Annalee Newitz: Autonomie (Paperback, Czech language, 2019, Host)
Paperback, 320 pages
Czech language
Published April 10, 2019 by Host.
Země, rok 2144. Vědkyně Jack, která neuznává patenty a stala se lékovou pirátkou, cestuje světem v ponorce a považuje se za farmaceutického Robina Hooda. Vyrábí levné léky pro chudé lidi, kteří si je jinak nemohou dovolit. Její poslední lékové hacknutí však způsobuje smrtelná předávkování a lidé se stávají závislými na své práci — stále opakují své úkoly, dokud se nestanou nebezpečnými, nebo nezešílí. Na stopě je jí velmi nepravděpodobná dvojice: zádumčivý agent Eliasz a jeho robotický parťák Paladin. Společně se snaží vypátrat informace o zlověstném původu Jackina léku a postupně mezi nimi vzniká mimořádně silná vazba, které ani jeden z nich úplně nerozumí. A základem všeho je jedna klíčová otázka: Je ve společnosti, kde může být vlastněno všechno včetně lidí, možná svoboda?
Overall plot is good, concepts and world are good. Some of the characters are kinda cringe. The last couple chapters are too heavy handed.
Loved The Terraformers, so picked up Autonomous. I liked the former more, but it was such a high bar that Autonomous was still excellent. Different, though related themes. Terraformers is environmental where Autonomous is health care / pharmaceutical, but both tell deeply compelling future narratives about attempts to create survival and thriving in the face of terrible, dystopian, and yet believable futures. Appreciate wrestling with parallels between human freedoms and post-human freedoms, with both taking place in the context of capitalism that is recognizable today... On to Newitz's next work.
Loved The Terraformers, so picked up Autonomous. I liked the former more, but it was such a high bar that Autonomous was still excellent. Different, though related themes. Terraformers is environmental where Autonomous is health care / pharmaceutical, but both tell deeply compelling future narratives about attempts to create survival and thriving in the face of terrible, dystopian, and yet believable futures. Appreciate wrestling with parallels between human freedoms and post-human freedoms, with both taking place in the context of capitalism that is recognizable today... On to Newitz's next work.
There's some scientific explanation but it's needed for the story, so it's well done. You also get to emotionally bond with the characters, which is rare in the 'harder' sci-fi. Very enjoyable.
There's some scientific explanation but it's needed for the story, so it's well done. You also get to emotionally bond with the characters, which is rare in the 'harder' sci-fi. Very enjoyable.
Good book, though the ending felt like it came out of nowhere, kinda like Neal Stephenson does/did.
