Metaplanetary is an underappreciated gem on so many levels: from its depiction of AI love as solving systems of mathematical equations with transfinite values--that is, engaging the faculties of the AI to their fullest, leaving room for no "spare thought"--to extraordinary modes of traversing the Solar System via self-evolved nanotech-based strands full of a breathable, snot-like substance; from the wry remark that when we abandon our human form for an inorganic carrier, we lose some of our mental flexibility and intuition (I wish more SF writers delved into these issues; we already have plenty of science to tell us it's not nearly as simple as The Matrix had it), to a rumination about closure in the most unlikely of circumstances .... The book keeps flinging these nuggets at us, in rapid bursts (the chapters are usually three to five pages long). Occasionally, I found myself wishing it was a bit slower, more patient, less ADD-esque. Most of the time, however, I was thrilled by the pace and variety. Reminded me of Alfred Bester in that respect.
Metaplanetary was recommended to me when I was looking for something on a par with David Zindell's Requiem for Homo Sapiens. Zindell's trilogy (starting with The Broken God[spoiler]ВРЕМЕНЕН ЛИНК: ще го сменя с друг веднага щом прехвърля отзива[/spoiler]) feels more complete and well thought-out, as does The Golden Age by John C. Wright; I cannot recommend those two highly enough. However, I found Metaplanetary nearly as stimulating. Its revelations don't surge over you like tsunamis but rather pinch some dormant parts of your brain and scamper away laughing, to pinch the next ones, while you're still trying to readjust your mindscape.
What I didn't like--didn't ring true enough to me--was the choice of antagonist. If we are still that stupid in the 31st century to let a one-man (or one-whatever) tyranny rise to the top, then we shouldn't have made it there in the first place. Perhaps this part is better read as a parable, a reflection of our past follies and tendencies. (Director Ames is, for all intents and purposes, a variation on Hitler, Stalin, etc.--only less human, and thus, less convincing. His villainy is over-the-top ... yet deliciously so; he may not seem very authentic, but he's fun. ;) However, it annoys me no end to find such reflections projected into the far future. They go in the face of everything we've already built and learnt along the ladder of our social and humanitarian evolution.
Finally, some of my impressions in order of reading:
~ This is getting waaaaay wild ....
Here we are, traveling along a cable (!) from Mercury to Mars--and getting a step-by-step treatment on how the Grand Unification Theory was discovered and why we move from the past to the future, never the other way round. Tony Daniel doesn't pull any punches; he uses double-slit diagrams and language that shows me how rusty my physics has grown. So what I would normally wave away as 'ah, infodumps' only rivets my attention even deeper. (Then again, I was always a sucker for grand theories. ;)
What next?
~
one of the groups, calling itself FUSE (the acronym meant something like Mars for Martians in Norwegian)
Yeah, right. Which letter in FUSE stands for Mars (in Norwegian)? ;)
Oh c'mon dear Mr. Author. After putting so much effort into your other research, why neglect the linguistics?
~ I was about to rail. I was about to hurl this book against the Trash Bin. I was about to roar, So what, moronic, cretinous, retard-infested humanity? You still ain't grown up in the 31st century? You still solve all your probs by force and war?
And then ... came this.
And made me sad in a very, very silent way.
I still ain't grown up myself.
~ This is NOT your light reading fare. It just managed to explain the Casimir Effect, in a way that made sense. After some thinking. ;)
So, don't use it to lull yourself to sleep.
(Which begs the question: Why am I reading it at this hour?)
~ This is a roller-coaster. No, really.
First we get this:
http://www.choveshkata.net/forum/viewto ... 559#p19559
Then we get a Western-style shootout between two free-converts (AIs), which also happens to be painful and poignant: they were once married, and the prize at stake is the life of their child.
I really don't know where this Tony Daniel fellow is taking me, but I already like him enough. Lead me on, Mr Author.
~ Okay, so it's a part of a projected trilogy. And the last book is nowhere in sight. :(
First of all, I'll postpone reading the second book until there's at least the promise of some progress on the third one. These stories are NOT self-contained. My memory is NOT what it used to be in middle school. (I could pretty much quote a full paragraph from a Pratchett book then.) Superluminal goes on the same shelf as the Gentleman Bastard and Imperial Radch. (Hey, don't be sad; it's stellar company!)
Second, and more important: Dear readers, please buy Tony Daniel's books. Especially Metaplanetary and Superluminal. It helps publishers make up their minds, you know?
(Alternatively, you may try to convince Mr Daniel to go the Kickstarter way. He doesn't sound over-excited about it, but hey, this is Goodreads! Are we good at making our reads happen, or what?
But please, don't look at me. I've my hands full right now.)
, а още по-лошото е, че не я и харесвам...
Както и да преведем подзаглавието като „40 истории от отвъдните“ – в оригинал е 40 Tales from the Afterlives. Изобщо, Ийгълман обича необичайните множествени числа – най-известната му книга е подзаглавена The Secret Lives of the Brain.)