Will Powell
Interesting if quite simple book.
The throughline of the 'pilgramige' was a concept I'd not given much thought to. It has made me pick up a copy of 'The Canterbury Tales' to read.
The stories were fun to read and often insightful - taking excerpts from all around the globe. I found the tales. specifically about the psychotherapy patients in the 'loony bin', to be the most engaging and interesting to read, if at time a bit disturbing. The general insight into psychoterapy was useful and I made many notes about this, however it wasn't anything I hadn't read before - just reframed by Kopp's experiences.
I found towards the end I didn't engage so well with the described dreams. They were very personal and not what I really wanted going into the book.
This book also helped me absorb in a way I hadn't before, the zen teachings. Kopp speaks about these in a way that resonates with me personally.
Fantastic intro into the world of person centred psychology and psychotherapy.
Some bits near the end got a bit boring (I took a lot less notes as the book went on), but for the general quality of the contents and what was learned throughout the read, this is an easy 5 stars.
A promising pillar of future study
Contains spoilers
Highly impactful piece of writing, the despair you feel for humanity is crushing and all encompasing, and a north-star of this book.
The theories and scenarios felt massive in the second book, yet are dwarfed by the third. Having to face the end of the known universe and having humanity be there for it is amazing. And the way time is explored in this book is hard to wrap your head around, yet simultaneously so simple. You end the book thinking that if only you the reader could go back in time and tell humanity about the things you know, then perhaps they would have stood a chance against what was coming for them.
Characters felt, much like the previous 2 books - quite flat. The dialogue is what it is - informative and straight to the point (as I have found out was the authors intention). I think in a sense it is almost necessary for the progress of the story, as the amount of emotion that could be felt over planet Earth being turned into a 2D image could fill a thousand pages in itself. Therefore I did not let it hinder my experience, rather allowing it to enhance it and be what it is.
There are so many what if's in the book, roads that could have been taken that could have resulted in such different results. Yet there is also the knowledge that all has to come to an end, that the universe as we known it is most likely coming to an end, however an end that is reliant on all life cooperating and giving up their safety, to enter into the unknown, into a fresh Edenic universe. I am doubtful things will workout for the best.
The concept of dimensions is horrifyingly explored here. From the 4D graveyard and the parallel it was to have upon the 3D universe later on. The idea of being 2D-ified and the real-world possibility of such a thing. Of civilisations ready to destroy an entire demension just to survive and what life in that dimension would look like. Natures inherent violence shines through this series.
Reading about our solar system becoming 2D was a slog, but not an unenjoyable one. You are forced to read in order as every planet is flattened, including out earth and sun. You are forced to face all of solar-humanity (bar 2 people) being 'wiped out' or transformed into a painting. it is brutal yet necessary.
The fairy-tales were fantastic. My mind was whirring with explanations as I read them, coming up with my own interpretations of the words put forth. Having them revealed slowly and the consequences of each revelation was a treat.
This book and it's predecessors have kept my mind the most active, of any book I've read to date, during reading. Having me come up with my own possibilities and theories.
Overall this book was a devestating read and laid out a fantastical, if even plausible, future for our own world. I hope my future encounters with Sci-Fi show such depth and creativity as Cixin Liu has displayed on these pages.
Contains spoilers
Slow start to this one and a bit of a strange arc with Luo Ji trying to find a girlfriend. But as soon as the droplet appears the book transforms into something entirely different - bringing what is about a three star book to nearly five. The slow reveal that something so innocent looking (yet quite eerie and disconcerting) is completely beyond human understanding and capability is fantastic - it's a pure sort of horror.
The hopelessness and depression felt in the wake of the droplet and the Battle of Darkness is immense - there is a palpable sense that humanity can do nothing but escape earth and pray for mercy.
The 'magic spell' was a massive hook for me and for it to be the climax of this book and the way it's handled is a master-piece in writing. This is my first real Sci-Fi book - at least one dealing with such massive concepts and time frames. The possibilities for the next book are endless, I have so many theories for the direction of it, honed only by the brief blurb I have read.
Can't wait to get stuck in.