"Finna" by Nino Cipri (BR)

[Beth]

Here's the thread for Finna! Feel free to post thoughts about any part of the novella, including the whole thing. But please mark spoilers for any content beyond the earliest parts of the story. Enjoy!

[Gabi]

Just started it. I like the idea, but am not so sure about the writing style and could do without the ex-lover trope.

[Raucous]

The author has another book in this multiverse coming out early next year:

https://www.tor.com/2020/04/06/announ...

It's not a direct sequel (Finna works well as a standalone) but it does concern a character who is mentioned in passing on the first page of Finna.

Broader narrative arc comment: (view spoiler)[I really enjoyed the multiverse aspects of Finna, but there are a few places towards the end where that had me thinking "What just happened there?" It sounds like the next book goes all in on that aspect. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with it. (hide spoiler)]

[Beth]

Gabi wrote: "Just started it. I like the idea, but am not so sure about the writing style and could do without the ex-lover trope."

I'm probably at the same spot, and while I'm okay with the ex-lover thing, the style seems extraordinarily plain to me. This review I read (warning: mild spoilers about the overall arc and themes of the story) made it sound really appealing, so I'll keep at it and see what I think in the long term.

[HeyT]

I just read this in one sitting today and I liked it but I felt like I wanted a little bit more than what I got. Ava was a little too relatable and I feel like we see a tiny hint of her potential by the end but it's so subtle that it's kind of a let down.

[Gabi]

Okay, finished.

(view spoiler)[ It didn't work for me at all. I was looking forward to it, cause the premise of portals in IKEA sounded quite creative. But neither was the worldbuilding in any way exciting, nor the relationship stuff convincing (I absolutely didn't care for the characters), or the 'capitalism critic' that I heard mentioned. This all felt rather amateurish and telling, instead of showing to me.
When I see all the help the author got by known quantities in the SF world I wonder if they either didn't implement the edits or if I just am not compatible with the taste of nowadays authors.
This was a disappointment. (hide spoiler)]

[Gabi]

Elowen wrote: "Totally agree, Gabi. ..."

I feel the same. I was expecting something different.

[Kaa]

Maybe it's just the mood I'm in, but this is a really enjoyable read for me so far. Both the writing and the ex-lover plot are fine by me. It feels like a fairly light, somewhat sarcastic, quick read, which I guess is what appeals to me at the moment.

I'm curious what you mean by "too relatable", though, HeyT?

[HeyT]

Just with all her anxiety and the fact that she feels to much and starts to shut down was something that I could relate to and was almost uncomfortable to watch happen.

[Kaa]

@HeyT: Ah, yes, I completely agree with that.

I finished it yesterday and enjoyed it to the end. I didn't have many expectations going in, which maybe helped me enjoy it more - (view spoiler)[I agree that it really couldn't be called a "sharp critique" of anything, but I liked the snarkiness of it on the topic of box store retail. I liked the characters, although as HeyT said, some of Ava's anxiety was relatable enough to be uncomfortable, as were for me some of the dynamics in her relationship with Jules. (hide spoiler)] Finna isn't a masterpiece by any means, and if it's been sold as that I don't think the book will benefit by those expectations, but it was an engaging diversion and I will be happy to return to this multiverse with the next book.

[Beth]

About 2/3 of the way through. I've enjoyed the (view spoiler)[universe hopping (hide spoiler)] more than anything else--it's hectic and imaginative.

Some of it is too obvious and lacking in subtlety: I agree with Kaa and Elowen that the take on (view spoiler)[capitalism isn't a critique as much as a snarky commentary. There's nothing to sink the teeth into there. (hide spoiler)]. I also have a hard time imagining LV as a thriving international business if they entirely deal in prepackaged rooms with specific cliched, stereotypical aesthetics. Its inspiration sells itself on being modular and aesthetically neutral as possible, so maybe it's a deliberate twist on that idea?

[Beth]

Done! I'm with Kaa on this one--once I understood what sort of story it was, I had a good time with it. I didn't get into the relationship drama aspect of it, but that wasn't as obtrusive as it could have been, and it was a decent hook for an (view spoiler)[open ending (hide spoiler)].