ladybusiness | (Reply)

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I can see how that would have its appeal! But for me it was too abstract. The fact that, despite the existence of those notional slash geographical hives (at least some of which are grandchildren of huge corporations), nations continued to sort-of exist ("look at me carrying a Polish armband without speaking Polish or knowing anything about Poland probably 'cause it don't exist no more") but seem to be associated with little-to-none cultural legacy other than enmity to other nations was disappointing.

I actually found 7S to be better worldbuilding-wise because at least sometimes it made sense and some explanations were given for the more bizarre gender elements + philosophy actually got better integrated/went a little deeper.

It was a very gripping read, but I couldn't help comparing it to Walton's Thessaly, which has humans try to construct Utopia of Philosopher Kings and sees clearly the flaws of the construct, following through to the conclusion. Here I felt like the need to make the narrative work with the fittings of 18th century fiction meant falling face-first into all of its flaws, often with self-awareness but not ability to transcend them.

I really need to shut up now because I'd probably - scratch that, I'd definitely hate for someone to hate on a book I loved. I think the ideas in Palmer's book are imaginative and awesome in both senses of the word. I hope in the future she'll accompany them with less of the stuff that made me nope hard! :D