Your point about how we have no idea if we could create a livable spaceship even with immense resources is both terrifying and fascinating. Idk if you've read any of the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy but in it, Cixin Liu writes that people on a ship ceased to be human the moment they understood they would never be able to return to earth, i.e. we could create a ship where humans could physically survive but who knows about spiritually. Ravn's humanoids are a third option, I guess.
I haven’t read the Liu trilogy - but yeah it seems like hubris to presume we could just create a completely new habitat for humanity because some people endure long stints up in space. When really, who knows what effects replacing life on earth would actually do to individuals. Most stories just move past that conceit completely though.
I was interested in this when it was longlisted with the booker prize but when I couldn't find it at my local bookstore it sort of dropped off my radar, sounds like one I need to pick up next year; looks like it's more readily available now. Glad to hear it was a 5-star read.
I had to order it from book outlet but it got a North American release now too, looks like, with the cover on the thumbnail. I really loved it. Though not everyone did. My Goodreads shows a few people who were unimpressed.
I have not! Did see the movie a while back. Not sure I was aware it was a book. But probably most, even vaguely intelligent sci-fi films are adapted from books, I’m sure. And yeah, the cover is excellent. Sad it wasn’t an option when I ordered it. The NA, or Canadian edition that only recently came out here does use that cover as well, it seems.
@@SpringboardThought Oh Fraser, forget the movie. You have to read the book! It's very short and a brilliant concept, given what you liked in this book.
I do need to expand my reading in more modern sci fi, and this does sound like it tackles some deep philosophical issues I like in the genre. Definitely interested in this ending 😅
Only just saw this video but this was one of my favourite books of last year and I still think about it! I might even do a reread this summer. Apparently the objects were based on an art installation in Denmark that she wrote a guide for.
I recall something about that in the afterward or acknowledgements or something; what an interesting way to conceive this kind of story. Yes! This really stood out and I’m still very fond of it and think about it.
@@SpringboardThoughtI think the reception of the novel as fun/satirical is totally off, though. It‘s pretty bleak and steeped in melancholy. The narrative perspective is what immediately sold me on the novel. Polyphonic 1st person narration that is basically depersonalized and fragmented to the point where it becomes one splintered consciousness - the resulting disorientation reminded me a bit of The Lost Scrapbook, somehow, but with very different means.
@@chris5588 well I think it undeniably is examining those tropes and subverting them. My enjoyment of that is just my reaction to that, since I never get to see that despite people loving the idea of people in space ships visiting alien ecosystems and planets. And all in service to a corporation. I don’t know if The Lost Scrapbook.
@@SpringboardThought Oh, I wasnˋt commenting on your reception of the novel but how it was received in the press. Some reviews portayed the novel as hillarious and funny, which, at least to me, it absolutely is not. I totally agree with you re: the subversion of scifi tropes.
nice review ~ i didn't really like it so i'm finally going back to the reviews i was hiding from to see what other ppl thought of it, and it's really interesting hearing how you experienced it =) i think reading it in one sitting is probably the best way to do it, instead of dipping in for bits like i always do. maybe i should try Star Trek haha
Thanks! Too bad it didn’t work for you. Interesting that you thought it could be the speed you consumed it at. I do tend to get stuff done pretty quickly. Why do you think over time hurt the experience? Haha! In Star Trek’s defence their central conceit is also that humanity is like a utopia now as well, or whatever. I still think the suspension of disbelief is so massive lol they just reallly wanna be out there talking to aliens though, so.
@@SpringboardThought i usually dip in and out of things, but with the Employees i felt there wasn't much depth to the individual statements, but rather how they flowed together and developed alongside each other. reading in small bits i was annoyed for a while that the voices were all quite samey, until i started to realise that's kind of the point. there were also certain rhythms - like events or ideas that got repeated in small intervals across statements - that i think would benefit from being read in one go. it's like if you poke your toe in and out of the sea you can't feel its waves. ~ i've seen a few episodes of Star Trek but never clicked with it, tho i was a Dr Who kid so when it comes to suspending disbelief to have talks with aliens i think i'll be ok =)
@@apocalypsereading7117 haha no doubt! Haven’t really watched WHO. We watched Star Trek at one point because where we lived it was the only thing on (and my dad loved it), so maybe just predisposed to a situation sort of poking at that particular conceit. Nice analogy with waves. That makes a lot of sense. I have been group reading lately and it has been more difficult for me to connect with the books. Probably because I essentially pick it up and read the weeks worth in one go and then a week later again, rather than a bit each day? Not sure.
@@SpringboardThought rhythms of reading is such an interesting subject - you have to find what works for you but also sometimes the book demands a certain type of pacing, and with a group i imagine it adds a whole other level...
![Olga Ravn: De Ansatte | The Employees [engl.]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/68ccoqcpUEg/mqdefault.jpg)
Your point about how we have no idea if we could create a livable spaceship even with immense resources is both terrifying and fascinating. Idk if you've read any of the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy but in it, Cixin Liu writes that people on a ship ceased to be human the moment they understood they would never be able to return to earth, i.e. we could create a ship where humans could physically survive but who knows about spiritually. Ravn's humanoids are a third option, I guess.
I haven’t read the Liu trilogy - but yeah it seems like hubris to presume we could just create a completely new habitat for humanity because some people endure long stints up in space. When really, who knows what effects replacing life on earth would actually do to individuals. Most stories just move past that conceit completely though.
I was interested in this when it was longlisted with the booker prize but when I couldn't find it at my local bookstore it sort of dropped off my radar, sounds like one I need to pick up next year; looks like it's more readily available now. Glad to hear it was a 5-star read.
I had to order it from book outlet but it got a North American release now too, looks like, with the cover on the thumbnail. I really loved it. Though not everyone did. My Goodreads shows a few people who were unimpressed.
Ooooh I love the Danish cover! Have you read Stanisalu Lem's "Solaris" ? Highly recommended if you haven't.
I have not! Did see the movie a while back. Not sure I was aware it was a book. But probably most, even vaguely intelligent sci-fi films are adapted from books, I’m sure.
And yeah, the cover is excellent. Sad it wasn’t an option when I ordered it. The NA, or Canadian edition that only recently came out here does use that cover as well, it seems.
@@SpringboardThought Oh Fraser, forget the movie. You have to read the book! It's very short and a brilliant concept, given what you liked in this book.
@@MarcNash I will grab it! Library has it, for once. Lol
I do need to expand my reading in more modern sci fi, and this does sound like it tackles some deep philosophical issues I like in the genre. Definitely interested in this ending 😅
I think it would be up your alley. It’s more serious and cerebral science fiction.
Only just saw this video but this was one of my favourite books of last year and I still think about it! I might even do a reread this summer. Apparently the objects were based on an art installation in Denmark that she wrote a guide for.
I recall something about that in the afterward or acknowledgements or something; what an interesting way to conceive this kind of story. Yes! This really stood out and I’m still very fond of it and think about it.
Just finished this. Stellar read.
Glad you loved it too!
@@SpringboardThoughtI think the reception of the novel as fun/satirical is totally off, though. It‘s pretty bleak and steeped in melancholy. The narrative perspective is what immediately sold me on the novel. Polyphonic 1st person narration that is basically depersonalized and fragmented to the point where it becomes one splintered consciousness - the resulting disorientation reminded me a bit of The Lost Scrapbook, somehow, but with very different means.
@@chris5588 well I think it undeniably is examining those tropes and subverting them. My enjoyment of that is just my reaction to that, since I never get to see that despite people loving the idea of people in space ships visiting alien ecosystems and planets. And all in service to a corporation. I don’t know if The Lost Scrapbook.
@@SpringboardThought Oh, I wasnˋt commenting on your reception of the novel but how it was received in the press. Some reviews portayed the novel as hillarious and funny, which, at least to me, it absolutely is not. I totally agree with you re: the subversion of scifi tropes.
@@chris5588 oh weird. It sure did not seem comedic to me… I wonder where they found that notion in it. It’s kind of weird sometimes. But not funny…?
nice review ~ i didn't really like it so i'm finally going back to the reviews i was hiding from to see what other ppl thought of it, and it's really interesting hearing how you experienced it =) i think reading it in one sitting is probably the best way to do it, instead of dipping in for bits like i always do. maybe i should try Star Trek haha
Thanks! Too bad it didn’t work for you. Interesting that you thought it could be the speed you consumed it at. I do tend to get stuff done pretty quickly. Why do you think over time hurt the experience?
Haha! In Star Trek’s defence their central conceit is also that humanity is like a utopia now as well, or whatever. I still think the suspension of disbelief is so massive lol they just reallly wanna be out there talking to aliens though, so.
@@SpringboardThought i usually dip in and out of things, but with the Employees i felt there wasn't much depth to the individual statements, but rather how they flowed together and developed alongside each other. reading in small bits i was annoyed for a while that the voices were all quite samey, until i started to realise that's kind of the point. there were also certain rhythms - like events or ideas that got repeated in small intervals across statements - that i think would benefit from being read in one go. it's like if you poke your toe in and out of the sea you can't feel its waves. ~ i've seen a few episodes of Star Trek but never clicked with it, tho i was a Dr Who kid so when it comes to suspending disbelief to have talks with aliens i think i'll be ok =)
@@apocalypsereading7117 haha no doubt! Haven’t really watched WHO. We watched Star Trek at one point because where we lived it was the only thing on (and my dad loved it), so maybe just predisposed to a situation sort of poking at that particular conceit.
Nice analogy with waves. That makes a lot of sense. I have been group reading lately and it has been more difficult for me to connect with the books. Probably because I essentially pick it up and read the weeks worth in one go and then a week later again, rather than a bit each day? Not sure.
@@SpringboardThought rhythms of reading is such an interesting subject - you have to find what works for you but also sometimes the book demands a certain type of pacing, and with a group i imagine it adds a whole other level...
i didnt enjoy it as much as you did, but its definitely a very interesting and original book
Seems to be usually more middling for most people eh. I think there was a couple things about it that really just pressed a couple buttons of mine.
Damn, I gotta read this
I think it would be up your alley!