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Three Days Breathing
Corim Colleran is born into a cold and sterile world. In tiny apartments, meager meals are delivered through chutes in the cupboards. In robot-run schools, sexual development is cultivated with clinical precision. No one can leave their corner of the city. No one can change the course of their predetermined days, or the length of their preset lifespans.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2016
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114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 3, 2019
★★★★✬ 4.5 stars
Three Days Breathing is a really good book, but its also incredibly sad, painfully so. But it is definitely worth the read, provided you can stomach it and the heaviness of its contents. I would even say that this is as much a literary novel, considering its depth and topics, as it is a dystopian fantasy. I will definitely not be forgetting it soon.
Read the rest of the review here on my blog:
But Beware Of The Triggers
This book might be triggering to many. First of all, it's about a dystopian, messed up society. Second, a large part of the book is about how people are bred and trained to become sex workers, so a lot of it will be about that. Other triggers include Even aside from this, the book is plain old sad due to the injustice the characters experience, so if you have mental health issues or are sensitive, you should read more reviews and decide whether you can stomach it.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook through NetGalley in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
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Three Days Breathing is a really good book, but its also incredibly sad, painfully so. But it is definitely worth the read, provided you can stomach it and the heaviness of its contents. I would even say that this is as much a literary novel, considering its depth and topics, as it is a dystopian fantasy. I will definitely not be forgetting it soon.
Read the rest of the review here on my blog:
But Beware Of The Triggers
This book might be triggering to many. First of all, it's about a dystopian, messed up society. Second, a large part of the book is about how people are bred and trained to become sex workers, so a lot of it will be about that. Other triggers include Even aside from this, the book is plain old sad due to the injustice the characters experience, so if you have mental health issues or are sensitive, you should read more reviews and decide whether you can stomach it.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook through NetGalley in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Read Post On My Blog | Themed Bookstagram | Quick Update Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
October 13, 2018
I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This was a very good book. I really enjoyed this novel. With how the novel is structured, following Corim, it allows you to be submerged in the society and see how it is completely accepted, which is a breath of fresh air when compared to other post-apocalypse novels as the society generally has a feeling of resentment and longing to change.
It follows the life of Corim, a member of the General Order. The General Order is the lowest rung of the social order. Corim is an inquisitive person, inherited from his father, which leads him to question the system they are in; why are there more men in the General Order than women? Why do people have to expire at specific ages? (Men at thirty six, women at thirty seven) Why are couples only allowed one child?
Corim enters school at age eight, and at age thirteen his class is introduced to the soft rooms, and taught how to have sex. Those who are the best at this are invited to brothel interviews. Being invited to work at a brothel is seen as one of the highest honours in the General Order as they received better wages and can afford better food and clothes. Corim’s wife Kiri, after finishing school, becomes a brothel worker while Corim becomes a system architect, a job which just makes me think of Tetris, as they just have to move coloured blocks around a screen.
The plot only really kicks off halfway through the novel, as Kiri is murdered on the job by a member of the Administrative Order, which is a rung higher than the General Order. The Administrative Order is allowed to live to 85. Kiri is given the choice to let her murderer off and be given back her full life span (the bots within the General Order are capable of returning murder victims to life for three days) or to die at the end of the three days and possibly convict.
As a consequence of the trial, Corim is able to discover the secrets of the system. Corim, his best friend Raf and his son Ian, break out of the area allowed for the General Order, setting off for an area that allows them to break free of the influence of the bots within the General Order before breaking back into the General Order and attempting to lead people away from the system. While they are able to coerce a few people into joining them, the vast majority of people they talk to cannot be convince and do not want to break out of the system.
I felt very conflicted regarding the ending, as on one hand, I wanted them to lead people away and break the General Order and stop the highest rank from manipulating those lower and using them as almost reality TV (I imagined it much like a series of Big Brother, only for the entire life of the General Order), but on the other hand, the ending felt very much in line with the direction of the novel. Throughout the novel, not many people question the system, and the ending very much reflects that. It felt very insidious the way that it was just accepted and nobody really cared about changing the system.
I also felt conflicted regarding Ian, Corim and Kiri’s son. Because the novel revolves around Corim, and unlike Kiri and Raf who were there from the beginning of the novel, Ian is born halfway through the novel and I feel he’s somewhat of a non-entity, used more as a plot device for Corim more than a character in his own right.
Rating = 4 / 5 stars.
This was a very good book. I really enjoyed this novel. With how the novel is structured, following Corim, it allows you to be submerged in the society and see how it is completely accepted, which is a breath of fresh air when compared to other post-apocalypse novels as the society generally has a feeling of resentment and longing to change.
It follows the life of Corim, a member of the General Order. The General Order is the lowest rung of the social order. Corim is an inquisitive person, inherited from his father, which leads him to question the system they are in; why are there more men in the General Order than women? Why do people have to expire at specific ages? (Men at thirty six, women at thirty seven) Why are couples only allowed one child?
Corim enters school at age eight, and at age thirteen his class is introduced to the soft rooms, and taught how to have sex. Those who are the best at this are invited to brothel interviews. Being invited to work at a brothel is seen as one of the highest honours in the General Order as they received better wages and can afford better food and clothes. Corim’s wife Kiri, after finishing school, becomes a brothel worker while Corim becomes a system architect, a job which just makes me think of Tetris, as they just have to move coloured blocks around a screen.
The plot only really kicks off halfway through the novel, as Kiri is murdered on the job by a member of the Administrative Order, which is a rung higher than the General Order. The Administrative Order is allowed to live to 85. Kiri is given the choice to let her murderer off and be given back her full life span (the bots within the General Order are capable of returning murder victims to life for three days) or to die at the end of the three days and possibly convict.
As a consequence of the trial, Corim is able to discover the secrets of the system. Corim, his best friend Raf and his son Ian, break out of the area allowed for the General Order, setting off for an area that allows them to break free of the influence of the bots within the General Order before breaking back into the General Order and attempting to lead people away from the system. While they are able to coerce a few people into joining them, the vast majority of people they talk to cannot be convince and do not want to break out of the system.
I felt very conflicted regarding the ending, as on one hand, I wanted them to lead people away and break the General Order and stop the highest rank from manipulating those lower and using them as almost reality TV (I imagined it much like a series of Big Brother, only for the entire life of the General Order), but on the other hand, the ending felt very much in line with the direction of the novel. Throughout the novel, not many people question the system, and the ending very much reflects that. It felt very insidious the way that it was just accepted and nobody really cared about changing the system.
I also felt conflicted regarding Ian, Corim and Kiri’s son. Because the novel revolves around Corim, and unlike Kiri and Raf who were there from the beginning of the novel, Ian is born halfway through the novel and I feel he’s somewhat of a non-entity, used more as a plot device for Corim more than a character in his own right.
Rating = 4 / 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2022
Ahoy there me mateys! I am not sure where I heard about this self-published dystopian. This ended up being a strange read where I adored the first half and didn't like the second half at all.
The beginning deals with the life of Corim Colleran who is born into the bottom tier of society called the General Order. Like most dystopians, life is rigidly controlled. The interesting aspect of this world is the regulated life spans and how sex work is built into the society. The death and sex are not graphic but the ramifications of how both are used were kinda fun in a weird sort of way. For example, sexual education is built into the school curriculum. At a certain age at school, the General Order is required to have sex during the school day in controlled circumstances while watched by robots. Sex is natural and encouraged and being selected as a sex worker after graduation is a high honor. The healthy attitude towards sex was interesting. Of course there was a dark side due to class distinctions later too.
Death is also dealt with unusually. Men in the General Order only live until 36. Women until 37. As societal rank increases, as established by birth, so does the number of years ye live. Dying is also humanely controlled in how it occurs. I actually loved how these elements worked even if it was sad to watch the characters go through it. One of the main conflicts of the book is that Corim's wife, Kiri, is killed out of time. Her body is revived for three days so she can say goodbye before dying for good.
Though the three day grace period makes little sense intellectually, as a dystopian rule it had interesting consequences. I loved the relationship between Corim and Kiri. Ye watch them grow up and fall in love and start a family while knowing that the 36 year deadline is approaching fast. Of course Kiri's death and how it affects her family are horrible. But both the death and sex worker aspects had me riveted.
Sadly, once the Kiri aspects were over, the book completely lost me. I thought the world building was fascinating before the author tried to explain how the world evolved that way. How the truth was exposed and what the truth was just felt lame to me. Corim fights the system because of how it affected his wife. His view for the new future seemed simplistic and silly. Corim went from feeling like a fully realized character to a caricature. The other characters after the half way mark seemed even flimsier. The two halves seemed almost like they were parts of two different books written by different people. So I don't really think I could recommend this one even though the first half was fantastic for me. Arrrr!
The beginning deals with the life of Corim Colleran who is born into the bottom tier of society called the General Order. Like most dystopians, life is rigidly controlled. The interesting aspect of this world is the regulated life spans and how sex work is built into the society. The death and sex are not graphic but the ramifications of how both are used were kinda fun in a weird sort of way. For example, sexual education is built into the school curriculum. At a certain age at school, the General Order is required to have sex during the school day in controlled circumstances while watched by robots. Sex is natural and encouraged and being selected as a sex worker after graduation is a high honor. The healthy attitude towards sex was interesting. Of course there was a dark side due to class distinctions later too.
Death is also dealt with unusually. Men in the General Order only live until 36. Women until 37. As societal rank increases, as established by birth, so does the number of years ye live. Dying is also humanely controlled in how it occurs. I actually loved how these elements worked even if it was sad to watch the characters go through it. One of the main conflicts of the book is that Corim's wife, Kiri, is killed out of time. Her body is revived for three days so she can say goodbye before dying for good.
Though the three day grace period makes little sense intellectually, as a dystopian rule it had interesting consequences. I loved the relationship between Corim and Kiri. Ye watch them grow up and fall in love and start a family while knowing that the 36 year deadline is approaching fast. Of course Kiri's death and how it affects her family are horrible. But both the death and sex worker aspects had me riveted.
Sadly, once the Kiri aspects were over, the book completely lost me. I thought the world building was fascinating before the author tried to explain how the world evolved that way. How the truth was exposed and what the truth was just felt lame to me. Corim fights the system because of how it affected his wife. His view for the new future seemed simplistic and silly. Corim went from feeling like a fully realized character to a caricature. The other characters after the half way mark seemed even flimsier. The two halves seemed almost like they were parts of two different books written by different people. So I don't really think I could recommend this one even though the first half was fantastic for me. Arrrr!
October 2, 2016
This is the kind of book that deserves to be read and dissected in English classes across the country (well, at least Canada!). It's so rich with detail about a future world in some ways very different and in others not so different from our own. Here are a few things that I really liked or intrigued me about the book:
1) There was a very surprising discrepancy between the complexity of the writing style and the world being written about. In other words, I found the writing style to be simple but the story itself was rich with lots of interesting detail. At the start, we learn that we are seeing this future world through the eyes of Corim, a smart young member of a genetically engineered society of people vaguely referred to as the ‘General Order’ who is being led through what appears on the surface to be a carefully engineered and predetermined life, with nothing to worry about other than learning enough to keep his developing mind satisfied and doing what he’s told.
2) (a)The sex! This was a very puzzling aspect to the story at first which really had me gunning for some answers. In this very well monitored and pre-determined life that had been set out before our main character, why were there such open and liberal-minded attitudes towards sex? Sex, in this future world, becomes a topic taught AND practice to be encouraged in school of all places! To be sure, these seemed to be healthy attitudes towards sex that they were bestowing on the kids, ensuring that consent was respected and telling them to explore same-sex sex as well. This was all well and good, but seeing as how this is fiction I thought surely there has to be something going on here more than just healthy attitudes.
2) (b) The sex-work! Wow, here’s where the book really stands out of the crowd of the other sci-fi books that I’ve read. Not only is sex encouraged as a casual practice (which did put me in mind of Brave New World) but sex-work in a brothel was lauded as the most valuable job pursuit that you could get into. Members of the aforementioned ‘General Order’ were allowed one of 2 jobs: you either become a ‘Pattern Architect’, or you become a sex worker. By the way, we’re not given much detail at all what a ‘Pattern Architect’ does until later on in the book, so I won’t spoil the surprise! So why was sex work so valued? Is this truly such a different culture with such healthy attitudes, or is there something more at work here? I’ll let you read on and find out!
3) The friendships between characters. Between Corim and his girlfriend and then wife Kiri, between him and his friend Raff, between him and his son Ian. I think those were definitely sweet.
The two things that probably gave me the most pause are:
1) While I loved the story and the relationships between characters, I found I didn’t actually connect with any of the characters. I’m not sure why, but it just didn’t click for me with this story.
The next one is a plot spoiler, so please stop reading if I’ve interested you in the book thus far:
2) Corim murders a member of the ‘Administrative Order’, Scotson Yvera, in retribution for him killing Corim’s wife and getting away with only a proverbial slap on the wrist. His wife is murdered because Scotson was getting off by strangling Corim’s sex-worker wife during sex and woops too much pressure sorry Corim!
The murder of Scotson isn’t just a knee-jerk murder, but a very well thought-out and planned attack, where he was able to get all sorts of info on Scotson’s habits, address, and so forth, giving Corim what he needed to find the perfect time to do the deed. He doesn’t end up having an easy time of doing it either and the deed is described in pretty excruciating detail. All that being said, Corim’s conscience is wiped clean by the end of the book and I can’t quite figure out whether I’m okay with that. Oh well, it made me think so I can’t blame a book for doing that :)
On the whole I have to applaud the author for writing a book whose plot details still haven’t flown the coop to make room for other items of importance in my life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read VERY interesting sci fi!!!
1) There was a very surprising discrepancy between the complexity of the writing style and the world being written about. In other words, I found the writing style to be simple but the story itself was rich with lots of interesting detail. At the start, we learn that we are seeing this future world through the eyes of Corim, a smart young member of a genetically engineered society of people vaguely referred to as the ‘General Order’ who is being led through what appears on the surface to be a carefully engineered and predetermined life, with nothing to worry about other than learning enough to keep his developing mind satisfied and doing what he’s told.
2) (a)The sex! This was a very puzzling aspect to the story at first which really had me gunning for some answers. In this very well monitored and pre-determined life that had been set out before our main character, why were there such open and liberal-minded attitudes towards sex? Sex, in this future world, becomes a topic taught AND practice to be encouraged in school of all places! To be sure, these seemed to be healthy attitudes towards sex that they were bestowing on the kids, ensuring that consent was respected and telling them to explore same-sex sex as well. This was all well and good, but seeing as how this is fiction I thought surely there has to be something going on here more than just healthy attitudes.
2) (b) The sex-work! Wow, here’s where the book really stands out of the crowd of the other sci-fi books that I’ve read. Not only is sex encouraged as a casual practice (which did put me in mind of Brave New World) but sex-work in a brothel was lauded as the most valuable job pursuit that you could get into. Members of the aforementioned ‘General Order’ were allowed one of 2 jobs: you either become a ‘Pattern Architect’, or you become a sex worker. By the way, we’re not given much detail at all what a ‘Pattern Architect’ does until later on in the book, so I won’t spoil the surprise! So why was sex work so valued? Is this truly such a different culture with such healthy attitudes, or is there something more at work here? I’ll let you read on and find out!
3) The friendships between characters. Between Corim and his girlfriend and then wife Kiri, between him and his friend Raff, between him and his son Ian. I think those were definitely sweet.
The two things that probably gave me the most pause are:
1) While I loved the story and the relationships between characters, I found I didn’t actually connect with any of the characters. I’m not sure why, but it just didn’t click for me with this story.
The next one is a plot spoiler, so please stop reading if I’ve interested you in the book thus far:
2) Corim murders a member of the ‘Administrative Order’, Scotson Yvera, in retribution for him killing Corim’s wife and getting away with only a proverbial slap on the wrist. His wife is murdered because Scotson was getting off by strangling Corim’s sex-worker wife during sex and woops too much pressure sorry Corim!
The murder of Scotson isn’t just a knee-jerk murder, but a very well thought-out and planned attack, where he was able to get all sorts of info on Scotson’s habits, address, and so forth, giving Corim what he needed to find the perfect time to do the deed. He doesn’t end up having an easy time of doing it either and the deed is described in pretty excruciating detail. All that being said, Corim’s conscience is wiped clean by the end of the book and I can’t quite figure out whether I’m okay with that. Oh well, it made me think so I can’t blame a book for doing that :)
On the whole I have to applaud the author for writing a book whose plot details still haven’t flown the coop to make room for other items of importance in my life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read VERY interesting sci fi!!!
