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Gabi's Reviews > Ringworld
Ringworld (Ringworld #1)
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I'm always told that I have to make concessions for books written before a certain time. And I try … but in this case there were just too many of the things that irk me thrown together.
First off, the idea of the ringworld and the various astrophysical explanations were clever and innovative, that's for sure, but …
… there was too much explanation going on. Characters explaining things to one another all the time. Sometimes jumping to conclusions where I had to re-read some paragraphs to make sure I really didn't miss a hint how they got their ideas.
The characters themselves felt extremely flat, like caricatures and ever so often behaving like in a kindergarten. And the women - I don't even want to call them women - they were the bimbos of the week, their main purpose to be there and have sex with the leading character. I felt myself wincing every time they came into a scene.
So, even with the lenience that the book is from 1970 I can only give 2 stars. It was quite some work to get through it - cause I was zoning out ever so often - and for me personally little reward.
First off, the idea of the ringworld and the various astrophysical explanations were clever and innovative, that's for sure, but …
… there was too much explanation going on. Characters explaining things to one another all the time. Sometimes jumping to conclusions where I had to re-read some paragraphs to make sure I really didn't miss a hint how they got their ideas.
The characters themselves felt extremely flat, like caricatures and ever so often behaving like in a kindergarten. And the women - I don't even want to call them women - they were the bimbos of the week, their main purpose to be there and have sex with the leading character. I felt myself wincing every time they came into a scene.
So, even with the lenience that the book is from 1970 I can only give 2 stars. It was quite some work to get through it - cause I was zoning out ever so often - and for me personally little reward.
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Reading Progress
August 9, 2019
– Shelved
August 9, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
August 9, 2019
– Shelved as:
hugo_winners
August 9, 2019
– Shelved as:
nebula_winners
August 9, 2019
– Shelved as:
locus_winners
November 28, 2019
–
Started Reading
November 28, 2019
–
14.0%
November 29, 2019
–
21.0%
"The characters are not very compelling so far, but I learned about the Klemperer rosettes which was interesting."
December 7, 2019
–
43.0%
"I would enjoy this more if the only woman wouldn't be such a transfer picture (ahem … in hopes this literally translated expression makes sense in English)"
December 9, 2019
–
55.0%
"I really have to fight with the dated go at characters. In some scenes this is bordering on naive."
December 11, 2019
–
65.0%
December 11, 2019
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-10 of 10 (10 new)
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message 1:
by
Twila
(new)
Dec 11, 2019 11:21AM
Ahh Gabi, I hope you enjoy your next book more!
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Twila wrote: "Ahh Gabi, I hope you enjoy your next book more!"I intend to break away from my schedule (which would have had '1984' as my next group read) and put in some Adrian Tchaikovsky to (hopefully) sooth my grumpy mood.
Yup. This is one of those books which didn't age well.
Wow! I haven't read this in 25 years, at least. I remember I liked it (I rated it 4 stars for that memory), but not as well as his short stories. Niven is a master at short story and essay writing. Now I am not so sure I should bother to re-read when it comes up in a goodreads group I am in
Kateblue wrote: "Wow! I haven't read this in 25 years, at least. I remember I liked it (I rated it 4 stars for that memory), but not as well as his short stories. Niven is a master at short story and essay writing...."Although I remember having owned it, I never read it, and it did not survive my several moves. So I got it as ebook in my quest to read all the award winners. But, in all honesty, it was the worst book I've read so far … sorry.
that's ok, Gabi No apologies necessary. If I were reading if for the first time today, I might not like it as much
I've heard that about this book. Good to know it's on my "don't read" list for a good reason.
torin_kylara wrote: "I've heard that about this book. Good to know it's on my "don't read" list for a good reason."Yeah, the concept is pretty cool, but this is one of those books that didn't age well at all.
So this is really a 3 star review then? 1 star unfairly removed due to your haughty moral judgement?
