Book Review: Parasite, by Mira Grant

Jun 21, 2014 15:10

Tapeworms shall inherit the Earth in Mira Grant's #weneedtokendiversity Hugo nom.


Read more... )

mira grant, books, reviews, science fiction, 2014 hugo nominee

Leave a comment

Walk Without Rhythm: My review admnaismith June 23 2014, 20:59:52 UTC
The early success of the symbogen intestinal bodyguard(TM) line of products can be partially ascribed to canny advertising. Their marketing department hired an actress best known for her work in a series of horror movies featuring a monster modeled off a species of parasitic wasp. Her first infomercial began with her in her original costume smiling her A-list smile and saying, "I know a bad parasite when I see one. Now it's time for you to learn about a good parasite--one that wants to help you, not hurt you."
While SymboGen would quickly move away from use of the word "parasite" in advertising material, the early groundwork had been laid, and people were beginning to trust the concept behind the Intestinal Bodyguard(TM). After that, all that remained was to sell the idea to the world.

Mira Grant is a pen name of Seanan McGuire, under which she wrote what I consider the best zombie story I've seen to date, the Newsflesh trilogy. This new book being a horror novel about tapeworms, and McGuire being an expert in describing ( ... )

Reply

Re: Walk Without Rhythm: My review admnaismith June 23 2014, 21:21:14 UTC

I mean...you notice I say a lot of what you did. But you kinda lost me with the "men aren't men" thing. Not with Harry Potter, not with Grant. Unless I'm sexless too (and wouldn't The redhead be astonished!)

And it takes place in Seattle (or was it San Francisco? I forget. But either way). That's a pretty diverse city, and the population of the book is a lot like the population of the city.

Haven't read the whole Hugo list yet, and I agree that Parasite is a step down from the Newsflesh books, but it definitely runs rings around the Warbound trilogy and at least the first book of Wheel of Time. This weekend I get to read the one MY circle of friends is gushing about as the best motherfucking SF novel of the year, and we'll see how it holds up. Since it's Ann Leckie's first book, it's kinda hard to dismiss her, at least, as being on some sort of cool kids list.

Reply

Re: Walk Without Rhythm: My review inverarity June 24 2014, 00:02:17 UTC
It was San Francisco.

YMMV... for me, it wasn't any one character, but the sum total of them.

I liked Ancillary Justice, but I think it's a little overrated.

Reply

Re: Walk Without Rhythm: My review admnaismith June 24 2014, 03:25:34 UTC

Is there anything on the list you consider worthy of the Hugo?

Reply

Re: Walk Without Rhythm: My review inverarity June 24 2014, 03:47:25 UTC
I haven't read Neptune's Brood or Warbound yet. Ancillary Justice is at least more worthy than Redshirts...

Reply

Re: Walk Without Rhythm: My review little_e_ June 24 2014, 21:06:30 UTC
Seattle isn't considered that diverse. Not like, say, Detroit, NYC, or LA, anyway.

Reply


Leave a comment

Up