February 27, 2016
So. This is science fiction, or dystopian literature, or possibly both, either way, it's a genre I usually don't really read. However, this one knocked me off my feet. It's written with such power, I didn't even try to put it down. The world, the system the author has created, is full of such harsh injustice, leaving those trapped within so powerless, I found myself raging and wanting to climb into the book to start a revolution. I seriously hope there'll be a sequel. This could be the start of one of the most awesome series ever.
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December 10, 2016
I read this way back, but didn't have time to review it, so read it again. It is even better the second time round. Just love it!
When I first started to read I wondered whether this was a YA book as the the themes are quite adult. However Both YA and adults will find it incredibly thought provoking. When I thought it may be for YA I was wondering whether I thought it made me feel uncomfortable with the seemingly apparent loose morals. But then I realised that Maguire is challenging us to look at how sex is seen and I love how he has done that, superb!
The world that Mike Maguire has created is seemingly perfect in the sense that he has left nothing out of his construction. As I was reading I was challenged mercilessly with everything about this world. It turned my brain inside and out just picturing the whole of it. The book doesn’t overwhelm you with the complexity of the world he has created all at once and that is a real skill of an author to do that.
This world then is in hierarchical tiers of those who are the richest get to live the longest, and those who are the lowest in the order live the least amount of time. Everything is timed to the day. Males live for 35 years, and females for 37 years and not a day longer.
Isn't that an absolutely scary concept knowing the date of your death and the week leading up to it?
They are taught to expect this from childhood. Every aspect of their life is designed for them. However, Corim’s Dad allows him to question more than he should. So what happens? How does this impact on his life…..?
Sorry can’t tell you that you will have to read this quietly thrilling book to find out what happens….
Characters?
I got so involved with the characters in the story because they were so perfectly individual; each one’s action was not out of place, heck I knew these guys as they grew up.
Why would I recommend it?
The title ‘Three Days Breathing’ is a cliff hanger in the book…yep a tear or two may have escaped.
I would recommend this book because it is so readable, and challenges a person’s own perception of what is acceptable and why in a society, and most importantly what it can teach us.
Not only that it is a darn good read.
What did I like best about it?
I love the individuality of the characters because they all had centre stage within the novel. Okay, Corim was the main character, but this soon merged into a group of people who drifted in and out but remained important throughout.
There are some absolutely stunning lines that gave me pictures which brought the whole thing alive for me.
They are kids right trying to find the right person to marry with the tools they have been taught to use, then feeling jealousy and trying understand emotions that are new and scary and not knowing what to do with them. It is also about unrequited love:
Mr Maguire would make a great counsellor!
I loved learning about the world he has created in this book because it felt like there was a truth in the layers of society and the way he had those layers think and live.
An excellent read and right up there with the sci fi classics.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
When I first started to read I wondered whether this was a YA book as the the themes are quite adult. However Both YA and adults will find it incredibly thought provoking. When I thought it may be for YA I was wondering whether I thought it made me feel uncomfortable with the seemingly apparent loose morals. But then I realised that Maguire is challenging us to look at how sex is seen and I love how he has done that, superb!
The world that Mike Maguire has created is seemingly perfect in the sense that he has left nothing out of his construction. As I was reading I was challenged mercilessly with everything about this world. It turned my brain inside and out just picturing the whole of it. The book doesn’t overwhelm you with the complexity of the world he has created all at once and that is a real skill of an author to do that.
This world then is in hierarchical tiers of those who are the richest get to live the longest, and those who are the lowest in the order live the least amount of time. Everything is timed to the day. Males live for 35 years, and females for 37 years and not a day longer.
Isn't that an absolutely scary concept knowing the date of your death and the week leading up to it?
They are taught to expect this from childhood. Every aspect of their life is designed for them. However, Corim’s Dad allows him to question more than he should. So what happens? How does this impact on his life…..?
Sorry can’t tell you that you will have to read this quietly thrilling book to find out what happens….
Characters?
I got so involved with the characters in the story because they were so perfectly individual; each one’s action was not out of place, heck I knew these guys as they grew up.
Why would I recommend it?
The title ‘Three Days Breathing’ is a cliff hanger in the book…yep a tear or two may have escaped.
I would recommend this book because it is so readable, and challenges a person’s own perception of what is acceptable and why in a society, and most importantly what it can teach us.
Not only that it is a darn good read.
What did I like best about it?
I love the individuality of the characters because they all had centre stage within the novel. Okay, Corim was the main character, but this soon merged into a group of people who drifted in and out but remained important throughout.
There are some absolutely stunning lines that gave me pictures which brought the whole thing alive for me.
They are kids right trying to find the right person to marry with the tools they have been taught to use, then feeling jealousy and trying understand emotions that are new and scary and not knowing what to do with them. It is also about unrequited love:
“Hush! I’m saying I don’t trust it when people explain their emotions. Everyone always feels like they need to have explanations, so they’ll just grab at any ones they can think of. But no one can ever put the reasons for love into words.”
Mr Maguire would make a great counsellor!
I loved learning about the world he has created in this book because it felt like there was a truth in the layers of society and the way he had those layers think and live.
An excellent read and right up there with the sci fi classics.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
February 11, 2017
Oh dystopia! How has our world turned sideways? Maguire leads us into a world whose citizens are divided into orders. What order you are dictates the length of your lifespan. Koram, our hero, is a member of the general order, so he is entitled to thirty six years of life. Other orders like the judicial, councilor, and administrative orders get to live long enough for wrinkles. School in the general order is like sitting around watching interactive documentaries in Darth Vader’s little pod. Until you turn thirteen.
At the age of thirteen, every student in the general order gets access to soft rooms on the school’s eleventh floor. Soft rooms are a place for the kids to practice having sex with one another. They are encouraged to try all sorts of stuff with as many people as possible. Normally I would shy away from a book with such a strong sexual theme, but Maguire tells the story without getting all porno. I would not recommend this read for anyone who hasn’t already had sex ed, but there is a great story here, so adults should not shy away. It turns out that all the practice is because the very best of the general order gets invited to work in the brothels frequented by people from the upper orders. Everyone else gets a job basically playing a sorting video game when they are grown.
Koram breaks the mold with Keerie and they develop a deep loving relationship with one another. Only through this bond does Koram realize that something about his world is terribly wrong. I really liked the theme. I think that people growing up with internet access in this information age are able to become desensitized to just about anything, so a story about developing deep, loving, and meaningful relationships despite access to shallow pleasure holds relevance for people in our world.
Maguire has achieved something with Three Days Breathing that I’ve only experienced with Stephen Kings work. For the first forty percent of the novel I was well outside my comfort zone. Koram is in a monogamous relationship with a brothel worker. I got wierded out by the possibility. Yet the characters, their world, and the promise that Koram could make sense of the whole mess kept me at it.
At chapter thirty, while listening to the audible audiobook that I received for free, driving around high up in the Adirondacks between a paper mill and an aluminum mill, I found myself shouting, “That’s why you always have a safe word!”
At the age of thirteen, every student in the general order gets access to soft rooms on the school’s eleventh floor. Soft rooms are a place for the kids to practice having sex with one another. They are encouraged to try all sorts of stuff with as many people as possible. Normally I would shy away from a book with such a strong sexual theme, but Maguire tells the story without getting all porno. I would not recommend this read for anyone who hasn’t already had sex ed, but there is a great story here, so adults should not shy away. It turns out that all the practice is because the very best of the general order gets invited to work in the brothels frequented by people from the upper orders. Everyone else gets a job basically playing a sorting video game when they are grown.
Koram breaks the mold with Keerie and they develop a deep loving relationship with one another. Only through this bond does Koram realize that something about his world is terribly wrong. I really liked the theme. I think that people growing up with internet access in this information age are able to become desensitized to just about anything, so a story about developing deep, loving, and meaningful relationships despite access to shallow pleasure holds relevance for people in our world.
Maguire has achieved something with Three Days Breathing that I’ve only experienced with Stephen Kings work. For the first forty percent of the novel I was well outside my comfort zone. Koram is in a monogamous relationship with a brothel worker. I got wierded out by the possibility. Yet the characters, their world, and the promise that Koram could make sense of the whole mess kept me at it.
At chapter thirty, while listening to the audible audiobook that I received for free, driving around high up in the Adirondacks between a paper mill and an aluminum mill, I found myself shouting, “That’s why you always have a safe word!”
August 11, 2016
Three Days Breathing is an absolutely fantastic book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It will probably fall into the dystopian science fiction niche, but like Brave New World, it is so much more than that. To briefly summarize the plot, Corim Colleran lives in a world where men of the General Order die at thirty-six and women until thirty-seven. They are given meaningless jobs meant to distract and pacify them, while some are chosen to become sex workers.
All this seems like typical dystopic fare, but what separates MacGuire's books is the subtle touch he uses when presenting his world. Our characters fully except the world they're living in, considering the inequity to be part of the status quo; the high suicide rate, being breed to be sex workers for higher orders, a justice system that favors the upper orders. By not having his characters cast a negative judgement on their world, MacGuire allows the readers to fully see the injustices the characters experience. And, when they do finally decide to break free from the system, it is that much more rewarding. In the hands of a lesser author, this material could have easily devolved into the typical Hunger Games style of book, where there's a massive rebellion and the ruling class is over thrown (and admittedly, part of me wanted to see that), but instead, Three Days Breathing is a meditation on class inequality, social justice, and complacency, a trademark of not just great science-fiction, but of great literature.
All this seems like typical dystopic fare, but what separates MacGuire's books is the subtle touch he uses when presenting his world. Our characters fully except the world they're living in, considering the inequity to be part of the status quo; the high suicide rate, being breed to be sex workers for higher orders, a justice system that favors the upper orders. By not having his characters cast a negative judgement on their world, MacGuire allows the readers to fully see the injustices the characters experience. And, when they do finally decide to break free from the system, it is that much more rewarding. In the hands of a lesser author, this material could have easily devolved into the typical Hunger Games style of book, where there's a massive rebellion and the ruling class is over thrown (and admittedly, part of me wanted to see that), but instead, Three Days Breathing is a meditation on class inequality, social justice, and complacency, a trademark of not just great science-fiction, but of great literature.
August 11, 2016
Three Days Breathing is an absolutely fantastic book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It will probably fall into the dystopian science fiction niche, but like Brave New World, it is so much more than that. To briefly summarize the plot, Corim Colleran lives in a world where men of the General Order die at thirty-six and women until thirty-seven. They are given meaningless jobs meant to distract and pacify them, while some are chosen to become sex workers.
All this seems like typical dystopic fare, but what separates MacGuire's books is the subtle touch he uses when presenting his world. Our characters fully except the world they're living in, considering the inequity to be part of the status quo; the high suicide rate, being breed to be sex workers for higher orders, a justice system that favors the upper orders. By not having his characters cast a negative judgement on their world, MacGuire allows the readers to fully see the injustices the characters experience. And, when they do finally decide to break free from the system, it is that much more rewarding. In the hands of a lesser author, this material could have easily devolved into the typical Hunger Games style of book, where there's a massive rebellion and the ruling class is over thrown (and admittedly, part of me wanted to see that), but instead, Three Days Breathing is a meditation on class inequality, social justice, and complacency, a trademark of not just great science-fiction, but of great literature.
