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Mirror's Edge
Rath has been on a downward spiral. And it's not just him--the world is a polluted mess, corporate influence has replaced independent thought, and his fiancée has decided that Rath is no longer worth her time. While Rath embraces his multiple vices, he never expected his next bender to land him in another world entirely. He finds himself in Sarah's world--an untainted parallel universe to his own: a pristine woodland where every person is the absolute master of their domain, and where Rath's AI chip isn't dictating his every move. The opportunity to change his life presents itself in permutations of reality, but Sarah wants nothing more than to follow Rath back to his world. As their mirror worlds collide, Rath teeters on the edge of oblivion.
360 pages, Hardcover
Published September 29, 2020
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20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 6, 2020
A cynical and cerebral Vonnegut-esque trip through two opposite worlds. It was as thoughtful as it was hilarious. Alex Passey wrote an entertaining lesson in psychology, sociology and metaphysics. I highly recommend Mirror’s Edge to anyone who enjoys a story that will make you think, laugh and question humanity.
September 8, 2020
My review of Mirror's Edge by Alex Passey
Richard Clement
Mirror’s Edge is a love story/ cautionary tale / philosophical rambling / terrorist manifesto written by Alex Passey.
Passey opens his book by building for us a vision of a neo-liberal future. Computer chips in the brain, everyone hooked in at all times to the network, corporate and state control merged. His vision is plausible, and his world building is meticulous.
His main character Rath Bradbury is the stereotypical tortured, yet privileged, addict. While this character has been done many times Passey brings hm to life from a place of authenticity. Maybe it’s the intelligent, privileged male in me but I found myself identifying with and caring about Rath early on.
Rath is pulled from his own world into another by a beautiful woman through a combination of psychic energy and hallucinogenic drugs. Together they travel back and forth between a technologically advanced version of our future and a spiritual parallel universe that hides its’ own dark secrets.
Rath’s namesake Bradbury is no doubt a nod to Ray Bradbury and his own dystopian futurism. Passey seems to have adopted elements of this style but with a little Vonnegut thrown in. Rath cracks wise and sometimes nearly breaks the fourth wall. Listening to Rath’s dialogue can be like watching Passey crack “dad jokes” to himself. On page 114 (in the most egregious example) Rath claims “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet” while making a BTO reference. The corny humour does suggest an author that is trying not to take himself too seriously but could have been scaled back a bit.
The self-deprecating humour does a good job of offsetting large sections of the book that seem to be a philosophical discussion with the reader. Passey masterfully conceals these within a character narrative. The book is worth reading as a short tryst into post-industrial philosophy if nothing else.
Whether it is a warning about the ills of social media run amok, or a deep condemnation of cottage-core Passey lets society have it through the lens of two characters exploring each other’s worlds. Science fiction couched in multiverse theory allows for a plausible examination of the what if’s? Of western society’s present-day culture war.
While I found the book lagged a little in the middle the end actually sped up and surprised me.
I give this book four stars. Worth the read and I will watch this author’s career with great interest.
Richard Clement
Mirror’s Edge is a love story/ cautionary tale / philosophical rambling / terrorist manifesto written by Alex Passey.
Passey opens his book by building for us a vision of a neo-liberal future. Computer chips in the brain, everyone hooked in at all times to the network, corporate and state control merged. His vision is plausible, and his world building is meticulous.
His main character Rath Bradbury is the stereotypical tortured, yet privileged, addict. While this character has been done many times Passey brings hm to life from a place of authenticity. Maybe it’s the intelligent, privileged male in me but I found myself identifying with and caring about Rath early on.
Rath is pulled from his own world into another by a beautiful woman through a combination of psychic energy and hallucinogenic drugs. Together they travel back and forth between a technologically advanced version of our future and a spiritual parallel universe that hides its’ own dark secrets.
Rath’s namesake Bradbury is no doubt a nod to Ray Bradbury and his own dystopian futurism. Passey seems to have adopted elements of this style but with a little Vonnegut thrown in. Rath cracks wise and sometimes nearly breaks the fourth wall. Listening to Rath’s dialogue can be like watching Passey crack “dad jokes” to himself. On page 114 (in the most egregious example) Rath claims “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet” while making a BTO reference. The corny humour does suggest an author that is trying not to take himself too seriously but could have been scaled back a bit.
The self-deprecating humour does a good job of offsetting large sections of the book that seem to be a philosophical discussion with the reader. Passey masterfully conceals these within a character narrative. The book is worth reading as a short tryst into post-industrial philosophy if nothing else.
Whether it is a warning about the ills of social media run amok, or a deep condemnation of cottage-core Passey lets society have it through the lens of two characters exploring each other’s worlds. Science fiction couched in multiverse theory allows for a plausible examination of the what if’s? Of western society’s present-day culture war.
While I found the book lagged a little in the middle the end actually sped up and surprised me.
I give this book four stars. Worth the read and I will watch this author’s career with great interest.
January 3, 2021
A beautifully crafted, gritty as all get-up, and hauntingly plausible near future; and the back-to-the-land daydream most of us are having during Youtube advertisements. Throw in a dash of absolutely demented similes, puns that only a father could love, and a crate of bottom shelf liquors, and you have Mirror's Edge. Looking forward to the next one.
September 4, 2020
I tend to put books down and never pick them up again if the author doesn't captivate me within the first few chapters. That's not the case here, I could not put down this book and finished it within a few sittings.
Alex has an natural ability to draw in his audience with very detailed imagery and intriguing complex characters. His chapters flow so seamlessly together, it makes you question whether putting the book down to fall asleep is actually vital.
The characters in this novel are very deep and relatable. And although this is a sci-fi novel, it also fits the bill for a philosophical fiction story definitely worth your consideration.
Alex has an natural ability to draw in his audience with very detailed imagery and intriguing complex characters. His chapters flow so seamlessly together, it makes you question whether putting the book down to fall asleep is actually vital.
The characters in this novel are very deep and relatable. And although this is a sci-fi novel, it also fits the bill for a philosophical fiction story definitely worth your consideration.
November 27, 2020
Great piece of fiction! Was philosophical and also hilarious. Would recommend.
July 3, 2021
This book had me flipping pages as fast I could to see what was going to happen next. So far my favourite book of 2021.
June 22, 2020
Rath has been on a downward spiral. And it's not just him - the world is a polluted mess, corporate influence has replaced independent thought, and his fiancée has decided that Rath is no longer worth her time. While Rath embraces his multiple vices, he never expected his next bender to land him in another world entirely. He finds himself in Sarah's world --an untainted parallel universe to his own: a pristine woodland where every person is the absolute master of their domain, and where Rath's AI chip isn't dictating his every move. The opportunity to change his life presents itself in permutations of reality, but Sarah wants nothing more than to follow Rath back to his world. As their mirror worlds collide, Rath teeters on the edge of oblivion.
June 14, 2023
Ambitious book but feels like it ends super quick. Some really good passages in this and very funny parts too.
Read
December 26, 2024DNF on page 40 because I find the MC annoying.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews