Router

[coalescent]

Router is the midpoint of the sequence. It's trying to do more things, and as a result is the longest story so far. Amber has gone exploring; meanwhile the solar system has reached the moment of maximum change. There's definitely some flab, but also some passages where the scope of the narrative really hits you:

"Here we are, sixty-something human minds. We've been migrated - while still awake - right out of our own heads using an amazing combination of nanotechnology and electron spin resonance mapping, and we're now running as software in an operating system designed to visualise multiple physics modules and provide a simulation of reality that doesn't let us go mad from sensory deprivation! And this whole package is about the size of a fingertip, crammed into a starship the size of your grandmother's old walkman, on its way to plug into a network router created by incredibly ancient alien intelligences, and you can tell me that the idea of a fundamental change in the human condition is nonsense?"

The amazing thing is that the journey is so smooth. Everything does knit together, and you don't realise how far you've travelled. You just accept things like the complete irrelevance of biological sex because you've seen the steps that lead to it. It's a rare achievement.

Comments

stop making it sound interesting!

[chance88088.livejournal.com]

I'm not reading this book. I'm not reading this book. I'm not reading this book.

Re: stop making it sound interesting!

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

It is really interesting, and very good.

I read it in final draft form about a year ago, and it was great then, and can only have got better since.

You will be reading this book...

Re: stop making it sound interesting!

[chance88088.livejournal.com]

I can't hear you. lalalalalalalala

Re: stop making it sound interesting!

[coalescent.livejournal.com]

I think it's the best thing Stross has done by a clear margin. But I'm sure you'd still hate the present tense. :-P

Re: stop making it sound interesting!

[chance88088.livejournal.com]

mean. you are very mean, sir.

Re: stop making it sound interesting!

[johnnyeponymous.livejournal.com]

I've been told that Stross, who I sometimes very much enjoy, to most people is like lutefisk, or however you spell that damned Norwegian/Minnesotan fish soaked in lye dish. It may sound good, but it could be a brutal afternoon is you dare to experience it.
Chris