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June 16, 2008

Looking for a great sci-fi book?

I just finished the absolutely mind blowing book Distraction by Bruce Sterling.


Even though at times it was a bit preachy and imperfectly written, the story line boiled over with incredible ideas. I don't think I've seen a science fiction book that full of new ideas since I read
Pashazade or Metaplanetary a couple of years ago.

I devoured this book. If you enjoy sci-fi, I think you'll like this one. Who wouldn't like this if it were well executed (and it is)

It's the year 2044, and America has gone to hell. A disenfranchised U.S. Air Force base has turned to highway robbery in order to pay the bills. Vast chunks of the population live nomadic lives fueled by cheap transportation and even cheaper computer power. Warfare has shifted from the battlefield to the global networks, and China holds the information edge over all comers. Global warming is raising sea level, which in turn is drowning coastal cities. And the U.S. government has become nearly meaningless. This is the world that Oscar Valparaiso would have been born into, if he'd actually been born instead of being grown in vitro by black market baby dealers. Oscar's bizarre genetic history (even he's not sure how much of him is actually human) hasn't prevented him from running one of the most successful senatorial races in history, getting his man elected by a whopping majority. But Oscar has put himself out of a job, since he'd only be a liability to his boss in Washington due to his problematic background. Instead, Oscar finds himself shuffled off to the Collaboratory, a Big Science pork barrel project that's run half by corruption and half by scientific breakthroughs. At first it seems to be a lose-lose proposition for Oscar, but soon he has his "krewe" whipped into shape and ready to take control of events. Now if only he can straighten out his love life and solve a worldwide crisis that no one else knows exists.
--Craig E. Engler


Posted by OneEyedMan at June 16, 2008 3:06 PM

Comments

I absolutely love this book. It is, In my opinion, clearly Sterlings best. I recall that just after I read it I bought 3 copies and sent them out to people I thought would really dig it. I didn't send one to you because you have a reputation for having already read out most of the well known sci-fi (You may have noticed that every time a recommend a book to you it's one that has been published in the last year or two, speaking of which, you might want to take the time to check out the young adult "uglies" trilogy. I haven't gotten around to buying the 2nd or 3rd book yet, but its fun, light and fairly interesting)

Posted by: giblfiz [TypeKey Profile Page] at June 17, 2008 12:33 PM

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