The Sword and Laser discussion

I don't know what to think of the book. It was a quick, easy read. I am bummed I paid for it (couldn't get it at the library). I'll be honest; I like mosaic novels (though I just learned that is what we call them). So I did learn something.

Chang grew as a character throughout the story, (view spoiler)[and I liked him best at the Pole. I still can't draw a line on how he ended up a teacher. It made me think of the old line, "Those who can, can; and those who can't, teach" (and no, I don't believe that), but I just didn't buy "I'm a teacher." (hide spoiler)]

Throughout the book, I kept thinking about what I was doing in 1992 when the book was written. I was studying PoliSci at UCLA, and yes, China was a topic (and a threat) in International Relations, but all the rage was the Middle East and Islam. It kept crossing my mind that she was writing this, and I was studying the Middle East. I can't explain why it kept coming up in my head. A very Odd feeling! (view spoiler)[To me, the "China" / "Communist" theme is more relevant today than in the '90s. I think they could re-release the book today (at least in the US), and it would be a bestseller. A second civil war, socialism, and Communist China - it's like turning the news on. (hide spoiler)]

I liked Martine, though I really don't know why McHugh included that storyline, (view spoiler)[aside from giving a glimpse of Mars resettlement and providing Chang a sort of penpal. (hide spoiler)]

I will take a few days to write my review but would like to hear others' thoughts. I will cross-post over on Discord too.

Overall, I enjoyed it. I liked Chang's journey throughout the novel. (view spoiler)[As for him ending up as a teacher, he sort of fell into it I think. He took the teaching job as a way to make money while looking for other work. Then he found he liked it. I had the impression it was the first time he truly liked what he was doing. Also, it may have been the first time he received respect for his work. (hide spoiler)]

The Mars storyline was interesting but wasn't really essential.

I had a hard time slogging through the book, most of it I found boring, and I didn’t care for the open-ended story lines. The Mars storyline was the most interesting one for me. I like goats, and was interested in finding out how they farmed on Mars.

San-Xiang’s story was (view spoiler)[ heartbreaking, after getting her face fixed, and being unprepared with how to handle male attraction . Her story ended too abruptly, as if she just disposable. (hide spoiler)]