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Lock In #0.5
Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome
A new near-future science fiction novella by John Scalzi, one of the most popular authors in modern SF. Unlocked traces the medical history behind a virus that will sweep the globe and affect the majority of the world’s population, setting the stage for Lock In, the next major novel by John Scalzi.
Free to read here:
http://www.tor.com/2014/05/13/unlocke...
At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.
Free to read here:
http://www.tor.com/2014/05/13/unlocke...
At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.
63 pages, Unknown Binding
First published May 7, 2014
301 people are currently reading
4968 people want to read
About the author
John Scalzi
185 books28.4k followersJohn Scalzi, having declared his absolute boredom with biographies, disappeared in a puff of glitter and lilac scent.
(If you want to contact John, using the mail function here is a really bad way to do it. Go to his site and use the contact information you find there.)
(If you want to contact John, using the mail function here is a really bad way to do it. Go to his site and use the contact information you find there.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,132 reviews
October 25, 2021
2021 update: 4.5 stars. A compelling novella, told in interview format, about an unusual virus that causes a pandemic … and certainly the past year and a half shed new light on this story. It was a little eerie, how often this 2014 story tracked reality. But more compelling for me were the different ways people reacted, and the fascinating technological advances that resulted. Scalzi has a keen eye for human shortcomings as well as a great imagination.
Some of the “voices” sounded too much alike and it was hard to differentiate between the characters who were speaking (eventually I just gave up trying to keep track of who was who). But it was still an enthralling tale, well worth the reread, especially since I’ve checked out Lock In from the library. So it’s on my short list of next-up reads.
2015 review: I like to think I'm reasonably well read in the science fiction genre, but I've never read a John Scalzi book. After reading this online novella, I can tell this is clearly a major personal shortcoming that I'll have to rectify as soon as possible.
John Scalzi has written this novella, free online at Tor.com--yay for free online Tor short fiction!!--to introduce a world changed by a widespread and highly contagious disease called Haden's Syndrome. This world is explored further in Scalzi's 2014 book Lock In, a near-future SF novel set 25 years after Haden's Syndrome first hits. This disease kills millions of people and leaves many of the survivors in a "locked-in" state, where their mental functioning is unharmed but they are physically unable to move. All voluntary muscular functions have been permanently shut off.
Unlocked is told in a documentary-like fashion, with brief statements by various people who are recollecting the rise of the disease and how governments and individuals reacted. There's political maneuvering and in-fighting, businesses fighting for a piece of the huge research money pie, individual tragedies, human weaknesses and shortcomings and achievements. It all felt incredibly real while I was reading it, and I was so fascinated that I was doing that thing where I ignore my husband and the kids and the dog nudging me to go on a walk and the cat attacking my feet and peering in my face. I highly recommend it.
You can find "Unlocked" at http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/05/un....
Some of the “voices” sounded too much alike and it was hard to differentiate between the characters who were speaking (eventually I just gave up trying to keep track of who was who). But it was still an enthralling tale, well worth the reread, especially since I’ve checked out Lock In from the library. So it’s on my short list of next-up reads.
2015 review: I like to think I'm reasonably well read in the science fiction genre, but I've never read a John Scalzi book. After reading this online novella, I can tell this is clearly a major personal shortcoming that I'll have to rectify as soon as possible.
John Scalzi has written this novella, free online at Tor.com--yay for free online Tor short fiction!!--to introduce a world changed by a widespread and highly contagious disease called Haden's Syndrome. This world is explored further in Scalzi's 2014 book Lock In, a near-future SF novel set 25 years after Haden's Syndrome first hits. This disease kills millions of people and leaves many of the survivors in a "locked-in" state, where their mental functioning is unharmed but they are physically unable to move. All voluntary muscular functions have been permanently shut off.
Unlocked is told in a documentary-like fashion, with brief statements by various people who are recollecting the rise of the disease and how governments and individuals reacted. There's political maneuvering and in-fighting, businesses fighting for a piece of the huge research money pie, individual tragedies, human weaknesses and shortcomings and achievements. It all felt incredibly real while I was reading it, and I was so fascinated that I was doing that thing where I ignore my husband and the kids and the dog nudging me to go on a walk and the cat attacking my feet and peering in my face. I highly recommend it.
You can find "Unlocked" at http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/05/un....
September 15, 2016
Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome was published a few months ahead of his brilliant 2014 novel Lock In.
Crafted as if it were a series of monologues from Haden’s researchers, technicians, engineers, medical personnel, and Haden’s survivors, this novella traces the beginnings of the flu-like virus, through its devastating pandemic, the ravages left after 400 million people globally had died and the discovery of the percentage of survivors who are “locked in”, effectively trapped in their bodies, awake and aware but unable to move or respond to stimuli.
Scalzi’s adept use of personalized speech and interview like production leaves the reader with a clear fictional history of a possible future. Beginning as the “Superbowl” flu, care providers soon realize they re dealing with something far worse. Scalzi’s interviewees look back on the early years of the disease with fear and growing apprehension.
As with it’s companion novel Lock In, Scalzi then describes the genesis of a new class of people. By showing the overnight creation of a new “ethnic” group, Scalzi is able to intelligently examine and illustrate how our society deals with Constitutional, social and economic issues from its inception.
Most noteworthy is the remarkable way that America deals with the plague. Scalzi uses the Haden epidemic, as a vehicle by which he explores what is best and worse with our democracy and what it could do.
Provocative and absorbing Scalzi has shown a future that could too easily be and a glimpse at what we could become.
Very good.
Crafted as if it were a series of monologues from Haden’s researchers, technicians, engineers, medical personnel, and Haden’s survivors, this novella traces the beginnings of the flu-like virus, through its devastating pandemic, the ravages left after 400 million people globally had died and the discovery of the percentage of survivors who are “locked in”, effectively trapped in their bodies, awake and aware but unable to move or respond to stimuli.
Scalzi’s adept use of personalized speech and interview like production leaves the reader with a clear fictional history of a possible future. Beginning as the “Superbowl” flu, care providers soon realize they re dealing with something far worse. Scalzi’s interviewees look back on the early years of the disease with fear and growing apprehension.
As with it’s companion novel Lock In, Scalzi then describes the genesis of a new class of people. By showing the overnight creation of a new “ethnic” group, Scalzi is able to intelligently examine and illustrate how our society deals with Constitutional, social and economic issues from its inception.
Most noteworthy is the remarkable way that America deals with the plague. Scalzi uses the Haden epidemic, as a vehicle by which he explores what is best and worse with our democracy and what it could do.
Provocative and absorbing Scalzi has shown a future that could too easily be and a glimpse at what we could become.
Very good.
December 28, 2022
I am very glad I found this novella after I had read Lock In. It is supposedly a prequel but I found it to be really excellent background reading to the events in the book.
'Unlocked' traces the history of the virus with reports by specialists and comments from victims of the disease. It provides heaps of detail which would sound like info dumping if included in the novel but provided in this manner it is intriguing and makes good reading.
I enjoyed it very much. It is available free at http://www.tor.com/2014/05/13/unlocke...
'Unlocked' traces the history of the virus with reports by specialists and comments from victims of the disease. It provides heaps of detail which would sound like info dumping if included in the novel but provided in this manner it is intriguing and makes good reading.
I enjoyed it very much. It is available free at http://www.tor.com/2014/05/13/unlocke...
May 13, 2014
(Free to read here)
If you want to sell something, you have to give it away for free.
Or at least that is what I am assuming the thought was behind Tor's release of this novella. And as far as I am concerned, it worked on me, I am now really looking forward to Lock In, the book this novella provides background for.
This read much like World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, though highly compressed. Several paragraphs, at most, instead of pages from a whole slew of different people. Given this format we don't get much character development, more like a nicely packaged and sleek info-dump. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't just an info-dump with different names attached to the paragraphs, some personalities certainly came through and the information that was being dumped was from very specific perspectives. It was a very effective technique for setting up the future society we will find in Lock In.
What I am most appreciative of this novella for is showing how seriously Scalzi is taking his near future society. The terrible epidemic that hits the world, causing death and a condition known as "locked in" (basically comas where the person has full awareness of their surroundings) results in massive social problems. Overwhelmed hospitals, death or sickness of prominent people, long term care issues for the survivors.
Instead of a miracle cure materializing out of thin air, there has to be a public policy process to organize research and allocate funds. People love the sausage, but hate seeing it made. On top of that, once some treatments and solutions are developed there are further social repercussions as locked in people navigate society through robotic avatars, facing a unique challenges and developing their own culture (Scalzi makes a smart analogy to deaf culture in this regard).
I applaud Scalzi for embodying the essence of science fiction, taking some technological advancement and extrapolating its impact on society as a whole. I am very excited to read more about the world he created.
If you want to sell something, you have to give it away for free.
Or at least that is what I am assuming the thought was behind Tor's release of this novella. And as far as I am concerned, it worked on me, I am now really looking forward to Lock In, the book this novella provides background for.
