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Love in the Time of Fridges: A Sci-Fi Thriller
Tim Scott’s Outrageous Fortune marked the debut of one of the most wildly inventive writers to hit the sci-fi scene in years. Now he returns with a hilarious yet poignant novel of love, loss, and itinerant appliances.
“New Seattle Health and Safety. Do not die for no reason.” This is the motto of a city so obsessed with the danger of sharp corners that it has almost forgotten how to live. But Huckleberry Lindbergh is about to find his trip to the city most decidedly unsafe . For a chance encounter leads him into the heart of a dark conspiracy. And in order to stop it, this former cop is about to do something so unsafe—so monumentally stupid—that its reverberations will be felt all the way to the Pentagon.
Soon he is on the run from more authorities than he has had hot meals, his staunchest allies a bunch of feral fridges that give new meaning to the words “chill out.” But sometimes a dose of chaos is just what the doctor ordered, and Huck’s quest to remain among the living teaches not only him but those around him the true meaning of survival . . . in all its forms.
“New Seattle Health and Safety. Do not die for no reason.” This is the motto of a city so obsessed with the danger of sharp corners that it has almost forgotten how to live. But Huckleberry Lindbergh is about to find his trip to the city most decidedly unsafe . For a chance encounter leads him into the heart of a dark conspiracy. And in order to stop it, this former cop is about to do something so unsafe—so monumentally stupid—that its reverberations will be felt all the way to the Pentagon.
Soon he is on the run from more authorities than he has had hot meals, his staunchest allies a bunch of feral fridges that give new meaning to the words “chill out.” But sometimes a dose of chaos is just what the doctor ordered, and Huck’s quest to remain among the living teaches not only him but those around him the true meaning of survival . . . in all its forms.
364 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 28, 2017
Oh, what could have been. There are some excellent ideas in this story that go completely awry by the author. You would think this would be a love story, but it has much more persecution than romance. It also has too much humor left in the author's mind instead of on the pages. Most unfortunate. 4 of 10 stars
July 30, 2014
Put it back on the shelf. If you read it - or listen to the book on tape - you'll be really, really mad that someone published this dreck. If I could give it negative stars, I would - probably about a dozen. Seriously, you'd be better off watching "Buffy" reruns on TV.
Seriously. Total waste of your precious hours.
Seriously. Total waste of your precious hours.
May 12, 2011
I really loved this book. It's totally bizarre, but it all makes sense, works together with itself, and there aren't wasted words. The littlest things come back around later in the story.
I think everyone needs to read this book.
I think everyone needs to read this book.
August 25, 2008
Love in the Time of Fridges gets an extra star just for the title. Scott struck me as a poor man's American version of Douglas Adams, which is really weird since Scott is actually British (he has a BAFTA and everything!). This pseudo-noir is fun and light, though it lacks the sort of jammed packed humor that Pratchett, Adams and Fforde would have shoved in there.
More in the vein of Fforde's style than the others, Scott eschews the litarectec world for a hard boiled romp in a zany science fiction Seattle. Impressively, he feels no need to explain how this world got there, let alone the when's and where's and why's. He trusts his world enough to throw you in blind, and that's at least half the fun.
More in the vein of Fforde's style than the others, Scott eschews the litarectec world for a hard boiled romp in a zany science fiction Seattle. Impressively, he feels no need to explain how this world got there, let alone the when's and where's and why's. He trusts his world enough to throw you in blind, and that's at least half the fun.
December 1, 2013
I really enjoyed his writing style - and was totally enthralled in the story...until the very end. I wanted a bit more explanation of Nena's backstory, and Maddox...and why he was so involved. I felt like a few more chapters could have resolved it all nicely...Fantastic story and characters though! I loved how whimsical it was!
June 3, 2019
Ugh. Forced silliness is not funny and sort of pisses me off. Pointless side-kick “Feral fridges” are not feral, not funny, and not relevant. I loved One Hundred Year’s of Solitude, so I guess I should really read Love in the Time of Cholera instead of this supposedly SF/comedy dreck. However, a different homage, Love in the Time of Chickens, is funny and typical Wodehouse, and worth a read.
June 11, 2012
Simply put, Tim Scott tries to be Douglas Adams but in a run-down city in the future and with a plot that was confusing and left me disconnected from the characters. I would recommend this book to no one.
