In short, I feel that this is one of the best science-fiction books I’ve ever read.
Williams approaches so many things that we all take for granted and poses questions about many everyday things. It seems like he just stepped away from reading a lot of empiricist literature and decided to mull it over at length… and by constructing experiments for his characters.
Additionally, there are many places where he ponders existential questions and the possibility of a or multiple higher beings.
As I read this, I kept a pencil in hand to mark the spots worthy of discussion with a friend who had read this series and recommended it to me. We’ve had some great discussions about so many of the things that happen in this book.
it does feel like it drags on at some points, but it is so filled with interesting situations and things to contemplate that i feel it should at least be tried before being dismissed.
I’m currently reading the second book in the series, i’ll post a review of that after i finish it (assuming i remember). i’d be happy to correspond about topics from this book if anyone has thoughts that need to be bounced off someone else.
happy reading