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Empty Space (2012)

by M. John Harrison(Favorite Author)

3.87 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0575096306 (ISBN13: 9780575096301)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Gollancz

series

Kefahuchi Tract

review 1: This book nearly broke me. I've read and re-read plenty of M John Harrison books lately, but sadly after very much enjoying Nova Swing I had a very difficult time with Empty Space. This is a very, very difficult book to comprehend properly. I can't be bothered to outline the plot, but let's just say it consists of YET MORE hijinx in the Kefahuchi Tract, much of it hard to follow. Sure, there is sure beautiful writing here, but the characterisation is pretty much nonexistent and who knows WTF actually happens in this book. I liked the Earth section the best, this time concerning Michael Kearney's widow, Anna. I got horribly bogged down at about page 200 but I was determined to finish. You know it's an MJH book when there's an awful lot of casual type sex, all manner of biza... morerre manifestations and his favourite chestnut of all, lots and lots of vomiting. That's enough of this stuff for me, thanks.
review 2: Once again, finishing an M. John Harrison novel leaves me deeply satisfied and unable to say why, exactly - I'm not sure what I just read, but I remember being floored at his use of the language, and thinking this is both extremely literary and deeply sci-fi, without apologizing for falling into either category. If I have a criticism, it would be that this book felt a little too similar to both Light and Nova Swing - not just in the obviously shared characters and settings, but in the placement of the 'wow' moments and the feeling of resolution at the end, too. I think a lot of the craft here was over my head, but I enjoyed it anyway. If you like books that can be cerebral, reverential and challenging, dig in. less

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