November 5, 2017
Felt like cheap generic Douglas Adams. The kind of book where a ridiculous situation is set up and never explained at all and we are just supposed to be okay with it and never question it. Like "look at me I'm so quirky I'm going to be ridiculous and you have to go with it!"
September 28, 2008
This frankly mediocre novel struck me as being too much betwixt and between - it has far too many peculiar, surreal elements and attempts at humor to be a serious work, but it's far too morose to be especially funny.
It's certainly possible to be funny while depicting miserable events - Douglas Adams, after all, began with the destruction of the Earth - but if that's what Tim Scott (no relation) is attempting here, it's undermined by the genuine sadness of its protagonist, Huck (short for Huckleberry) Lindbergh. Which is a goofy name, really, too goofy for an ex-cop whose wife died eight years ago. And so on, back and forth from misery to laughter. This inconsistency in tone may well have been intentional, but for me it meant that I could neither let go and enjoy the things that happened to Huck as comedy nor just give in and cry along with him.
It was also rather difficult for me to suspend disbelief and get into the story when there was such a great contrast between the book's setting (in "New Seattle," somewhere on the western side of North America, a brash, young American city constructed to resemble its predecessor) and the very British vocabulary and tone of its characters' conversation.
I certainly did enjoy the book to some extent - the funny bits were funny enough to elicit an occasional snort, and I did find myself caring about Huck's predicament once the story really got rolling - but I would suggest reading more Tom Holt (Expecting Someone Taller et sequelae) or Robert Rankin (Armageddon: The Musical and so on) before picking up this one.
It's certainly possible to be funny while depicting miserable events - Douglas Adams, after all, began with the destruction of the Earth - but if that's what Tim Scott (no relation) is attempting here, it's undermined by the genuine sadness of its protagonist, Huck (short for Huckleberry) Lindbergh. Which is a goofy name, really, too goofy for an ex-cop whose wife died eight years ago. And so on, back and forth from misery to laughter. This inconsistency in tone may well have been intentional, but for me it meant that I could neither let go and enjoy the things that happened to Huck as comedy nor just give in and cry along with him.
It was also rather difficult for me to suspend disbelief and get into the story when there was such a great contrast between the book's setting (in "New Seattle," somewhere on the western side of North America, a brash, young American city constructed to resemble its predecessor) and the very British vocabulary and tone of its characters' conversation.
I certainly did enjoy the book to some extent - the funny bits were funny enough to elicit an occasional snort, and I did find myself caring about Huck's predicament once the story really got rolling - but I would suggest reading more Tom Holt (Expecting Someone Taller et sequelae) or Robert Rankin (Armageddon: The Musical and so on) before picking up this one.
February 2, 2011
It's not often that a book leaves me as uncertain as this one does. Parts 1 & 2 were odd, amusing, a bit confusing (but not in a way that really detracted from the experience). Part 3, alas, fell apart, leaving me feeling all sorts of...eh...towards the book.
Scott's prose is light, breezy, charming, incredibly quotable (about 50% of this book is worth memorizing to sprinkle in conversation), with just a hint of profundity, and a touch of sadness.
Other than the protagonist, Huckleberry Lindbergh, the characters are more hints, or sketches, of characters--in a couple of cases, a hint of a sketch--rather than fully-developed characters. Given that this is a thriller (and a fairly satirical one at that), it works, we don't need complete backstories. Fridges is about the plot and the world Scott's imagined, not people.
This is a world where the Nanny State has run amok, drunk on marketing. In part of their benevolent(-ish) efforts to protect the citizenry, they've developed technology to listen to moods, and search, print, and erase 24-hours worth of memory (anything more than that will likely lead to severe damage).
Oh, and there's the whole thing with sentient, verbal, and semi=intelligent appliances and furniture. No idea what that was all about.
The novel was built on a tight inner logic, and was a heckuva ride, until Part 3 where Scott found/created a loophole in that logic and gave his reader a sloppy deus ex Heisenberg uncertainty principle ending. And that's where he lost me. I'm still giving it three stars for the fun leading up to that tho'.
Scott's prose is light, breezy, charming, incredibly quotable (about 50% of this book is worth memorizing to sprinkle in conversation), with just a hint of profundity, and a touch of sadness.
