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I Camminatori #1
I Pulldogs
I Camminatori è l'ultimo romanzo di Francesco Verso, uno degli autori di genere più premiati in Italia e tradotti all'estero, vincitore di due premi Urania Mondadori con e-Doll e Bloodbusters, e di un premio Odissea e un premio Italia per il miglior romanzo di fantascienza italiana, Livido, pubblicato negli Stati Uniti da Apex Book e in Australia da Xoum.
Trama: Alan perde l’uso delle gambe in un incidente sul lavoro; a Nicolas restano pochi mesi di vita se non dimagrisce subito; invece Silvia deve salvare dallo sgombero forzato la comunità dei Pulldogs che ha occupato abusivamente il futuribile viadotto Garbatella-Testaccio a Roma. La soluzione, seppure temporanea e incerta, è la fuga: dal sistema del lavoro precario, dall'industria alimentare globale, dalla sedentarietà urbana.
Questa è la storia di un gruppo di ribelli, i Pulldogs, al crepuscolo della civiltà occidentale; ma è anche la storia di una mutazione antropologica causata dalla diffusione dei naniti (microscopici motori capaci di assemblare molecole e comporre materia) e dal declino della nutrizione umana, che avrà come conseguenza la nascita di una cultura nuova, anche se per certi versi antica: una società nomade, solare, creativa.
L'autore Francesco Verso (Bologna, 1973) lavora da oltre dieci anni come scrittore di genere ed editor del progetto multiculturale Future Fiction, specializzato nello scouting e nella traduzione dei migliori scrittori di Science Fiction provenienti da tutto il mondo. Altri suoi romanzi includono: Antidoti umani (finalista premio Urania Mondadori 2004), e-Doll (vincitore premio Urania 2009), Livido (vincitore premio Odissea e premio Italia 2014, pubblicato negli Stati Uniti da Apex Books come Nexhuman) e Bloodbusters (co-vincitore premio Urania 2015). Suoi racconti sono apparsi su riviste come Robot, iComics, International Speculative Fiction #5, Chicago Quarterly Review #20. Vive a Roma con la moglie Elena e la figlia Sofia.
Trama: Alan perde l’uso delle gambe in un incidente sul lavoro; a Nicolas restano pochi mesi di vita se non dimagrisce subito; invece Silvia deve salvare dallo sgombero forzato la comunità dei Pulldogs che ha occupato abusivamente il futuribile viadotto Garbatella-Testaccio a Roma. La soluzione, seppure temporanea e incerta, è la fuga: dal sistema del lavoro precario, dall'industria alimentare globale, dalla sedentarietà urbana.
Questa è la storia di un gruppo di ribelli, i Pulldogs, al crepuscolo della civiltà occidentale; ma è anche la storia di una mutazione antropologica causata dalla diffusione dei naniti (microscopici motori capaci di assemblare molecole e comporre materia) e dal declino della nutrizione umana, che avrà come conseguenza la nascita di una cultura nuova, anche se per certi versi antica: una società nomade, solare, creativa.
L'autore Francesco Verso (Bologna, 1973) lavora da oltre dieci anni come scrittore di genere ed editor del progetto multiculturale Future Fiction, specializzato nello scouting e nella traduzione dei migliori scrittori di Science Fiction provenienti da tutto il mondo. Altri suoi romanzi includono: Antidoti umani (finalista premio Urania Mondadori 2004), e-Doll (vincitore premio Urania 2009), Livido (vincitore premio Odissea e premio Italia 2014, pubblicato negli Stati Uniti da Apex Books come Nexhuman) e Bloodbusters (co-vincitore premio Urania 2015). Suoi racconti sono apparsi su riviste come Robot, iComics, International Speculative Fiction #5, Chicago Quarterly Review #20. Vive a Roma con la moglie Elena e la figlia Sofia.
- GenresScience Fiction
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2018
7 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Francesco Verso
174 books107 followersFrancesco Verso (Bologna, 1973) is a multiple-award Science Fiction writer and editor. He has published: Antidoti umani, e-Doll, Nexhuman, Bloodbusters, Futurespotting and I camminatori (made of The Pulldogs and No/Mad/Land). Nexhuman and Bloodbusters have been published in Italy, US, UK and China. I camminatori will be published by Flame Tree Press as The Roamers in Spring 2023. He works as editor of Future Fiction, scouting and translating the best SF from 12 languages and more than 30 countries. He’s the Honorary Director of the Fishing Fortress SF Academy of Chongqing. He may be found online at www.futurefiction.org.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 29, 2023
My complete review of The Roamers is published at Grimdark Magazine.
In his new solarpunk novel, The Roamers, Italian science fiction author Francesco Verso envisions a future where nanotechnology can free humanity from the scourge of famine. The technological breakthrough is provided by nanites, nanorobotic devices that can enter the human body and fundamentally change its physiology, in this case providing the organic molecules necessary for metabolic functioning without the need for individuals to consume food. The nanites thus provide a pathway to eradicate starvation, obesity, and all food-borne illnesses, while also eliminating the negative environmental impact of industrialized farming and food production.
The focus of The Roamers is on the Pulldogs, a group of early adopters of nanite technology who seek to escape their urban lifestyle to create a sustainable nomadic society. The title of the book refers to both the home city of the Pulldogs (Rome) as well as their desire to roam the countryside, freed from the stresses of urban life.
There are several contradictions at the heart of Pulldog philosophy. Although they are enthusiastic adopters of nanite technology, at the same time they reject most other modern technological breakthroughs to live a barefooted, nomadic lifestyle. There is a cult-like quality to the Pulldog organization. Although their health and environment-related goals are certainly noble, they engage in several types of clandestine activities and behave in an overly antagonistic fashion toward the Italian authorities.
The Roamers thus presents the embrace of nanites as fuel for a hippie-like countercultural movement rather than part of mainstream society. The physiological transformation enabled by the nanites is undoubtedly a huge step forward, but in many ways it also sends the Pulldogs back in time.
Francesco Verso mines a great deal of philosophical depth in The Roamers, envisioning the next stages of human evolution to be no longer purely Darwinian but rather enhanced by nanotechnology. Hence, the evolutionary process would no longer be restricted to random genetic mutations, but rather a more intentional, accelerated progression through the fusion of biology with nanotechnology.
Francesco Verso also does an outstanding job imagining the social implications of such drastic change. The near-present-day setting of The Roamers only enhances this impact, making it relatable to our everyday experiences as readers.
The Roamers was originally published in Italian and is translated to English by Jennifer Delare. Delare’s translation feels natural and polished. Verso pulled me in from the first page, building the story based on interpersonal relationships with just the right level of scientific and philosophical musings, although at times the author leans a bit too much toward telling the reader information directly rather than showing us naturally through the story.
Overall, The Roamers is a highly original and thought-provoking take on the role of nanotechnology in biological augmentation and its impact on society. The future envisioned by this solarpunk novel is not the utopian ideal, but rather one full of moral complexity as exhibited by the Pulldogs. In the end, Francesco Verso shows that although technology can alter human physiology, it cannot change human nature itself.
In his new solarpunk novel, The Roamers, Italian science fiction author Francesco Verso envisions a future where nanotechnology can free humanity from the scourge of famine. The technological breakthrough is provided by nanites, nanorobotic devices that can enter the human body and fundamentally change its physiology, in this case providing the organic molecules necessary for metabolic functioning without the need for individuals to consume food. The nanites thus provide a pathway to eradicate starvation, obesity, and all food-borne illnesses, while also eliminating the negative environmental impact of industrialized farming and food production.
The focus of The Roamers is on the Pulldogs, a group of early adopters of nanite technology who seek to escape their urban lifestyle to create a sustainable nomadic society. The title of the book refers to both the home city of the Pulldogs (Rome) as well as their desire to roam the countryside, freed from the stresses of urban life.
There are several contradictions at the heart of Pulldog philosophy. Although they are enthusiastic adopters of nanite technology, at the same time they reject most other modern technological breakthroughs to live a barefooted, nomadic lifestyle. There is a cult-like quality to the Pulldog organization. Although their health and environment-related goals are certainly noble, they engage in several types of clandestine activities and behave in an overly antagonistic fashion toward the Italian authorities.
The Roamers thus presents the embrace of nanites as fuel for a hippie-like countercultural movement rather than part of mainstream society. The physiological transformation enabled by the nanites is undoubtedly a huge step forward, but in many ways it also sends the Pulldogs back in time.
Francesco Verso mines a great deal of philosophical depth in The Roamers, envisioning the next stages of human evolution to be no longer purely Darwinian but rather enhanced by nanotechnology. Hence, the evolutionary process would no longer be restricted to random genetic mutations, but rather a more intentional, accelerated progression through the fusion of biology with nanotechnology.
Francesco Verso also does an outstanding job imagining the social implications of such drastic change. The near-present-day setting of The Roamers only enhances this impact, making it relatable to our everyday experiences as readers.
The Roamers was originally published in Italian and is translated to English by Jennifer Delare. Delare’s translation feels natural and polished. Verso pulled me in from the first page, building the story based on interpersonal relationships with just the right level of scientific and philosophical musings, although at times the author leans a bit too much toward telling the reader information directly rather than showing us naturally through the story.
Overall, The Roamers is a highly original and thought-provoking take on the role of nanotechnology in biological augmentation and its impact on society. The future envisioned by this solarpunk novel is not the utopian ideal, but rather one full of moral complexity as exhibited by the Pulldogs. In the end, Francesco Verso shows that although technology can alter human physiology, it cannot change human nature itself.
December 29, 2022
[Blurb goes here]
In a futuristic 2019-2022, nanobots are an essential part of life. These microscopic machines are used to build everything, from nano-carbon bikes to jackets. That is, if you buy the formula for such objects. Also, food consumption for pleasure, is in decline. 3D food printing has become the norm: people would rather eat nutraceutical bars that will release the required nutrients, and calories, periodically during the day, than spend a few minutes in the kitchen cooking real food.
Miriam, the mother of a forty year old man, gets a call. His son Alan has been in an accident. Globalzon, the company he works for, would rather leave him on the streets than call an ambulance. For reasons not clear, Globalzon can't let any one into its warehouse. Miriam quickly grabs a ride in a rickshaw, driven by Silvia. The young woman pedals fast through the streets of Rome taking Miriam to her destination.
Once in the hospital, a grim diagnostic shocks both Miriam and Alan: The man is paralyzed from the waist down. Miriam has to do something to help his son. Fortunately, she's friends with Ivan Shumalin, A Russian who has been living in Rome for thirty years. Ivan recommends an illegal procedure. Miriam will have to contact scientists through the Dark Web, and offer them a novel nanite design in exchange for them to program a cure for his son into the nano machines.
The treatment is successful, but it comes with unforeseen side effects.
The multiple award science fiction writer, Francesco Verso, treats this novel as if it where an essay, told through the eyes of his characters. Nothing much happens in the way of a story, but his approach to the future tech is amazing. With beautiful prose an interesting character dynamics, The Roamers makes for an inspiring insight into the future.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
In a futuristic 2019-2022, nanobots are an essential part of life. These microscopic machines are used to build everything, from nano-carbon bikes to jackets. That is, if you buy the formula for such objects. Also, food consumption for pleasure, is in decline. 3D food printing has become the norm: people would rather eat nutraceutical bars that will release the required nutrients, and calories, periodically during the day, than spend a few minutes in the kitchen cooking real food.
Miriam, the mother of a forty year old man, gets a call. His son Alan has been in an accident. Globalzon, the company he works for, would rather leave him on the streets than call an ambulance. For reasons not clear, Globalzon can't let any one into its warehouse. Miriam quickly grabs a ride in a rickshaw, driven by Silvia. The young woman pedals fast through the streets of Rome taking Miriam to her destination.
Once in the hospital, a grim diagnostic shocks both Miriam and Alan: The man is paralyzed from the waist down. Miriam has to do something to help his son. Fortunately, she's friends with Ivan Shumalin, A Russian who has been living in Rome for thirty years. Ivan recommends an illegal procedure. Miriam will have to contact scientists through the Dark Web, and offer them a novel nanite design in exchange for them to program a cure for his son into the nano machines.
The treatment is successful, but it comes with unforeseen side effects.
The multiple award science fiction writer, Francesco Verso, treats this novel as if it where an essay, told through the eyes of his characters. Nothing much happens in the way of a story, but his approach to the future tech is amazing. With beautiful prose an interesting character dynamics, The Roamers makes for an inspiring insight into the future.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
April 5, 2023
I really like the idea behind solarpunk and other genres of futuristic hope, but this wasn't it for me.
The book touched upon a lot of concepts and some spot on societal issues, but many issues made reading it a difficult experience for me.
Apart from Miriam, I was annoyed by the main characters, especially the patronizing Alan and Nicolas. The story was supposed to be cut between 3 points of view, but it was more like a confusing mix. There were too many details, so I was often bored but I kept reading as I still wanted to know what would happen. But then, there was a scene at the end that shocked me, with how casually it was written and felt by the characters (it involves Nicolas and Silvia and doesn't feel consensual to me), maybe I missed something in all the details, but I was left disgusted and disappointed in the end. The overall ideas and concepts also felt flat/ unconvincing for me in the end.
I want to thank NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for providing me with a free version of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The book touched upon a lot of concepts and some spot on societal issues, but many issues made reading it a difficult experience for me.
Apart from Miriam, I was annoyed by the main characters, especially the patronizing Alan and Nicolas. The story was supposed to be cut between 3 points of view, but it was more like a confusing mix. There were too many details, so I was often bored but I kept reading as I still wanted to know what would happen. But then, there was a scene at the end that shocked me, with how casually it was written and felt by the characters (it involves Nicolas and Silvia and doesn't feel consensual to me), maybe I missed something in all the details, but I was left disgusted and disappointed in the end. The overall ideas and concepts also felt flat/ unconvincing for me in the end.
I want to thank NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for providing me with a free version of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2023
With an unlikely group of found friends sparked by a mother who is desperate to save her son, author Francesco Verso paints a very believable future. The Roamers is a view of Rome in times ahead, after changes in businesses, technology and interestingly enough the food industry. After an accident, a desperate mother dares to use an experimental, illegal remedy to save her son. After that, the novel follows several individuals as they go through life, each making a decision that influences the next main character in the story. Each highlighted person becomes a catalyst for a change in the life of another. With Verso’s description of each character’s life within Rome of the future, we get an idea of how life has changed in the city. The changes are gradual and there is not a lot of action in the book. However the futuristic technology and genetic changes are so fun to read and are the reason I am interested in science fiction. In contrast, some parts of society are taken back to pre Industrial Revolution times. I discovered that I do not have to receive a lot of action to keep my interest. What is happening to these characters in their daily lives that is so different from ours today? The author compares those that follow a normal conventional life with those that do out the ordinary, sometimes experimental changes. All of this slow movement over years shows how going out of comfort zone can make a difference in the way people are perceived and causes others to take a chance as well. The story ends with a big change for all these characters and I hope it means there will be a sequel instead of sending them off into the sunset. I enjoyed this novel and recommend it for those who enjoy reading fiction about biotech and futuristic technology. Thank you to Netgalley for a digital arc to try in return for an honest review.
September 29, 2018
Recensione pubblicata su Cronache di Betelgeuse
In un futuro dove ormai l’alimentazione è composta per lo più da barrette proteiche e snack veloci, il passo successivo dell’evoluzione umana è abbandonare del tutto la necessità di nutrirsi. Ecco quindi entrare in moto una serie di eventi che creeranno una nuova società, pronta a rinnovarsi per trovare un nuovo spazio vitale.
Il libro è diviso in tre sezioni diverse, ognuna con protagonista un personaggio diverso che serve a portarci a conoscere un nuovo aspetto della vicenda. L’interazione tra varie persone e idee è quello che rende vivace la trama. Conosciamo infatti il ragazzo che non si fida della tecnologia, ma da cui beneficia un nuovo stile di vita che lo rende libero. Al suo fianco compare la ragazza che vorrebbe trovare un nuovo modo di relazionarsi, di vivere a contatto con la natura e di godere della forza innata del proprio corpo. A loro si unirà in seguito il ragazzo che è sempre stato limitato dal suo corpo e per la prima volta invece si sente pronto ad affrontare una sfida che sembra impossibile.
I nomi non sono importanti, piuttosto le esperienze e le idee sono la base portante di tutta la trama. La tecnologia fa capolino qua e là, è il motore pulsante di tutta la vicenda ed è quello che rende possibile la nascita di un gruppo così speciale come i Pulldogs. Senza avere infatti la spinta dei naniti, micro particelle in grado di trasformare il corpo umano in qualcosa di diverso, non sarebbe stato possibile riunire una moltitudine di persone così diverse.
Anche il rapporto con il cibo spinge a riflettere sulla società che ci circonda. La velocità ha sottratto tempo alla lavorazione di ciò che mangiamo, concetto che all’interno del libro è stato portato all’estremo. Il cibo infatti rappresenta un legame con il proprio corpo, ma forse è giunto il momento di evolversi e superare un nuovo limite. Chissà se la strada suggerita da questo libro possa effettivamente trovare uno sbocco in un futuro non troppo lontano.
In un futuro dove ormai l’alimentazione è composta per lo più da barrette proteiche e snack veloci, il passo successivo dell’evoluzione umana è abbandonare del tutto la necessità di nutrirsi. Ecco quindi entrare in moto una serie di eventi che creeranno una nuova società, pronta a rinnovarsi per trovare un nuovo spazio vitale.
Il libro è diviso in tre sezioni diverse, ognuna con protagonista un personaggio diverso che serve a portarci a conoscere un nuovo aspetto della vicenda. L’interazione tra varie persone e idee è quello che rende vivace la trama. Conosciamo infatti il ragazzo che non si fida della tecnologia, ma da cui beneficia un nuovo stile di vita che lo rende libero. Al suo fianco compare la ragazza che vorrebbe trovare un nuovo modo di relazionarsi, di vivere a contatto con la natura e di godere della forza innata del proprio corpo. A loro si unirà in seguito il ragazzo che è sempre stato limitato dal suo corpo e per la prima volta invece si sente pronto ad affrontare una sfida che sembra impossibile.
I nomi non sono importanti, piuttosto le esperienze e le idee sono la base portante di tutta la trama. La tecnologia fa capolino qua e là, è il motore pulsante di tutta la vicenda ed è quello che rende possibile la nascita di un gruppo così speciale come i Pulldogs. Senza avere infatti la spinta dei naniti, micro particelle in grado di trasformare il corpo umano in qualcosa di diverso, non sarebbe stato possibile riunire una moltitudine di persone così diverse.
Anche il rapporto con il cibo spinge a riflettere sulla società che ci circonda. La velocità ha sottratto tempo alla lavorazione di ciò che mangiamo, concetto che all’interno del libro è stato portato all’estremo. Il cibo infatti rappresenta un legame con il proprio corpo, ma forse è giunto il momento di evolversi e superare un nuovo limite. Chissà se la strada suggerita da questo libro possa effettivamente trovare uno sbocco in un futuro non troppo lontano.
did-not-finish
January 8, 2022Il romanzo offre idee interessanti per un possibile futuro prossimo, ma avevo un problema con i personaggi, quindi l'ho abbandonato a metà. Per i dettagli, vedete le mie note di lettura:
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
January 5, 2023
This is well done with interesting tech along the way. In some ways it's a character study, and it's not high action. But the writing is solid, and I stayed engaged. Good stuff.
I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!
I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!
June 25, 2023
The Roamers is a unique dystopian fantasy. A true ‘what could happen’ story of humanity's future.
This story is full of heart with a real foundation in family, both biological and ‘found’. Both Francesco Verso and, through the translation, Jennifer Delare invite you into a world of super futuristic technology, revolution liberation from that which can hold us back.
The story is really interesting and there is plenty for the reader to engross themselves in. Whether that be the future technologies, dystopia or family ties, there is something for everyone.
My favourite aspect was the thinking and presentation of the detachment from basic human needs like food and the en mass 3D printing of anything you require. It is a really interesting take on the future of humanity and one that I can foresee being a potential future in the real world.
The Roamers mixes some of humanity's oldest ways of living (nomads) and mixes it in a future setting to encapture the reader within the pages. Fans of dystopia will love this novel from Francesco Verso and Flame Tree Press.
This story is full of heart with a real foundation in family, both biological and ‘found’. Both Francesco Verso and, through the translation, Jennifer Delare invite you into a world of super futuristic technology, revolution liberation from that which can hold us back.
The story is really interesting and there is plenty for the reader to engross themselves in. Whether that be the future technologies, dystopia or family ties, there is something for everyone.
My favourite aspect was the thinking and presentation of the detachment from basic human needs like food and the en mass 3D printing of anything you require. It is a really interesting take on the future of humanity and one that I can foresee being a potential future in the real world.
The Roamers mixes some of humanity's oldest ways of living (nomads) and mixes it in a future setting to encapture the reader within the pages. Fans of dystopia will love this novel from Francesco Verso and Flame Tree Press.
May 23, 2023
This is such an interesting concept and its unique for me as I haven't seen this before. I am excited at this type of book especially as there are many cyberpunk style books but few have a unique take on this style.
Allan is the son and Miriam is the mother and they seem to have an interesting relationship. I am enjoying it.
The accident that happened and what I am reading shows a huge great ability to think outside the box.
It is very strange and seems more futuristic and very hard to believe but in a lot of ways this is what I like about it. They don't go with what could make sense but what feels right for the story.
I have always been a huge fan of books that have some medical items such as the nanites. It makes me very happy to read these books as to what could be.
The next part is about Nicolas who is a heavyset man who seems to want to be thinner. I can understand that as I am larger than what I should be and would love to be able to take nanites and prevent the weight gain or even eating.
The first part flowed very well but now that i am going through Nicolas part I feel it doesn't have the same flow it is still good just I don't feel it is as fluid.
The story being split into multiple parts can be difficult for some people however I found that it was done well even if I found the second part not as fluid.
Sylvia is one of the characters and in the third part she is the main focus. I am not that fond of her as a character but she fits in well with this story.
The technology that they use, nanites are such a great idea and I really think that the mutations that they bring makes things very interesting.
Even after reading this the story confuses me and I don't think I picked up all the nuances of the plot but I really enjoyed it and think it definitely is a strong book.
I want to thank the author and publisher and the tour organizer for allowing me to take part in the blogtour and for a advanced reader copy of this book.
Allan is the son and Miriam is the mother and they seem to have an interesting relationship. I am enjoying it.
The accident that happened and what I am reading shows a huge great ability to think outside the box.
It is very strange and seems more futuristic and very hard to believe but in a lot of ways this is what I like about it. They don't go with what could make sense but what feels right for the story.
I have always been a huge fan of books that have some medical items such as the nanites. It makes me very happy to read these books as to what could be.
The next part is about Nicolas who is a heavyset man who seems to want to be thinner. I can understand that as I am larger than what I should be and would love to be able to take nanites and prevent the weight gain or even eating.
The first part flowed very well but now that i am going through Nicolas part I feel it doesn't have the same flow it is still good just I don't feel it is as fluid.
The story being split into multiple parts can be difficult for some people however I found that it was done well even if I found the second part not as fluid.
Sylvia is one of the characters and in the third part she is the main focus. I am not that fond of her as a character but she fits in well with this story.
The technology that they use, nanites are such a great idea and I really think that the mutations that they bring makes things very interesting.
Even after reading this the story confuses me and I don't think I picked up all the nuances of the plot but I really enjoyed it and think it definitely is a strong book.
I want to thank the author and publisher and the tour organizer for allowing me to take part in the blogtour and for a advanced reader copy of this book.
August 21, 2018
Questo è sicuramente uno dei migliori libri che ho letto negli ultimi anni, nell'ambito della SF. E' difficile trovare un punto "debole" nel romanzo dell'autore romano, se non che la storia è stata divisa in due parti. il testo si pone tra il mondo scientifico de "La ragazza meccanica" di Bacigalupi e le atomosfere post-apocalittiche di "Necrospirante" della Farris. Un susseguirsi di situazioni e di personaggi che non lasciano al lettore un attimo di respiro. L'alternarsi dei personaggi non disturba la lettura, grazie all'ottima concatenzaione tra le storie. Le soluzioni fantascientifiche (fino a quando fanta...) alla base del racconto sono plausibili e ben descritte senza cadere in inutili tecnicismi. Anche se si tratta di un romanzo di SF tra il sociale e lo scientifico, non manca l'azione, che ben si amalgama nella trama. Insomma un testo di assoluto valore, che da lustro alla SF italiana, e che considero alla pari di NewYork 2140, del Problema dei tre corpi e di Laguna. Cosa resta ? Solo aspettare la seconda parte di quest'opera.
January 18, 2024
While I wanted to enjoy this, and while the book's concept and opening are promising enough, it became more and more of a drag as I kept on reading. The plot feels like a poorly curated mess with no clear direction that leaves plenty of loose ends unresolved, but I'd be willing to overlook that.
What's more disturbing about The Roamers (and the reason I couldn't rate it any higher) are its implications towards what an "ideal" society should be like. While the book's critical of unrestricted capitalism and seems to support the idea of people coming together to work towards a brighter tomorrow, it's also driven by the idea of individuals deemed superior ultimately pushing society forward.
What the novel seems to say is, these individuals (Miriam, Alan, Nico) should never become restricted in their actions even if that means giving them unethical amounts of control over their peers. And whatever missteps they make should be overlooked, since their actions ultimately serve the greater good (allegedly, anyway). What made this disturbingly clear to me was the penultimate chapter, how what happened there can hardly be called consensual, and how Nico doesn't suffer any consequences for what he did. Because he's the hero. You don't criticize the hero.
The book concludes with a suggested back-to-nature approach that would possibly deconstruct modern civilization and thereby eliminate all or most of its checks and balances. I'd imagine a continuation of the plot would only deepen the concept of the strong protagonist having total power over his peers in every way. Which doesn't sound like much of a utopia to me.
I'll give Francesco Verso the benefit of the doubt and say this bizarre brand of eco-fascism probably isn't what he wanted to go for. But if we're going to suggest how society should move forward in the future, we really ought to do better than this.
What's more disturbing about The Roamers (and the reason I couldn't rate it any higher) are its implications towards what an "ideal" society should be like. While the book's critical of unrestricted capitalism and seems to support the idea of people coming together to work towards a brighter tomorrow, it's also driven by the idea of individuals deemed superior ultimately pushing society forward.
What the novel seems to say is, these individuals (Miriam, Alan, Nico) should never become restricted in their actions even if that means giving them unethical amounts of control over their peers. And whatever missteps they make should be overlooked, since their actions ultimately serve the greater good (allegedly, anyway). What made this disturbingly clear to me was the penultimate chapter, how what happened there can hardly be called consensual, and how Nico doesn't suffer any consequences for what he did. Because he's the hero. You don't criticize the hero.
The book concludes with a suggested back-to-nature approach that would possibly deconstruct modern civilization and thereby eliminate all or most of its checks and balances. I'd imagine a continuation of the plot would only deepen the concept of the strong protagonist having total power over his peers in every way. Which doesn't sound like much of a utopia to me.
I'll give Francesco Verso the benefit of the doubt and say this bizarre brand of eco-fascism probably isn't what he wanted to go for. But if we're going to suggest how society should move forward in the future, we really ought to do better than this.
May 16, 2023
Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy.
This started out as a si-fi tale about the use of nano technology to replace medicine and wound up being about the city of Rome waging a war on a well-established homeless camp in the name of progress. There were no winners in this story. It could have been so much more.
This started out as a si-fi tale about the use of nano technology to replace medicine and wound up being about the city of Rome waging a war on a well-established homeless camp in the name of progress. There were no winners in this story. It could have been so much more.
April 13, 2025
Una buona introduzione al solar punk.
Pulldogs: mi prendete con voi?
In un mondo moderno ma tendente allo scatafascio, l’idea di un gruppo simil hippie (ma tecnologicamente avanzato) mi piace molto: resistenza, rivolta e poi rinnovo.
Dove andranno ora i Pulldogs?
Pulldogs: mi prendete con voi?
In un mondo moderno ma tendente allo scatafascio, l’idea di un gruppo simil hippie (ma tecnologicamente avanzato) mi piace molto: resistenza, rivolta e poi rinnovo.
Dove andranno ora i Pulldogs?
February 22, 2025
All’ombra del Gazometro, nel quartiere post-industriale di Roma, vivono i Pulldogs, una squadra di camminatori che è anche guida per il futuro dell’evoluzione della società post-urbana.
never-finished
June 8, 2025DNF 35%
January 2, 2024
Super wierd. The first 50 (e-book) pages feel like they are supposed to set up the story, which are partly interesting and mostly boring. After that I thought, well now the actual story begins.
Instead a new character (occupation "fragrance composer") is introduced. He's selfish, mean, fat and hates himself (for being fat). Did I mention that he's fat? That's it. The next 50 pages or so the author wades through absolutely skippable explanations of the fragrance composer trait - and fat-shaming. It's wierd, it's unnecessary and I can't keep on reading this.
Two better books to read with similar topics:
By Light Alone - Adam Roberts
Walkaway - Cory Doctorow
Instead a new character (occupation "fragrance composer") is introduced. He's selfish, mean, fat and hates himself (for being fat). Did I mention that he's fat? That's it. The next 50 pages or so the author wades through absolutely skippable explanations of the fragrance composer trait - and fat-shaming. It's wierd, it's unnecessary and I can't keep on reading this.
Two better books to read with similar topics:
By Light Alone - Adam Roberts
Walkaway - Cory Doctorow
July 2, 2018
Libro molto intelligente che narra la possibile evoluzione di un piccolo gruppo di persone, i Pulldogs, in una Roma in bilico tra gli attuali problemi e un futuro concreto in cui lo sviluppo sociale ha modificato la vita quotidiana delle persone.
Tre personaggi principali che seguono un percorso evolutivo comune per narrare una storia collettiva che li porterà, credo nel vol. 2, ad una nuova concezioni di umanità e nomadismo.
Pur non essendo una lettura difficile bisogna riuscire ad entrare nell'atmosfera del racconto per riuscire ad apprezzarlo.
Tre personaggi principali che seguono un percorso evolutivo comune per narrare una storia collettiva che li porterà, credo nel vol. 2, ad una nuova concezioni di umanità e nomadismo.
Pur non essendo una lettura difficile bisogna riuscire ad entrare nell'atmosfera del racconto per riuscire ad apprezzarlo.
April 14, 2019
Interessante, anche se non convincente al 100%. Idee e personaggi affascinanti nella cornice urbana di una Roma un po' trita, ma quello è un problema di gusti personali. Non leggo spesso autori italiani ma mi propongo di leggere altro di Francesco Verso che è stato una piacevole sorpresa.
May 5, 2023
A bleak, difficult novel but one that is worth the work it takes to read
For a full review, please go to https://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
For a full review, please go to https://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews