Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

A science fiction novel by British author John Brunner, first published in 1972. The novel is decidedly dystopian; the book deals with the deterioration of the environment in the United States. It was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1972.

The novel is the third in Brunner's "Club of Rome Quartet", each novel dealing with a separate social issue. The Sheep Look Up explores a future dystopia occurring as a result of rampant consumerism and pollution. It follows 1968's Stand on Zanzibar (overpopulation) and 1969's The Jagged Orbit (racial tension and violence), and precedes 1975's The Shockwave Rider (technology and future shock).

Member John is planning on reading this...anyone else like to consider this read?

I really enjoyed Stand on Zanzibar, when we read it as a group in 2020. Dystopian is a favorite genre of mine, and Brunner wrote it very well. I highly recommend members check him out, if they have time. (unfortunately, I do not at this time.)

It's ok Samantha! Your support on Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner is helpful!

Samantha wrote: "I really enjoyed Stand on Zanzibar, when we read it as a group in 2020. Dystopian is a favorite genre of mine, and Brunner wrote it very well. I highly recommend members check him out, if they have..."

Thanks Samantha - Stand on Zanzibar and The Sheep Look Up seem to be the most highly-rated of his fairly prolific output. I'm greatly enjoying The Sheep Look Up, so will probably try to read Stand on Zanzibar later in the year. I'll look back at the 2020 thread at that point.

Anyone else considering this read by John Brunner or maybe the one suggested by Samantha?

I can certainly recommend The Sheep Look Up; I'm almost at the half-way point, and intrigued to find out what's going to happen next in the multiple narratives in the novel.

I just placed a hold at the library, so I should get it some time in March. I liked Stand on Zanzibar.

Rosemarie wrote: "I just placed a hold at the library, so I should get it some time in March. I liked Stand on Zanzibar."

That's excellent, Rosemarie - I'm looking forward to your opinion of it. And I'll aim to read Stand on Zanzibar in March (although it's a hefty book!)

Well, I finished this tonight...and I'm struggling to decide what to say about it.

I gave it 4 stars, but "enjoyment" isn't a word I'd use to describe my reaction. Its definitely dystopian, and quite definitely meets the "Disturbing" part of this thread's title.

Despite its age, it hardly feels dated, and in fact it feels just a bit too prophetic to be comfortable - the worst aspects of predator capitalism; the ascendancy to power of Trump, Johnson, Putin and their equivalents; resource depletion, climate change.....

The multiple intertwining narratives can be a bit difficult to follow until you settle into it, and people may find some of the "adult" content offensive, although its a very minor part of the book.

Read it and make your own mind up - and share your thoughts on this thread.

I've just finished the book and don't know how to rate it-so I won't. I'll just say that I read the book quickly and was blown away-- but it's so grim!

Rosemarie wrote: "I've just finished the book and don't know how to rate it-so I won't. I'll just say that I read the book quickly and was blown away-- but it's so grim!"

"Grim" is a good description, Rosemarie. I'm just so glad I wasn't reading it during some of the darker days of the Covid pandemic!

I haven't started Stand on Zanzibar yet - but I will. I know the group have read this in a previous challenge, but is anyone else interested in reading it this year?