Jeff Elder > Recent Status Updates

Already I can tell this will be a good pallet cleanser after reading three Neal Stevenson books in a row. Perhaps a good intro to the series too

First re-read. I enjoy all of his lengthy, nerdy digressions. There’s a lot more nerdy male sexuality in the book that I remember. I found it a little offputting personally. For his first several books, he was notorious for unsatisfying endings. As I read everything for the first time, I thought that trend ended with Anathen. But really I quite like the ending here.

My fourth read through since the book was released. I get something out of it every time I read it because I learn more about the philosophy that it has encoded within. I recently learned about Penrose tiles which reminded me of a scene from this book. So here I am again! Honestly, I would give it six stars if we could. This book makes me accountably happy. It’s a great read for the intrepid.

I'm livid and sick to my stomach. I've enjoyed Hamilton before, but I'm ready to put this book down. There is lots of heterosexuality in this novel. Just as I was noting the lack of homosexuality, suddenly there it is. And is it a loving delightful thing? No, it's rape and it's about establishing dominance among the other men. I'm thoroughly disappointed, disheartened, and sad about this. Oh well... unfortunate.

Actually, I haven’t read this before. I’m a grown man who loves science fiction and fantasy, and I haven’t read this yet. My uncle was shaming me about it, so here we go!

Reading it again! It’s been over 15 years. I want to experience it again ahead of the series on Apple TV.

Uh.. I wasn't sure I wanted to immediately continue with the series, but the ending of this book sort of leaves me with no choice. I'm too intrigued, so here we go book 3.

Audible unabridged version: Got about 1/3 in and realized I don't really understand well what's going on, who all of the characters are, and how the threads are connecting. It all takes place in India and follows several individual intersecting story lines. So I started over and I'm enjoying it much more this time.

I just read the first two pages of chapter 3 aloud in the voice of Bruce from the Family Guy. I don't know what possessed me to do it but it's frightening how well it fit. I may just go ahead and hear the rest of the book in the voice of Bruce, you know just for funzies.

I just read the first two pages of chapter 3 aloud in the style of Bruce from Family Guy. I don't know what possessed me to do it, but it's a little frightening how well it fits. I may just hear the rest of this book in his lilting southern voice. That'll be nice.

I understand tidal forces in a new way. I also know what a mole of moles would look like.

Loving the structure of this novel. Very enjoyable characters, as usual. Very sad to no longer have Mr. Banks with us.

I'm very happy that I decided to carry on with this series after the second book. for about half of what I've read thus far of this final book in this series, I've wanted to strangle Raul Endymion for being so damn thick all the time. I'd have more sympathy for him if he didn't seem so fully, thoroughly, and dedicatedly clueless.

Oh... Gone away world indeed. Rug pulled out from under you world. What just happened world. Hmmm world.

Finding it a slow go with this one. I'm enjoying it while reading, but not feeling very drawn in just yet. Quite different from other KSR novels I've read, it seems

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Finding it a slow go with this one. I'm enjoying it while reading, but not feeling very drawn in just yet. Quite different from other KSR novels I've read, it seems.

Completely intriguing and engrossing from the start! Just through part 1 now.

However, despite lengthy passages regurgitating cliché (in an annoyingly self-aware way) depictions of hell, I'm finding the plot of this Culture novel interesting, and I'm eager to see how all the threads weave together.

Had I read a description of this book prior to starting it, I may have chosen not to. I'm not really fond of depictions of hell. It's not an area of human myth that I have ever found interesting in the slightest.

I don't remember ever wanting so badly to be finished with a book.

So many mysteries in Bellona, the vast majority of which I am starting to doubt will ever really be illuminated, solved, or explained in any traditional sense I might on some level wish for. At this point, a bit more than half way through, I am finding Dhalgren both discouraging and compelling in substantial measures. Last night's reading was a lengthy sex scene at the scorpions' lair. Not sure what it all means.

This book is keeping me up at night.

Audiobook format. Really enjoying this. Many aspects of this novel are utterly fascinating to me. I hope the rest of the series is as good.

I've been saying for a long time that I like scifi and dogs and that scifi needs more dogs in it. Well... This book does and it's completely fascinating!