overlooked apocalyptic masterpiece

I have been an admitted Tevis fan since Man Who Fell, and Queen's Gambit (not available here yet) but Man Who Fell and Mockingbird are incredible. These 2 are so full of poetry and symbolism that I've taken extensive notes toward writing a paper on them some day in an attempt to get their recognition. Mockingbird was apparently up for a Nebula for best novel and I'm curious as to what beat it. Everything is Tevis' best here: Wasteland imagery; fertility imagery; mechanization needed for human advancement yet in conflict with survival; systems malfunctioning a bit like Pynchon; and a heavy dose of the Fahrenheit 451 loss of literacy and its value. (you could easily go to this after 451 as a type of thematic sequel) this is my 3rd time with this one (read twice and listened to once) and I keep finding new connections like all the mentions of King Kong which sound odd but if you think about it in connection with the story, it brings up some interesting ideas/questions. Tevis deserves to be taught in college, at least Man & Mockingbird, almost every page has some key image or symbol for you to ponder after the story is done.
451; Mockingbird; Canticle for L; Man Who Fell; Childhood's End all chock full of ideas and symbolism if you want to look, if not, great stories anyway.

9 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Deeply Engaging

This is a highly creative, original, and imaginative work. It kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. The only thing that bugged me a little was his use of marijuana as a mind numbing drug used to placate the populous. I don't know if Walter Tevis lived through the late 60s and early 70s, but the drug's use hardly numbed the minds of its users, rather along with LSD, it spurred revolution in the streets and an evolution of art and music. He should have done a little self experimentation if nothing else. However, other than this forgivable mistake, the story and characters will remain with me for a very long time.

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

One of a kind

Amazing book, particularly when you consider it was written in 1980. Short, but every paragraph is exactly what it should be...no more, no less.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Great book stays great audiobook

Extinction nigh and it's not a book about killing robots or people, it's self-discovery and reading. A reminder of what we love about being human made strange to give us a different perspective. Nicole Poole does not get a lot of time, but makes the most of it. Robert Fass does all of the voices, including women, very well, much better than your average male reader.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

1984 + Brave New World =

It was difficult to finally find this gem of a story...fits nicely with what is happening today: marijuana legalization, Valium, "privacy" (mobiles), AI, etc....

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Wow!

What a surprisingly good book. It nearly seems like a sequel to "Brave New World" as to how humanity destroys itself. Highly recommend it.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

classic story

This story shows the natural outcome of government providing all our needs and hedonistic desire.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Eerily prescient

This book is about a species going out not with a bang but with a whimper. With infertility, drug use, self-absorption, and obsession with inwardness.
If you took today's attitudes with their trigger warnings and the emerging right to not be offended, you could build the foundation for Tevis's future.

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Outstanding

A must read for all serious thinkers, and a wonderful basis for small group discussion.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Still his best and a masterpiece

I read this when it was first published. All these years it is still one of the best books I have ever read. The audible version is superbly done.