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Apr 17, 2018 Elizabeth rated information technology really liked it

I accept absolutely no interest in science fiction in any chapters. I also am deeply terrified of outer infinite and I once had a dream about my dad being abducted past aliens through my parents' kitchen window that left me unable to sleep without the bath light on for years.

I found Daughter in Mural on my bookshelf. I accept no memory of purchasing it, and my swain says he'due south never seen it before. I have a ton of books cluttering my shelves right now, so I picked this up with the intention of rea

I accept absolutely no involvement in science fiction in any capacity. I as well am deeply terrified of outer infinite and I once had a dream about my dad existence abducted by aliens through my parents' kitchen window that left me unable to sleep without the bathroom calorie-free on for years.

I found Girl in Landscape on my bookshelf. I have no retentivity of purchasing it, and my boyfriend says he's never seen it before. I have a ton of books cluttering my shelves right now, so I picked this upwards with the intention of reading until I became mildly disinterested, at which point I would no longer feel guilty about chucking information technology.

Except, I was never disinterested, fifty-fifty for a moment. In fact, I was enthralled from the very kickoff folio.

In brusque it's about a family who leaves World and start a new life on the planet of the Archbuilders, which is what the inhabitants are referred to. The children are coping with the recent expiry of their mother, while attempting to find themselves in this new globe - a place where miniature deer roam like mice, witnessing everything and keeping secrets.

It'due south not a perfect book, but at the same time I can't really indicate out where information technology definitely went wrong. I suppose I simply wanted to know more, simply I also appreciated the simplicity. I loved Pella. I loved the writing. I loved the Archbuilders and the household deer. I loved the temper, and the feel. I loved that I could perfectly imagine becoming a household deer myself, running and tumbling across the dusty landscape.

In the end this book volition remain on my bookshelf, and I will probably have to go out and find more written by Jonathan Lethem. Non the outcome I wanted, but I'm not disappointed.

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Apr 10, 2014 Jonfaith rated it it was ok

It appears necessary that I begin my review with a truthful story. I was enjoying reading in the pregnant sunshine, robins flirted in the leaves behind me, a gentle cakewalk stirred the budding copse. I was not, still, enjoying this novel, in fact, I was sighing as I sped forth. Suddenly the novel in question was targeted by an Avian Airborne Excrement assault. Now i take experienced the white drops of British sketch comedy before. This was a blast, it most tore the book from stunned fingers. I dec It appears necessary that I begin my review with a true story. I was enjoying reading in the significant sunshine, robins flirted in the leaves behind me, a gentle breeze stirred the budding trees. I was not, withal, enjoying this novel, in fact, I was sighing as I sped forth. Suddenly the novel in question was targeted by an Avian Airborne Excrement attack. Now i take experienced the white drops of British sketch one-act before. This was a blast, information technology near tore the book from stunned fingers. I decided it was a sign and stopped for the time being.

I finished the novel afterwards and it contains the germs of something interesting. Otherwise this is a tale of trans-planetary Western with native inhabitant Archbuilders being substituted for Native Americans. Archbuilders are the remainders of a great civilization who now profess an interest in English language and waltz near like Shakespeare'south Fools, eating each scene with one-liners while the sexual antics of human children "threaten" to unravel the colony. Jesus.

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CRITIQUE:

What Makes a Human or Woman Wander?

This novel was designed every bit a work of mail-apocalyptic science fiction, although it owes much to John Ford'south Western film "The Searchers".

The girl's name is Pella Marsh. Shortly after the death of her mother (Caitlin), she, her father (Clement) and two younger brothers (Raymond and David) depart Globe (they had lived in Brooklyn) for a man settlement on a planet called "The Planet of the Archbuilders". Their goal was to escape an unidentified environmen

CRITIQUE:

What Makes a Man or Adult female Wander?

This novel was designed as a work of mail service-apocalyptic scientific discipline fiction, although it owes much to John Ford'southward Western movie "The Searchers".

The girl's name is Pella Marsh. Before long after the decease of her female parent (Caitlin), she, her male parent (Clement) and ii younger brothers (Raymond and David) depart Earth (they had lived in Brooklyn) for a human settlement on a planet called "The Planet of the Archbuilders". Their goal was to escape an unidentified environmental crunch. At the time but about 200 humans live on this planet.

The Concluding Borderland

It's tempting to call this planet the (or a) "Concluding Borderland". It's very much a manscape, like the Wild West. The humans are there to maximise their own wealth, freedom and opportunity. At that place is footling constabulary and order. The Archbuilders are the remnants of an alien race, the precursors of which accept already left the planet to explore other frontiers of their own. "They remade their planet, built a culture, so they figured out a mode to do the greatest affair anyone'due south always done - explore the stars."

The survivors are relatively uncivilised (compared with their precursors) and scorned by many of the humans. Efram says, "The rabble around hither are just the lazy, stupid ones that didn't want to get." They suffer from the same prejudice equally the native Indians of North America. "Calling them idiots is also generous. They're sexual deviants, most of them. If they bear upon the children I'll kill them." Apparently, the Archbuilders don't differentiate between adults and children in the same way that humans do. They even chronicle to children more so than adult humans.

Their precursors adult a sophisticated society and built environment consisting of arches and towers, which has since collapsed into ruins. The visual mural evokes Monument Valley in Arizona/Utah, where much of "The Searchers" was filmed.

The Influence of The Searchers

In an essay called "Defending The Searchers", Lethem describes "Daughter in Landscape" as "a novel I'd predetermined should be influenced by The Searchers." A friend (with whom he fell out) questioned his "most-hysterical reverence" for the film. Lethem subsequently realises that "The Searchers is also gristly to be digested in my novel, besides willful to be divisional by my theories." He might even have "macerated" the moving picture.

The novel is no mere homage to the film. The novel adverts to the picture show, but is its own construction.

The character Efram Nugent could be based on Ethan Edwards (the John Wayne character), while 13 year old Pella could be based on Debbie Edwards (the Natalie Wood character), who is abducted by the Indians and becomes function of their tribe. Even then, Lethem has created fully-adult characters of his ain.

To the extent that the Archbuilders might stand for the Indians, the domineering Efram empathises with their precursors, if non the survivors. The walls of his habitation are a reconstruction of the interior of an ancient Archbuilder tower that serves as a shrine containing relics of their culture, which he both adores and worships. The Archbuilders refer to his "dear of ancestors."

On the other mitt, Efram wants to segregate the Archbuilders from the human settlements. He believes that they carry viruses that can alter the bodies of humans, especially pubescent girls whose bodies are plain-featured by their new breasts. Somebody, maybe Efram, imagines: "The girl's body was pretentious with womanhood." Despite all of his righteousness, at that place is a constant suspicion that Efram is a greater threat to Pella than any of the Archbuilders or their viruses. Like John Wayne in "The Searchers", he says to Pella at one bespeak, "We'd better go you home." In his eyes, she is threatened by her proximity to the Other.

Strangely, Pella has an unhealthy involvement in Efram. She lacks a strong mother figure in her life, merely is never abducted by the Archbuilders, or any of the white males with whom she comes into contact or conflict. Still, she is precociously supportive and protective of the Archbuilders. When an Archbuilder is wrongfully accused of raping or molesting a immature girl, she helps to defend him from his accusers, the "ill minds" of humanity, at her own peril.

Adjectival Moving ridge

Similar the Archbuilders themselves ("They're so in love with English"), the novel is interested in linguistics. The Archbuilders accept names that are a composite of an adjective and a noun: Hiding Kneel, Truth Renowned, Alone Dumptruck, Gelatinous Stand, Rock Friend, Lonely Candybar. They made me think of bad indie band names. Hiding Kneel says of Pella Marsh, "Your name evokes."

Besides, every fourth dimension, I saw a combination of two words, I wondered what it would sound like equally a name: Disconcerting Pride, Fallen Span, Moist Cleft, Translucent Sac, Prefabricated Cabin, Misplaced Intensity, Pallid Euphemism, Rightful Place, Living Soul, Impatient Teacher, Implicit Alliance, Impossible Cocky, Withheld Caption, Linguistic Dissension, Degenerate Buffoonery, Sunken Stone, Tiny Avalanche, Flimsy House, Kneaded Dough, Mourning Corner, Misshapen Venture, and Ragged Monolith.

This quest added some other dimension to the appreciation of an otherwise rewarding novel.

SOUNDTRACK:
(view spoiler)[
James Gang - "Ashes the Pelting and I"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?5=East-s73...

James Gang - "Midnight Human being"

https://www.youtube.com/spotter?v=o8JPP...

Dumptruck - "Secrets" (From the album, "Positively Dumptruck")

https://www.youtube.com/lookout man?v=5W-wY...

Dumptruck - "Back Where I Belong"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?5=9PpX8...

The Sons of the Pioneers - "Ride Away" (Title Sequence and Theme Song from "The Searchers")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1OPp...

"What makes a homo to wander?
What makes a man to roam?
What makes a man exit bed and board
And plough his back on home?
Ride away, ride away, ride away..."

Clip from "The Searchers" (The Doorway Scene)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?five=KvfIs...

Stan Jones - "Ride Abroad"

https://world wide web.youtube.com/watch?v=4r6KX...

The Bats - "For the Ride"

https://youtu.be/7cUq6a7yhng

Crowded Firm - "Fall At Your Feet"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ROiU...

(hide spoiler)]

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Jun 21, 2007 Kylos rated it information technology was astonishing

i institute zip unlikeable most this volume.
the perspective from the preteen girl is, as far as i can tell, totally infallible. i buy it completely in the sense that i never feel like it'due south a guy writing how he THINKS she would feel.
on summit of that we have classic western set in sci fi futurity.
and itsy bitsy alien deer.

the force of his work is to write great characters and stories but set up them in a sci fi setting. it'southward non about the setting or the world. it'southward about them. and that's how he transce

i found zippo unlikeable about this book.
the perspective from the preteen daughter is, equally far as i can tell, totally infallible. i purchase it completely in the sense that i never feel like it's a guy writing how he THINKS she would feel.
on pinnacle of that we take classic western set in sci fi future.
and itsy bitsy alien deer.

the strength of his piece of work is to write great characters and stories but set them in a sci fi setting. it's not near the setting or the globe. information technology's about them. and that's how he transcends the genre.

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I like scientific discipline fiction more as a setting than a genre. Too much of the writing that falls under that imprint seems similar the well-informed prattling of Asperger sufferers who used earth-building as catharsis. Whether information technology's steam-punk Victorian era or a million years in the time to come, my deepest desire is for a story with strong character development an proficient pacing.

Lethem gets it mostly right with Daughter in Landscape, creating something akin to a Steinbeck story ready in a well-nigh-future on a more often than not uninhabit

I like science fiction more than as a setting than a genre. Too much of the writing that falls under that banner seems like the well-informed prattling of Asperger sufferers who used earth-building every bit catharsis. Whether it'southward steam-punk Victorian era or a million years in the hereafter, my deepest desire is for a story with strong graphic symbol development an skillful pacing.

Lethem gets it mostly right with Girl in Landscape, creating something akin to a Steinbeck story prepare in a almost-future on a generally uninhabited conflicting planet now colonized by humans escaping a ruined homeworld. At that place'south a lot to like nearly the story of Pella Marsh, a teenage daughter trying to cope with the death of her mother and her useless male parent, but something in the style the slim volume is written kept me at arms length.

Most of the characters come off equally damaged and emotionally removed. Lethem puts some quality work into showing the awkwardness inherent in people interacting with i another. Conversations aren't tidy, at that place's dead infinite, people practice things that don't totally make sense. Information technology creates an interesting, if sometimes offputting rhythm.

Ultimately what keeps the book from garnering a higher recommendation is Lethem's inability to really probe deeper into their lives. Many interesting concepts are suggested but never fleshed out, and it feels like the book ends just when a more ambitious book could take begun. Parellels between the mode the aliens abased their homeworld and Pella's own life are pointed out in one instance, merely never really exploited.

Information technology was a quick engaging read, and though I finished information technology ultimately feeling a slight bit unsatisfied, it created a hunger and curiosity that will probably lead me to read more of his books.

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It'due south a terrific coming-of-age story, a terrific infinite Western, and a really smart reflection on human nature. But you can't quite concur it directly. There is something about information technology, similar the sun out West, where information technology seems too bright to approach straight. The shattered sense of this future America sets it off on that foot; the scene at the beginning at Coney Isle. We almost don't want to look merely at the same time experience compelled and and so those ii impulses meet somewhere but off to the side of the affair It's a terrific coming-of-age story, a terrific infinite Western, and a actually smart reflection on human nature. Merely yous can't quite hold it directly. In that location is something nearly information technology, similar the sun out W, where information technology seems too vivid to approach directly. The shattered sense of this future America sets information technology off on that foot; the scene at the get-go at Coney Island. Nosotros well-nigh don't want to look simply at the same fourth dimension experience compelled and then those ii impulses meet somewhere simply off to the side of the thing itself. That'southward a masterful achievement if I do say so.

More TK at RB: http://ragingbiblioholism.com/2014/11...

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Dec 02, 2019 Andrea rated it liked information technology

3 or iv, really. I can't find the reference now but I believe John Scalzi mentioned "household deer" somewhere which sent me chasing this downward. I had recently finished Motherless Brooklyn then I thought I would keep with reading Lethem. It's weird. It's suspenseful and creepy almost all the fashion through. The author did wrap things up nicely and left everyone in a good place but I didn't have proficient feelings most it. The SF attribute is almost irrelevant. Well washed though. I guess it's literature. 3 or iv, really. I tin't detect the reference now simply I believe John Scalzi mentioned "household deer" somewhere which sent me chasing this down. I had recently finished Motherless Brooklyn so I idea I would continue with reading Lethem. Information technology'southward weird. Information technology's suspenseful and creepy almost all the way through. The writer did wrap things up nicely and left everyone in a good place but I didn't have good feelings about it. The SF aspect is almost irrelevant. Well done though. I guess it'south literature. ...more

I would call Lethem'south work something like "emblematic science fiction" and perhaps that is a existent term. While it operates on the tropes of a scorched future earth and living on an alien planet in the ruins of a lost civilisation, that is all just setting. The story is a fable of growing up while realizing that all adults around you are failing. Through the optics (and that is really saying something in this volume) of our xiv year sometime protagonist, Pella Marsh, we see humanity stripped downward to information technology I would call Lethem'due south piece of work something similar "allegorical science fiction" and maybe that is a existent term. While information technology operates on the tropes of a scorched future globe and living on an alien planet in the ruins of a lost civilization, that is all just setting. The story is a fable of growing upwards while realizing that all adults around you are failing. Through the eyes (and that is really saying something in this volume) of our 14 year old protagonist, Pella Marsh, nosotros see humanity stripped down to its blank essentials, exposed as raw and flailing. It isn't just the literally new and alien globe that shows united states of america this, simply the new and alien world of puberty and impending womanhood that Pella is struggling through that allows us our reader's window into Lethem'south dystopia.

The volume is as much a sibling to old west, settlers stories (I was reminded of All the Pretty Horses and Shane) but requires the futuristic bent to allow for a young woman to have acceptable agency. To place modern, almost suburban social sentiments into constrast with an unforgiving borderland requires the sf motif, simply this is a western at heart.

Information technology is likewise a book that I believe would get the "YA" treatment these days. Some publisher would discover the age and gender of the protagonist and endeavour to shoehorn it into the but genre that makes money whatever more. Luckily this was published when information technology was, otherwise I can but imagine some editor saying, "Great story, John, just what if 1 of the aliens was a sexy vampire..." Instead nosotros are immune an adult book that uses death and biological alter to exist the lens in which to observe the failure that is adulthood, and what that realization means for a maturing child. An boyish who is merely as culpable in the brutal abuse of adulthood as she brings about the death of the "villain" of the piece, who, for all his faults, actually does cipher incorrect in the volume, for all the menace he provides.

Lethem's absurd, effortless prose drives this novel, full of tension without release, even at the stop.

Great stuff.

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I want to mention, only skip over aspects of Daughter in landscape likely to exist covered past other reviewers. It certainly stands out considering of its genre bending of Western and Science Fiction tale. It is clearly an homage of sorts to The Searchers. It is other aspects of the book that made it very moving to read.

It should not be overlooked that it is a wonderful coming-of-age story (or bildungsromane to quote the German literary term). Pella Marsh is a young woman forced to grow up far as well chop-chop a

I want to mention, but skip over aspects of Girl in landscape likely to exist covered by other reviewers. It certainly stands out because of its genre angle of Western and Science Fiction tale. It is clearly an homage of sorts to The Searchers. It is other aspects of the book that made it very moving to read.

It should non exist overlooked that information technology is a wonderful coming-of-age story (or bildungsromane to quote the German literary term). Pella Marsh is a immature woman forced to grow up far too quickly and reading her story is like being in her head feeling all those raw hormone-infused teenage emotions. Lethem does a wonderful job writing from a young girl'south perspective. Pella is believable if sometimes unpredictable. There is a wonderful trope of shifting and metamorphosis, becoming something a chip alien after moving to an alien planet. This fits in well as a metaphor of a child becoming an adult in the jarring manner Pella endures.

The Marsh children's mother dies suddenly early in the book as a consequence of a fast metastasizing brain tumor. This could have hands tanked into 5. C. Andrews level sentimentality if it non where for Lethem'southward own life experiences. His own mother died in the aforementioned fashion when he was about Pella'due south historic period and then this theme arises frequently in his fiction every bit it did in almost exactly the aforementioned manner in The Fortress of Solitude. His personal experience of this pain lends a certain weight of gravitas to Pella's story.

What struck me most singularly notwithstanding was Lethem'south nigh perfect treatment of the group psychology of children and adolescents. The young characters in this book behave so realistically, y'all may observe yourself flashing back to long hot afternoons on the playground. I would recommend reading and discussion of this volume to child psychology students, despite its Science Fiction trappings.

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Feb 06, 2008 RJ rated it it was astonishing

This one is a foreign mix even for genre-angle genius Jonathon Lethem. "Girl in Landscape" combines a young daughter's coming of historic period and enkindling sexuality with an alien landscape and the strange relationships between human and alien beings. At times charting the landscapes of children and adults and the odd spaces in between, at others chronicling failure, loss and the inherent possibility of settling a new world. This is my favorite of his novels. It is poignant and lovely, quirky and curious, This one is a strange mix even for genre-bending genius Jonathon Lethem. "Girl in Landscape" combines a young daughter'due south coming of historic period and awakening sexuality with an conflicting landscape and the foreign relationships between human being and alien beings. At times charting the landscapes of children and adults and the odd spaces in between, at others chronicling failure, loss and the inherent possibility of settling a new earth. This is my favorite of his novels. Information technology is poignant and lovely, quirky and curious, nevertheless also a plot-driven page-turner. ...more

The blurb describes this book every bit The Searchers meets Lolita. Hmm. Near.

Dec 12, 2017 Shane Jones rated it information technology was amazing

Randomly bought this at the used book store effectually the corner and felt surprised how much I enjoyed this, although at times the nerdy quality of Lethem gets a flake likewise thick. But the imagination, genre twisting, images, spare prose, etc, is surprising

April 14, 2019 Marker Palermo rated it really liked it

The first third is terrific, and then the side by side 100 pages slow down into one of those "sexual awakening through fantasy genre trope" things, but in one case I adjusted to it not continuing with its initial creativity, I really liked this. Good ending, also. The first third is terrific, and and so the next 100 pages dull down into one of those "sexual awakening through fantasy genre trope" things, just one time I adjusted to it not standing with its initial inventiveness, I really liked this. Good ending, besides. ...more

Jan 15, 2020 Aerin rated it liked it

I might bump this up to 4 stars after mulling information technology over some. Hard to go a handle on this book.

Jun thirty, 2015 Kyle Muntz rated it actually liked it

A actually peculiar novel. This is my first time reading Lethem, and I wasn't certain what to expect--though from what I can tell, his writing is very different from volume to book. This books starts really strong with a family recovering from the expiry of their female parent; at that place are some interesting scientific discipline fiction elements, but the bigger picture had a kind vagueness that most reminds me of a fable, contrasting with extremely interesting specific details from scene to scene. The prose is really sharp, A actually peculiar novel. This is my first time reading Lethem, and I wasn't sure what to look--though from what I can tell, his writing is very different from book to book. This books starts really strong with a family recovering from the death of their mother; there are some interesting science fiction elements, just the bigger flick had a kind vagueness that almost reminds me of a fable, contrasting with extremely interesting specific details from scene to scene. The prose is really sharp, and sometimes really funny. Effectually page 50, the book starts feeling like a Wes Anderson film assail another planet, with landscapes and characters that occasionally experience like they came out of a western. This was an odd volume, and I'thousand not sure what it was trying to exercise exactly; it drew from a lot of different directions without necessarily setting on one for itself, but there were a lot of corking moments along the fashion. There was a kind of airiness to the prose/narrative I didn't always capeesh, and in the cease a lot of elements felt underdeveloped, merely what nosotros got was still really interesting. I didn't love it, only I liked information technology enough to read most of the book in one sitting, and I could run into myself reading Lethem again eventually. ...more

Nov 15, 2011 Josh Duggan rated it did not similar it

Anyway, a footling while back I read this book having heard skillful things about Jonathan Lethem. It is a post-apocalyptic novel in which largely ineffectual characters settle on a foreign planet with the chief grapheme being 14-year-old Pella Marsh. If none of that sounded adept, it is because it wasn't.

Now the back of the book sold Girl in Landscape as a "genre-bending, mind-expanding tale of sexual perversity on a new frontier." Look elsewhere, brave reader, because there is little in the way of

Anyhow, a piddling while dorsum I read this volume having heard expert things about Jonathan Lethem. It is a post-apocalyptic novel in which largely ineffectual characters settle on a foreign planet with the primary grapheme existence 14-twelvemonth-old Pella Marsh. If none of that sounded good, it is because information technology wasn't.

Now the dorsum of the book sold Daughter in Mural as a "genre-bending, mind-expanding tale of sexual perversity on a new frontier." Look elsewhere, brave reader, considering there is little in the way of what that promises. The prose is irksome, the narrative is surprisingly unimaginative and entirely tedious, and the characters lack any qualities that would give cause to intendance.

I would commit more than words to this, just what is the point?

Originally reviewed at http://inconsiderateprick.blogspot.co...

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Apr 08, 2015 Halley Sutton rated it it was amazing

Upping my review to five stars. I loved this and also feel like it was pretty flawed but so I'm also not sure if the flaws were flaws or just unmet expectations I had? For example, had no existent idea what the aliens looked like. Actually, that's not true at all-- they looked similar Big Bird to me, and so I guess I DID take an idea, but also, I don't know? That'south more or less how I felt about most of this book. "What almost 10...wait, does X affair, isn't Y more important? BUT So Z..." So: loved the co Upping my review to v stars. I loved this and also experience like information technology was pretty flawed simply then I'grand besides not certain if the flaws were flaws or just unmet expectations I had? For example, had no existent idea what the aliens looked like. Actually, that's non true at all-- they looked like Large Bird to me, so I judge I DID have an idea, but as well, I don't know? That'southward more or less how I felt about virtually of this volume. "What about X...await, does X affair, isn't Y more important? BUT So Z..." So: loved the concept, was wildly engaged in the story even as I felt like: the Archbuilders could've been more fleshed out, specially the ones who weren't at that place; what the hell was really happening with this planet; Clement just like disappears?; why didn't the boys become deer or did they?; I don't even know, I loved all of it in its total imperfection. ...more

Like a b-moving-picture show made likewise tardily. Like what's the indicate & where's the prose. Similar don't sexualise teenage girls to pander to your male writer fantasies. Like SF? Like. Nah mate. Like a b-movie made too late. Like what's the point & where'southward the prose. Like don't sexualise teenage girls to pander to your male author fantasies. Like SF? Like. Nah mate. ...more

Apr 18, 2021 Mike Parkes rated it it was astonishing

I loved this story! Pella was so entrancing as a coming-of-age heroine in a very foreign country, an alien planet complete with aliens who were both likeable and mysterious. I loved the dual lives they lived, the constant shuffling of viewpoint. And then to witness how humans carried Globe with them into this curious planet, it was bittersweet and hypnotic all rolled into one fantastic read! I wished I was living there, information technology sounded like my kind of boondocks. Weird. Will be looking for more sci-fi from Jo I loved this story! Pella was so entrancing as a coming-of-historic period heroine in a very strange state, an alien planet consummate with aliens who were both likeable and mysterious. I loved the dual lives they lived, the abiding shuffling of viewpoint. And then to witness how humans carried World with them into this curious planet, information technology was bloodshot and hypnotic all rolled into one fantastic read! I wished I was living there, information technology sounded like my kind of town. Weird. Will exist looking for more sci-fi from Jonathan Lethem. ...more

Aug 09, 2014 J.I. rated it really liked it

Here is the affair: despite this novel existence set in a future in which the earth is falling autonomously and a family travels over a light-year away to live on an alien planet with inscrutable aliens in a very immature and empty alien colony, it isn't really sci-fi. It is really just a story almost a xiii year old girl, and growing up--it is about the secrets of the body, some yours, some known to all, information technology is about the secrets of childhood and of adulthood, of the secrets that foster in that liminal space Here is the thing: despite this novel being fix in a time to come in which the world is falling apart and a family travels over a light-twelvemonth abroad to live on an conflicting planet with inscrutable aliens in a very young and empty alien colony, it isn't really sci-fi. Information technology is really just a story about a thirteen year onetime girl, and growing upwards--it is about the secrets of the body, some yours, some known to all, it is about the secrets of childhood and of adulthood, of the secrets that foster in that liminal space, it is about the secrets that are the things we don't know are happening, or that we pretend non to know about. It is, in all, a very personal story, and all of the sci-fi trappings are just weird, oblong metaphors that have no easy parallel because, well, there is no like shooting fish in a barrel parallel. What is it similar to be a child and to run into adults discussing sex? Well, it's a little like falling asleep and observing the conversation through the eyes of a nearly invisible miniature giraffe, that'due south what.

This book is at times infuriating because some of the conversations are very realistic--they are the kinds of obtuse misunderstandings and distastes that make upwardly life, and while they are frustrating, they are understandable. At other times, however, people deed in behave in a bizarre manner that better fits this novel as somehow allegorical, as speaking of something else, of beingness not an action, just a metaphor for something else. Sometimes this confusion between what is literal and what is not is but marvelous, though sometimes information technology is but a scrap too confusing. What information technology all comes back to, all the same (and this is what makes me love this novel so much), is that, actually, we are seeing the world through the eyes of a immature daughter, nosotros are seeing parents rise and fall in her esteem, we are seeing inappropriate adults and overly sensitive ones, nosotros are seeing new places and new friends and a new life that is so alien that it can only speak cryptically, and it is up to this young daughter to effigy out non only what is Actually happening in the earth, only what her identify will exist in it.

It's weird and information technology's confusing, only damn if it isn't fantastic.

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Admittedly loved Motherless Brooklyn and really liked the totally different Amnesia Mooon, but was frankly disappointed by this 1. An interesting premise that started potent but then petered out to kind of nothing. Lethem is always an splendid writer, then the volume held my interest right to the end, as I was hoping for a big reveal that justified all the lead up, merely the ultimate "surprise" was really anti-climatic considering the post-apocalyptic, alien planet build-upward.

The most interesting

Absolutely loved Motherless Brooklyn and really liked the totally different Amnesia Mooon, just was frankly disappointed by this one. An interesting premise that started strong only then petered out to kind of zippo. Lethem is ever an excellent writer, and then the book held my interest right to the terminate, equally I was hoping for a large reveal that justified all the pb up, but the ultimate "surprise" was really anti-climatic considering the post-apocalyptic, alien planet build-upwardly.

The most interesting character in the whole volume dies in the commencement 20 pages, and then after that there'due south really no one to root for. Pella'due south but besides dislocated almost herself and everyone else to be very sympathetic, and everyone else is just unlikable - except the aliens who aren't fleshed out enough to either similar or dislike. I kept waiting for the Archbuilders to reveal some hidden depth or secret knowledge, simply that never came - they were really just standard Western "reservation Indians;" sorry shadows of a formerly great race.

This was a sci-fi book in setting only - Lethem kept the science and conflicting elements to a bare minimum. He mentions only two alien species on the whole planet, and provides just ane real concrete description of the Archbuilders. Patently, nosotros was using the sci-fi format to tell a divide story - but I could but never figure out what that story was. From the looks of it, there are a number of other Lethem books out at that place with apparently intriguing premises - just information technology will be a while earlier I effort another 1, unless information technology comes with a strong personal recommendation from a reader I trust.

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Jan 12, 2014 Martin rated it liked it

Man, Lethem just tries everything, doesn't he? This felt like a YA novel for adults: immature female person protagonist who'south smarter and stronger than the adults around her; alien planet with potentially benign, potentially malevolent lifeforms; missing parent; romantic opportunities light and dark. I would say though, that this is not really targeting nor necessarily would be appealing to (and I'm not going to brainstorm to pretend I know what's 'appropriate for' ((even if I've but pretended to know what wo Man, Lethem just tries everything, doesn't he? This felt like a YA novel for adults: immature female protagonist who'south smarter and stronger than the adults effectually her; conflicting planet with potentially benign, potentially malevolent lifeforms; missing parent; romantic opportunities light and dark. I would say though, that this is non actually targeting nor necessarily would be appealing to (and I'yard non going to brainstorm to pretend I know what'south 'appropriate for' ((even if I've just pretended to know what would appeal)) ) teenage girls. Non enough plot, not enough romance.

I always similar Lethem just enough to read another ('another,' considering I've come to him several books in and so am reading them in no particular social club; this is 1 of his first I call up). There'southward a moody tone that starts to feel i-notation function way through every book, but still, there is something that keeps me coming back. I fear it may be some sort of narcissism. He, like so many of the authors I honey or have loved (Chabon, Hornby, McMurtry, McGuane, on and on) sounds like what I like to retrieve I sound similar: "this is how I would write were I only so inclined." That's an embarrassing truth to place on a public forum, just maybe I'm not the only i who turns to fiction to notice a more attractive version of myself.

Maybe I'll reread Wintertime'due south Tale side by side. Helprin doesn't remind me of me at all. Equally best I think.

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Though I'chiliad non normally a fan of science fiction, girl in mural captivated me from the very beginning. The story is told through Pella Marsh, a twelve year old girl whose world is about to exist flipped upside down as her family moves to an entirely new planet. Her father, losing his policital election on earth, believes he is needed for guild and stability on the new planet of the archbuilders and relocates his family at that place, merely not earlier tragedy strikes. His wife, Pella's mother, dies earlier Though I'm not ordinarily a fan of science fiction, girl in landscape captivated me from the very beginning. The story is told through Pella Marsh, a twelve year old girl whose world is about to be flipped upside down as her family moves to an entirely new planet. Her father, losing his policital election on earth, believes he is needed for club and stability on the new planet of the archbuilders and relocates his family there, simply not before tragedy strikes. His married woman, Pella'due south mother, dies earlier the move, from a mysterious seizure that is unexplained. The new planet is full of archbuilders, who are made out to sound superhuman but in reality are not any smarter, most are in fact less intelligent. There are special pills i can take to prevent themselves from getting the archbuilder virus, which Pella decides against and undergoes a transformation to spy on the town in a peculiar mode. This is Dauntless New Earth meets science fiction (even more) and is remarkable from the very first chapter. The ending is surprising yet i can predict information technology if they read carefully. I would recommend this book to anybody. ...more

This is a chip off the former Philip Thou Dick block, and specifically Martian Fourth dimension-Slip, a volume I adore. Sadly, Lethem's version is less funny, less eventful, and less skillful all round. I but can't seem to like Lethem, even though I've read about six of his books at present. Here, fourteen year-one-time Pella and her family travel from ruined Earth to the Planet of the Archbuilders. Pella's mother dies early (before they leave) and she seems to hate her father, Cloudless, who is something of a failed politican. This is a chip off the one-time Philip Chiliad Dick block, and specifically Martian Time-Slip, a book I adore. Sadly, Lethem's version is less funny, less eventful, and less practiced all circular. I only can't seem to like Lethem, fifty-fifty though I've read near 6 of his books now. Here, xiv year-old Pella and her family travel from ruined Globe to the Planet of the Archbuilders. Pella'due south mother dies early on (earlier they get out) and she seems to hate her begetter, Clement, who is something of a failed politican. The new planet is pretty dull. The Archbuilders (or the dregs of them) are mopey aliens reminsicent of PKD aliens, and they even have names like Hiding Kneel and Gelatinous Stand, merely like in Clans of the Alphane Moon. There are also these 'household deer' critters that characters can inhabit and use to spy on other humans, as Pella does increasingly as the novel wears on.

That actually sounds kind of promising, but sadly for the most part this book is a fat load of null. Something climactic finally happens on about page 270 (of 280), but past and then it's far, far too late. Fuck it, I'grand moving on to other authors.

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April 11, 2008 Alison rated information technology really liked it

Recommended to Alison by: Book Lust

This is another bully Lethem novel. Information technology is gear up in the hereafter, at a fourth dimension when the earth has get so polluted that nosotros are setting up colonies on other planets. The novel follows the Marsh family, and in item the daughter Pella. It picks upward as they are finalizing their plans to move to the Planet of the Archbuilders, but the majority of the action takes place in that location. Equally y'all tin can see this is a sci-fi novel, but something about the way Lethem writes it makes information technology seem completely normal and plausib This is another great Lethem novel. Information technology is fix in the future, at a time when the earth has become and so polluted that we are setting upwardly colonies on other planets. The novel follows the Marsh family, and in particular the daughter Pella. It picks upwards as they are finalizing their plans to move to the Planet of the Archbuilders, just the bulk of the action takes place at that place. As y'all tin can see this is a sci-fi novel, but something well-nigh the way Lethem writes it makes it seem completely normal and plausible. For me, the sci-fi aspects didn't go far the manner (but I exercise like some sci-fi, so go along that in mind). Otherwise, this is basically a story that tracks the disintegration of a family unit and a town (though at that place is some hope at the end).

I enjoyed this, and I recollect the audiobook was done quite well. Unlike "The Memory Keeper's Daughter," the transitions were much clearer (aided in office by longer pauses and some B-movie fashion music). The tracks were as well much shorter and of a more consistent length.

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May 01, 2008 Adam rated it liked it

(Having just read Johnny'southward review, I have to throw in my ii cents.)

I liked this one, simply it's not i of my favorite scifi novels. The allusions to John Ford's The Searchers are pretty interesting. Good characters, very involving narrative, and a better-than-boilerplate scifi mise en scene. The novel reminded me a fleck of Philip K. Dick's Martian Time-Sideslip.

I was only a little disappointed that the story concluded upwards basically revolving around sex activity taboos... I mean, heading off to explore a new planet and s

(Having but read Johnny'south review, I have to throw in my 2 cents.)

I liked this one, but it's not one of my favorite scifi novels. The allusions to John Ford's The Searchers are pretty interesting. Skillful characters, very involving narrative, and a better-than-boilerplate scifi mise en scene. The novel reminded me a flake of Philip K. Dick's Martian Time-Slip.

I was merely a little disappointed that the story ended up basically revolving effectually sexual activity taboos... I mean, heading off to explore a new planet and gear up life there--well, you'd think there'd be grander issues to focus on. In scifi, I like to experience an expanding, out-bound spiral of imaginative thinking. Here we go an in-jump spiral; humanity doing a footling belly button-gazing. For me, the best scifi transcends what is condign an increasingly dull theme of modern literature: the idea that human being psychology explains all the really important things about life.

Lethem's mode, I think, works quite a bit meliorate in Motherless Brooklyn.

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Apr 12, 2011 Matthew rated information technology information technology was amazing

A practiced read, I blasted through this well thought out and well written novel. Filled with surprise when I get-go began reading it, the narrator is a 12 year former girl, I speedily constitute that Lethem'south choice in doing then works very well and fifty-fifty helps to bulldoze the story and create disharmonize within his novel. I also recall that Lethem's choice of following children and their actions and responses on/to the earth of the Archbuilders works very well, specially in how he presents an idea of how childlike thursday A good read, I blasted through this well thought out and well written novel. Filled with surprise when I starting time began reading information technology, the narrator is a 12 year old girl, I quickly found that Lethem's option in doing then works very well and even helps to drive the story and create disharmonize within his novel. I too recall that Lethem'due south choice of following children and their deportment and responses on/to the globe of the Archbuilders works very well, specially in how he presents an idea of how childlike the human race is or tin exist in their actions, development, and technological progress. Something that caught my attention in the novel were the Archbuilders, the alien race that Lethem creates in his novel. I wish that Lethem had provided more data near this other race, simply I can run into the importance of the mystery that he creates in regards to these other existence. This use of an alien race is something that I plan on keeping in listen in my own writing, to keep these other beings as mysterious to highlight the human struggle. ...more

Aug 12, 2018 Mr. rated it it was amazing

This is the haunting story of the Marsh family: Former politician Cloudless Marsh moves his girl Pella, and sons David and Raymond to the Planet of the Archbuilders later on his wife Caitlin suddenly dies in Brooklyn. Pella is a precocious xiii year old who becomes entangled with Efrem Nugent, a mysterious and shadowy effigy reminiscent of John Wayne's character from the picture "The Searchers". Inhabitants include names like Lonely Dumptruck and Hiding Kneel- a mysterious culture that oft frig This is the haunting story of the Marsh family: Former politician Clement Marsh moves his girl Pella, and sons David and Raymond to the Planet of the Archbuilders later on his wife Caitlin suddenly dies in Brooklyn. Pella is a precocious thirteen year erstwhile who becomes entangled with Efrem Nugent, a mysterious and shadowy figure reminiscent of John Wayne's character from the film "The Searchers". Inhabitants include names similar Alone Dumptruck and Hiding Kneel- a mysterious civilisation that often frightens the visitors from World; often anybody is feeling solitude and isolation in this mysterious word. Everyone collides in this makeshift expanse where devastation is often felt. Efrem and Pella are attracted to each other with a sexual tension that is securely realized in this offbeat and bizarre retelling of the classic frontier western. ...more

Jonathan Allen Lethem (built-in February 19, 1964) is an American novelist, essayist and short story writer.

His first novel, Gun, with Occasional Music, a genre work that mixed elements of science fiction and detective fiction, was published in 1994. Information technology was followed by three more science fiction novels. In 1999, Lethem published Motherless Brooklyn, a National Book Critics Circle Award-winning novel t

Jonathan Allen Lethem (born February 19, 1964) is an American novelist, essayist and brusk story writer.

His first novel, Gun, with Occasional Music, a genre piece of work that mixed elements of scientific discipline fiction and detective fiction, was published in 1994. It was followed past 3 more scientific discipline fiction novels. In 1999, Lethem published Motherless Brooklyn, a National Book Critics Circumvolve Award-winning novel that achieved mainstream success. In 2003, he published The Fortress of Solitude, which became a New York Times All-time Seller.

In 2005, he received a MacArthur Fellowship

...more

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