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There are currently 39 member reviews
for The Book of Strange New Things
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Sigrid H. (Los Angeles, CA)
A Book of Strange New Things, Indeed
This did not feel like a true "sci-fi" book. It has many of the trappings of one: credible yet disorienting world-building, space colonization, scientists & engineers on an alien planet working for an over-controlling corporation, a mysterious alien race, flora & fauna, etc. - but all of that was completely secondary to what is essentially a fascinating novel about faith, love, trust, memory, and other "big" human themes. In sci-fi, those themes tend to take a back seat to the harsh alien environment, aliens that turn out to be vicious monsters, boorish characters that make tragic decisions that endanger the mission, etc. Not so in this book. I agree with other reviewers that it would make a good book club selection. I'm not sure "sci-fi" fans would like this book, but fans of literary fiction with an open mind should definitely give it a chance. The ending was abrupt and inconclusive, which left me speculating not only about what happened next, but whether a sequel might be in the works. In an afterword, the author acknowledges he used the names of Marvel Comic creators of the 60's and 70's for the book's characters - with no correlation to the characters' traits, save for legendary comics creator Jack Kirby (real name: Jakob Kurtzberg, the same as a character in the book). Not being an avid reader of comics myself, I will leave it to others to recognize any connections Faber may have made in that regard. Overall, an engaging read right up to the end.
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Elizabeth M. (Syracuse, NY)
Lost in Space
This book, I think, is best appreciated when the reader comes to it, as I did, with no clue of what is happening. I think that the sense of disorientation that I felt for the first 300 or so pages of this book seemed to mirror the disorientation the main character experiences as he is transported to a distant planet for the purposing of ministering to the native alien population there. The company who funds the planetary exploration wants him there as a Christian missionary because the aliens, who grow and prepare all of the food for the humans, won't continue to do so unless they have a minister.
Throughout the book there is an eerie feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop...the native population seems much too eager to embrace Christianity and, given that the usual narrative with aliens is that they are monsters, there is an expectation that there will be some price to pay for the ease of the main character's mission.
The main character has left a wife back on earth and the only way for communication to be had is through written e-mail like messages, no pictures or videos can be transmitted. As the main character is experiencing success on the alien planet his wife, Bea, who became pregnant right before he left, is experiencing a number of tragedies on an earth that is rapidly deteriorating. Although the circumstances are strange, I really enjoyed the author's examination of two people who love each other growing apart due to an inability to communicate or empathize. I think it is similar to the way in which many once loving relationships fail.
I also was really interested in the examination of Christianity offered in this book. The main character arrives on the alien planet a true believer after having been converted from his drug addicted, thieving ways by Bea. But while he is on the planet he faces many questions about the sincerity of his faith and what, exactly, should be expected in return for his faith.
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Caryl B. (Portage, MI)
Not typically my cup of tea but...
I continued reading it and was pleasantly surprised. The Book of Strange New Things was written well and I was able to immerse myself in the storyline. The ending not what I expected, left me wanting more of a resolution. In my opinion, the author could have been less descriptive in the book as it was rather long. The highlight of the book was that it made me think what would I do, not all books do that for me.
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Sarah H. (Arvada, CO)
Slow start turns to engaging read
While no one actually travels to an alien planet, the allure of new things is mimicked and relatable in everyday life. When anyone finds themselves in another, an individual, a community, or a planet, they discover who they really are. And the self they find may no longer belong to their past. The author highlights this brilliantly and takes the reader on a journey that at once is other worldly and utterly accessible.
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Anita S. (Boynton Beach, FL)
Strange but not so strange
This is a story of a man, Peter, who travels in space to a planet, that is never identified, to be a religious missionary to the natives. The author has a great imagination describing the planet, the surroundings and the natives. However, I would not classify this as science fiction. This is really a story of what happens to people when they are in unfamiliar and strange surroundings and how people react when there are strange and unusual occurrences. Peter comes to this strange environment to be a type of religious minister and he eventually 'turns native'. There is a way to communicate to family on earth but Peter ignores his wife who was left in England and only wants to be with the natives. I also thought the people who were sent there to colonize the planet were very strange in their relationships to one another or perhaps their lack of relating. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down until I found out what happens to Peter. I think this book would be great for book clubs because there are many themes to discuss.
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Eileen L. (Danvers, MA)
Surprising but a bit laborious
I love the concept of this book but found myself struggling a bit to get engaged. It seemed to wander a bit initially and I was not sure in what direction we would ultimately be led. I am glad I stuck it out though because when the story took off it really took off and became a page turner.
In examining love, religion, disappointment, and secret pasts, the story of Peter and Beatrice, and the other travelers, become novels within the novel, I came to love the flow of the book and the way the author depicted snapshots of life in a unknown environment altering what we think we know.
This book had me thinking about what we assume and how we manage change we never wanted or expected. A long, but satisfying read.
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Chris W. (Temple City, CA)
The planet of strange new things
Well written, thought provoking, and hard to put down. It is a creative and intriguing story line, and the religious aspect was not too hard hitting. The ending was too abrupt for me unless there is a sequel in the works. Peter's character was nicely developed, but I wanted to know more about some of the other characters. And why was he chosen to go when he clearly didn't fit the mold of the other people there who didn't have such a strong attachment to someone back "home." I would probably have enjoyed more information about the development of this new community and what those people did all day (besides meet in the cafeteria or work out) than some of the seeming unnecessary details about Peter's life. Peter's detachment from and struggles with the rest of his world after immersing himself into the life of the "aliens" was well described and understandable. I do think this would provide interesting discussions for a book club or people who like sci-fi. Moving to another planet is a fascinating topic.
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