/lit/ - Literature

>>19258140
Perhaps the Stars, Terra Ignota #4 - Ada Palmer (2021)
Was it worthwhile to read this tetralogy? Yeah, overall, I suppose so. The narrative didn't go how I'd prefer, but it's consistently interesting if nothing else. In every book there's a considerable focus on experimentation in narrative style. Despite that most of the time I was more annoyed than intrigued by that, it was still worth reading.The narrative generally stayed at the periphery of the action, which made sense, considering the events that occurred and the narrator. Although this was a change of pace from where most books are in the middle of whatever was going on, I found that reading daily field reports and similar wasn't a preferred method of engagement for me. It was definitely a strange experience reading about people who had forgotten how to wage war and were reading monographs about how to do so and establishing best practices to have humane internment camps. They wanted to wage war against each other without killing anyone. Overall their conflict was so sterile that it seemed alien to me, though that was certainly for the best for those involved. There were two extended psychological horror scenes and they were probably the highlights of the book for me, especially the first one. For several pages the narrative is presented entirely though a data log, which I don't remember if I've seen before, or if I have, it wasn't anything noteworthy to me. Unfortunately, which is something I write all too often, I was still unable to feel particularly invested in any of it, which as with every book, limited my enjoyment. As with the previous books, I wasn't able to appreciate the classical age references, because my reading of classics is negligible. I was indifferent to the ending. It works well enough for the context, though I would've preferred something more decisive. My main problem with it was that after four books it felt lacking in consequence, though that's probably a personal and cultural issue.
Rating: 3/5

>>18921602
The Will To Battle, Terra Ignota #3 - Ada Palmer (2017)

Unfortunately Palmer leaned even further into the indulgences that I was both repelled and intrigued by in the previous two books. While I understand this was meant to be a representation of the narrator's mental state I would've preferred it to be more restrained in its usage.
Whereas the preceding books addressed the reader and the reader responded, this one took it a step further and introduced a second metafictional character who monologued and conversed with the reader. These conceits are interesting, but they were overdone for my tastes.
Thankfully the ambiguous character and scene transitions were limited to a single section. By this I mean that the narrative switched which character had been speaking without notice and then chided you for having thought that it was the same character the entire time or that they were in same location.
I don't know if didn't notice before as much, but this book was utterly filled with dialogue. I didn't mind that, though the inclusion of what were essentially transcripts was somewhat questionable. As a result, this one has even less plot than the first two books. The focus this time is on all things Hobbesian.
There was a plot twist that had been consistently foreshadowed since early in the first book and as with the plot twist in the second book I thought it was a bold choice, but it turned to be for dramatic effect only again.
The fourth book is the final book and I'm glad for that. I have considerable doubts that it will be satisfactorily concluded. I don't know whether I'd read anything else from Palmer or not. This literary style is fine for a few books, but I certainly wouldn't it want to be more than that.

Rating: 2.5/5

>>18635417
Seven Surrenders, Terra Ignota #2 - Ada Palmer (2017)

After having read this I can affirm with all due certainty that the first book is only half of this particular narrative. Anyone who doesn't intend to read the second book probably shouldn't read the first. Whatever you thought of the first book, you'll most likely think the same of this one, though having become more accustomed to its style removed some of the rough edges for me.
As with the first book this is one of the more uneven novels I've ever read with regards to personal enjoyment. For every excitement there was a balancing disappointment. There were hilarious scenes that thoroughly amused me and overly melodramatic scenes that exasperated. In theory this could've been a top series for me, but as it is, it's relegated to being a intriguing emotional experience.
One of the more unclear aspects of these books is whether any of the characters are intended to be cheered on by the reader or if this is meant to be read as a neutral and detached history, in so far as any work of history can be anyway. My reading was more towards the latter, which limits emotional involvement and may severely limit enjoyment for many. This detachment may have been for the better for me, as I don't support the goals of any of the characters.
I want to read about more characters like this in fiction, as I certainly haven't read many of them, outside of a certain context. Major character spoiler: They lifted my penis gingerly and reached past to feel the vaginal folds behind. The specific details of this aren't provided, though that's fine. I appreciated their inclusion all the same.
Possibly as the result of the controversies regarding the first book Palmer is more explicit with her beliefs, as indicated by reader responses, which may be for the better or worse depending on the preferences of the reader. This results in statements such as "The more people insist that feminism has won, the more they blind themselves to its remaining foes." Gender concerns are very much important to her and that shows itself quite clearly in the text. She's very much opposed its elimination as indicated by her responses to readers and statements such as "Suddenly neutered dress and speech were mandatory to proclaim one's allegiance to the 'good guys'" and "So the Great 'They' Silence fell". In this way, it's similar to "I don't see race", though for gender.
There was a scene that would've assured it four stars if it had ended differently, but considering how it went, it became a cause for concern instead. Despite these concerns, I'll be reading the two remaining books. With time, I may appreciate this peculiar concoction more.

Rating: 3/5

>>16826411
Too Like the Lightning - Ada Palmer, Terra Ignota #1 (2016)

Whether you'd enjoy this may depend on how you feel about the following:
French Enlightenment philosophy and other historical callbacks suffused throughout the entire novel.
Lots and lots of discussion, which is mostly religious or philosophical, though there's also considerable political intrigue.
A first person narrator who withholds important information.
Somewhat of a puzzle novel where it expects you to mostly figure out what's going on and why the various events matter, on your own.
That the narrator is in dialogue with you, the reader. You tell the narrator what you thought about what you just read then the narrator responds and vice versa.
That this is only a half a book. Rather than being a cliffhanger I'd describe it as a cliff with a sign that reads "Path Ends 100 Feet" and then you have to cross a toll bridge to get to the other side.
The elimination and/or censorship of: geographical nations, religion, family, and gender.

This was a book that I already had doubts about whether I'd enjoy it before I had began reading it. It's one of several books that I've considered reading to see how I'd feel about it, so I read more for the experience than for anything else. I was well over halfway through the book before I began to think maybe this was ok, but still doubting it worthwhileness. The last 20% or so was enjoyable, but in no compensates for everything that preceded it. Having read this doesn't dissuade me at all from reading to see how I'd feel about it.

After I finished reading the novel I provided my overall thoughts to the group that I had been discussing this with. This is an excerpt from that.
I don't particularly want to read the next novel, but I also don't feel like I have much choice in the matter, and even more strangely I don't care that I feel this way.
Hurry, please don't send help, I'm enjoying this mind virus quite terribly well.
With a judicious amount of editing, plot restructuring, more action, and a different style of characterization, I probably could have rated this 5 stars.
As it is though, I rate this barbed arrow with a puzzle attached to disengage the barbs a 3. It's a 2 and 4 star book combined.
Seems I can't help but to believe the second book will correct what I believe to be its shortcomings and I'll enjoy it. What a pleasant delusion. I await either outcome. Sometimes I'm too eager to disappoint myself, so this shouldn't be taken as an endorsement.
But, most of all, I really do feel that is only the halfway point of a single book and I can't help but finish it. I know many severely begrudge any book that doesn't resolve its current plot lines by the end of each book, but I don't recall ever having felt that way.
Do I regret reading it? No, not at all. It went better than expected overall. It's something I wanted to read to see how I felt about it.

Rating: 3/5