Kian Ryan reviewed Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner
Review of 'Stand on Zanzibar' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
A big book, with big ideas.
Reading Stand on Zanzibar is hard work, following the related plot lines and snippets of information requires a whiteboard and marker, but the depth of story is what makes it so compelling.
The delivery switched between snippets of information presented as advertisements or news clippings, to chapters on supporting characters, to chapters on the main characters. Worldbuilding is an understatement of intent.
I fully admit J had several false starts with the book. I struggled to get past the first couple of chapters, starting to think this was a book of ego, rather than anything of genuine interest. On the third attempt I managed to persist until momentum took over and I was very glad I did. The pace is designed to quicken with time until the final chapters of the boom come hurtling towards you like a runaway locomotive.
Amazing book, genuine ideas, …
A big book, with big ideas.
Reading Stand on Zanzibar is hard work, following the related plot lines and snippets of information requires a whiteboard and marker, but the depth of story is what makes it so compelling.
The delivery switched between snippets of information presented as advertisements or news clippings, to chapters on supporting characters, to chapters on the main characters. Worldbuilding is an understatement of intent.
I fully admit J had several false starts with the book. I struggled to get past the first couple of chapters, starting to think this was a book of ego, rather than anything of genuine interest. On the third attempt I managed to persist until momentum took over and I was very glad I did. The pace is designed to quicken with time until the final chapters of the boom come hurtling towards you like a runaway locomotive.
Amazing book, genuine ideas, will read and read again.
