Radicalized by Cory Doctrow - spoilers included

[❀ Susan]

A place to discuss Radicalized

[Sarah]

I listened to these 4 novellas on audio and was really drawn in. Cory wrote about current, relevant worlds, some mixed in with worlds that I have no knowledge about and always seemed to add a dab of humour in unexpected places. Such a different read, I truely enjoyed his writing.

[❀ Susan]

It was interesting to hear his defender speaking about the importance of being a Canadian living in the US and having a unique lens looking at Canada living beside the "big brother" who is "the biggest bully".

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺]

Sarah wrote: "I listened to these 4 novellas on audio and was really drawn in. Cory wrote about current, relevant worlds, some mixed in with worlds that I have no knowledge about and always seemed to add a dab o..."

So the audiobook is good @Sarah? My library has it and I was wondering. I can't do audio if it's a poor narrator or anything like that.

[Susan]

I have actually thought about the expat lens while reading this one, so that's interesting that the defender brought that up.

The first two novellas deal with issues that aren't specific to the United States but the third one takes on the U.S. health care mess and the moral problem of having health care be a for-profit business. I think a Canadian living in the U.S. is going to write that story differently than even a left-leaning American would. (I've yet to read the fourth novella.)

Allison, I'm enjoying the audiobook. There is a different narrator for each novella.

[Sarah]

@Alison, I think the narrators are well suited to each novella. I didn’t have a problem with the voices, no major annoyances lol. There are 4 different voices so if you have a problem with one there’s always the other stories to try.

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺]

@Susan @Sarah, thank you!

[Connie]

Just finished the audio version of Radicalized. Was a mixed bag for me. The first three I thoroughly enjoyed but somehow could not get interested in the fourth. Did finish it. As has been mentioned will be listening for what is made of the American slant to these stories.

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺]

Finished this audiobook today. I really enjoyed three of the four novellas. The last story is post-apocalyptic and with its U.S. setting, I was left wondering what an apocalypse would look like in Canada. Eastern Newfoundland is just getting over "snowmageddon" and the camaraderie displayed during the state of emergency has me thinking about what a post-apocalyptic Newfoundland society would look like. I'm doubtful that a capitalistic, each person for him/herself would immediately ensue. I think it's an interesting point that could be valid right across the country.

[Joanna G]

I enjoyed this, but feel like it might be a bit "fluffy" for Canada Reads. I think I enjoyed them in descending order from the first - Unauthorized Bread was definitely my favorite - even though as someone non-techy, the ultimate resolution didn't make sense to me.

Allison, it's not Newfoundland, but have you read Moon of the Crusted Snow? A fantastic book, and a great look at a Northern Ontario reserve, post apocalypse.

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺]

Joanna wrote: "Allison, it's not Newfoundland, but have you read Moon of the Crusted Snow? A fantastic book, and a great look at a Northern Ontario reserve, post apocalypse."

I haven't. Will add it to my list. Thanks!

[❀ Susan]

one more story to go in this book but i have to say, i am struggling to get through it. Unauthorized Bread was ok and I think that Radicalized would bring forth some interesting discussion in relation to health coverage.

[❀ Susan]

although this book is not a preferred genre, it certainly brought together stories that are resonant in today's society - racism, capitalism, socialism, cancer treatment, rampant viruses were all topics of stories. I think discussing each story separately would be interesting book club fodder as each story leaves readers thinking about the "what if" especially i a time when hysteria is mounting relating to cover 19.