August Books 10) The Child Garden
10) The Child Garden, by Geoff Ryman
This was one of the sf classics I resolved to read at the start of the year. It is a visionary tale of a future world where life is short, set in the London theatrical community where the central character has managed to escape the absorption into the collective unconsciousness undergone by all her contemporaries. I especially liked its rootedness in the future geography of London, and the exploration of art, creativity and personality. I wasn't quite so sure about the characterisation or plot.
Bechdel test: an easy pass. The first dialogue in the book has the viewpoint character discussing theatrical costumes with a female friend.
This was one of the sf classics I resolved to read at the start of the year. It is a visionary tale of a future world where life is short, set in the London theatrical community where the central character has managed to escape the absorption into the collective unconsciousness undergone by all her contemporaries. I especially liked its rootedness in the future geography of London, and the exploration of art, creativity and personality. I wasn't quite so sure about the characterisation or plot.
Bechdel test: an easy pass. The first dialogue in the book has the viewpoint character discussing theatrical costumes with a female friend.