Other than the protagonist, Huckleberry Lindbergh, the characters are more hints, or sketches, of characters--in a couple of cases, a hint of a sketch--rather than fully-developed characters. Given that this is a thriller (and a fairly satirical one at that), it works, we don't need complete backstories. Fridges is about the plot and the world Scott's imagined, not people.
This is a world where the Nanny State has run amok, drunk on marketing. In part of their benevolent(-ish) efforts to protect the citizenry, they've developed technology to listen to moods, and search, print, and erase 24-hours worth of memory (anything more than that will likely lead to severe damage).
Oh, and there's the whole thing with sentient, verbal, and semi=intelligent appliances and furniture. No idea what that was all about.
The novel was built on a tight inner logic, and was a heckuva ride, until Part 3 where Scott found/created a loophole in that logic and gave his reader a sloppy deus ex Heisenberg uncertainty principle ending. And that's where he lost me. I'm still giving it three stars for the fun leading up to that tho'.
July 26, 2010
For someone who doesn't have a lot of sci-fi under my belt, Love in the Time of Fridges reads like a collision of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the Bourne Identity, and various fictional dystopias. But not necessarily in a good way.
There were many moments of laughter (the fridges steal the show like a good animated Disney sidekick; the safety signs within new Seattle, plus the "taxi" messages), excitement, suspense and action (plenty of chase scenes), and horror (memory wipes; plug in feeds into the back of one's neck; the feelings of powerlessness). But they fail to blend in a way that makes the overall story cohesive.
In this case the whole seems less than the sum of its parts. But the parts are worth reading for their individual brilliance.
There were many moments of laughter (the fridges steal the show like a good animated Disney sidekick; the safety signs within new Seattle, plus the "taxi" messages), excitement, suspense and action (plenty of chase scenes), and horror (memory wipes; plug in feeds into the back of one's neck; the feelings of powerlessness). But they fail to blend in a way that makes the overall story cohesive.
In this case the whole seems less than the sum of its parts. But the parts are worth reading for their individual brilliance.
March 4, 2012
This is another one I would never have finished in book form. Even listening I spent most of the time trying to figure out what was going on and where the author was going with the story. In the end it is a romance but a romance with a lot of satire in the story. The world building was unusual. New Seattle had appliances that talked, a mayor who was using his position to scare the populace into thinking only of safety and our hero who just stumbled into the whole mess.
This journey never looked like a romance headed to any destination.. Even so, it was fun to listen to and I would listen to another of Tim Scott’s books if I ran across one. If you like satire this book is for you. Just be aware, Love in the Time of Fridges is not your usual Science Fiction story.
This journey never looked like a romance headed to any destination.. Even so, it was fun to listen to and I would listen to another of Tim Scott’s books if I ran across one. If you like satire this book is for you. Just be aware, Love in the Time of Fridges is not your usual Science Fiction story.
August 18, 2009
In the future presented by this book, New Seattle is the place where the Health and Safety division rule, and, boy, do they have a lot of rules. Reader boards warn you not to fall down because it might hurt, and to avoid sharp corners. The mayor admonishes citizens not to die for no reason.
Huckleberry Lindburgh, an ex-cop with a taste for mojitos, returns to New Seattle, discovers a plot against the citizens, falls in love, rescues a group of harmony humming fridges, and ruins a lot of clothes in this super silly, slightly sci-fi adventure story.
It's short, doesn't take much brain power to read, and will make you laugh at least once. A good summer book.
Huckleberry Lindburgh, an ex-cop with a taste for mojitos, returns to New Seattle, discovers a plot against the citizens, falls in love, rescues a group of harmony humming fridges, and ruins a lot of clothes in this super silly, slightly sci-fi adventure story.
It's short, doesn't take much brain power to read, and will make you laugh at least once. A good summer book.
January 20, 2019
Nonsense. Walking/talking fridges, a spin dryer and an ice jumper, lots of red smoke, doors, dark stairways and back alleys, falling through ceilings, etc., in “New Seattle”. Should have quit quarter of the way in - wish I had.
July 1, 2021
I wish I could give this negative stars. I'm so glad I got this for free or else I would want my money back. This wasted so much of my time. There is no meat to this book, not much happens and none of it makes sense. The author also seems to think they are super cool and smart and uses an unnecessarily large vocabulary for no reason. This was just exhausting to read. The only time I have torn a book to shreds without guilt, and the only time I've lit one on fire.
November 5, 2024
A strange book
August 30, 2016
In “Love in the Time of Fridges” (Bantam Spectra, $12, 364 pages), Tim Scott attempts to meld absurdist humor, action and adventure in a near-future society, and a story about a wounded protagonist healed by love. It would take much more skill than Scott presently possesses to pull this off, and though there are successful moments, enjoying this book essentially comes down to getting the jokes.
Some are obvious (the sentient refrigerators and coffee tables have some very good lines), but others are more obscure. The title, for example, is clearly a play on Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ long epic, “Love in the Time of Cholera” – which I confess I have not plowed through. So there may be a whole level I’m missing here, as well as the clear references to Samuel Coleridge’s famous “Xanadu,” which I have some recollection of.
It may be that readers more familiar with both works would appreciate “Love in the Time of Fridges” more, or it’s equally possible that the narrative would simply be overwhelmed by the addition of more layers of potential meaning.
As it is, “Love of the Time of Fridges” is intermittently entertaining, proudly surreal and an easy read. If that sounds appetizing, by all means visit New Seattle and its focus on keeping its residents from bumping into sharp corners.
Some are obvious (the sentient refrigerators and coffee tables have some very good lines), but others are more obscure. The title, for example, is clearly a play on Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ long epic, “Love in the Time of Cholera” – which I confess I have not plowed through. So there may be a whole level I’m missing here, as well as the clear references to Samuel Coleridge’s famous “Xanadu,” which I have some recollection of.
It may be that readers more familiar with both works would appreciate “Love in the Time of Fridges” more, or it’s equally possible that the narrative would simply be overwhelmed by the addition of more layers of potential meaning.
As it is, “Love of the Time of Fridges” is intermittently entertaining, proudly surreal and an easy read. If that sounds appetizing, by all means visit New Seattle and its focus on keeping its residents from bumping into sharp corners.
May 10, 2009
Dissapointed by the totally bizzare and rushed ending, but not enough to give the book a lone star as it's got funny bits that was enough to keep me going and even chuckle now and then... but then again it could be down to me being in a very good mood when I was reading this. I guess I won't be holding out for this book nor would I keep an eye out for the authors' other works...
October 16, 2009
Uhm...hmmm.
I'm not sure what to say about this, other than it's possibly the bizarrest story I've ever read. It reminds me of Tom Robbins, but not as funny.
The writing is uneven and there are several glaring plot errors which made me almost want to throw it across the room. I considered not finishing it several times.
I'm not sure what to say about this, other than it's possibly the bizarrest story I've ever read. It reminds me of Tom Robbins, but not as funny.
The writing is uneven and there are several glaring plot errors which made me almost want to throw it across the room. I considered not finishing it several times.
August 18, 2010
Listening to this as a book on cd. Surreal mixing of Sam Spade-type dick with a parallel universe. Set in New Seattle, where the fridges live in herds on the outskirts of town. I expected more fridges, and less men in black. I suppose it was going for absurdist but it left me feeling like I'd wasted my time listening to it.
August 8, 2011
A rare attempt into the world of Sci-Fi Comedy which sadly falls short. I thought his first book was better. I found this one to be choppy with all these little short chapters. It reminded me a little of Douglas Adams. I believe I read that he wrote it while commuting which explains alot.
August 30, 2008
This book has feral fridges in it seriously what else do you want? Oh yeah and the plot is great. Although I'm not convinced the fridges were actually necessary.
September 11, 2008
A fairly mediocre novel with a few bright spots.
August 3, 2009
This book was bizzare. Truly bizzare. But not in a bad way.
November 9, 2008
a silly douglas adams-like detective story set in seattle.
January 31, 2009
This book is worth reading purely for the entertaining fridges. They are escaped! I love them! Who needs more than wild fridges to make a novel work?
February 1, 2009
I didn't love this book. Sorry. It had elements of some of the great sci-fi books, but, was not richly textured enough. It was however, a very quick read.
June 3, 2015
Overly rich with metaphors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews