Critical Eye -- Murderbot Diaries
Strange name for a series of books? Maybe. If you don't like first-person narratives, you won't like the series. If you don't like hard science fiction (as well as/instead of) fantasy, you won't like the series. If you do like both of those things, you will want the series. I love it! I read it over and over, as well as listening to the books I have of it which are audiobooks - the Kindle versions are much cheaper, and the "voice" you imagine may not match the audiobooks' narrator's voice...I happen to enjoy it, and believe the performer is a fine actor. It is difficult for me to imagine doing the audio as an actor, and I have lots of years of theatre arts behind me.
The different books are like episodes of a TV series, so don't be surprised when one adventure ends with the foreshadowing or downright jump into the next adventure. Fortunately, there are four or five books now to be enjoyed, and even I can afford the Kindle price. My ears ring all the time due to having had German Measles (that's what we called it, no offense intended), when I was so young I only remember that I thought there were real tarantulas climbing up the wallpaper). As a result, I need some noise in the room to drown out a high-pitched ringing sound so I can fall asleep. Believe it or not, Murderbot's voice lulls me to sleep! I used to work for an attorney whose voice made me sleepy too. I actually told him he should be a hypnotist with his voice. He was insulted. (!)
Martha Wells is the author. She has written many books, most of which seem to be fantasy. I had never read any of her work before I found this series. I will probably read her fantasy work now that I have seen how she thinks. I can always use another good author to read.
One of the many reasons I enjoy this series is because I can identify with Murderbot. Yep. I said that. And me a priest! All of us have met people from time to time who hit us on such a sore spot that it makes us want to slap them silly, or worse. My own upbringing, while not the nightmare most abused children have survived, was bad enough that I only got sober once I understood that I was worthy of being loved. I only learned that from AA and in the CCC. People loved me first. If you grow up damaged, having someone love you hurts at first, because those emotional muscles are so weak it takes a while to get comfortable under what feels like the pain or the weight of it. Yeah, a preposition. Sue me. Murderbot shows us that, without saying it. It's good writing. It doesn't tell us all about poor Murderbot's past, boo-hoo, let's all feel sorry for it.
I have been listening to this series for a couple of nights now, and dreaming it, actually, which is interesting. Just goes to show you how self-centered I still am. It's still all about me! Not. Anyway, I recommend this highly to anyone looking for something new to try. Good reading!
The different books are like episodes of a TV series, so don't be surprised when one adventure ends with the foreshadowing or downright jump into the next adventure. Fortunately, there are four or five books now to be enjoyed, and even I can afford the Kindle price. My ears ring all the time due to having had German Measles (that's what we called it, no offense intended), when I was so young I only remember that I thought there were real tarantulas climbing up the wallpaper). As a result, I need some noise in the room to drown out a high-pitched ringing sound so I can fall asleep. Believe it or not, Murderbot's voice lulls me to sleep! I used to work for an attorney whose voice made me sleepy too. I actually told him he should be a hypnotist with his voice. He was insulted. (!)
Martha Wells is the author. She has written many books, most of which seem to be fantasy. I had never read any of her work before I found this series. I will probably read her fantasy work now that I have seen how she thinks. I can always use another good author to read.
One of the many reasons I enjoy this series is because I can identify with Murderbot. Yep. I said that. And me a priest! All of us have met people from time to time who hit us on such a sore spot that it makes us want to slap them silly, or worse. My own upbringing, while not the nightmare most abused children have survived, was bad enough that I only got sober once I understood that I was worthy of being loved. I only learned that from AA and in the CCC. People loved me first. If you grow up damaged, having someone love you hurts at first, because those emotional muscles are so weak it takes a while to get comfortable under what feels like the pain or the weight of it. Yeah, a preposition. Sue me. Murderbot shows us that, without saying it. It's good writing. It doesn't tell us all about poor Murderbot's past, boo-hoo, let's all feel sorry for it.
I have been listening to this series for a couple of nights now, and dreaming it, actually, which is interesting. Just goes to show you how self-centered I still am. It's still all about me! Not. Anyway, I recommend this highly to anyone looking for something new to try. Good reading!
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