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Dream of Glass
The dreaded Rose Guardians ask Alexa to use her special powers to contact the Galatics, a technologically advanced alien race who have sent an unmanned ship to the earth
- GenresScience Fiction
377 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 20, 2024
An interesting book with some very strong concepts, but one I feel suffers heavily from a tell don't show issue. Despite a strange structure, issues with pacing and some very unclear sections I found myself wanting to read on and see what happens next as well as ty and figure out what on earth is going on.
It finally 'clicked' for me about half way through the book and I had grasp on the main characters and what their aims were. I can easily see this being an issue for some readers but events before that are still very interesting. The prologue itself is exceptional, it is a shame it takes so long for the book to reach those heights, and I would argue it never quite does.
A larger issue is the synopsis on the book, something I would not blame the author for. It refers to the main character trying to contact 'the galactics' (essentially aliens) at the behest of a dystopian government. All these features and events are present the contact and efforts to do so was only apparent (at least to me) 70% of the way through the book. Most of the book is therefore build up and the pace, style and narrative changes little after the incident.
The ideas the book presents are very interesting and are classic sci-fi: What does it mean to be human, to exist and how will human relationship with technology potentially change concepts of self and identity. The neat take on these ideas is how they relate to the wider organisation of human society with rights and the role of the individual contrasted with the role of communities and the state. All with the implications of AI added to the mix. The ideas are well thought out and interesting to read my issue is with how they are presented. Characters frequently have a sequence where events and actions happen, there is then a long piece of text (either internal monologue or dialogue akin to a speech/lecture) where the concepts are explained and discussed. The two elements thus feel completely separate.
One of the quotes on my copy touted the book as an evolution of the ideas in neuromancer, and it can credibly said to be that in terms of its ideas. As a story and piece of writing, for me, it doesn't even come close. It is still a good book, and if you enjoyed the ideas in neuromancer you will probably enjoy this. Just be prepared for a book that is far far drier and more academic in nature.
It is a good book and I enjoyed reading it, if making it longer would have made it easier to merge the concepts with the plot I would have happily read it.
It finally 'clicked' for me about half way through the book and I had grasp on the main characters and what their aims were. I can easily see this being an issue for some readers but events before that are still very interesting. The prologue itself is exceptional, it is a shame it takes so long for the book to reach those heights, and I would argue it never quite does.
A larger issue is the synopsis on the book, something I would not blame the author for. It refers to the main character trying to contact 'the galactics' (essentially aliens) at the behest of a dystopian government. All these features and events are present the contact and efforts to do so was only apparent (at least to me) 70% of the way through the book. Most of the book is therefore build up and the pace, style and narrative changes little after the incident.
The ideas the book presents are very interesting and are classic sci-fi: What does it mean to be human, to exist and how will human relationship with technology potentially change concepts of self and identity. The neat take on these ideas is how they relate to the wider organisation of human society with rights and the role of the individual contrasted with the role of communities and the state. All with the implications of AI added to the mix. The ideas are well thought out and interesting to read my issue is with how they are presented. Characters frequently have a sequence where events and actions happen, there is then a long piece of text (either internal monologue or dialogue akin to a speech/lecture) where the concepts are explained and discussed. The two elements thus feel completely separate.
One of the quotes on my copy touted the book as an evolution of the ideas in neuromancer, and it can credibly said to be that in terms of its ideas. As a story and piece of writing, for me, it doesn't even come close. It is still a good book, and if you enjoyed the ideas in neuromancer you will probably enjoy this. Just be prepared for a book that is far far drier and more academic in nature.
It is a good book and I enjoyed reading it, if making it longer would have made it easier to merge the concepts with the plot I would have happily read it.
August 26, 2024
A book I cannot entirely recommend, but still love. It's dense, head up ass at times but if it didn't do that, it wouldn't be half as interesting. Difficult to follow and the prose is not the most elegant, but, as a concept book it's quite something, the latter third through closing perhaps lagging behind the opening and middle in terms of coherence and drive. The ending may not satisfy, but, I think the read still worth it. Prone to philosophical circling but very few 'cyberpunk' (and I would use the term loosely in re: Dream of Glass) have quite the same unique voice this one does.
Honestly worth a look even out of curiosity as a definite voice-in-the-wilderness, given Gawron's small bibliography. Also a hard find, I don't think it's available in electronic form which is a shame.
Honestly worth a look even out of curiosity as a definite voice-in-the-wilderness, given Gawron's small bibliography. Also a hard find, I don't think it's available in electronic form which is a shame.
July 14, 2023
A nicely written cyberspace-type book. Never entirely clear what’s happening but that’s ok. Everyone’s favourite sci-fi topic: what is a human.
March 22, 2018
I find it difficult to rate this novel. On the one hand it was a fascinating glimpse into the "soul" of AI's and the merging of humans with AI's. On the other hand I had a difficult time following who exactly the narrators were in each chapter. It was a bit incomprehensible and confusing!!
June 6, 2021
Body, mind, spirit - what defines a human? What rights are due to conscious entities that manifest human qualities? The infinite mysteries of the universe are expressed in all their terrors and brilliance as a network of information, cognition and intelligence.
June 19, 2013
One of my favorite books. I'm on my fourth copy...keep giving them away. A great study on identity, self and what it means to be sentient. This is not a linear story. Not for everyone.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews