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Geometry for Ocelots
It is the end of history and all is known, or will be soon. Humanity long ago transitioned to the era of holy technology. Now humans present as saintly animals, spending their days in meditation and drug-induced euphoria, far from the dark secrets their paradise is founded upon. But when an ancient prophet allegedly returns in the form of a troubled young girl, galactic peace can only last so long.
Geometry for Ocelots is the story of two monarch siblings gone to war at the end of time—a holy empress, and an alcoholic university dean. With galactic resources dwindling, both believe they hold the answer to the crisis; be it spiritual salvation or technological nirvana. Both will be gravely mistaken.
Geometry for Ocelots is the story of two monarch siblings gone to war at the end of time—a holy empress, and an alcoholic university dean. With galactic resources dwindling, both believe they hold the answer to the crisis; be it spiritual salvation or technological nirvana. Both will be gravely mistaken.
432 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2022
440 people are currently reading
3842 people want to read
About the author
Exurb1a
8 books1,861 followersExurb1a likes fiction with a metaphysical backbone. He enjoys trying to write that kind of stuff himself.
He also runs a subpar YouTube channel of the same name.
He also runs a subpar YouTube channel of the same name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
June 5, 2021
If there was one book I could force the world to read, it would be this. And I’ll be honest, the writing is so damn good it wouldn’t be too hard to force everyone to read it.
This book shines a light on topics that keep me up at night, and offered me a perspective I would never have been able to attain in my lifetime.
This book isn’t just about two siblings, the end of all worlds, it’s also about science and religion, compassion and love.
If you were debating whether or not to get this book, I would suggest that you take a good look at yourself now.
Because once you read this book, you will wonder how you ever could look at yourself the same way again.
This book shines a light on topics that keep me up at night, and offered me a perspective I would never have been able to attain in my lifetime.
This book isn’t just about two siblings, the end of all worlds, it’s also about science and religion, compassion and love.
If you were debating whether or not to get this book, I would suggest that you take a good look at yourself now.
Because once you read this book, you will wonder how you ever could look at yourself the same way again.
June 9, 2021
Cried very hard
May 24, 2024
A very thoughtful, philosophical, wild and intriguing ride...RTC after a re-read.
Read 2022
Read 2022
July 20, 2022
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. I wish I could give this book not just five but ten, hundred, thousand stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
* Full review to follow once I have collected myself *
—-
“Urinating one morning he became transfixed with an intricate pattern on the plaster of the toilet and mangled the tip of his penis in his trouser zip.
Such is the path to enlightenment.”
Right. So. Where do I begin?
I got ‘Geometry for ocelots’ in a kindle sale because I liked the cover. I had no idea what it was about, and absolutely no expectations. It was what I saw in another review that sold me on reading it immediately, something along the lines of ‘You’ll love this book if you’re insane.’
And love it I do.
Reading ‘Geometry for ocelots’ is like drinking a weird mixture of champagne, rakia (a strong Bulgarian fruit-based spirit) sweetened with honey, herbs and spices, with a splash of tomato juice for good measure. Weird, right? I love weird.
There’s not a single mention of ‘rakia’ in the book but there are multiple other references to Bulgarian culture, history and traditions, which is wonderful to find in a sci-fi story. Many characters and places have either typical Bulgarian names or ones derived from Bulgarian words. A quick google search revealed the author is currently living in Bulgaria, and that explains what other reviewers have picked on: the excessive alcohol consumption throughout the book. Well, it’s clear to see where the inspiration came from: in Bulgaria drinking is a national sport (and please don’t read too much into this line - I am neither supporting this nor judging - just conveying the fact).
But - about the book. Sci-fi, fantasy, philosophy, theology, spirituality and darkness with lots and lots of delicious weirdness - it’s all that and more, a great analysis of the current state of the world and human nature in general that seems absolutely accurate to me. Reading it took me back at least twenty years ago when I was just getting into sci-fi/fantasy, when everything was new, interesting and exciting and I couldn’t wait to get home after school and immerse myself in a new book.
The story spans across several generations of characters. I loved the premise, the worlds, the visits to 4 and 5 dimensional realms beyond human comprehension but most of all, the meditative quality to the writing, the underlying existential anxiety.
“the undulating crowds of folk walking about beneath an unsacred sky, breathing, reproducing, expiring; and the shouting, and the never-verbalised shouting, Why me? or, Why not me? or, My God, there’s nothing but this.
Just left and right, and Saturday and Sunday, and eating and screwing, and foraging about on the beach of truth for decades, alone, unmoored, searching, the tide coming and going, apathetic to you, to everyone. Then all of it paying off—suddenly you glimpse a perfect promise of wisdom on that beach, something to give all the misery meaning: a message in a bottle; a message in a bottle just waiting there for you in the sand, just waiting there to explain everything, to reward you for all your misery and searching, the Truth Behind It All.
And you open that bottle with such glee, your fingers shaking so violently in anticipation you can hardly pull the paper from the bottle—knowing that the broken and lonely days are over, the promise that all this torment and wandering was but the prelude to real existence, to your real life of goodness and belonging and certainty in all things.
And your eyes race across the paper to find the paper is blank.
And the other side is blank.
And you put the paper back inside the bottle and reseal it with the cork.
And you throw the bottle back into the sea.
And you do not look for messages in bottles again.”
I want the whole world to read this book and draw their own conclusions.
“Is there a more opulent society imaginable than one that builds spaceships while its population starves?”
Even the afterword was a fantastic read, and I never read fore- or afterwords.
“Be kind, and when you can’t be kind, be fair. And when you can’t be fair, be clever. And when you can’t be clever, please be kind again.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
* Full review to follow once I have collected myself *
—-
“Urinating one morning he became transfixed with an intricate pattern on the plaster of the toilet and mangled the tip of his penis in his trouser zip.
Such is the path to enlightenment.”
Right. So. Where do I begin?
I got ‘Geometry for ocelots’ in a kindle sale because I liked the cover. I had no idea what it was about, and absolutely no expectations. It was what I saw in another review that sold me on reading it immediately, something along the lines of ‘You’ll love this book if you’re insane.’
And love it I do.
Reading ‘Geometry for ocelots’ is like drinking a weird mixture of champagne, rakia (a strong Bulgarian fruit-based spirit) sweetened with honey, herbs and spices, with a splash of tomato juice for good measure. Weird, right? I love weird.
There’s not a single mention of ‘rakia’ in the book but there are multiple other references to Bulgarian culture, history and traditions, which is wonderful to find in a sci-fi story. Many characters and places have either typical Bulgarian names or ones derived from Bulgarian words. A quick google search revealed the author is currently living in Bulgaria, and that explains what other reviewers have picked on: the excessive alcohol consumption throughout the book. Well, it’s clear to see where the inspiration came from: in Bulgaria drinking is a national sport (and please don’t read too much into this line - I am neither supporting this nor judging - just conveying the fact).
But - about the book. Sci-fi, fantasy, philosophy, theology, spirituality and darkness with lots and lots of delicious weirdness - it’s all that and more, a great analysis of the current state of the world and human nature in general that seems absolutely accurate to me. Reading it took me back at least twenty years ago when I was just getting into sci-fi/fantasy, when everything was new, interesting and exciting and I couldn’t wait to get home after school and immerse myself in a new book.
The story spans across several generations of characters. I loved the premise, the worlds, the visits to 4 and 5 dimensional realms beyond human comprehension but most of all, the meditative quality to the writing, the underlying existential anxiety.
“the undulating crowds of folk walking about beneath an unsacred sky, breathing, reproducing, expiring; and the shouting, and the never-verbalised shouting, Why me? or, Why not me? or, My God, there’s nothing but this.
Just left and right, and Saturday and Sunday, and eating and screwing, and foraging about on the beach of truth for decades, alone, unmoored, searching, the tide coming and going, apathetic to you, to everyone. Then all of it paying off—suddenly you glimpse a perfect promise of wisdom on that beach, something to give all the misery meaning: a message in a bottle; a message in a bottle just waiting there for you in the sand, just waiting there to explain everything, to reward you for all your misery and searching, the Truth Behind It All.
And you open that bottle with such glee, your fingers shaking so violently in anticipation you can hardly pull the paper from the bottle—knowing that the broken and lonely days are over, the promise that all this torment and wandering was but the prelude to real existence, to your real life of goodness and belonging and certainty in all things.
And your eyes race across the paper to find the paper is blank.
And the other side is blank.
And you put the paper back inside the bottle and reseal it with the cork.
And you throw the bottle back into the sea.
And you do not look for messages in bottles again.”
I want the whole world to read this book and draw their own conclusions.
“Is there a more opulent society imaginable than one that builds spaceships while its population starves?”
Even the afterword was a fantastic read, and I never read fore- or afterwords.
“Be kind, and when you can’t be kind, be fair. And when you can’t be fair, be clever. And when you can’t be clever, please be kind again.”
January 4, 2023
Reading this book was a spiritual experience in itself. I have never read something even remotely similar in concept, the only thing I could possibly compare the absurdity and setting to, is hitchhikers guide to the galaxy which shares its broad galactic setting and almost comically absurd story. However, this book has a certain level of depth to the story as well as deeper philosophical dilemmas and questions that other books struggle to compare to while simultaneously grasping and entertaining the reader at all times. I’ve seen reviews criticizing the pacing of the story saying that is is too fast with many time jumps, and that the story at times seems a bit rushed given the sheer scale of the story. I agree, however, the story would, I believe, have a very slow pacing if this were not the case, and I would much rather the book be paced as it is than long stretches out chapters of character development and world building which frankly i believe there is no lack of. I would recommend this to anyone who has a mind open to immersing themselves into a completely different universe, enjoys snappy humor and has a fair interest in philosophy.
August 10, 2021
This is a 2.5 to be honest but no such rating exists. It's average in all aspects.
The book was a solid four until about the three quarters part. Then the plot somehow got derailed into a lecture about the evils of capitalism (all while the plot was still being explored and this thing got hammered in for no good reason(Yes a character did explain why and how this happened but it was still pretty bad)) and that was resolved within few pages too.
Edit: I forgot the blatant alcoholism as well as substance abuse that all the characters partake in. I believe this reflects the author's mental state (Searching for anything else other that his youtube channel exurb1a you will find something very odd is going on with this author (including the sexual assault case)).
By that point I would have rated it a 2 by being so freaking blatant. It's only saving grace was the last chapter that was really good and emotionally satisfying.
The book was a solid four until about the three quarters part. Then the plot somehow got derailed into a lecture about the evils of capitalism (all while the plot was still being explored and this thing got hammered in for no good reason(Yes a character did explain why and how this happened but it was still pretty bad)) and that was resolved within few pages too.
Edit: I forgot the blatant alcoholism as well as substance abuse that all the characters partake in. I believe this reflects the author's mental state (Searching for anything else other that his youtube channel exurb1a you will find something very odd is going on with this author (including the sexual assault case)).
By that point I would have rated it a 2 by being so freaking blatant. It's only saving grace was the last chapter that was really good and emotionally satisfying.
July 9, 2024
3.5/5
I understand why so many readers love it, but I feel Geometry for Ocelots is rough around the edges. It’s definitely unique, though.
I enjoyed its Buddhist-inspired ideas and metaphysical musings, plus the main message. On the flip side, the writing isn’t that great and the non-linear story sometimes feels meandering. Despite mixed feelings, I’m glad I’ve read it. It’s definitely unlike most of the stories around.
I understand why so many readers love it, but I feel Geometry for Ocelots is rough around the edges. It’s definitely unique, though.
I enjoyed its Buddhist-inspired ideas and metaphysical musings, plus the main message. On the flip side, the writing isn’t that great and the non-linear story sometimes feels meandering. Despite mixed feelings, I’m glad I’ve read it. It’s definitely unlike most of the stories around.
June 25, 2021
Space-Buddhism as an unchecked religion combined with science and a fight against the very essence of civilization. A Masterwork. A book in a universe so strange, but yet so recognizable. The human struggle on a galactical scale. It‘s strange how a single person can influence your life and ideals so much. If you‘re thinking about reading this book - read it. If you’re looking for something special - you‘ve found it.
In the Afterword Exurb1a has a sentence that captures my fascination with Sci-Fi:
„We don‘t seem to dream of a better world much anymore. We were burned so many times by utopian thinking last century that even Utopia is a dirty word now. But we must, must, must start dreaming again, dreaming wide and big of a society where no one is trodden on and everyone can eat. Our dignity relies on it. Our descendents will rely on it. Don‘t listen to these miserable, jaded fucks who insist that indignities and inequalities of the current world are just necessary evils. These same bastards would‘ve tried to keep feudalist around not a half-millenium ago.“
Thanks for the book Ex.
In the Afterword Exurb1a has a sentence that captures my fascination with Sci-Fi:
„We don‘t seem to dream of a better world much anymore. We were burned so many times by utopian thinking last century that even Utopia is a dirty word now. But we must, must, must start dreaming again, dreaming wide and big of a society where no one is trodden on and everyone can eat. Our dignity relies on it. Our descendents will rely on it. Don‘t listen to these miserable, jaded fucks who insist that indignities and inequalities of the current world are just necessary evils. These same bastards would‘ve tried to keep feudalist around not a half-millenium ago.“
Thanks for the book Ex.
June 8, 2021
"To me, you shall be unique in all the world."
Even though I have read all of exurb1a's other books, this book was nothing like I expected. And it kept surprising me up to the last pages. There was more than enough wonderment and technology to satisfy my passion for good science fiction. There was absolutely nothing to warrant my apprehension, prior to reading the book, that it might pivot on aspects of conventional Buddhism which I personally find a little tiresome. It unequivocally did not. If anything -- and while they are far more a part of the lush background tapestry than anything like tenet-as-character -- the gentle portrayal of concepts such as Nirvana presents them in an utterly ravishing way that I find enormously compelling. (and may I just say here, well done exurb1a, I would have said that was impossible haha)
Reading this book, I am again stricken with a feeling that is already familiar to me; I recognize it from every other instance of contact with the author's media. Every time, I am awash in admiration and affection for the wonderful person that exurb1a is. Having been around the block many times, I am well aware of the perseverence and purity of heart (though not the body, thank goodness) that it takes, when one aspires to be both wise and kind.
This book is amazing, as usual once picked up it could not be put down until finished, and I wish all good things to exurb1a.
Even though I have read all of exurb1a's other books, this book was nothing like I expected. And it kept surprising me up to the last pages. There was more than enough wonderment and technology to satisfy my passion for good science fiction. There was absolutely nothing to warrant my apprehension, prior to reading the book, that it might pivot on aspects of conventional Buddhism which I personally find a little tiresome. It unequivocally did not. If anything -- and while they are far more a part of the lush background tapestry than anything like tenet-as-character -- the gentle portrayal of concepts such as Nirvana presents them in an utterly ravishing way that I find enormously compelling. (and may I just say here, well done exurb1a, I would have said that was impossible haha)
Reading this book, I am again stricken with a feeling that is already familiar to me; I recognize it from every other instance of contact with the author's media. Every time, I am awash in admiration and affection for the wonderful person that exurb1a is. Having been around the block many times, I am well aware of the perseverence and purity of heart (though not the body, thank goodness) that it takes, when one aspires to be both wise and kind.
This book is amazing, as usual once picked up it could not be put down until finished, and I wish all good things to exurb1a.
June 23, 2021
Shortly after reading this book and writing this review, I discovered that Exurb1a is a rapist. Other reviews of this novel have the information, and I'll leave my original review below.
_
I'm not sure if this is the best book I've read all year, but it's pretty good. It's Iain M. Banks meets Terry Pratchett meets Frank Herbert. It's 'what if the navigators from Dune were fanatical Buddhists seeking nirvana?' It's a grim look into human nature, and how the kindness of the many is exploited by the tyrannical few. It's also a plea for the goodness of humanity.
I will say that the first 10% is not a good indicator of the quality of the rest. It starts off awkward and slow, but is well worth a read. Good science fiction should make you think, and Geometry for Ocelots certainly does.
_
I'm not sure if this is the best book I've read all year, but it's pretty good. It's Iain M. Banks meets Terry Pratchett meets Frank Herbert. It's 'what if the navigators from Dune were fanatical Buddhists seeking nirvana?' It's a grim look into human nature, and how the kindness of the many is exploited by the tyrannical few. It's also a plea for the goodness of humanity.
I will say that the first 10% is not a good indicator of the quality of the rest. It starts off awkward and slow, but is well worth a read. Good science fiction should make you think, and Geometry for Ocelots certainly does.
December 3, 2022
Read if you enjoy existential pain
August 13, 2021
This book was okay.
He takes a lot of inspiration from many well-known stories. It's decent writing but not too sure why all the characters are so into substance abuse.
It's a decent book, but definitely not what I'd recommend as the first Exurb1a book to read. It's not clear why many parts were kept in the book. Could've done with better editing.
He takes a lot of inspiration from many well-known stories. It's decent writing but not too sure why all the characters are so into substance abuse.
It's a decent book, but definitely not what I'd recommend as the first Exurb1a book to read. It's not clear why many parts were kept in the book. Could've done with better editing.
August 10, 2024
Iedereen is depressief, zelfs de maatschappij
10/10
10/10
April 30, 2024
I have no words to describe how much I enjoyed this book, so I hope this sentence is enough of a review.
June 26, 2021
There have been few books I have read recently in the genre that could be called buddhistic science fiction. One of the mechanics in this book is the 3-dimensional world Samsara, just around the "corner" a 4-dimensional world called Vex an a fabled 5-dimensional world Nibbanna. The author thankfully did not try to describe the geometry governing this configuration, so he could have artistic freedom with how they work in this world. That might have been for me the most interesting part of the book. The author is trying to warn humanity to moderate our use of resources to prevent things like global warming. I would say that part of the story-line is rather clumsy. I did not believe the motivation or logic of many things that happen there, some characters were hastily written just to serve a purpose and to be quickly disposed of. Overall the story could have been shortend at some places and extended at others.
April 13, 2022
Weird ass book with weird ass physics and weird ass creatures. There's enough alcohol consumption to kill a man. A baby was asked if it had any objections and it didn't appear to have any, diarrhoea was mentioned during a public debate and backflip attempts were made. All in all a great book for anyone who is insane. Cheers.
September 20, 2021
Perfection.
March 5, 2022
Oscilates between absolutely brilliant and "What the hell is happening, how did we even get here?" It's a decent book with a great ending.
April 16, 2024
Ugh. I bought this book with money I could've spend on cat litter.
Love Exurb1a's YouTube channel, which is what inspired me to buy the book. he's a very knowledgeable philosopher and philosophy historian, if only those skills transfered over to writing science fiction (spoiler alert: they don't)
The story was too plot heavy. Barely any depth to any of the characters. I found the callback-obsessed naming conventions obnoxious and unnecessary. Saying nema at the end of prayer also pissed me off, spelling amen backwards was the best you could do? The philosophy of the book was shoved down your throat. WE GET IT. MODERATION. It felt like he had 0 faith in the audience to decipher morals from a story. There was nothing left to analyze, all the work was done for you! The writing was redundant and predictable. and the emotional scenes were corny. and I think if you're going to brave the world of science fiction, you at least need to know the rules before you can break them - because, for God's sake, that's not how time dilation works.
Love Exurb1a's YouTube channel, which is what inspired me to buy the book. he's a very knowledgeable philosopher and philosophy historian, if only those skills transfered over to writing science fiction (spoiler alert: they don't)
The story was too plot heavy. Barely any depth to any of the characters. I found the callback-obsessed naming conventions obnoxious and unnecessary. Saying nema at the end of prayer also pissed me off, spelling amen backwards was the best you could do? The philosophy of the book was shoved down your throat. WE GET IT. MODERATION. It felt like he had 0 faith in the audience to decipher morals from a story. There was nothing left to analyze, all the work was done for you! The writing was redundant and predictable. and the emotional scenes were corny. and I think if you're going to brave the world of science fiction, you at least need to know the rules before you can break them - because, for God's sake, that's not how time dilation works.
November 15, 2024
Een absurde en filosofische take op wetenschap vs theologie in een futuristische wereld met dezelfde klimaatproblematiek en -ontkenning als nu.
"The house was burning down, but we were so enjoying the glow..."
Een echte aanrader!
"The house was burning down, but we were so enjoying the glow..."
Een echte aanrader!
January 21, 2025
Drunk old man vs drug addict Deer (in space)
March 9, 2023
This book is not just about two brothers. This book is about science and religion, it is about unlimited exploitation of limited resources and the end of the universe. It’s a generations long journey throughout the galaxy and the higher dimensions and a never-ending debate between scientific proofs and religious beliefs crashing with each other.
Although you can clearly feel some sort of fatigue from the author halfway through (of which he talked on exurb2a), it is still a great book where language is treated almost as music making it very pleasant to read through, just like all of the other books from this author.
Although you can clearly feel some sort of fatigue from the author halfway through (of which he talked on exurb2a), it is still a great book where language is treated almost as music making it very pleasant to read through, just like all of the other books from this author.
April 13, 2022
I finished it. I cried. Alot.
April 10, 2022
MY NEW FAVOURITE BOOK! SUCH AN AWESOME READ
March 23, 2022
It was a very random way I came across this book. A YouTube video by the author exurb1a was recommended to me. He said he wrote a book. The front cover caught me. The back description sealed the deal.
Sounded...different. Sounded sort of cool.
And it was!
exurb1a has an Author's note in the back about Science and Theology where he says: "there is literally zero useful science" and "there's also literally zero useful theology" in the book.
The science is cool and fascinating, and I disagree as I found lots and lots of tidbits of theology I liked and noted. It's a mish mash of lots of other spiritual traditions and a solid and intelligent take on the many new angles as well.
I really liked the dynamic and conflict yet the coordinated needed between science and theology. The tight tie between the narrative and character arcs.
Really really enjoyed it. Surprises and twists and turns and some solid commentary on civilizations and progress with some war and love thrown in.
You'll think differently Ina good way. Perspective is thick and your able to see the characters and root and cheer and then scream and cry
Solid book. Highly recommend.
Read it! It's a fun world and it's got strong echoes to
Our current culture and situation.
Well done mr exurb1a!! Well done indeed!!!
Sounded...different. Sounded sort of cool.
And it was!
exurb1a has an Author's note in the back about Science and Theology where he says: "there is literally zero useful science" and "there's also literally zero useful theology" in the book.
The science is cool and fascinating, and I disagree as I found lots and lots of tidbits of theology I liked and noted. It's a mish mash of lots of other spiritual traditions and a solid and intelligent take on the many new angles as well.
I really liked the dynamic and conflict yet the coordinated needed between science and theology. The tight tie between the narrative and character arcs.
Really really enjoyed it. Surprises and twists and turns and some solid commentary on civilizations and progress with some war and love thrown in.
You'll think differently Ina good way. Perspective is thick and your able to see the characters and root and cheer and then scream and cry
Solid book. Highly recommend.
Read it! It's a fun world and it's got strong echoes to
Our current culture and situation.
Well done mr exurb1a!! Well done indeed!!!
September 13, 2021
I guess with exurb1a you should expect the unexpected. And wow, was this story unexpected.
It was epic, grandiose, but intimate and touching all in equal measures.
I suppose if there were one criticism I could level, it would be that the grand scale of the narrative seemed to inhibit his ability to write sufficient depth into some of the main characters, especially in the first half of the book.
But that’s more than made up for by the sweeping scope and unexpected turns of the story itself.
This was not only very, very good sci-fi with big ideas that cause you to reflect on the human condition and current state of things. It was also a wonderful story, in and of itself. It’s rare that a sci-fi author so expertly blends these two things together into a satisfying, page-turning whole. But that’s exactly what he’s done here.
It was epic, grandiose, but intimate and touching all in equal measures.
I suppose if there were one criticism I could level, it would be that the grand scale of the narrative seemed to inhibit his ability to write sufficient depth into some of the main characters, especially in the first half of the book.
But that’s more than made up for by the sweeping scope and unexpected turns of the story itself.
This was not only very, very good sci-fi with big ideas that cause you to reflect on the human condition and current state of things. It was also a wonderful story, in and of itself. It’s rare that a sci-fi author so expertly blends these two things together into a satisfying, page-turning whole. But that’s exactly what he’s done here.
February 23, 2022
Look up /r/photurb1acontroversia or Pieke Roelofs before you buy this book.
My original review for this got taken down, I won't say too much because I have no clue what part of that review constitutes "statements or attacks on the authors personal life". I just explained the reasons I wasn't going to support him in the future, and gave as fair and honest a review as I could in light of that information.
The book is fine at best, a slog at worst, it really is like a 5 hour long exurb1a video - with sparse details and description on what the world he's constructing looks or feels like, and the same goes with his characters. Partly this is because of huge span of time the 300 or so pages cover, but I feel like this should have been at least double the length for the scale of story he tries to create here. His description of philosophical and sci-fi concepts is pretty cool though.
My original review for this got taken down, I won't say too much because I have no clue what part of that review constitutes "statements or attacks on the authors personal life". I just explained the reasons I wasn't going to support him in the future, and gave as fair and honest a review as I could in light of that information.
The book is fine at best, a slog at worst, it really is like a 5 hour long exurb1a video - with sparse details and description on what the world he's constructing looks or feels like, and the same goes with his characters. Partly this is because of huge span of time the 300 or so pages cover, but I feel like this should have been at least double the length for the scale of story he tries to create here. His description of philosophical and sci-fi concepts is pretty cool though.
September 3, 2021
Pretty good, if ultimately rather dark, sf opera
I enjoyed reading this. It's a vast span of time, and a lot happens, although mostly to only the main characters; one wonders a bit if the rest of the Galaxy is really so passive. The quasi-Buddhist and quasi-Greek and quasi-so-on terms were a bit odd and sometimes off-putting. And I have to admit with some shame that I couldn't always keep straight exactly who was who and whose wife or parent or whatever.
The background universe and technology and philosophy are rather rich and interesting. There's too much exposition at times.
And then (semi-spoiler) at the end in some sense none of it matters. Which is maybe sort of the point, but still...
I enjoyed reading this. It's a vast span of time, and a lot happens, although mostly to only the main characters; one wonders a bit if the rest of the Galaxy is really so passive. The quasi-Buddhist and quasi-Greek and quasi-so-on terms were a bit odd and sometimes off-putting. And I have to admit with some shame that I couldn't always keep straight exactly who was who and whose wife or parent or whatever.
The background universe and technology and philosophy are rather rich and interesting. There's too much exposition at times.
And then (semi-spoiler) at the end in some sense none of it matters. Which is maybe sort of the point, but still...
July 15, 2021
Just finished this book. What a marvelous story! I don't know what I expected when I picked up this book but my mind is blown. I knew right away that this didn't fit in the normal book genres. Metaphysical Sci Fi is something I didn't expect but now I want more. This book is brilliant and hope more people read it and begin the work to educate about Bivnik.
December 15, 2023
Exurb1a is (allegedly) a piece of sh*t r*pist.
Now that's out of the way, I've been trying recently to separate art from the artist. I'm not sure if that's the right way to do things, but I'm trying it for now. People are garbage, and oddly, this book does a good job of illustrating that. I enjoyed it, despite the author.
Now that's out of the way, I've been trying recently to separate art from the artist. I'm not sure if that's the right way to do things, but I'm trying it for now. People are garbage, and oddly, this book does a good job of illustrating that. I enjoyed it, despite the author.
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