This read much like World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, though highly compressed. Several paragraphs, at most, instead of pages from a whole slew of different people. Given this format we don't get much character development, more like a nicely packaged and sleek info-dump. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't just an info-dump with different names attached to the paragraphs, some personalities certainly came through and the information that was being dumped was from very specific perspectives. It was a very effective technique for setting up the future society we will find in Lock In.
What I am most appreciative of this novella for is showing how seriously Scalzi is taking his near future society. The terrible epidemic that hits the world, causing death and a condition known as "locked in" (basically comas where the person has full awareness of their surroundings) results in massive social problems. Overwhelmed hospitals, death or sickness of prominent people, long term care issues for the survivors.
Instead of a miracle cure materializing out of thin air, there has to be a public policy process to organize research and allocate funds. People love the sausage, but hate seeing it made. On top of that, once some treatments and solutions are developed there are further social repercussions as locked in people navigate society through robotic avatars, facing a unique challenges and developing their own culture (Scalzi makes a smart analogy to deaf culture in this regard).
I applaud Scalzi for embodying the essence of science fiction, taking some technological advancement and extrapolating its impact on society as a whole. I am very excited to read more about the world he created.
March 29, 2016
Everyone says that if you read Lock In, you must read this little supplemental book called Unlocked. I am going to be the one dissenting voice and say that you don't.
If you want more on the world, if you want more information about Haden's, especially about the science behind both Haden's and threeps, then go for it.
Frankly, I found it rather boring, since it isn't really a story - it's a history. It's like a long newspaper feature article, or something.
Also, people say: You should read this before you read Lock In. But again, I am going to dissent and say, "Read it afterwards. And only if you want a deeper look at the science and society."
If you want more on the world, if you want more information about Haden's, especially about the science behind both Haden's and threeps, then go for it.
Frankly, I found it rather boring, since it isn't really a story - it's a history. It's like a long newspaper feature article, or something.
Also, people say: You should read this before you read Lock In. But again, I am going to dissent and say, "Read it afterwards. And only if you want a deeper look at the science and society."
May 8, 2018
An excellent start to the series! I'm so glad I read this before starting the first book in the series. This novella provides a genesis story of Haden's Syndrome. I love that it was an oral history. The different perspectives worked so well in creating a fully fleshed portrait of this disease from the very beginning to what happens as a result of it's outbreak. I cannot wait to start Lock In!!
December 19, 2022
I have a bad track record with Scalzi. The Collapsing Empire was ok-ish, although I considered a DNF at the time. And I only finished Redshirts with a lot of skimming. So Scalzi is not on my list of wanted authors. Unlocked came as part of a free collection, otherwise I would not have picked it up.
A 63-page novella that tells the story of a pandemic, about a virus that locks people‘s minds in their bodies. I am not quite sure if it‘s really a prequel to Lock In or more of a companion piece that should be read after the novel. I have not read the novel yet and the story worked well for me.
I am a fan of stories building up to the apocalypse (and set during it), so this was right down my alley. Despite not usually liking the epistolary form. Here it worked well. Ok, it‘s not really an apocalyptic story, but it seems to be at first. Society and the world as we know them do not really end. But there is massive change and a high death toll.
I liked this. Not a lot of character development, which would be hard in the shortness of this novella and the amount of interviewees telling their stories in short paragraphs. The voices are interchangeable and I only managed to keep track of two or three of them. The world building was fine though. It was clear what was going on and the societal implications were portrayed in a captivating way. Heck, I wanted to be a Haden at the end.
I will check out the novel. Scalzi finally struck a nerve. I would have read this in one sitting, if I hadn‘t been so tired.
PS: Apparently I just read a novella through the viewpoint of a lenticular lens. You learn something new every day…
And here is the story for free on Tor.com: https://www.tor.com/2014/05/13/unlock...
A 63-page novella that tells the story of a pandemic, about a virus that locks people‘s minds in their bodies. I am not quite sure if it‘s really a prequel to Lock In or more of a companion piece that should be read after the novel. I have not read the novel yet and the story worked well for me.
I am a fan of stories building up to the apocalypse (and set during it), so this was right down my alley. Despite not usually liking the epistolary form. Here it worked well. Ok, it‘s not really an apocalyptic story, but it seems to be at first. Society and the world as we know them do not really end. But there is massive change and a high death toll.
I liked this. Not a lot of character development, which would be hard in the shortness of this novella and the amount of interviewees telling their stories in short paragraphs. The voices are interchangeable and I only managed to keep track of two or three of them. The world building was fine though. It was clear what was going on and the societal implications were portrayed in a captivating way. Heck, I wanted to be a Haden at the end.
I will check out the novel. Scalzi finally struck a nerve. I would have read this in one sitting, if I hadn‘t been so tired.
PS: Apparently I just read a novella through the viewpoint of a lenticular lens. You learn something new every day…
And here is the story for free on Tor.com: https://www.tor.com/2014/05/13/unlock...
July 16, 2022
This is a prequel novella to Lock In and Head On and I really wish that I had read it before those two novels because it provides a lot of information that would have made me much more at home in that world. It's presented as a series of interviews, an oral history of the events that led up to the world explored in those books. The only minor fault I had was that there was not much difference in the "voices" of the many different first-person testaments. This book came out in 2014, and the idea that the government and private industry and the general populace could unite to battle and defeat a global pandemic now seems a little quaintly naive. Yesterday's tomorrow is usually better than reality.
April 29, 2017
This is classified as prequel to Lock In but personally I think it's better to read it after you're done with the novel. While it won't spoil the plot in any way, it does destroy the slow immersion into the world. However, I recommend reading it because it helps a reader to understand the nature of the Hadens plague and gives a look at what the world was like when it first hit. It also showed the best of humanity in the way they banded up to fight it, preserve and change the world so those afflicted can be part of fit.
August 25, 2014
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/08/25/b...
If you haven’t read Lock In yet and have concerns about being overwhelmed by the details of Haden’s Syndrome, or if you’ve finished the book and would like to know more, I highly recommend checking out this companion novella that you can actually read online for free here.
Told in an epistolary format in the form of collected interviews, Unlocked features narratives from many different people, all in one way or another intimately involved in the history of Haden’s Syndrome and the Great Flu that precipitated it all. It’s meant to give you more information about the condition, as well some history on how the world struggled with and recovered from the epidemic only to end up trying to find a way to help the millions that experienced “lock in”.
Through the various perspectives, we get to find out what the devastating flu was like, how it was spread, as well as the response when everyone realized that the illness was unlike anything the world has ever seen. The most relevant part, of course, is what happens afterwards, when Haden’s Syndrome rears its ugly head. As someone who read Lock In first before checking this out, I knew that President Haden had a major role in galvanizing the country and uniting everyone’s efforts in finding a way to help the victims of the condition, and I was so happy that I got to have the whole story of how it happened here, in all its glory.
Just in keep in mind that this novella is meant to inform, so it wouldn’t be fair to go into this with the usual expectations for a story. There’s not a lot of plot or character development, which is okay because that’s not its goal. Nonetheless, I was completely fascinated by the way this book went through the different stages of the whole Haden’s Syndrome saga. Several of the characters also made themselves stand out with distinct “voices” as they related stories of their experience with Haden’s.
Unlocked shows just how invested John Scalzi is into the world of his book Lock In, and perhaps he rightly recognized that readers will want to know more about it. It probably doesn’t matter whether you read this before or after you read the full-length novel, but all I can say is, either way it’s worth it.
If you haven’t read Lock In yet and have concerns about being overwhelmed by the details of Haden’s Syndrome, or if you’ve finished the book and would like to know more, I highly recommend checking out this companion novella that you can actually read online for free here.
Told in an epistolary format in the form of collected interviews, Unlocked features narratives from many different people, all in one way or another intimately involved in the history of Haden’s Syndrome and the Great Flu that precipitated it all. It’s meant to give you more information about the condition, as well some history on how the world struggled with and recovered from the epidemic only to end up trying to find a way to help the millions that experienced “lock in”.
Through the various perspectives, we get to find out what the devastating flu was like, how it was spread, as well as the response when everyone realized that the illness was unlike anything the world has ever seen. The most relevant part, of course, is what happens afterwards, when Haden’s Syndrome rears its ugly head. As someone who read Lock In first before checking this out, I knew that President Haden had a major role in galvanizing the country and uniting everyone’s efforts in finding a way to help the victims of the condition, and I was so happy that I got to have the whole story of how it happened here, in all its glory.
Just in keep in mind that this novella is meant to inform, so it wouldn’t be fair to go into this with the usual expectations for a story. There’s not a lot of plot or character development, which is okay because that’s not its goal. Nonetheless, I was completely fascinated by the way this book went through the different stages of the whole Haden’s Syndrome saga. Several of the characters also made themselves stand out with distinct “voices” as they related stories of their experience with Haden’s.
Unlocked shows just how invested John Scalzi is into the world of his book Lock In, and perhaps he rightly recognized that readers will want to know more about it. It probably doesn’t matter whether you read this before or after you read the full-length novel, but all I can say is, either way it’s worth it.
March 12, 2017
Enjoyed this a lot. I liked how we heard different perspectives from different points in the chronology of the epidemic. (Reminded me of World War Z.)
February 7, 2016
This is a TOR short piece which acts as more of an introduction rather than a prequel for John Scalzis' Locked In novel. Its presented as a series of conversation exerts charting the initial out break and development along with the milestones along the way.
Presented from perspective of 25 years after the outbreak it reads very much like a transcript from a documentary which considering Mr Scalzi that is hardly a surprise since he is well versed with various media as well as being an accomplished writer.
The book really sets the scene for the main book the afore mentioned Locked In and as such does not really give anything away just I guess eases the reader in so they are familiar with the syndrome and the tools available to tackle the aftermath.
The story (if you could call it that as I explained earlier) is a free digital story although I have seen it being listed as 60+ pages long is quite a quick read but is very informative and I am now intrigued to see how it fits in with Locked In, I guess we shall see.
Presented from perspective of 25 years after the outbreak it reads very much like a transcript from a documentary which considering Mr Scalzi that is hardly a surprise since he is well versed with various media as well as being an accomplished writer.
The book really sets the scene for the main book the afore mentioned Locked In and as such does not really give anything away just I guess eases the reader in so they are familiar with the syndrome and the tools available to tackle the aftermath.
The story (if you could call it that as I explained earlier) is a free digital story although I have seen it being listed as 60+ pages long is quite a quick read but is very informative and I am now intrigued to see how it fits in with Locked In, I guess we shall see.
February 14, 2017
Nice background-slash-companion piece to Lock In, and the multiple voice actors give it a feel of authenticity. Tells the history of Scalzi's Lock In universe, making some sense of how the world came to be.
Came as part of the audiobook I read for Lock In -- the final two-ish discs. My text copy did not have this "bonus novella" included.
Came as part of the audiobook I read for Lock In -- the final two-ish discs. My text copy did not have this "bonus novella" included.
April 30, 2018
Eu adorei demais "Encarcerados", ainda mais porque tinha a doença envolvida. Saber que existia um ebook só com a história da doença me deixou alucinado e comprei e comecei a ler no mesmo dia. É um conto de 100 páginas super rápido, mas que dá uma visão mais profunda ainda do livro que já tinha amado tanto. Vale muito a pena entender mais sobre a doença que foi o ponto de partida de "Encarcerados".
June 13, 2025
Deep and easy, and it takes a lot of skill to write like that. Scalzi's a tightrope walker who plays with words, teasing you with just the right ones. I liked the book because it's written as fake nonfiction, a format that works really well. It lends the story a documentary-like realism, but chilling.
Short but powerful.
Short but powerful.
April 28, 2023
2014
It's seems I'm a fan of the fictional oral history, having read and really enjoyed the only two examples I've heard of (this andWorld War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War). I'm not surprised that Scalzi has produced a plausible history of an imaginary plague, but I am delighted. It makes for a good introduction and way to pass the time until I get a copy of Locked In.
***
27 April 2023
Many people no doubt have read Lock In since the start of the COVID pandemic
Certainly I've seen a fair number of "Nailed it" comments. Justifiably. As with psy hic predictions, it isn't spot on, and it misses a bunch of important aspects of the real world experience. But he did get a lot of things close enough to register as accurate hits.
And I still think this piece is awesome all on its own. If forced to choose, I would happily take the imaginary President Haden over the present we had at the time.
Personal copy.
It's seems I'm a fan of the fictional oral history, having read and really enjoyed the only two examples I've heard of (this andWorld War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War). I'm not surprised that Scalzi has produced a plausible history of an imaginary plague, but I am delighted. It makes for a good introduction and way to pass the time until I get a copy of Locked In.
***
27 April 2023
Many people no doubt have read Lock In since the start of the COVID pandemic
Certainly I've seen a fair number of "Nailed it" comments. Justifiably. As with psy hic predictions, it isn't spot on, and it misses a bunch of important aspects of the real world experience. But he did get a lot of things close enough to register as accurate hits.
And I still think this piece is awesome all on its own. If forced to choose, I would happily take the imaginary President Haden over the present we had at the time.
Personal copy.
July 9, 2017
Fantastic prequel/companion to Lock In series. It made me think. Which Haden I'd be: the one spending more time in a cyber fortress of solitude or the one with her Threep chatting with friends in a cafe. Lots of moral and political dilemma when it comes to a global massive virus outbreak so the speculative fiction side of this near-future SF is fascinating.
This novella is written in an epistolary form (as seen from the title), which I really enjoyed. The awesome zombie outbreak novel World War Z and one of my favorite Ted Chiang's shorts are also similar so I guess this format suits me well.
This novella is written in an epistolary form (as seen from the title), which I really enjoyed. The awesome zombie outbreak novel World War Z and one of my favorite Ted Chiang's shorts are also similar so I guess this format suits me well.
July 6, 2014
4 Stars
I am a Scalzi fan so I looked forward to reading this novella. It is an interesting near future story and post apocalyptic type of event. I was slightly put off when I found out that this "Oral History" was done very much the same way as World War Z, a book that I do not care for. But, this is Scalzi and he is a brilliant writer.
I look forward the new novel...
I am a Scalzi fan so I looked forward to reading this novella. It is an interesting near future story and post apocalyptic type of event. I was slightly put off when I found out that this "Oral History" was done very much the same way as World War Z, a book that I do not care for. But, this is Scalzi and he is a brilliant writer.
I look forward the new novel...
July 1, 2018
Leave it to John Scalzi to make a fictional political history short such a worthwhile and heart-filled read. I'd already read both Lock In and Head On before I picked this up, and though I wish I'd read it first, reading it now was certainly no waste of time. It filled in the emotion and gave me the smack in the head I needed to fully understand how important the Lock In series is.
These aren't mere sci-fi books about a fictional plague and robots. These books dig into the depths of what it means to be a minority, to be subject to prejudice and scorn, to be misjudged or mislabeled, and to be human.
The trick is not to find the story of the century. You won’t miss that story when it happens. No one will miss it. The trick is to find the story of the day and for that day make whoever reads it or hears it care about it so intensely that it doesn’t leave them. Then it becomes a story of their life. Maybe even the story of their life.
These aren't mere sci-fi books about a fictional plague and robots. These books dig into the depths of what it means to be a minority, to be subject to prejudice and scorn, to be misjudged or mislabeled, and to be human.
November 5, 2020
4.5*s This is not a story. It is a geeky delight for all those as obsessed with the Lock In universe as I am. The chapter, The New World, really made me question the importance of reality.
Would I pick a virtual world, over reality? No. But if it's a choice between a virtual world of your choosing or the real world as seen through synthetic eyes and filled with what the character describes as 'dudes with tubes', maybe I'd go for the virtual world.
"The other thing to consider is that, after a while, the physical world just becomes depressing. Look, in the online Haden space, I have what you could call a house. It's a permanent chunk of a server that I own. I'm able to build and create there. So my house is a log cabin in about six square miles of virtual Vermont forest. Even when I first got the server space, the technology was good enough that you could walk right up to the trees and you could see all this detail, and all of the other sensory data could be piped in."
Would I pick a virtual world, over reality? No. But if it's a choice between a virtual world of your choosing or the real world as seen through synthetic eyes and filled with what the character describes as 'dudes with tubes', maybe I'd go for the virtual world.
September 4, 2020
Outstanding novella, which turns out to be something of a prequel to the pandemic we're now in. Except the fictional one is more contagious, more fatal, more weird. But not so weird as real life! Here, we spent $3 trillion on... "stimulus payments." Which don't seem to have been terribly effective. Which is what the fictional USA spent on -- well, that would be telling. Do read it, if you haven't already. Highly recommended.
I'm glad I finally got around to reading this one, which I thought was much better than the novel it was intended to be the prequel for. I didn't end up thinking "Lock In" was better than decent and competent. This one had some of that special Scalzi sauce. 4.5 stars, rounded up
I'm glad I finally got around to reading this one, which I thought was much better than the novel it was intended to be the prequel for. I didn't end up thinking "Lock In" was better than decent and competent. This one had some of that special Scalzi sauce. 4.5 stars, rounded up
November 22, 2014
3.5 a prequel novella explaining the beginnings of Haden's Syndrome. Very interesting since it reminded me of the panic and unpreparedness, we on the states were for Ebola. That is where the similarities ended because this killed and killed fast. Some who survived were later locked in. What happens next is the subject of the book. Some strange and scary stuff.
March 5, 2019
When I read that this was in the broken up interview form similar to WWZ, I had doubts. It's not a style I usually care for. In this case, it was great, though. I've read both "Locked In" & "Head On". I enjoyed both enough to give them 4 stars, but it was both for a good mystery & the neat world. In this case, there was no mystery & I already knew how it would end. I already knew much of the information or so I thought.
I was both right & wrong. While I did know basically what happened, I didn't know all of it & there was a lot of nuance added to the world. Some characters suddenly had more depth, too.
I plan to reread these books someday & I'll do it in order. I think it will make them even better.
I was both right & wrong. While I did know basically what happened, I didn't know all of it & there was a lot of nuance added to the world. Some characters suddenly had more depth, too.
I plan to reread these books someday & I'll do it in order. I think it will make them even better.
March 3, 2018
I'm so glad that I read a review for LOCK IN that recommended reading this novella first. I was thoroughly impressed with the history of this fictional disease and how much information Scalzi was able to provide in 60+ pages, while maintaining some really emotional aspects.
This wasn't just a dry historical telling of something. The characters had personality and some of the stories brought me to tears.
I was already looking forward to reading LOCK IN - now I really can't wait!
This wasn't just a dry historical telling of something. The characters had personality and some of the stories brought me to tears.
I was already looking forward to reading LOCK IN - now I really can't wait!
March 21, 2020
Short snippets from various perspectives on the disease, the efforts to combat it, and it's ramifications. Much of the information presented here can be gotten directly, or indirectly, from the story itself.
November 8, 2015
For the three and a half of you who don’t know already, Unlocked is the companion novella to
Lock In
, John Scalzi’s thriller set in a future where Haden’s syndrome leaves millions locked in their bodies, conscious but incapable of voluntary movement. Where as Lock In was a mystery set within this world, Unlocked explains how Haden’s developed and how the technology and culture around Hadens sprang up.
This is billed as an “oral history” and comes across that way. It’s snippets of transcribed interviews. Imagine a documentary featuring mostly expert interviews, minus any connecting narration from a host (which would have been cool). Each part covers a specific aspect of how the world has changed, from the time-course and effects of the disease’s spread to the response of world governments. There are “characters” in the sense that many people get interviewed more than once, and they come across as having somewhat distinct personalities. But I wouldn’t say there are protagonists or antagonists. This is not so much a story as it is a collection of related anecdotes.
Unlocked is more an exercise in glorified worldbuilding than an expansion, prequel, or what-have-you to Lock In. It’s as if Scalzi made a wiki for the Lock In universe and then compressed it into a series of in-character articles. Don’t get me wrong: I love delving into the wikis for favourite series; I’ll spend hours reading TVTropes and Memory Alpha and the Mass Effect wiki. But it’s a different type of reading than reading a novel.
For that reason, I wouldn’t herald Unlocked as an essential companion to Lock In. It’s nice. I bought the Subterranean Press edition, mostly because I like Subterranean Press. Molly Crabapple’s cover is gorgeous, but I’m sad there aren’t any illustrations within the text. Anyway, this book provides more depth into the origins of Haden’s. It gives Scalzi an outlet for showing he Did the Research without infodumping too much in Lock In, and if anything we should just all be grateful for that. I wish more authors took this approach.
If you approach Unlocked with the idea that it’s a companion and an infodump, albeit a cleverly-disguised one, then you’re going to enjoy it. Not on the level that you would enjoy a novel. Similarly, I think you need to retain some interest in the world of Lock In—if you didn’t enjoy the novel, then this isn’t going to change your mind.
But.
There is one thing that makes this stand out from some of its less impressive peers: I got a little teary-eyed. As they were recounting the way that President Haden was grief-stricken for his wife, the way he stayed by her bedside and asked her what he should do, I teared up while reading this at lunchtime at work. I didn’t expect this book to get to me in that way.
So make of that what you will. Unlocked is fun and interesting in its own way. It’s not required reading to enjoy Lock In, but it’s a companion in the same way a fan-wiki might be to other books.
This is billed as an “oral history” and comes across that way. It’s snippets of transcribed interviews. Imagine a documentary featuring mostly expert interviews, minus any connecting narration from a host (which would have been cool). Each part covers a specific aspect of how the world has changed, from the time-course and effects of the disease’s spread to the response of world governments. There are “characters” in the sense that many people get interviewed more than once, and they come across as having somewhat distinct personalities. But I wouldn’t say there are protagonists or antagonists. This is not so much a story as it is a collection of related anecdotes.
Unlocked is more an exercise in glorified worldbuilding than an expansion, prequel, or what-have-you to Lock In. It’s as if Scalzi made a wiki for the Lock In universe and then compressed it into a series of in-character articles. Don’t get me wrong: I love delving into the wikis for favourite series; I’ll spend hours reading TVTropes and Memory Alpha and the Mass Effect wiki. But it’s a different type of reading than reading a novel.
For that reason, I wouldn’t herald Unlocked as an essential companion to Lock In. It’s nice. I bought the Subterranean Press edition, mostly because I like Subterranean Press. Molly Crabapple’s cover is gorgeous, but I’m sad there aren’t any illustrations within the text. Anyway, this book provides more depth into the origins of Haden’s. It gives Scalzi an outlet for showing he Did the Research without infodumping too much in Lock In, and if anything we should just all be grateful for that. I wish more authors took this approach.
If you approach Unlocked with the idea that it’s a companion and an infodump, albeit a cleverly-disguised one, then you’re going to enjoy it. Not on the level that you would enjoy a novel. Similarly, I think you need to retain some interest in the world of Lock In—if you didn’t enjoy the novel, then this isn’t going to change your mind.
But.
There is one thing that makes this stand out from some of its less impressive peers: I got a little teary-eyed. As they were recounting the way that President Haden was grief-stricken for his wife, the way he stayed by her bedside and asked her what he should do, I teared up while reading this at lunchtime at work. I didn’t expect this book to get to me in that way.
So make of that what you will. Unlocked is fun and interesting in its own way. It’s not required reading to enjoy Lock In, but it’s a companion in the same way a fan-wiki might be to other books.
May 14, 2022
unrealistic. no pandemic deniers, no grifters, no one protesting against science and lockdown measures. 0/10
August 30, 2018
An interesting well constructed back story to the series. Science was all very well built up and politics a little to real.The whole thing is in an epistolary style, with short snippets from interview or transcripts presenting the while history.
A nice add on the the series
A nice add on the the series
February 24, 2015
Tonight I decided to read
but then realized I needed to read this prequel first. It was kind of boring and I found myself wishing that someone could have summed it up for me. Some people have started reading Lock In and were a little confused because they didn't read the prequel. Well, I'm going to save you the trouble of having to read Unlocked (that is..if you had rather not). If you want to read the backstory then please stop reading now. You can read it here for free if you want: http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/05/un...
I'm going to sum this up as quickly as possible.
And that should set you up nicely.
but then realized I needed to read this prequel first. It was kind of boring and I found myself wishing that someone could have summed it up for me. Some people have started reading Lock In and were a little confused because they didn't read the prequel. Well, I'm going to save you the trouble of having to read Unlocked (that is..if you had rather not). If you want to read the backstory then please stop reading now. You can read it here for free if you want: http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/05/un...I'm going to sum this up as quickly as possible.
And that should set you up nicely.
February 3, 2015
Note: This story can be read for free on: Tor.com
Executive Summary: An interesting short story that has me excited for Lock In later this month.
Full Review
I held off on reading this one until it was closer to the release of Lock In, and I'm glad I did. It did it's job, namely promoting that book and whetting my appetite. But now I have to wait.
The story takes the form of a series of interviews from the people who were there, explaining the details of Haden Syndrome and doing an excellent job of world building.
This is the first time I can recall a story in this format, and it seems really fitting. He's able to provide the details he wants to without it coming off like a giant infodump. And he does this while providing a variety of views on the matter without needing to do a lot of character development that would bog down such a short story.
I'll be curious to see how he handles this in the novel itself. Will he expect readers to have done this short story first, and leave those who haven't confused? Or will he rehash much of what is here? I hope he's done it in such a way that people who haven't read it won't be lost, but those of us who have will be rewarded with an enriched experience. Time will tell.
My recommendation without knowing the answer to that question is to check this out first if plan to read Lock In. Especially since it's free!
Executive Summary: An interesting short story that has me excited for Lock In later this month.
Full Review
I held off on reading this one until it was closer to the release of Lock In, and I'm glad I did. It did it's job, namely promoting that book and whetting my appetite. But now I have to wait.
The story takes the form of a series of interviews from the people who were there, explaining the details of Haden Syndrome and doing an excellent job of world building.
This is the first time I can recall a story in this format, and it seems really fitting. He's able to provide the details he wants to without it coming off like a giant infodump. And he does this while providing a variety of views on the matter without needing to do a lot of character development that would bog down such a short story.
I'll be curious to see how he handles this in the novel itself. Will he expect readers to have done this short story first, and leave those who haven't confused? Or will he rehash much of what is here? I hope he's done it in such a way that people who haven't read it won't be lost, but those of us who have will be rewarded with an enriched experience. Time will tell.
My recommendation without knowing the answer to that question is to check this out first if plan to read Lock In. Especially since it's free!
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