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Liked It “As a writer who aspires to jump genres, I found this book an inspiration. It's Raymond Chandler meets Ray Bradbury. Fun.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I truly liked the imaginative world, loved the creativity of it. Never connected to the story, personally.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“As a writer who aspires to jump genres, I found this book an inspiration. It's Raymond Chandler meets Ray Bradbury. Fun. ”
Kirk W wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I truly liked the imaginative world, loved the creativity of it. Never connected to the story, personally.”
Bill K wrote this review Tuesday, November 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Being a private eye is tough work in a world where people are able to edit their memories and personalities with a quick snort of custom-mixed drugs. Metcalf is the only person interested in finding out the truth of the matter behind a few nasty killings while everyone around him is erasing the past as quickly as they can.
Avis habilis wrote this review Thursday, October 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Virtually none of the weirdness in the environment is ever explained, which is as it should be. It's the world the characters live in & they never think twice about how it got that way.”
“SAD”
Leora wrote this review Friday, October 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“So completely weird it is downright entertaining. ”
Jimbo wrote this review Monday, May 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Conrad Metcalf is a private inquisitor who lives in a futuristic Oakland which is more reminiscent of the seedy gumshoe novel than it is of sparkling towers. This dichotomy is intentional as Lethem mixes the tropes of cyberpunk with the novels of Raymond Chandler. Even the minor characters' names seem as if they could have been lifted from The Big Sleep or Farewell, My Lovely. However, the PI side of Gun, With Occasional Music also resonates with Dashiell Hammett and the films made from his works. The reader can imagine Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre or Mary Astor playing their appropriate roles.
Wendy B wrote this review Friday, April 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Metcalf can only remain out of suspended animation as long as he manages to retain enough karma points, which can be lost for, among other things, rudeness. Unfortunately, in a society in which asking questions is considered taboo, a private inquisitor is going to find his supply of karma quickly depleted. Metcalf finds he needs to ask more questions than he can afford from he is hired by Maynard Stanhurt to tail his wife, Celeste Stanhurt shortly before Maynard is killed.
Metcalf's inquisition leads him to be questioned by public inquisitors,
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“Like SF? Like hardboiled detective fiction? The you'll like this. It's not a masterpiece, but it is a lot of fun. Well imagined, easy to read, good main character. Will keep you thinking and guessing.
Steve wrote this review Thursday, March 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“A trippy little murder mystery that takes place in a somewhat bizarre and sinister future. Part hard-boiled detective story, part alternate-reality science fiction, this book is difficult to classify. Think Dashell Hammett meets Philip K. Dick. Starts slowly but really picks up steam halfway through and barrels towards a really satisfying conclusion. Strange in a good way.”
lander wrote this review Wednesday, August 13 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“My first Lethem novel, his first novel, and probably my favorite Lethem novel. At least in science fiction. This was a wonderful introduction to a fantastic mind, one that was possibly less paranoid or estranged from reality than Phillip K. Dick, but an adequately and appropriate writer worthy of following in his footsteps.
Andrew C wrote this review Tuesday, May 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I reread this book and enjoyed it almost as much- if not more- than the first time I read it.
If there are any criticisms of this novel, it isn't in its chandler-esque caricatures, its fantastical sci-fi elements, its wordplay or its conceptual conceits, it might be something of a tendency in Lethem to drag his feet or let you down a bit on the suspense before delivering an ending- that may or may not leave you wanting. At any rate, I was hooked and have added several of his books to my collection. I particularly like the cover of the one I have (I bought two used copies and gave one to a friend)- with the VERY Chandler art on the over and music notation design.”
