The Hugo Awards Discussion Group discussion

My copy arrived a bit early from the library so I have gotten a bit of a head start, just a bit past 1/3rd of the way through I am wondering how everyone else feels about it as they get to reading it.

My initial thought was that I found the narrative voice to be a bit of a hurdle. Although it is really unique, it is so much so that its kind of distracting. I almost went back and re-read the first few chapters simply because I spent too much time early on thinking about how Bester was writing and not enough about what he was writing. I think about 50 pages in or so I started to get comfortable with the prose and I Find myself liking it a bit more now, although its hard to find any likable characters in the story.

I find the characters are a bit unapproachable, almost not properly developed, but there is plenty to like in the story - apart from the peepers, it is a future that is 'normal' - no flashy scifi elements, no bizarre aliens etc etc, more focus on people, and they way they are, and that really doesn't change no matter what era you're looking at.

I work in a justice environment (policy side of things, not enforcement or justitial) so I also appreciate that Bester is effectively transposing and maintaining the requirements of legal investigations, and the checks and balances into a completely different system.

I was going to say I'm sorry I missed the start time for this book since I was on vacation for two weeks with little internet access, but I see the end time is in September. I'm sure I could fit it in before then. :)