All this seems like typical dystopic fare, but what separates MacGuire's books is the subtle touch he uses when presenting his world. Our characters fully except the world they're living in, considering the inequity to be part of the status quo; the high suicide rate, being breed to be sex workers for higher orders, a justice system that favors the upper orders. By not having his characters cast a negative judgement on their world, MacGuire allows the readers to fully see the injustices the characters experience. And, when they do finally decide to break free from the system, it is that much more rewarding. In the hands of a lesser author, this material could have easily devolved into the typical Hunger Games style of book, where there's a massive rebellion and the ruling class is over thrown (and admittedly, part of me wanted to see that), but instead, Three Days Breathing is a meditation on class inequality, social justice, and complacency, a trademark of not just great science-fiction, but of great literature.
January 23, 2017
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it others. I understand that this book has similar tones to books like Brave New World and now I want to read some of these classic dystopian books. To me, it somewhat felt like The Giver, but a little more ‘adult’.
The world created in this book is quite fascinating. Unlike most dystopian worlds I have read about, this one is a blend of certain freedoms for the common people and certain absolutes with no apparent way around these things. Most dystopian novels do not display this much freedom for the common people – I kind of like it!
What I would like to know is, will there be a follow-up book to this? Or will there be a series? I’m not quite sure how much I liked the ending but I am very curious on what will happen next! Either way, there is a somewhat definitive ending and I appreciate that (but, lots of room for expansion).
Audiobook narrator Brandon Hearnsberger rating: 3.5 stars
I wish the narrator could change his voice more for different characters and display more emotion into his words, especially during the really tense parts of the book. Though, he was very clear and easy to understand and it was mostly obvious when he was speaking for a different character. He was great during the court-room-scene.
Thanks, Mike, for the free audiobook!
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it others. I understand that this book has similar tones to books like Brave New World and now I want to read some of these classic dystopian books. To me, it somewhat felt like The Giver, but a little more ‘adult’.
The world created in this book is quite fascinating. Unlike most dystopian worlds I have read about, this one is a blend of certain freedoms for the common people and certain absolutes with no apparent way around these things. Most dystopian novels do not display this much freedom for the common people – I kind of like it!
What I would like to know is, will there be a follow-up book to this? Or will there be a series? I’m not quite sure how much I liked the ending but I am very curious on what will happen next! Either way, there is a somewhat definitive ending and I appreciate that (but, lots of room for expansion).
Audiobook narrator Brandon Hearnsberger rating: 3.5 stars
I wish the narrator could change his voice more for different characters and display more emotion into his words, especially during the really tense parts of the book. Though, he was very clear and easy to understand and it was mostly obvious when he was speaking for a different character. He was great during the court-room-scene.
Thanks, Mike, for the free audiobook!
December 28, 2016
Three Days Breathing started off strongly and got even better as it went along. A lot of books in this genre are quite predictable in their outcomes, but this book delivered some very satisfying and interesting changes in plot along the way. The writing style is very vivid and economical, never meandering and bogging us down in unnecessary details.
The plot itself is riveting and I enjoyed every moment as it came; the ending left me wanting more. As the plot unravelled, we find out more about the upper orders and the meaning of Corim's life. If I was to write a plot outline here (which i won't as i don't want to spoil it) then it'd look incredibly bleak and dark, yet the author manages to broach the subject in a way which overall ends up being something positive and swiftly moving to a great conclusion. Don't fear this book if you have read about it being dark, it isn't scary in that sense, I found a lot to be hopeful for in the story and the fight of 'good' against 'evil'.
The plot itself is riveting and I enjoyed every moment as it came; the ending left me wanting more. As the plot unravelled, we find out more about the upper orders and the meaning of Corim's life. If I was to write a plot outline here (which i won't as i don't want to spoil it) then it'd look incredibly bleak and dark, yet the author manages to broach the subject in a way which overall ends up being something positive and swiftly moving to a great conclusion. Don't fear this book if you have read about it being dark, it isn't scary in that sense, I found a lot to be hopeful for in the story and the fight of 'good' against 'evil'.
August 22, 2016
Chilling, and thrilling, for sure a genius piece of writing! I loved it! Corim grows up in a world where everything is predetermined. He is part of the General Order where men expire (die), at age 36 and women at 37. Their living accommodations are barely sufficient, they have meaningless jobs, although some become sex workers, and couples have only one child. Corim marries Kiri, they have one child, a son. Kiri is a sex worker and is murdered by a client, a member of a higher order. Corim accidentally discovers that there is a higher order yet, and all orders above the General Order have longer lives, bigger living spaces and other benefits that are not known to the General Order. A chilling concept, especially that this way of life was accepted and never questioned.
February 6, 2016
This was recommended to me be a friend, and a good friend indeed. This is a fantastically well written book. A story that is worthy of being compared to "A Brave New World", "The Handmadien's Tale" or "Walden II" is not made lightly. This is a great modern classic that takes the contemporary and uses it to predict all to plausible outcomes.
Tightly constructed, fast paced, and totally engrossing, this is a book that deserves to be read. I'll definitely be looking for more work from this author and recommending the book to everyone I know.
Tightly constructed, fast paced, and totally engrossing, this is a book that deserves to be read. I'll definitely be looking for more work from this author and recommending the book to everyone I know.
January 9, 2017
I. Fell. In. Love. With. The. Characters. I need more. Mike wrote a story that builds moment by moment. He wrote a book that is an easy read, yes, but you become attached to the chapters. You get to know the characters. You NEED to know more. A fantastic read. A great story! Ask him for more!
August 17, 2016
Unusual book. A bit slow in places and the final scenes don't quite hang together but definitely worth a read.
June 21, 2017
L'inizio del libro sembra quello di un classico della fantascienza post-apocalittica: in un sistema le cui risorse sono limitate, i cittadini sono divisi in classi. L'educazione, lo stile di vita, e la durata della vista stessa, sono predeterminati a seconda della classe. Corim fa parte dell'ordine più basso, quello con la speranza di vita più limitata, ma vive la sua vita con una certa contentezza, soprattutto perché di fianco a lui c'è l'amore della sua vita, e nonostante lei sia stata scelta per lavorare in un bordello. Un giorno però la donna viene uccisa da un cliente violento e le vengono concessi i regolamentari tre giorni di estensione per salutare la famiglia e partecipare al processo contro il suo assassino. Il processo risulta una farsa e Corim non riesce a rassegnarsi alla morte della moglie. Per caso scopre una fonte di informazioni riservate, e capisce che tutto quello che gli è stato raccontato è una bugia, che tutta la sua vita è una bugia, e che sua moglie è morta per niente... e allora si ribella.
Bel libro, molto interessante e ben scritto nonostante alcuni punti irrisolti.
Ringrazio Fort Totten Press e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
In the beginning the book seems to be a classic of post-apocalyptic science fiction: in a system whose resources are limited, citizens are divided into classes. Education, lifestyle, and the span of life itself, are predetermined depending on the class. Corim is part of the lowest order, the one with the limited life expectancy, but he lives his life with a certain satisfaction, especially because near him he has the love of his life, and although she has been chosen to work in a brothel. One day, however, the woman is killed by a violent customer and is granted with the statutory three-day life extension to greet the family and participate in the trial against his murderess. The process is a farce and Corim can not resign himself to the death of his wife. By chance he discovers a source of confidential information, and understands that everything he has been told is a lie, that his whole life is a lie, and that his wife died for nothing ... and then rebels.
Good book, very interesting and well written, despite some unresolved points.
I thank Fort Totten Press and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Bel libro, molto interessante e ben scritto nonostante alcuni punti irrisolti.
Ringrazio Fort Totten Press e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
In the beginning the book seems to be a classic of post-apocalyptic science fiction: in a system whose resources are limited, citizens are divided into classes. Education, lifestyle, and the span of life itself, are predetermined depending on the class. Corim is part of the lowest order, the one with the limited life expectancy, but he lives his life with a certain satisfaction, especially because near him he has the love of his life, and although she has been chosen to work in a brothel. One day, however, the woman is killed by a violent customer and is granted with the statutory three-day life extension to greet the family and participate in the trial against his murderess. The process is a farce and Corim can not resign himself to the death of his wife. By chance he discovers a source of confidential information, and understands that everything he has been told is a lie, that his whole life is a lie, and that his wife died for nothing ... and then rebels.
Good book, very interesting and well written, despite some unresolved points.
I thank Fort Totten Press and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2017
Good Sci Fi for the movies
Mike Maguire sets up an alternative reality with many features that are desirable. Unlike our current society every one is kind to each other. It made me think about how much we are willing to accept without questioning when we believe that those in charge are concerned about our interest. Even when Coriem questions something, he dismisses it when an answer isn't forthcoming. That is until something life shattering changes his life forever and he decides to act. He acts not just for himself but his son, his friends and the whole of his society. He had been taught all his life that every life is of value, now he's learning that it depends more on the order you belong to.
Mike Maguire sets up an alternative reality with many features that are desirable. Unlike our current society every one is kind to each other. It made me think about how much we are willing to accept without questioning when we believe that those in charge are concerned about our interest. Even when Coriem questions something, he dismisses it when an answer isn't forthcoming. That is until something life shattering changes his life forever and he decides to act. He acts not just for himself but his son, his friends and the whole of his society. He had been taught all his life that every life is of value, now he's learning that it depends more on the order you belong to.
November 29, 2022
One of those kindle books you think why not?
I'm a bit dystopian fiction can and as we all know, trying a new author can be tricky. This was very good. Great character development, good world building and areal emphatic heroine a d hero. I'm not giving any spoilers but we'll worth a read you will not be disappointed. I will be looking for more of Mike Maguire work as following him with interest.
I'm a bit dystopian fiction can and as we all know, trying a new author can be tricky. This was very good. Great character development, good world building and areal emphatic heroine a d hero. I'm not giving any spoilers but we'll worth a read you will not be disappointed. I will be looking for more of Mike Maguire work as following him with interest.
March 21, 2022
Horrible
This book is about the sex lives of children. All children are required to have sex with both men and women starting at age 13. I stopped reading when a 15 year old boy is considered lucky to be starting his career as a prostitute. This is supposed to be what will happen in the future...
This book is about the sex lives of children. All children are required to have sex with both men and women starting at age 13. I stopped reading when a 15 year old boy is considered lucky to be starting his career as a prostitute. This is supposed to be what will happen in the future...
August 13, 2024
Anticlimactic ending
The book started off well enough. It was interesting and original.
But somewhere along the way it got lost.
It felt like there should be a sequel but with the amount the author squeezed in on the last third it was clear this was a standalone with more story than pages
The book started off well enough. It was interesting and original.
But somewhere along the way it got lost.
It felt like there should be a sequel but with the amount the author squeezed in on the last third it was clear this was a standalone with more story than pages
August 14, 2022
Enthralling
I really didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book, but it's really good. A good blend of futuristic, a cracking storyline mixed with very believable characters. Brilliant from start to finish. Highly recommended
I really didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book, but it's really good. A good blend of futuristic, a cracking storyline mixed with very believable characters. Brilliant from start to finish. Highly recommended
April 5, 2021
What a brilliant story
Nice to read about a future world and how it has set itself up to survive. Great imagination to create this concept.
Nice to read about a future world and how it has set itself up to survive. Great imagination to create this concept.
Read
April 21, 2022Solid dystopia!
Very well written. A bleak world with few overdone tropes. This is o e that I expect to read several times.
Very well written. A bleak world with few overdone tropes. This is o e that I expect to read several times.
Want to read
July 4, 2022Who recommended it to me: Evelina | AvalinahsBooks
September 25, 2016
Something to read on a boring, rainy afternoon.
This book was okay, but depressing. The ending was a little too sudden. If the author's planning to write a sequel, I guess the ending will suffice, but I have no interest in reading anything more about this story. And the whole brothel part wasn't my cup of tea.
This book was okay, but depressing. The ending was a little too sudden. If the author's planning to write a sequel, I guess the ending will suffice, but I have no interest in reading anything more about this story. And the whole brothel part wasn't my cup of tea.
December 20, 2016
The story focuses on Corim and takes us through his childhood, from schooling to meeting his first love, marriage and having a child of his own. It’s through Corim’s life we learn of the society he lives in.
Corim belongs to the General Order, which means he will live for 37 years. He will have one of two jobs, a system architect, or a sex worker. Becoming a sex worker is seen as the better choice, being higher paid and bringing benefits such as colourful clothes and jewellery. Prostitution is celebrated, an enviable job because it allows for a slightly better way of living.
Of course there are the other Orders, allowed to live longer, have more career choices and wear more clothes, own more belongings. The higher the order, the greater the luxury.
There is no way to move up in the orders. The only career choices are those available within the order, which gives the illusion of social mobility to those who live in this world.
The story starts very strongly, but as it comes to the end I get the impression the author didn’t quite know how to finish it. Part of the problem is that there are two stories here, one of the dystopian society and the other of Corim. The society needed more telling than Corim could give it.
I’d be far happier with two or more books. Corim’s story is important enough that it can stand as part of a series, of how the cruelties of that society has effected its citizens on a personal level, while the creation and downfall of the class system can be dealt with by new characters.
Corim belongs to the General Order, which means he will live for 37 years. He will have one of two jobs, a system architect, or a sex worker. Becoming a sex worker is seen as the better choice, being higher paid and bringing benefits such as colourful clothes and jewellery. Prostitution is celebrated, an enviable job because it allows for a slightly better way of living.
Of course there are the other Orders, allowed to live longer, have more career choices and wear more clothes, own more belongings. The higher the order, the greater the luxury.
There is no way to move up in the orders. The only career choices are those available within the order, which gives the illusion of social mobility to those who live in this world.
The story starts very strongly, but as it comes to the end I get the impression the author didn’t quite know how to finish it. Part of the problem is that there are two stories here, one of the dystopian society and the other of Corim. The society needed more telling than Corim could give it.
I’d be far happier with two or more books. Corim’s story is important enough that it can stand as part of a series, of how the cruelties of that society has effected its citizens on a personal level, while the creation and downfall of the class system can be dealt with by new characters.
October 12, 2016
This story about a possible future world has much to commend it. Characters that are worthy of affection, a plot with a enough twists to keep it engaging and the explanation of how this future came to be is plausible.
The protagonist discovers that the present world structure (of want, abuse and shortened lives) isn't a product of a past of destruction and terror, but rather a new world order imposed by the 1%. No plot spoilers on how he figures it out.
I did find the plot dragged a bit at times, the language could be stilted, the rationale for some actions was a bit murky and the ending was rather pat (although the only way I could find to make it much better was to make it much longer or serialize it).
All-in-all, still a worthwhile read. I rounded up a 3.5 rating to a 4.
The protagonist discovers that the present world structure (of want, abuse and shortened lives) isn't a product of a past of destruction and terror, but rather a new world order imposed by the 1%. No plot spoilers on how he figures it out.
I did find the plot dragged a bit at times, the language could be stilted, the rationale for some actions was a bit murky and the ending was rather pat (although the only way I could find to make it much better was to make it much longer or serialize it).
All-in-all, still a worthwhile read. I rounded up a 3.5 rating to a 4.
August 29, 2016
I received a free kindle version of this book from net galley. It's also on kindle unlimited.
This story is stark and the author powerful in conveying the deep helplessness and complacency of his world. You never meet the arch villains, just some minions. And the conclusion is about as likely to make a difference as slapping out one mosquito does to the pest population. But yet, I was satisfied. Highly recommend.
This story is stark and the author powerful in conveying the deep helplessness and complacency of his world. You never meet the arch villains, just some minions. And the conclusion is about as likely to make a difference as slapping out one mosquito does to the pest population. But yet, I was satisfied. Highly recommend.
September 2, 2016
What would it be like if our lifespan was determined by the government according to the class you belong to? What would you do if you got a three-day extension after your death?
It is an interesting read, the world Mike Maguire develops for his readers seams quite real and Corim is a character we can relate to.
I want to thank Netgalley and the publishers for this free copy in exchange for my honest review.
It is an interesting read, the world Mike Maguire develops for his readers seams quite real and Corim is a character we can relate to.
I want to thank Netgalley and the publishers for this free copy in exchange for my honest review.
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