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Terrifyingly, largely nonfiction. After a very strong, almost shocking opening, it lacks a strong story arc that pulls you through the book, the kaleidoscopic storytelling feeling a bit artificial. But full of interesting, sometimes essential ideas and insights about climate breakdown, the wider socio-economic system and possible solutions. After only two years already somewhat dated, which makes it even more terrifying.

Brilliant, complex and fearless imagination of an anarchist society. Probably one of the best books I've ever read.

A short, suspenseful, sad, kafkaesque parable about our (futile) attempts to gain (or keep) control over our lives.

Apart from a bit of wonkiness in the last part a very compelling, immersive and ultimately haunting story about identity and strangeness. Berlinski allows us to get a glimpse of very different perspectives onto the world without suggesting we could just take either of them without living the life that comes with them.

A formally compelling, calmly narrated, but intense exploration of identity, self-inflicted solitude, privilege and hypocrisy, the nature of space and time, and our place in it. Lingers long after reading.

The only thing that keeps me from giving it a 5 is that it unnecessarily tells a small but critical part of the story via exposition in dialogue instead of directly.

Solid space opera, but construction (how Banks creates suspense and mystery) and message ("more humility, less competition") are a little in-the-face ("man merkt die Absicht und ist verstimmt"). Good: how Banks deals with identity, memory and guilt.