did I know things would get so intricate.
So there’s a bunch of corporate maneuvering with international companies (such as Takahana Biovores and Chando company), which wasn’t nearly as interesting as what Hugo the Cop was doing, but it set a stage for me to get to know several other characters, including a few Sentients. The Sentients, like Henry who is Shinzou’s friend, are a type of AI. They interact with the physical world via avatars that allow them to walk and talk. In fact, if someone isn’t paying close attention, they can appear quite human in their mannerisms. Shiro is another Sentient who plays a pivotal role in the story. His personality is quite different from Henry’s. Rather late in the tale, we learn how the AIs are made and let me just say, wow! I wasn’t expecting that!
There’s other cool tech on display in this thinking SF story as well. I was pretty interested in the biovores, which are like minuscule biologically active machines that can be used for good purposes, like curing blood born diseases in humans. There are also several virtual reality scenes where we get to see what the ‘homes’ of the Sentients are like for when they are not in avatar mode interacting with humans. AI has also freed humans from many domestic chores, like cooking. Now, it is an oddity to go to a restaurant and have humans cook, and some even consider it unsanitary.
Wrapped up in this very excellent SF story, is a message about technology, becoming too dependent on it, and how living simpler lives can provide greater freedom. The story is written so that I, as the reader, didn’t feel any judgement from the author one way or another. Indeed, there are both good and bad characters on either side of that line in this book. Some members of the Freedom Club have taken it too far (both in the past and in the story’s present) and have essentially become terrorists against technology. I found it all very interesting to have this deep question (does tech set us free or chain us?) spirally through the main plot.
My one criticism of the book is a biggie. There are several female characters, all with minor roles, throughout the book. However, there are no major female characters that are plot central and there are no female Freedom Club members. Yep. That’s right. The Freedom Club is one big sausage fest. No ladies what so ever. I really hope this is some horrible oversight by the author. Accidental misogyny is easier to swallow than intended misogyny.
The book is diverse in other ways. The plot takes us around the world to Japan, India, and the American Southwest. There’s some Europeans represented at one of the corporate companies. Various ages are also represented in our major characters.
The ending takes us to the brink of another ‘terrorist’ attack. I really didn’t know how things would fall out. I was surprised with the ending and by choices made by a few of the Sentients. I found the ending both realistic and satisfying. It will be interesting to see if the author does a sequel.
The Narration: Fred Wolinsky did a very nice job with this book. There were a ton of accents needed (Japanese, Hindi, American, German, French, etc.). Hi Japanese accent started off a little rough but quickly got smoother. He had distinct voices for all characters, even when 2 or more were of the same country. For the few female characters, he had believable voices. I especially liked his elderly voice for Shinzou and his skeptical cop voice for Hugo.
This book offered up a lot of food for thought. The plot was intricate and the cast interesting. Also, if one wanted to do some inferring, there was a deeper message about dependence on technology. The story starts off with a little historical flashback to 1600s Japan and the last remaining Christians. This flashback is explained later in the book. In fact, these little historical flashbacks happen regularly throughout the book, showing various members of the Freedom Club throughout history.
The tale then launches into a mystery crime story with a virus taking down payment systems. Phoenix is the first city hit and Hugo is the cop assigned to look into it. He suspects an anti-tech group might be behind it, but he will have a hard time proving it. He hesitantly teams up with Shinzou for info swapping. This opening is what hooked me on the story – I like a good SF crime story. Little did I know things would get so intricate.
So there’s a bunch of corporate maneuvering with international companies (such as Takahana Biovores and Chando company), which wasn’t nearly as interesting as what Hugo the Cop was doing, but it set a stage for me to get to know several other characters, including a few Sentients. The Sentients, like Henry who is Shinzou’s friend, are a type of AI. They interact with the physical world via avatars that allow them to walk and talk. In fact, if someone isn’t paying close attention, they can appear quite human in their mannerisms. Shiro is another Sentient who plays a pivotal role in the story. His personality is quite different from Henry’s. Rather late in the tale, we learn how the AIs are made and let me just say, wow! I wasn’t expecting that!
There’s other cool tech on display in this thinking SF story as well. I was pretty interested in the biovores, which are like minuscule biologically active machines that can be used for good purposes, like curing blood born diseases in humans. There are also several virtual reality scenes where we get to see what the ‘homes’ of the Sentients are like for when they are not in avatar mode interacting with humans. AI has also freed humans from many domestic chores, like cooking. Now, it is an oddity to go to a restaurant and have humans cook, and some even consider it unsanitary.
Wrapped up in this very excellent SF story, is a message about technology, becoming too dependent on it, and how living simpler lives can provide greater freedom. The story is written so that I, as the reader, didn’t feel any judgement from the author one way or another. Indeed, there are both good and bad characters on either side of that line in this book. Some members of the Freedom Club have taken it too far (both in the past and in the story’s present) and have essentially become terrorists against technology. I found it all very interesting to have this deep question (does tech set us free or chain us?) spirally through the main plot.
My one criticism of the book is a biggie. There are several female characters, all with minor roles, throughout the book. However, there are no major female characters that are plot central and there are no female Freedom Club members. Yep. That’s right. The Freedom Club is one big sausage fest. No ladies what so ever. I really hope this is some horrible oversight by the author. Accidental misogyny is easier to swallow than intended misogyny.
The book is diverse in other ways. The plot takes us around the world to Japan, India, and the American Southwest. There’s some Europeans represented at one of the corporate companies. Various ages are also represented in our major characters.
The ending takes us to the brink of another ‘terrorist’ attack. I really didn’t know how things would fall out. I was surprised with the ending and by choices made by a few of the Sentients. I found the ending both realistic and satisfying. It will be interesting to see if the author does a sequel.
The Narration: Fred Wolinsky did a very nice job with this book. There were a ton of accents needed (Japanese, Hindi, American, German, French, etc.). Hi Japanese accent started off a little rough but quickly got smoother. He had distinct voices for all characters, even when 2 or more were of the same country. For the few female characters, he had believable voices. I especially liked his elderly voice for Shinzou and his skeptical cop voice for Hugo.
December 1, 2015
Set in 2085, the world is technology dependent. More and more, humans have come to rely on their Sentients to run things, everything from large financial structures to household schedules. Sumeet, who was top of his class, and excellent in his chosen field, eventually finds himself not satisfied. Shinzou offers up his advice and a possible job, both of which give Sumeet pause. The Freedom Club pushes for simpler, less tech-infused lives, but how does one explain that to a Sentient?
This book offered up a lot of food for thought. The plot was intricate and the cast interesting. Also, if one wanted to do some inferring, there was a deeper message about dependence on technology. The story starts off with a little historical flashback to 1600s Japan and the last remaining Christians. This flashback is explained later in the book. In fact, these little historical flashbacks happen regularly throughout the book, showing various members of the Freedom Club throughout history.
The tale then launches into a mystery crime story with a virus taking down payment systems. Phoenix is the first city hit and Hugo is the cop assigned to look into it. He suspects an anti-tech group might be behind it, but he will have a hard time proving it. He hesitantly teams up with Shinzou for info swapping. This opening is what hooked me on the story – I like a good SF crime story. Little did I know things would get so intricate.
So there’s a bunch of corporate maneuvering with international companies (such as Takahana Biovores and Chando company), which wasn’t nearly as interesting as what Hugo the Cop was doing, but it set a stage for me to get to know several other characters, including a few Sentients. The Sentients, like Henry who is Shinzou’s friend, are a type of AI. They interact with the physical world via avatars that allow them to walk and talk. In fact, if someone isn’t paying close attention, they can appear quite human in their mannerisms. Shiro is another Sentient who plays a pivotal role in the story. His personality is quite different from Henry’s. Rather late in the tale, we learn how the AIs are made and let me just say, wow! I wasn’t expecting that!
There’s other cool tech on display in this thinking SF story as well. I was pretty interested in the biovores, which are like minuscule biologically active machines that can be used for good purposes, like curing blood born diseases in humans. There are also several virtual reality scenes where we get to see what the ‘homes’ of the Sentients are like for when they are not in avatar mode interacting with humans. AI has also freed humans from many domestic chores, like cooking. Now, it is an oddity to go to a restaurant and have humans cook, and some even consider it unsanitary.
Wrapped up in this very excellent SF story, is a message about technology, becoming too dependent on it, and how living simpler lives can provide greater freedom. The story is written so that I, as the reader, didn’t feel any judgement from the author one way or another. Indeed, there are both good and bad characters on either side of that line in this book. Some members of the Freedom Club have taken it too far (both in the past and in the story’s present) and have essentially become terrorists against technology. I found it all very interesting to have this deep question (does tech set us free or chain us?) spirally through the main plot.
My one criticism of the book is a biggie. There are several female characters, all with minor roles, throughout the book. However, there are no major female characters that are plot central and there are no female Freedom Club members. Yep. That’s right. The Freedom Club is one big sausage fest. No ladies what so ever. I really hope this is some horrible oversight by the author. Accidental misogyny is easier to swallow than intended misogyny.
The book is diverse in other ways. The plot takes us around the world to Japan, India, and the American Southwest. There’s some Europeans represented at one of the corporate companies. Various ages are also represented in our major characters.
The ending takes us to the brink of another ‘terrorist’ attack. I really didn’t know how things would fall out. I was surprised with the ending and by choices made by a few of the Sentients. I found the ending both realistic and satisfying. It will be interesting to see if the author does a sequel.
The Narration: Fred Wolinsky did a very nice job with this book. There were a ton of accents needed (Japanese, Hindi, American, German, French, etc.). Hi Japanese accent started off a little rough but quickly got smoother. He had distinct voices for all characters, even when 2 or more were of the same country. For the few female characters, he had believable voices. I especially liked his elderly voice for Shinzou and his skeptical cop voice for Hugo.
This book offered up a lot of food for thought. The plot was intricate and the cast interesting. Also, if one wanted to do some inferring, there was a deeper message about dependence on technology. The story starts off with a little historical flashback to 1600s Japan and the last remaining Christians. This flashback is explained later in the book. In fact, these little historical flashbacks happen regularly throughout the book, showing various members of the Freedom Club throughout history.
The tale then launches into a mystery crime story with a virus taking down payment systems. Phoenix is the first city hit and Hugo is the cop assigned to look into it. He suspects an anti-tech group might be behind it, but he will have a hard time proving it. He hesitantly teams up with Shinzou for info swapping. This opening is what hooked me on the story – I like a good SF crime story. Little did I know things would get so intricate.
So there’s a bunch of corporate maneuvering with international companies (such as Takahana Biovores and Chando company), which wasn’t nearly as interesting as what Hugo the Cop was doing, but it set a stage for me to get to know several other characters, including a few Sentients. The Sentients, like Henry who is Shinzou’s friend, are a type of AI. They interact with the physical world via avatars that allow them to walk and talk. In fact, if someone isn’t paying close attention, they can appear quite human in their mannerisms. Shiro is another Sentient who plays a pivotal role in the story. His personality is quite different from Henry’s. Rather late in the tale, we learn how the AIs are made and let me just say, wow! I wasn’t expecting that!
There’s other cool tech on display in this thinking SF story as well. I was pretty interested in the biovores, which are like minuscule biologically active machines that can be used for good purposes, like curing blood born diseases in humans. There are also several virtual reality scenes where we get to see what the ‘homes’ of the Sentients are like for when they are not in avatar mode interacting with humans. AI has also freed humans from many domestic chores, like cooking. Now, it is an oddity to go to a restaurant and have humans cook, and some even consider it unsanitary.
Wrapped up in this very excellent SF story, is a message about technology, becoming too dependent on it, and how living simpler lives can provide greater freedom. The story is written so that I, as the reader, didn’t feel any judgement from the author one way or another. Indeed, there are both good and bad characters on either side of that line in this book. Some members of the Freedom Club have taken it too far (both in the past and in the story’s present) and have essentially become terrorists against technology. I found it all very interesting to have this deep question (does tech set us free or chain us?) spirally through the main plot.
My one criticism of the book is a biggie. There are several female characters, all with minor roles, throughout the book. However, there are no major female characters that are plot central and there are no female Freedom Club members. Yep. That’s right. The Freedom Club is one big sausage fest. No ladies what so ever. I really hope this is some horrible oversight by the author. Accidental misogyny is easier to swallow than intended misogyny.
The book is diverse in other ways. The plot takes us around the world to Japan, India, and the American Southwest. There’s some Europeans represented at one of the corporate companies. Various ages are also represented in our major characters.
The ending takes us to the brink of another ‘terrorist’ attack. I really didn’t know how things would fall out. I was surprised with the ending and by choices made by a few of the Sentients. I found the ending both realistic and satisfying. It will be interesting to see if the author does a sequel.
The Narration: Fred Wolinsky did a very nice job with this book. There were a ton of accents needed (Japanese, Hindi, American, German, French, etc.). Hi Japanese accent started off a little rough but quickly got smoother. He had distinct voices for all characters, even when 2 or more were of the same country. For the few female characters, he had believable voices. I especially liked his elderly voice for Shinzou and his skeptical cop voice for Hugo.
October 14, 2015
I give this book a four star...with an Astrix. This is philosophical science fiction and, as such, there is a bit of a morality play involved. This is not a light read, but quite interesting, blending historical fact with a fictional plot. The issue is subjugation...that of sentient beings to humans and humans to sentient beings. It is the role of technology as slave and master.
So this book rates a four star for me because of its intelligence, but the Astrix is for those looking for an action/adventure that serves its story up on a platter to the reader. You will have to work for this one. And I, for one, am glad I did.
So this book rates a four star for me because of its intelligence, but the Astrix is for those looking for an action/adventure that serves its story up on a platter to the reader. You will have to work for this one. And I, for one, am glad I did.
July 28, 2015
Disclaimer: I received this book from a first-read giveaway.
Holy crap... the detail that Saul Garnell introduces in Freedom Club is amazing. In many cases (I'm looking at you, Dickens) details can be overwhelming to the reader, but in his work Garnell manages to immerse the reader in a rich environment without drowning them in it. Probably the best part was that none of the details felt unnecessary (I'm looking at you Robert Jordan... damn tabac...), but instead contributed to the overall storytelling. Thoroughly enjoyed this and looking forward to more books by Garnell!
Holy crap... the detail that Saul Garnell introduces in Freedom Club is amazing. In many cases (I'm looking at you, Dickens) details can be overwhelming to the reader, but in his work Garnell manages to immerse the reader in a rich environment without drowning them in it. Probably the best part was that none of the details felt unnecessary (I'm looking at you Robert Jordan... damn tabac...), but instead contributed to the overall storytelling. Thoroughly enjoyed this and looking forward to more books by Garnell!
May 10, 2012
Being that I wrote this book, I think it's wonderful :)
On a more serious note, let me point you to my website devoted to the book:
Feedom Club Blog by Saul Garnell
My publisher: Hotspur Publishing
On a more serious note, let me point you to my website devoted to the book:
Feedom Club Blog by Saul Garnell
My publisher: Hotspur Publishing
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews