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Sofia and the Utopia Machine
Shortlisted for the 2017 Epigram Books Fiction Prize
“A bold and fantastical work that posits a new cosmology within which a science-fictional vision of Singapore is rendered in dystopian terms. It’s a work that would sit perfectly on any Young Adult speculative fiction shelf, with its fast-paced and childlike sense of adventure.” –Cyril Wong, author of The Last Lesson of Mrs de Souza
Sofia's father has been missing for seven years, and her controlling mother doesn't understand her. She attends a good school and lives in a nice Midlevel flat, but she's always felt like something was missing. When she unlocks the gateway to a whole new utopia, the truth comes crashing down around her—about her stratified society, her scientist parents, and her own existence.
“A bold and fantastical work that posits a new cosmology within which a science-fictional vision of Singapore is rendered in dystopian terms. It’s a work that would sit perfectly on any Young Adult speculative fiction shelf, with its fast-paced and childlike sense of adventure.” –Cyril Wong, author of The Last Lesson of Mrs de Souza
Sofia's father has been missing for seven years, and her controlling mother doesn't understand her. She attends a good school and lives in a nice Midlevel flat, but she's always felt like something was missing. When she unlocks the gateway to a whole new utopia, the truth comes crashing down around her—about her stratified society, her scientist parents, and her own existence.
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About the author
Judith Huang
21 books46 followersJudith Huang is a Singaporean writer, translator and editor. Her first novel, Sofia and the Utopia Machine, was shortlisted for the Epigram Books Fiction Prize 2017 and the Singapore Book Awards 2019 and is available now. Named a Foyle Young Poet of the Year in 2001, 2003 and 2004, her writing has been published in journals including Prairie Schooner, Asia Literary Review, QLRS, Asian Cha, Loreli, Ceriph, LONTAR, Spittoon, Stylus, Clockwise Cat, Asymptote and the Harvard Advocate, as well as in anthologies like In Transit, Journeys, Singpowrimo 2014, Ayam Curtain and Body Boundaries. She holds an A.B. from Harvard University, where she belongs to the Signet Society of Arts and Letters. Her online portfolio can be found at www.judithhuang.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 12, 2020
The structure of this YA novel was unusually experimental, alternating a contemporary story with fairy tales and mythopoetry. I'm not sure I've seen anything like it; in fact, it reminded me a bit of my own "fragmentary" writing in the Tales of Heroes and Villains cycle.
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My especial favorites:
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July 10, 2018
Just completed Judith Huang's amazing novel, Sofia and the Utopia Machine. In most speculative fiction, the world-building is done within the author's mind, but in this world-within-a-world, Huang lays it all on the table in the most meta way possible. With references ranging from The Bible to Paradise Lost to Nineteen-Eighty-Four and even philosophers like Socrates, Aquinas and Descartes, she shows how stories form the foundations of our culture and give us significance. It is a YA novel in its plot-driven approach, but underneath it is a beatific manual on designing whole new worlds.
July 2, 2018
Wow, “Sofia and the Utopia Machine” just blew me away. Never did I imagine I’d read science-fiction woven into Singapore lore. There are passages in this book which reminds me that the pen is mightier than the sword. You can be an activist too without taking to the streets. This book made me laugh, cry and pump my fist figuratively going... “Yah lor!” My wish is for many people in Singapore especially young adults to read this book and to keep asking questions and challenging the Singapore myth. Epigram really publishes some of my fave #singlit. Congratulations to @judtheobscure on this amazing first novel. I will treasure my signed copy for many years to come. #singlit #sofiaandtheutopiamachine #judithhuang #reading #bookstagram
January 23, 2019
November 20, 2018
Full book review is now up on Word Revel.
_________
September 19, 2018
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
Initial thoughts: Sofia and the Utopia Machine fills an important space in Singapore literature not only as a young adult book but as science fiction. Set in future Singapore, the culture and places are familiar, making it easy for locals to relate to. When I was still in secondary school, I wasn't interested in Singapore literature precisely because it was geared at adults. That's why I was very intrigued when the author reached out to me about this book.
