"Remnant Population" First Impressions - No Spoilers

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Welcome to our SciFi Runner Up selection!

What are your first thoughts? Please leave all conclusions, and discussion of anything spoiler-ish like plot points, character growth/decisions, etc. for the full discussion thread.

As an added treat, the spoiler thread is already up!

[Christopher]

The beginning of this book reminded me a bit of the film "Home Alone".

[Raucous]

The writing in this book is very different from some others I've recently read. It feels comparatively spare. Instead of detailed descriptions it sketches out a scene and invites me to fill in the rest myself. In this setting it works very well. I'm also very much enjoying the main character and how she's approaching life on this planet. Save me some beans!

[Bookish]

Christopher wrote: "The beginning of this book reminded me a bit of the film "Home Alone"."

Haha I can see that, I just wanted everyone else to leave too. What a life.

[Bookish]

Raucous wrote: "The writing in this book is very different from some others I've recently read. It feels comparatively spare. Instead of detailed descriptions it sketches out a scene and invites me to fill in the ..."

I found the formatting a bit weird. The paragraphs seemed choppy the first quarter of the book. I wondered if it was because I was reading an e-book version but if it was intentional, I didn’t enjoy it. Did you notice it?

I liked the scenes of her in her garden, I thought those were very well written. It made me want a garden of my own with tomato plants, of course :) I have to admit I want more detail though, at least after the first quarter of the book.

[Oleksandr]

I've read it in BR in this very group and liked it, so I encourage people to give it a try!

[Karin]

I brought it home about a week ago but haven't yet opened it.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I wasn't sure where this was going, but was interested--it reminded me of books like The Cay and then when it stopped reminding me of that I went from interested to invested.

[Jan]

I (belatedly) discovered this book earlier this year. Once I got hold of a copy, I became invested in the story very quickly and read the whole thing in a couple of days. Really liked it. If you're still on the fence about whether to read it or not, I say, just jump in! It's terrific.

[Raucous]

Bookish wrote: "I found the formatting a bit weird. The paragraphs seemed choppy the first quarter of the book. I wondered if it was because I was reading an e-book version but if it was intentional, I didn’t enjoy it...."

I didn't notice that in my e-book. I found reading about her life after the initial burst of activity a very calming almost meditative experience and perhaps that influenced my reaction to the writing.

It's too bad we can't grow tomatoes here (too cold in the summer).

[Bookish]

Raucous wrote: "I found reading about her life after the initial burst of activity a very calming almost meditative experience and perhaps that influenced my reaction to the writing."

I’d definitely agree with you there. I felt very much drawn into her mind, her experiences and it was so peaceful in her garden. The weird formatting didn’t detract from that. How far along are you? I’m about 60% of the way through now.

[Raucous]

Bookish wrote: "...How far along are you? I’m about 60% of the way through now."

I'm about 40% of the way through.

[Jamesboggie]

I finished yesterday, but my first impression was that Ofelia is an excellently developed character. Moon gives her a lot of psychological depth. There were more than a few moments I had to stop because it was a little too real.

[Jan]

Jamesboggie wrote: "I finished yesterday, but my first impression was that Ofelia is an excellently developed character. Moon gives her a lot of psychological depth. There were more than a few moments I had to stop be..."

Yes, her character felt very real to me too. I think that's part of the book's appeal.

[Travis]

Started this yesterday, and it's so far amazing! I love its feminism, and I feel so strongly connected to Ofelia. Amazing to have such a wonderfully quirky character whose motivations make absolute sense.

[Eva]

Do you guys usually read the BotMs right at the start of the month? Just asking because I'm still waiting for mine and am surprised how many are already finished with both books!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

There is no hurry! We generally open the full discussion threads after the first week so that people don't feel pressured or FOMO when they get their books. It just so happened that both books had BR threads already this month so it made sense! I think we have a lot of people jumping the gun though, so to speak ;-)

[Eva]

Ah yes, that makes sense. I think many people participating in buddy reads later in the month may also be a factor. :-)

[CBRetriever]

and I read it last year, so I'm just now discussing it here

[Gabi]

First two chapters: I'm pleased by the character introduction. Ofelia feels real.

[Quare]

I'm enjoying the protagonist and her inner struggle between self and society. A little too much time is being spent on chores; it's becoming repetitive, but maybe that's apt.

[Andy]

About 85% through. I love the writing.

And Ofelia rules.

[Anna]

I meant to look for what I said about this book when I first read it, but I forgot. I just searched for it, and it's kind of funny considering that we're also reading T. Kingfisher this month :D

"I finally started Remnant Population and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. Reminds me a little of Ursula Vernon / T. Kingfisher with all the gardening going on. I just got to the part where things are starting to happen, not that I mind nothing happening. I've been enjoying the peaceful calm with Ofelia, it suits my mood.

This is one of many books I've been meaning to read for so long, and have tried to prioritize this year. I'm so happy I finally started it."

[Karin]

I started this yesterday while out and read the first three chapters. I like it even though some of it is a bit annoying to me. I would have loved this as a teen. I am planning to finish the book to see what happens.

[Raucous]

Anna wrote: "... "I finally started Remnant Population and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. Reminds me a little of Ursula Vernon / T. Kingfisher with all the gardening going on....""

I was also struck by the gardening focus this month (especially given the current season where I live). I enjoyed the calm period with Ofelia. I love smaller doses those periods IRL and so appreciated experiencing her working through it. That's been my favorite part of what I've read so far (about 60% of the way through).

[Gabi]

I love the gardening themes. Makes me want to start doing some planting myself.

I'm still totally enjoying the approach and POV of this book (66%). It is refreshing and adorable.

ETA: I think it is one of the few months where I actually love both BotMs. Great year's ending.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Yay Gabi!! I had a thought you'd like this but didn't want to jinx it ^^

[Karin]

Gabi wrote: "I love the gardening themes. Makes me want to start doing some planting myself.

I'm still totally enjoying the approach and POV of this book (66%). It is refreshing and adorable.

ETA: I think it ..."

YES, I love the gardening parts! Even though I have always loathed the taste of tomatoes, I love tending them in my garden. I could totally smell that smell that was mentioned.

[Anna]

Gabi wrote: "I think it is one of the few months where I actually love both BotMs. Great year's ending"

Of course they’re both great since I nominated them! :P

But seriously, I’m happy that most people seem to be enjoying these, I won’t have to add very many people to my Devil’s spawn list.

[Gabi]

Anna wrote: "Gabi wrote: "I think it is one of the few months where I actually love both BotMs. Great year's ending"

Of course they’re both great since I nominated them! :P

But seriously, I’m happy that most ..."

LOL! Nothing to add there ;). (I think so far only "Ninefox Gambit" was a rec by you where I couldn't see the appeal, everything else was perfect)

[Anna]

I’m sobbing into my blueberry muffin, my poor Jedao! But let’s enjoy all the happy gardening instead, I also love the smell (and taste) of tomatoes!

[Ryan]

I finished Chapter 5 and I'm struggling. In chapter 3/4 virtually nothing happened; I didn't appreciate the gardening or Ofelia's inner dialogue. Things start to change a bit in Ch 5 but I have a feeling the rest of the book is not going to be sufficient to hold my interest. Do things change enough that I should stick with it a bit more, or should I just quit now?

[Quare]

Ryan wrote: "I finished Chapter 5 and I'm struggling. In chapter 3/4 virtually nothing happened; I didn't appreciate the gardening or Ofelia's inner dialogue. Things start to change a bit in Ch 5 but I have a f..."

I've just started chapter 15. If the events in chapter 5 didn't heighten your interest significantly, I doubt you'll enjoy the next 9 chapters.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

it doesn't become hard scifi, but I found it offered interesting ideas about how humans handle new situations.

[Ryan]

I'm giving up at the end of Chapter 7. There are finally hints of something happening, but it's too little, too late. I hope everyone else enjoys it.

[Jacqueline]

I’m somewhere in the middle of chapter 5. Shit has started to go down. I really don’t mind the lack of exciting stuff happening though but then again I’m not here for that this time. I want a book that isn’t too taxing after the crap couple of months (ok...year) I’ve had. So far this is delivering.

[Paul]

Three chapters in and it seems like the start of a very interesting situation. I got a paperback copy off of ebay and the blurb on the back is unfortunately very spoilery :(

[Karin]

Okay, I have finished 11 chapters and things are happening, finally. What got me this far was the fact that I wisely took it to my long day in Beantown, where I figured I'd feel like rebelling against the other books I'm reading (and liking) and read something else. I took it inside for a while with no other books and sat in a place with nothing else to do. Eventually things began happening. I can't say that I love this book, because I don't and have read others I like better that handle some similar themes, but I like it.

However, I am old enough to have grown up before books were required to start with a "hook" to lure us in and then keep is there right away, so am still sometimes rather patient with books.

[Kristenelle]

Still on chapter two, but I’m enjoying the writing and love the character. I feel it isn’t often that a spunky old woman is the protagonist.

I’m also halfway through “gods of jade and shadow” in an effort to join last months discussion. I’m liking “remnant” a lot more... I feel like the writing, descriptions, and characterization is much more nuanced and subtle.

[Silvana]

So this is a BR for this month but I will start around next weekend at the soonest, still have a thick book to finish

[Nadine in California]

I finished it a couple of weeks ago and look forward to discussing! I checked out the 'spoilers' link and it goes to a long (118 comments) discussion from 2019. Are we going to add on to that one, or start fresh?

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Typically you add to the existing thread.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

one big happy thread-ily!

[Silvana]

first impression: slow and lots of chores, gardening, and stuff. But the character is refreshing enough, wish we have more ladies over 50 as SFF main characters.

[Dennis]

This book is so engaging! What a pleasant surprise it’s been, I’m about 1/3 of the way through and the vibe is so good with this book because there is always tension building. It’s been phenomenal and I can’t wait to continue and finish.