Although this is a brilliantly written portrayal of a digital robotic 'person', I could only read half way. I found it profoundly disturbing mostly because of how well we are made to see though the eyes of the soulless Klara. Perhaps I will come back to it in happier times.......
What I loved best about this great read was the way it threw me back to the 80's and showed me what I already knew but with new understanding. The characters come brilliantly and tenderly to life as people one might have known and represent different aspects of the culture we were living in. There is no 'politics' and the clever plot makes it a gripping story. This is the first Mark Winkler I have read and I will be looking for more.
The story is of a young Christian girl who converts to Judaism in mediaeval times so that she can be with the boy she loves. I read this at the same time as I was watching this amazing debate that Pam found arguing for and against - 'We'd be better off without religion'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKkVPnqREbQv=bKkVPnqREbQ (sorry don't know how to make the link clickable - highlight it and R click to either copy or go to)
This is a fascinating exploration of the world underneath us that we never really think about. I especially loved the parts describing the natural underworld that as Richard said, complement 'The Overstory'. What happens under cities, though really interesting, did not grab me in the same way. Really well written with colourful characters and an easy flow.
This is the most exciting new book I have read for ages. It starts with Ella who is an old woman, who finds herself on a yacht with her grandson and then traces her life through the 'Seven Ages of Man'. The yacht is called Mnemosyne who is the goddess of memory and mother of the muses. The 7 ages are also echoed with 7 ancient modes of musical notation, she is a guitarist, showing how music and memory are linked. I cannot do this book justice in this review. It is about love and loss, and after reading I think you will find that those you have lost are somehow closer to you again. For me it was a remarkable book and I hope that everyone enjoys it as much as I did.