In terms of themes and ideas, I thought Sofia and the Utopia Machine was pretty engaging. I also thought it was clever to draw on myths to create the utopian worlds. However, the the storytelling itself didn't grip me. More than once the settings were described in excess with a whole lot adjectives. I found it especially cumbersome as sentences could span five lines, while repeating three separate clauses instead of tying in new information. That to me, made it very obvious that the author has mostly published poetry and that this is her first novel.
The characters weren't differentiated enough either. Sofia's father's written voice sounded very similar to that of Julian who was much younger. That aside, there was a cast of four adult characters versus Sofia and Julian. As a teenager, this would've been a dealbreaker for me. Sure, adults should feature but if I'd wanted to read about the difficulties of a married couple, I could've gone to the adult fiction section. I rarely did.
Disclosure: I received a copy for review from the author and publisher. This does not affect my thoughts and opinions in this review.
Full book review is now up on Word Revel.
_________
September 19, 2018
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
Initial thoughts: Sofia and the Utopia Machine fills an important space in Singapore literature not only as a young adult book but as science fiction. Set in future Singapore, the culture and places are familiar, making it easy for locals to relate to. When I was still in secondary school, I wasn't interested in Singapore literature precisely because it was geared at adults. That's why I was very intrigued when the author reached out to me about this book.
In terms of themes and ideas, I thought Sofia and the Utopia Machine was pretty engaging. I also thought it was clever to draw on myths to create the utopian worlds. However, the the storytelling itself didn't grip me. More than once the settings were described in excess with a whole lot adjectives. I found it especially cumbersome as sentences could span five lines, while repeating three separate clauses instead of tying in new information. That to me, made it very obvious that the author has mostly published poetry and that this is her first novel.
The characters weren't differentiated enough either. Sofia's father's written voice sounded very similar to that of Julian who was much younger. That aside, there was a cast of four adult characters versus Sofia and Julian. As a teenager, this would've been a dealbreaker for me. Sure, adults should feature but if I'd wanted to read about the difficulties of a married couple, I could've gone to the adult fiction section. I rarely did.
Disclosure: I received a copy for review from the author and publisher. This does not affect my thoughts and opinions in this review.
August 19, 2018
Sofia and the Utopia Machine is an accessible book for readers of all ages - older readers will pay greater attention to the parallels Sofia's world has with current day Singapore, while younger readers will be enthralled by the fantasy world which the story sets itself in. What all readers should pay attention to, however, is a letter in the book, exhorting Singaporeans to step out of their comfortable yet soulless existence to question the social contract citizens have with their rulers. It is nuanced, persuasive without being preachy, and encapsulates the thoughts festering in Singaporeans' minds, perhaps more intensely in the days of our youth.
Apart from the insightful social commentary, what I also loved about the book was how elements of my youth somehow found their way in to the book. The world in the Utopia Machine reminded me of Narnia; the discussion between the Lotan and Sofia, Waiting for Godot; the various myths in the Utopia Machine, elements of Southeast Asian folklore and the Alchemist; the conversation between the Interrogator and Sofia, detention with the discipline master. Sofia and the Utopia Machine seemed like a walk down memory lane, recreating the experiences of books I've read, but this time, set in a cultural setting I was more familiar with.
Sofia and the Utopia Machine is a pleasant and enjoyable read, which should be included in Singlit reading lists - it's hard to find books of this calibre which can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, while leaving readers pensive about the society they want to create and live in.
Apart from the insightful social commentary, what I also loved about the book was how elements of my youth somehow found their way in to the book. The world in the Utopia Machine reminded me of Narnia; the discussion between the Lotan and Sofia, Waiting for Godot; the various myths in the Utopia Machine, elements of Southeast Asian folklore and the Alchemist; the conversation between the Interrogator and Sofia, detention with the discipline master. Sofia and the Utopia Machine seemed like a walk down memory lane, recreating the experiences of books I've read, but this time, set in a cultural setting I was more familiar with.
Sofia and the Utopia Machine is a pleasant and enjoyable read, which should be included in Singlit reading lists - it's hard to find books of this calibre which can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, while leaving readers pensive about the society they want to create and live in.
January 20, 2019
Starting off, Sofia and The Utopia Machine had a really nice premise. Time has turned Singapore into a dystopia, and the middle-class Sofia must team up with the upper-class Julian to put things to rights.
Everything goes downhill from there.
For one, nobody in this novel is capable of keeping secrets. Everything from a clandestine project hidden for a decade to a mysterious heritage that must be kept hidden at all costs is revealed the instant Sofia asks.
The relationships make absolutely no sense either. Julian and Sofia? Insta-Love mixed with “she’s not like other girls”. Clara and Peter? Have a subplot related to the nature of love that doesn’t get any development until the last thirty or so pages.
And don’t even get me started on the characters. Kirk is American, Father Lang is good, Clara is trying to live her life, and Sofia can do no wrong. Almost none of them get any real sort of development over 330 pages, even if they’re tortured or imprisoned or whatever by the Big Bad Government. Which, by the way, is taken to be evil by default, a sentiment difficult to relate to when almost no time at all is devoted to the horror of life under its rule, especially in the middle class.
I guess the biggest problem with this novel is that it completely lacks subtlety, nuance, or soul. You can’t feel for any of the characters because they don’t act the way humans would actually act. You don’t want them to fight the government because even while the government is presented as bad, it isn’t touched on enough to be an actual villain. No sentiment, relationship, or plot point feels earned by the narrative, making the novel almost unreadable.
Everything goes downhill from there.
For one, nobody in this novel is capable of keeping secrets. Everything from a clandestine project hidden for a decade to a mysterious heritage that must be kept hidden at all costs is revealed the instant Sofia asks.
The relationships make absolutely no sense either. Julian and Sofia? Insta-Love mixed with “she’s not like other girls”. Clara and Peter? Have a subplot related to the nature of love that doesn’t get any development until the last thirty or so pages.
And don’t even get me started on the characters. Kirk is American, Father Lang is good, Clara is trying to live her life, and Sofia can do no wrong. Almost none of them get any real sort of development over 330 pages, even if they’re tortured or imprisoned or whatever by the Big Bad Government. Which, by the way, is taken to be evil by default, a sentiment difficult to relate to when almost no time at all is devoted to the horror of life under its rule, especially in the middle class.
I guess the biggest problem with this novel is that it completely lacks subtlety, nuance, or soul. You can’t feel for any of the characters because they don’t act the way humans would actually act. You don’t want them to fight the government because even while the government is presented as bad, it isn’t touched on enough to be an actual villain. No sentiment, relationship, or plot point feels earned by the narrative, making the novel almost unreadable.
July 29, 2018
Sofia and the Utopia Machine is an engaging and courageous tale (or tales, actually) from a born storyteller. From the microcosmic to the macrocosmic this nested set of stories tackles the big themes with gusto. It does not draw back from penetrating political commentary, yet also contains scenes of dreamy lyricism. A wonderful read for young adults who are curious to extend their horizons and pursue the deeper philosophical questions. I particularly like the insights it offers into a culture and history that is outside my experience, delivered within the context of a novel rather than a treatise.
September 29, 2018
This book has the flaws of most first novels - the slight awkwardnesses of a new though talented voice, with shades and echoes of established stories and authors, and a few small inconsistencies and rough patches. Having said that, this is certainly a young adult novel with big ideas and philosophical depth, told with a lot of charm and with promise of more delightful revelations in sequels.
July 3, 2018
The author has a way with words and is able to weave a riveting tale that makes this albeit a first novel a page-turner. The on-world and off-world accounts ala a parallel universe is finally resolved and it all makes sense eventually. Can't wait for her next book.
June 27, 2018
Captivating and intriguing scifi. Believable. Great read
August 9, 2018
i was lucky enough to get my hands on this book & honestly this is my first sci-fi YA read that was set in a singapore context! 🇸🇬 at first, it was kind of weird to read but along the way, i found myself starting to get more and more used to it. the story itself is split into 4 parts and some chapters are more interesting to read compared to the rest. overall, i felt that the flow of story could be improved but nevertheless, i still enjoyed it. ☺️ really a great job done! 💯
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October 22, 2018
A fresh perspective on the Science fiction genre, with an interesting retelling of South East Asian myths. A great showing on how a futurist South East Asia might look too.
May 11, 2019
Sofia’s dad, Peter, disappeared 7 years ago and neither she nor her mother Clare ever knew where he went. Sofia, girl living in a Mid-Level flat, meets Julian (a boy from the Canopies) online, and he tells her about the Utopia Machine. The machine piques her curiosity and she sneaks into her mother’s lab in Biopolis, and ends up activating the Utopia Machine, which brings her into a parallel universe in which she gets to play Goddess and shape it to her will. But activating the machine also brings with it repercussions and Sofia finds herself a political fugitive.
I think the world-building in this book was pretty well done. I’m not that familiar with Singapore literature, but the use of mythologies and folk tales seems like a good starting point in a genre that I guess isn’t that commonly seen in SingLit: the young adult dystopia. The story fits in folk tales and narratives from the universe Sofia created, all of them nostalgically Southeast Asian. The book architecturally crystallises Singapore’s stratified society in the split of this speculated Singapore, split into the neglected Voids, the Mid-Levels, and the exclusive Canopies. I liked this book more for its critique of elitism and the myth of meritocracy than for the plot, which I’m afraid didn’t stand out to me so much, but I guess that’s the point. The disheartening thing (but also what I liked) about the conclusion was just how believable it was, this helplessness against a panoptic state that you can’t fight, that you can’t save everyone from, that the only solution is to run away. I think it’s worth the read if you’re into young adult dystopia, but it won’t be about empowered young rebels who topple governments because that’s not how it’s going to work here.
I think the world-building in this book was pretty well done. I’m not that familiar with Singapore literature, but the use of mythologies and folk tales seems like a good starting point in a genre that I guess isn’t that commonly seen in SingLit: the young adult dystopia. The story fits in folk tales and narratives from the universe Sofia created, all of them nostalgically Southeast Asian. The book architecturally crystallises Singapore’s stratified society in the split of this speculated Singapore, split into the neglected Voids, the Mid-Levels, and the exclusive Canopies. I liked this book more for its critique of elitism and the myth of meritocracy than for the plot, which I’m afraid didn’t stand out to me so much, but I guess that’s the point. The disheartening thing (but also what I liked) about the conclusion was just how believable it was, this helplessness against a panoptic state that you can’t fight, that you can’t save everyone from, that the only solution is to run away. I think it’s worth the read if you’re into young adult dystopia, but it won’t be about empowered young rebels who topple governments because that’s not how it’s going to work here.
June 14, 2022
In a world where Singapore are divided into 3 factions based on the status in society called Canopies, midlevels and the voids. A dystopian and sci-fi genre that brings you the MC Sofia whom parents are scientists, the creator of the Utopia Machine, a small cube-like device that will brings you to a whole new universe but only Sofia are able to access it.
When one day she accidentally accesses the device, she was transported to an unknown world where she has the power of a goddess to create the land and sea. It then triggers an alert to the government about the device’s location and the inquisitor made his mission to hunt it down. With her own mission to find her missing father, fighting off a mysterious creature in another universe and to get along with her controlling mother, she goes to an adventure of her lifetime.
It is about family, love, friendship and sacrifice. I love the concept of how the setting were told in Singapore, with future-like gadgets used along the story such as netbox and holos as smartphones and hoverboat or escapods as transportation. How every step of the story were told accordingly from the characters perspective. At the same time there were stories in alternative chapters, of what happened in the other universe while their goddess Sofia were at her own universe.
Part of It is all about finding herself and discovering everything that holds dear to her while trying all she can to protect it from falling into the wrong hands. Finally finding the peace to live a new life and leave the old behind.
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.”
When one day she accidentally accesses the device, she was transported to an unknown world where she has the power of a goddess to create the land and sea. It then triggers an alert to the government about the device’s location and the inquisitor made his mission to hunt it down. With her own mission to find her missing father, fighting off a mysterious creature in another universe and to get along with her controlling mother, she goes to an adventure of her lifetime.
It is about family, love, friendship and sacrifice. I love the concept of how the setting were told in Singapore, with future-like gadgets used along the story such as netbox and holos as smartphones and hoverboat or escapods as transportation. How every step of the story were told accordingly from the characters perspective. At the same time there were stories in alternative chapters, of what happened in the other universe while their goddess Sofia were at her own universe.
Part of It is all about finding herself and discovering everything that holds dear to her while trying all she can to protect it from falling into the wrong hands. Finally finding the peace to live a new life and leave the old behind.
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.”
March 4, 2019
This book has an interesting premise but appears lacking in the delivery of said premise. There are several pages full of lucid, insightful prose carrying underlying social and political commentary about Singapore’s questionable democracy, but beyond these, the reader is left alone in contemplating the full repercussions of the Evil Government that the book describes. The story itself starts off well but soon appears to be driven by the sheer, unrealistic luck of the protagonist and the people around her who appear to have no flaws or character development at all. The relationships between the characters are bland and not fully explored in the depths that I feel they could have been. Still, it was refreshing to read a book about such a novel concept and I can only hope that this will pave the way for many more (although perhaps, better thought-out) books to come.
April 25, 2021
For starts, there's something rather schizophrenic about the novel in that it has a 15yo protagonist handling massive themes like nation-building and myth-making but this is exactly what makes Sofia and the Utopia Machine both memorable. Sofia's transformation into a goddess may seem like delusions of grandeur at times but her growth into that role is nonetheless, crucially empowering to young readers. On top of that, the sections within the mythical world are some of the most interesting and imaginative scenes I've ever come across, making them a very inspiring read. Ultimately, this is a piece of work that shows that YA novels does not have to shy away from big concerns and can navigate these concerns in their own unique manner too.
November 5, 2018
Overall, it's a page turner.. Finished in on a 5.5hr flight. But can't help feeling familiarity with other stories and movies.. Milton the tiger - life of pi, a father seemingly lost in another dimension/universe and a daughter having to seek out an adventure to save him - a wrinkle in time... But a future singapore where the class divide is so starkly manifested in the strata that people live in... It's a dystopia reality for which draws everyone into an adventure to seek out an utopia that is enabled by technology... It's like. Where we are now trying to build a smart city and how it can all go so wrong and perverse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2019
Torn between two worlds, Sofia discovers a whole new galaxy, as well as inconvenient truths about her past. When her mother runs into trouble, she realizes that she has to stand up and fight - in this world, her created world, and herself.
Weaving Sofia's mind and her reality (already an alternate version of the Singapore many Singaporeans know today) was a clever way to weave different styles of writing together. Despite this, it is still easy to keep to the story, the injected Sofiaverse lore serving as commercial breaks that we actually want to read. Looking forward to more stories from the Sofiaverse!
Weaving Sofia's mind and her reality (already an alternate version of the Singapore many Singaporeans know today) was a clever way to weave different styles of writing together. Despite this, it is still easy to keep to the story, the injected Sofiaverse lore serving as commercial breaks that we actually want to read. Looking forward to more stories from the Sofiaverse!
April 5, 2020
Strap yourself in for a rollercoaster of dystopian science fiction. Strong characters drive the plot which weaves between the intersections of class and race in a near-future version of Singapore, which finds itself in the grip of anthropogenic climate change. The main character, Sofia, navigates the complexities of the world to save her family from the totalitarian regime. Judith Huang masterfully paints a world where surveillance capitalism reigns, and technologies such as 'Holos' and and 'Netboxes' are literally under its citizens' skin. Many of these conditions are appearing (frighteningly) true today. Read this book!
November 16, 2019
I enjoyed the worldbuilding for this book - the future-tech version of Singapore. I loved the density of civilisation and the high-rise elements, while maintaining the Singaporean flavour / elements to the novel.
Sofia lives in the Midlevel; her father disappeared one day and her mother works in Biopolis. She decides to explore her mother's office, and thereafter has to flee to the Voids.
I quite liked how whimsical this book was, and I really enjoyed the Singaporean element.
Sofia lives in the Midlevel; her father disappeared one day and her mother works in Biopolis. She decides to explore her mother's office, and thereafter has to flee to the Voids.
I quite liked how whimsical this book was, and I really enjoyed the Singaporean element.
January 1, 2025
Fascinating Singlit piece that weaves in science/speculative fiction, political philosophy, creation myths, etc. Very Nationalism and the Arts vibes (memories of my uni era modules). The narration was distinctly Singaporean, such that it wasn't jarring to hear things like "Novena" and "A*STAR", but without any overly basilectal Singlish pronunciation (*side-eyes Son of Singapore*). Nothing too surprising in the standard young adult dystopian plot, but I enjoyed the localisation.
September 5, 2022
Absolutely love the idea. But sadly, that's about it.
Sofia and the Utopia Machine had some serious pacing issue and it was a lot of telling but not any showing. Of course, if writing style is not something of importance to you, then the enjoyment for this book will greatly increase. Unfortunately, this was not for me.
Sofia and the Utopia Machine had some serious pacing issue and it was a lot of telling but not any showing. Of course, if writing style is not something of importance to you, then the enjoyment for this book will greatly increase. Unfortunately, this was not for me.
July 25, 2018
I want to shove this wonderful Young Adult novel to every "precious" Singaporean child who thinks they're edgy just because they know how to rant about how awful the gahment is. The insights about political legitimacy, class stratification, and the very Singaporean belief in meritocracy is all beautiful articulated here in a believably futuristic Singapore.
January 24, 2023
Super interesting premise, loved all the little nods to current Singaporean culture. Smartly written, but the ending felt rushed and unclear. Could have been the start of a trilogy or series, lots more to explore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2023
I met Judith Huang recently and got a signed copy of this book. She came to my school and did a workshop. It was really inspiring. This book was amazing and mystical, I loved it. There were some parts I did not understand, though.
Want to read
December 9, 2022A SCIFI BOOK ABOUT A FUTURISTIC SINGAPORE?!?!?!? FUCK YES I NEED THIS SO BADLY it would be so cool to see a dystopian version of my hometown hehejejehjhejhjhs
Currently reading
September 10, 2018"What she allows to bloom in these pages is that sense of wonder so lacking in our prosaic, pragmatic lives. It is something worth holding on to, as we ponder how best we can, through our choices, make space for others in our society." - Olivia Ho, Straits Times (full review: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyl...)
"An impeccable local fable of authoritarian unimaginativeness....If indeed the beginning was the Word, the prime mover of this novel is a skillful wordsmith. Here, the prose bounds as its fauna bounds; it is fleet as its winged creatures; it is rich and deep and confident and aspirational. Huang’s writing at its most inspired, as we have here, is magisterial." - Wong Wen Pu, Mackerel (full review: http://www.mackerel.life/sofia-and-th...)
Book available from the publisher: https://shop.epigrambooks.sg/collecti...
Localbooks.sg: https://localbooks.sg/collections/new...
and directly from me: https://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/Sofia-and...
www.judithhuang.com
"An impeccable local fable of authoritarian unimaginativeness....If indeed the beginning was the Word, the prime mover of this novel is a skillful wordsmith. Here, the prose bounds as its fauna bounds; it is fleet as its winged creatures; it is rich and deep and confident and aspirational. Huang’s writing at its most inspired, as we have here, is magisterial." - Wong Wen Pu, Mackerel (full review: http://www.mackerel.life/sofia-and-th...)
Book available from the publisher: https://shop.epigrambooks.sg/collecti...
Localbooks.sg: https://localbooks.sg/collections/new...
and directly from me: https://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/Sofia-and...
www.judithhuang.com
November 26, 2018
Sofia and the Utopia Machine is a great book to read. But it can be very confusing to understand. The text structure makes it confusing to read, but if you think you are reading for this challenge you can. In my opinion, it was a challenging book for me. It took me some time to understand the plot of the book. Otherwise, the author Judith Huang uses very good description skills. This helps you get a deeper understanding of the book. Overall, it is a very interesting book.
July 12, 2020
I suspect I’d enjoy this more if I were a teenage Singaporean girl, but, alas, I’m not. Nonetheless, it’s a fun romp in a world (or two) that I wanted to see more of. Indeed, I often wished the plot slowed down—obstacles are barely introduced when they’re overcome, and, apart from the heroine, far too little time is spent with many of the characters—to explore the cyberpunk Singapore and to get to know their inhabitants more. The embedded folk tales are a particular highlight.
3 stars.
3 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews