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Floored
In the darkest heart of humanity, 1.Nemo is reborn from light. Now she seeks it.
But to find the truth, she must disconnect herself from the society that sustains her life, and ascend the stairs to where she is forbidden. Beyond, she knows nothing is certain, except death when she unplugs. In a race against time, can she find enlightenment, throw off the chains of oppression and find salvation before her life-support systems fail?
Nothing is perfect, and absolutely everything is floored. A mix of Prometheus myth, J.G. Ballard, Orwell, and Greek tragedy.
For fans of 70s retro science fiction.
But to find the truth, she must disconnect herself from the society that sustains her life, and ascend the stairs to where she is forbidden. Beyond, she knows nothing is certain, except death when she unplugs. In a race against time, can she find enlightenment, throw off the chains of oppression and find salvation before her life-support systems fail?
Nothing is perfect, and absolutely everything is floored. A mix of Prometheus myth, J.G. Ballard, Orwell, and Greek tragedy.
For fans of 70s retro science fiction.
128 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 2, 2018
This short story is disturbing to say the least - it starts with a 'doctineer' attempting to fix a 'Zero' unit with a more upgrade 'grat bod' unit. Only the units brain and then only actually part of its brain is still useable. The nurse in this scenario is not a pleasant lady and quite evil - you certainly wouldn't want to be in her hands in your hour of need.
A zero unit is kept deep under ground, under 'the loch', as a service unit to others and the humans above. The existence of humans as opposed to mostly robotic and bio-engineered units is not in a zeros' frame of reference nor believed to really exist.
The zero then becomes a 1-Nemo after the doctineers surgery, but the top number is actually 100, so they ('she' as she later identifies as) are far, far down the food chain, only the 'human' leader is a 100.
1-Nemos' new grat bod (use your imagination for the use of a unit called this) garners a lot of unwanted attention and she is attacked. All units have to have periods of rest and work as they have a tether to them to be able to recharge their units. 1-Nemo is seeing things differently and wants to see what else exists, up in the light or above the loch.
This is a strange tale of status and placement within society and the way we treat each other. Any perceived differences can lead to you being outcast from your community and not accepted anywhere. To be brave enough to follow your dreams is a very 'human' wish and one that most cannot or won't try to achieve.
I received a copy of this book from the author and while it didn't make for easy reading, possibly due to naming and technical terms misleading me, it has an important message, spread in a very unique manner ! I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
I also read a copy of the authors book, Fault/Lines and really enjoyed that and found it much easier to digest.
A zero unit is kept deep under ground, under 'the loch', as a service unit to others and the humans above. The existence of humans as opposed to mostly robotic and bio-engineered units is not in a zeros' frame of reference nor believed to really exist.
The zero then becomes a 1-Nemo after the doctineers surgery, but the top number is actually 100, so they ('she' as she later identifies as) are far, far down the food chain, only the 'human' leader is a 100.
1-Nemos' new grat bod (use your imagination for the use of a unit called this) garners a lot of unwanted attention and she is attacked. All units have to have periods of rest and work as they have a tether to them to be able to recharge their units. 1-Nemo is seeing things differently and wants to see what else exists, up in the light or above the loch.
This is a strange tale of status and placement within society and the way we treat each other. Any perceived differences can lead to you being outcast from your community and not accepted anywhere. To be brave enough to follow your dreams is a very 'human' wish and one that most cannot or won't try to achieve.
I received a copy of this book from the author and while it didn't make for easy reading, possibly due to naming and technical terms misleading me, it has an important message, spread in a very unique manner ! I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
I also read a copy of the authors book, Fault/Lines and really enjoyed that and found it much easier to digest.
December 2, 2017
"Everyone is where they expect to be."
This is a strange fable set in a futuristic dystopian time following the life of one beautiful female unit, part machine and part human. Rescued by a rogue doctor/surgeon from the fate of a brief life of slavery in the lowest depths following an accident, she tries to live within and make sense of the world into which she is released, and another she later discovers. Although intriguing, in many ways this book is hard to read. The society depicted is alien, yet also mirrors the worst of our own in the superficial, often cruel, reactions of the different members of it for each other.Even the ending is extraordinary.
Mr.Lingane's writing style here is also interesting, creating a world both stark but vivid. His protagonists are more cartoon brush strokes than three dimensional, rounded characters. Yet this is how they need to be and, even so, can sti!l sometimes evoke poignancy.
Did I enjoy it? Well, no, not really. But it pulled me onwards, through it's dark corridors. I needed to find out what happened to the unit, the almost zero human, so full of humanity, to try to make sense of it for myself. It created an emotional reaction and I am still thinking about this story some weeks after having finished the reading - despite numerous books in between then and now.
If ideas are what fire your imagination, if you are looking for something beyond simp!e narrative in a science fiction story, want to look into a warped mirror reflecting back at us some parts of our present societal values, then get this book. It won't disappoint.
I received an advance review copy of Floored from the author. The opinions here expressed are entirely my own
This is a strange fable set in a futuristic dystopian time following the life of one beautiful female unit, part machine and part human. Rescued by a rogue doctor/surgeon from the fate of a brief life of slavery in the lowest depths following an accident, she tries to live within and make sense of the world into which she is released, and another she later discovers. Although intriguing, in many ways this book is hard to read. The society depicted is alien, yet also mirrors the worst of our own in the superficial, often cruel, reactions of the different members of it for each other.Even the ending is extraordinary.
Mr.Lingane's writing style here is also interesting, creating a world both stark but vivid. His protagonists are more cartoon brush strokes than three dimensional, rounded characters. Yet this is how they need to be and, even so, can sti!l sometimes evoke poignancy.
Did I enjoy it? Well, no, not really. But it pulled me onwards, through it's dark corridors. I needed to find out what happened to the unit, the almost zero human, so full of humanity, to try to make sense of it for myself. It created an emotional reaction and I am still thinking about this story some weeks after having finished the reading - despite numerous books in between then and now.
If ideas are what fire your imagination, if you are looking for something beyond simp!e narrative in a science fiction story, want to look into a warped mirror reflecting back at us some parts of our present societal values, then get this book. It won't disappoint.
I received an advance review copy of Floored from the author. The opinions here expressed are entirely my own
December 3, 2017
I'm really not sure if I enjoyed this book or not. It kept my attention and it was dark. I like dark. Let me explain what I mean...
It's a sort of future version of Frankenstein; it's a girl searching for the truth of life and a form of enlightenment; it's the lowest of the low wanting to reach the pinnacle of what she can achieve, but not being allowed to by others; it's modern life's attitude to looks, monetary gain, materialism, where you came from (and you should stay there), and the only 'achievement' being someone's 15 minutes of reality fame; it's the truth of the utter selfishness and uncaring ways of humanity, and modern human slavery; it's trying to find out who's the big boss rule-maker at the top, and being very surprised at the result; it's about the rich being on top and poor being pounded into the dirt.
You'll either be aware of the 'depth' in this story (eg all of the list above), or you'll just read it as an entertaining story. Either way, it's a riveting tale which will keep you turning each page, with full characters and smooth writing. For me, it's the type of dystopian tale that you could write an essay on. That's a good thing, by the way!
I received an ecopy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. This is an honest review, and any opinions are my own.
It's a sort of future version of Frankenstein; it's a girl searching for the truth of life and a form of enlightenment; it's the lowest of the low wanting to reach the pinnacle of what she can achieve, but not being allowed to by others; it's modern life's attitude to looks, monetary gain, materialism, where you came from (and you should stay there), and the only 'achievement' being someone's 15 minutes of reality fame; it's the truth of the utter selfishness and uncaring ways of humanity, and modern human slavery; it's trying to find out who's the big boss rule-maker at the top, and being very surprised at the result; it's about the rich being on top and poor being pounded into the dirt.
You'll either be aware of the 'depth' in this story (eg all of the list above), or you'll just read it as an entertaining story. Either way, it's a riveting tale which will keep you turning each page, with full characters and smooth writing. For me, it's the type of dystopian tale that you could write an essay on. That's a good thing, by the way!
I received an ecopy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. This is an honest review, and any opinions are my own.
November 8, 2016
Wow! What a brave new twist on a Frankenstein story. This story was amazing. I could not put it down. It was fast-paced with complex characters and a wonderful story. Mark Lingane has a way with words that will startle you and keep you enthralled. You have to read this story. I really think you will love it.
December 8, 2017
Living underground and wondering if there is anything above or outside, the star of this story, questions why she must live as she does. Post-apocalypse life and behaviors are quite shocking and lead to some exciting adventures.
July 22, 2016
"Everyone is where they expect to be"
This is a strange fable set in a futuristic dystopian time following the life of one beautiful female unit, part machine and part human. Rescued by a rogue doctor/surgeon from the fate of a brief life of slavery in the lowest depths following an accident, she tries to live within and make sense of the world into which she is released, and another she later discovers. Although intriguing, in many ways this book is hard to read. The society depicted is alien, yet also mirrors the worst of our own in the superficial, often cruel, reactions of the different members of it for each other. Even the ending is extraordinary.
Mr.Lingane's writing style here is also interesting, creating a world both stark but vivid. His protagonists are more cartoon brush strokes than three dimensional, rounded characters. Yet this is how they need to be and, even so, can sti!l sometimes evoke poignancy.
Did I enjoy it? Well, no, not really. But it pulled me onwards, through it's dark corridors. I needed to find out what happened to the unit, the almost zero human, so full of humanity, to try to make sense of it for myself. It created an emotional reaction and I am still thinking about this story some weeks after having finished the reading - despite numerous books in between then and now.
If ideas are what fire your imagination, if you are looking for something beyond simp!e narrative in a science fiction story, want to look into a warped mirror reflecting back at us some parts of our present societal values, then get this book. It won't disappoint.
I received an advance review copy of Floored from the author. The opinions here expressed are entirely my own
This is a strange fable set in a futuristic dystopian time following the life of one beautiful female unit, part machine and part human. Rescued by a rogue doctor/surgeon from the fate of a brief life of slavery in the lowest depths following an accident, she tries to live within and make sense of the world into which she is released, and another she later discovers. Although intriguing, in many ways this book is hard to read. The society depicted is alien, yet also mirrors the worst of our own in the superficial, often cruel, reactions of the different members of it for each other. Even the ending is extraordinary.
Mr.Lingane's writing style here is also interesting, creating a world both stark but vivid. His protagonists are more cartoon brush strokes than three dimensional, rounded characters. Yet this is how they need to be and, even so, can sti!l sometimes evoke poignancy.
Did I enjoy it? Well, no, not really. But it pulled me onwards, through it's dark corridors. I needed to find out what happened to the unit, the almost zero human, so full of humanity, to try to make sense of it for myself. It created an emotional reaction and I am still thinking about this story some weeks after having finished the reading - despite numerous books in between then and now.
If ideas are what fire your imagination, if you are looking for something beyond simp!e narrative in a science fiction story, want to look into a warped mirror reflecting back at us some parts of our present societal values, then get this book. It won't disappoint.
I received an advance review copy of Floored from the author. The opinions here expressed are entirely my own
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews