Sci-Fi

Robert A. Heinlein – The Door Into Summer (Audiobook)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

It is 1970, and electronics engineer Dan Davis has finally made the invention of a lifetime: a household robot with extraordinary abilities, destined to dramatically change the landscape of everyday routine. Then, with wild success just within reach, Dan’s greedy partner and even greedier fiancée steal his work and leave him penniless, and trick him into taking the long sleep—suspended animation for thirty years.

They never imagine that the future time in which Dan awakens has a very limited form of time travel, just enough that Davis can travel back and recover his research. He then again undergoes suspended animation, and awakens again in the high-tech future of the year 2000, with his reputation, fortune, and his sweetheart.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Blackstone Audio

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 3.5/5

Mana recenzija (pārdomas)/My (thoughts) review

Dens Deiviss izgudro robotu, kas katrai mājsaimniece būtu kā sapņu piepildījums, bet viss saiet grīstē, kad viņu piekrāpj topošā līgava un biznesa partneris, bet vēl trakāk, ka pirms tam Dens bija viņai uzdāvinājis uzņēmuma akcijas, tā zaudējot balsu vairākumu. Kopā abi neģēļi dabū gatavu, ka Dens pārdomā un tomēr izvēlas doties 30 gadu garā miegā.

Jāatzīmē, ka 30 gadu tālā nākotne Denam ir 2000.gads. Autora iedomātajā pasaulē sastopamas tehnoloģijas, kuras pat mēs diez vai ieraudzītu pēc 30 gadiem. Tomēr, par laimi Denam, viss nav zaudēts, jo savos pirmsākumos ir patiesa ceļošana laikā, nevis vienkārši ilgāks miegs : ). Lielākais mīnuss – vēl nav iespējams kontrolēt, kurā virzienā tiksi nosūtīts, bet pluss, ir iespējams iestatīt precīzu laiku līdz nedēļai.

Bez Dena no atzīmējamiem tēliem noteikti var minēt kaķi Pītu. Kas atšķirībā no sava kolēģa grafiskajā Sāgā ir mazāks izmēros, bet vārdu apjoms gan plašāks.

Kopumā sižets labs, un pozitīvi, ka autors iztiek bez ierastajām ērmībām

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Dan Davis invents a robot that is a dream to every housewife but everything goes haywire when his fiancée and business partner cheats him not only with their relationship but also in the business. It’s even more bad because not long ago Dan gifted her some of firm’s stock and in so loosing the majority. Together both of them use dirty tricks to change Dan’s mind so he would use long sleep technology to wake up after 30 years.

I should add that when he wakes up the year is 2000, and that some technologies imagined by the author probably still won’t be around us after 30 years more. But luckily for Dan not everything is lost because the real time travel is in its beginning not just a long sleep. Only it has one big drawback, you can’t control if you’re going to end up in the future or past, but one the plus side you can choose a precise time.

Besides Dan another memorable character was a cat Pete. It’s funny that I just started Saga with another noticeable cat. Pete’s size matches a normal house cat, but his word count is a bit larger. : )

Overall the plot was good, and positively Heinlein manages to write this one without usual oddities.

Madeleine L’Engle – A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet #1, Kairos #1)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

“Wild nights are my glory,” the unearthly stranger told them. “I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract”.

Meg’s father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Listening Library

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.25/5

Mana recenzija (pārdomas)/My (thoughts) review

Patika autores ievadvārdi pirms stāsta, kura pati to arī ierunājusi un pat ļoti labi, atzīmējot īsi par bērnu grāmatas izdošanas grūtībām gan tāpēc, ka bērni ko tādu nesaprastu, gan tādēļ, ka tas atšķīries no viņas iepriekšējiem darbiem. Par to, cik ļoti atšķiras vēl nemācēšu spriest, bet kopumā patika. Par labu nāca arī Whatsit tēla balss efekti. : )

Tātad Megas un Čārlza tēvs kopš abu mazotnes pazudis, un ģimenei doti vien skopi paskaidrojumi. Kādā vējainā naktī, kurā neviens nespētu aizmigt, aizsākas ne vien tēva glābšanas operācija, bet arī cīņa pret tumsu un To; Tas līdz pat beigām palika ļoti noslēpumains ļaunais tēls.

Šajos varoņdarbos Megai un Čārlzam nav jācīnās vieniem, palīdz draugs Kelvins, kā arī trīs savdabīgas dāmas ar neparastiem vārdiem (viens jau minēts) un radījumi no labo spēku puses. Samērā ātri top skaidrs, ka tik viegli neklāsies un ar tēva izglābšanu viss nebeigsies.

Noteikti vēlāk turpināšu šo sēriju. Varbūt ir kāds zinātājs, kas zina, vai ir nozīmē, kādā secībā lasa šīs autores citu sēriju grāmatas, kuras saistītas ar Time Quintet. A Wrinkle in Time varētu nebūt priekš pašiem mazākajiem, bet sākot ar MG domājas gan.

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One thing I liked was the introduction by the author which also recorded the book briefly mentioning the hardships to publish this book either because children wouldn’t understand it and because A Wrinkle in Time was majorly different from her previous ones. I can’t judge how big the differences are but overall I liked it. Another plus was the character’s Whatsit voice.

So, Meg and Charles’s father has been missing since their early childhood and the family receives very little explanations what had happened. One very windy in which no one could fell asleep begins not only their father’s rescue operation but also exciting fight against darkness and It. It even until the end remained a very mysterious evil character.

Meg and Charles aren’t alone in these adventures, and receive help from their friend Calvin, three bizarre ladies with very uncommon names (one already mentioned) and creatures from the good side. Soon it becomes clear that this rescue and fight won’t be that easy and it’s not going to end with saving their father.

I’m hoping that in a short time I will manage to continue this series. Maybe someone knows does it matter in which order you read this and author’s other series that overlaps with Time Quintet. A Wrinkle in time might not be meant for the youngest audience but probably from MG or so.

Stanislaw Lem – Solaris (Audiobook)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

A classic work of science fiction by renowned Polish novelist and satirist Stanislaw Lem.

When Kris Kelvin arrives at the planet Solaris to study the ocean that covers its surface, he finds a painful, hitherto unconscious memory embodied in the living physical likeness of a long-dead lover. Others examining the planet, Kelvin learns, are plagued with their own repressed and newly corporeal memories. The Solaris ocean may be a massive brain that creates these incarnate memories, though its purpose in doing so is unknown, forcing the scientists to shift the focus of their quest and wonder if they can truly understand the universe without first understanding what lies within their hearts.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Audible Frontiers

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 2.5/5

Mana recenzija (pārdomas)/My (thoughts) review

Solaris ir gan planēta, gan viens liels un pārsvarā šķidrs organisms ar saprātu jeb okeāns, kas klāj gandrīz visas planētas virsmu. Šis darbs liek iziet no pieņemtajās normas, kādam inteliģentam organismam būtu jābūt.

Planēta tiek aktīvi pētīta, un entuziasms ir liels, bet tas ātri vien noplok, kad iegūtie rezultāti un atbildes pēc daudzajiem pētījumiem un eksperimentiem nedod vēlamo. Kā arī, ciešot letālas neveiksmes, lielākā daļa pamet Solaris. Tiek apcerēta arī varbūtēja organisma izcelšanās, tā ietekme uz planētu.

Stāsta centrā ir Kriss Kelvins, kura pārdzīvojums ir liels, kad viņš kosmosa stacijā satiek savu mirušo draudzeni Hariju, kurai tur pavisam noteikti, pat neņemot vērā mirušās faktu, tur nevajadzētu atrasties. Pašsaprotama reakcija ir panika un atbrīvošanās no Harijas, bet par nepatīkamu pārsteigumu tas nedod rezultātu. Turpmākās attiecības jau kļūst pilnīgi citādākas nekā varētu iedomātis.. Lasītājs zina, Harija nav tāda vienīgā, kas radusies ar Solaris palīdzību, bet ar to arī viss; šķiet tā organisms pārbauda viesu garīgo izturību.

Kaut kāda iemeslu dēļ grāmata neuzrunāja un nepiesaistīja līdz galam. Varbūt noskatoties 2002.gada filmu (ir vēl divas senākas krieviski) vairāk taptu skaidrs.

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Solaris is both a planet and one big and mostly liquid organism with intellect but what it is makes you think twice about – should an intellectual beings be in a solid form? Because Solaris is also an ocean that covers most of the planet’s surface.

The planet is being actively researched and the enthusiasm is big but as there are no concrete results and answers from all the research and experiments, and also suffering lethal mishaps many if not most eventually leave Solaris. Many possible versions how such an organism could have created and its effect on the planet itself are contemplated.

The centre of this story is Kris Kelvin and he is surprised in a bad way after he meets his dead girlfriend Harey on the space station. It’s clear that there are no ways she could have gotten herself there even if she would be alive. Panic and getting rid of Harey is an understandable reaction but as she later shows up again the solution to this problem has to be different. Henceforward their relationship evolves and become something I didn’t think of. The reader knows that Harey is created by Solaris and that she isn’t the only one like that, but that’s it; it seems that Solaris is testing the strength and endurance of his visitors.

For some reasons this book didn’t appeal to me. Maybe after watching the newest movie adaption (2002) some things would get more understandable.

Anthony Burgess – A Clockwork Orange (Audiobook)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

A vicious fifteen-year-old “droog” is the central character of this 1963 classic, whose stark terror was captured in Stanley Kubrick’s magnificent film of the same title.

In Anthony Burgess’s nightmare vision of the future, where criminals take over after dark, the story is told by the central character, Alex, who talks in a brutal invented slang that brilliantly renders his and his friends’ social pathology. A Clockwork Orange is a frightening fable about good and evil, and the meaning of human freedom. When the state undertakes to reform Alex—to “redeem” him—the novel asks, “At what cost?”

 

Izdevniecība/Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 1.5/5

Mana recenzija (pārdomas)/My (thoughts) review

Aleksis ir tikai 15 gadus vecs, bet kopā ar trim draugiem jeb ‘’droogs’’ jau līdz kaulam izbaudījis ko sniedz kriminālā pasaule. Lielāku prieku var sagādāt vien iespēja kādam iesist no visas sirds. Šķiet īpaša nepatika viņam ir pret literatūru un/vai rakstniekiem.

Bet tas mainās, kad kāda laupīšana cieš neveiksmi, un no visiem četriem notverts tiek tieši Aleksis. Strīdīgi un drīzāk negatīvi ir vērtējama izvēlētā metode kā valdošā vara iecerējusi tikt galā ar noziedzību. Būtībā tā ir smadzeņu skalošana, rādot nežēlīgus video, tik ilgi līdz brīdim, kad pat iedomājoties par vardarbīgu darbību vai vien izdzirdot video pavadošo mūziku, Aleksi pārņem fizisks nelabums.

Var nojaust, ka vienkāršs ieslodzījums neizmainītu viņa rīcību un uzvedību uz labo pusi. Protams, Aleksis ir visai galējs tēls. Bet, vai pilnīga izvēles iespējas atņemšana ir atbilstošākais veids, kā risināt problēmu, arī ir jautājums.

Kā arī šāda metode pieļauj varbūtību, ka tā tiktu izmantota ļaunprātīgos nolūkos, un ar to domājot pie varas esošos, kuriem varētu būt kārdinājums pārmācīt ne vien noziedzniekus, bet arī politiskos pretiniekus. Tādējādi nodrošinoties, ka neviens nespētu apdraudēt viņu pozīciju.

Ar laiku nokaitināja bieži izmantotie krievu valodas angliciskie slenga vārdi, no kuriem daļu autors izdomājis pats, kā arī konkrētās grāmatas balss man nepatika un varētu būt vainojama pie zemā vērtējuma.

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Alex is only 15 years old but together with three friends or as he call them ‘’droogs’’ he already knows in and out what the criminal world and activities can offer. And their cannot be a bigger happiness to punch someone from your heart. It seems that Alex has a special anger against literature and/or writers.

But soon everything changes when one of the robberies suffers a failure and from all four it’s Alex who is captured. The method that the government chooses to apply is questionable and in my opinion there are more downsides. Basically it’s a brainwashing forcing the felon to watch cruel and very unpleasant videos until even the thoughts about violence or just hearing the music which was played during the videos make you physically sick.

You can tell that just an imprisonment probably wouldn’t have changed Alex and his behavior for the better, and of course in this book his character is an extreme for such person. But is it the right way to fight this problem by taking away a choice and actually a free will.

Also this method easily could be used ill-intentioned by the people in power who could be tempted to abuse their power to not only to teach a lesson to some criminals but also political opponents. And in that way making sure that no one could endanger their positions and control.

As the book continued I was annoyed by Russian Anglicism slang~, from which some words the author invented himself. Plus I didn’t like the voice narrator for the edition I had and maybe that could also be blamed for the low rating.

Daniel Keyes – Flowers for Algernon (audiobook)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

With more than five million copies sold, Flowers for Algernon is the beloved, classic story of a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In poignant diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases his IQ and changes his life. As the experimental procedure takes effect, Charlie’s intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment seems to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance–until Algernon begins his sudden, unexpected deterioration. Will the same happen to Charlie?

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Recorded Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 5/5

Mana recenzija(pārdomas)/My (thoughts) review

Čārlijs Gordons pat būdams pieaudzis cilvēks, nespēj atcerēties un veikt vienkāršākās lietas, un uzvedas gluži kā mazs bērns. Ir skaidrs, ka Čārlijam ir kāda garīgā saslimšana, bet tā vietā, lai viņš saņemtu adekvātu palīdzību, lielākā daļa viņu izsmej, labākajā gadījumā sauc par idiotu, un pie viena paši jūtas labāki un gudrāki uz Čārlija fona. Tikmēr pats Čārlijs vien vēlas atzinību, mīlestību un draudzību no ģimenes un apkārtējiem, būt tāds kā citi.

Sava veida palīdzība nāk no ārstiem, kuri apsola Čārliju padarīt gudru, cerot paši kļūt slaveni, un kā piemēru viņi var parādīt peli Aldžernonu, kurš tiek galā ar jebkuru uzdevumu, kas viņam tiek stādīts priekšā. Ja pirms operācijas Čārlija attieksmē ir dusmas pret gudro peli, tad pēc operācijas, kad jau abu intelektu starpība izlīdzinās, attiecības starp diviem ģēnijiem kļūst draudzīgākas. Turpinoties grāmatai, Aldžernons sāk izrādīt bažu raisošus simptomus, kas ir pretrunā ar ārstu un profesoru apgalvojumiem, un attiecības starp peli un Čārliju var apzīmēt kā aizkustinošas.

Vēl aizkustinošāks ir Čārlijs savā regresijā. Var vien apbrīnot, kā Čārlijs ir spējīgs piedot un nedusmoties uz visiem, kas, viņam stulbam un garīgi atpalikušam esam, viņu izsmēja. Interesantākais, ka brīdī, kad Čārlijs izmainās, viņu atkal ienīst, bet nu jau tāpēc, ka tie, kuri izcēlās uz Čārlija fona, tagad paši tiek aizēnoti un jūtas dumjāki. Patika kā tika attēlota gan Čārlija izaugsme, gan krišana atpakaļ.

Nespēju saprast vecāku attieksmi pret savu bērnu, it īpaši mātes, kura vairākus gadus pēc ‘’normālas’’ meitas piedzimšanas, viņu burtiski izstumj no mājām; arī tēvs, lai gan aizstāvēja, ir grūti nodēvējams par labāku. Gan pret šiem, gan citiem tēliem rodas pamatīgas dusmas! Nu kā tā var!

Saistošas bija arī Čārlija dažādās (vairums bērnības) atmiņas. Interesants, nebūt ne nevietā vai par daudz, bija romantiskais aspekts. Būtiski defekti no audzināšanas (mātes), pat gudram esot.

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Charlie Gordon even as an adult can’t remember or do the simplest things and his behavior is like a small child. It’s clear that Charlie has some sort of mental illness, but instead of receiving proper help many ridicule and in the best case call him an idiot and at the same time feel smarter besides him. While all that Charlie wants is to receive affection, love and friendship from the family and others and to be like everyone else.

In a way help comes from doctors who promise to make Charlie smarter (of course hoping to get famous) and as a proof they can show Algernon, a very smart mouse that can beat any task that is presented to him. If before the operation Charlie is angry towards the smart mouse then after the relationship between two geniuses start to get friendlier. As Algernon begins to show concern creating symptoms their relationship can be described as touching.

How well described is Charlie’s regression is even more moving. You can only admire how Charlie is capable to forgive and not be angry against everyone who laughed at him while he was dumb. Interestingly that when Charlie got smarter and smarter he was hated for the opposite because now all those people next to Charlie felt inferior. I liked how Charlie’s rise and fall was depicted.

I just can’t understand the attitude from Charlie’s parents, especially the mother, which some years after her ‘’normal’’ daughter was born literally threw him out of home. And the father who tried to defend him wasn’t much better. These two and many other characters are capable to create anger against them! Like, how could they!

Charlie’s memories (mostly from childhood) were fascinating; and the romance stuff were quite interesting – not too much or out of place. Essential defects from the upbringing (mother) even him being smart.

Philip K. Dick – UBIK (audiobook)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Glen Runciter is dead. Or is everybody else? Someone died in an explosion orchestrated by Runciter’s business competitors. And, indeed, it’s the kingly Runciter whose funeral is scheduled in Des Moines. But in the meantime, his mourning employees are receiving bewildering—and sometimes scatological—messages from their boss. And the world around them is warping in ways that suggest that their own time is running out. Or already has.

Philip K. Dick’s searing metaphysical comedy of death and salvation (the latter available in a convenient aerosol spray) is a tour de force of paranoiac menace and unfettered slapstick, in which the departed give business advice, shop for their next incarnation, and run the continual risk of dying yet again.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Blackstone Audio

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 4/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Pret Glena Ransitera un viņa kompānijas komandu tiek veikts uzbrukums no konkurentu puses. Eksplozijā mirst viņš pats, un pēc tam, kad Džo, Ella, Patrīcija, Vendija un citi viņu ar godu apglabā, sāk notikt pavisam dīvainas lietas.

Viss viņiem apkārt sāk regresēt laikā un kļūt tāds, kāds tas bijis agrāk. Kamēr paši paliek kopā, tikmēr nekas šķiet viņiem kaitēt nevar, bet daži to aptver par vēlu. Jāpiebilst, ka vienam piemīt interesantas spējas izmainīt pagātni, bet ne ceļot laikā.

Tomēr beigās tas nav tas dīvainākais, jo drīz vien Džo pamana dažādas it kā vēstis no Glena – televīzijā parādās reklāma ar viņu, uz monētām īstā ģīmetņa vietā viņa u.c. Sāk rasties jautājums, kurš tad īsti ir dzīvs un kurš mira eksplozijā?

Tā līdz galam neizpratu motivāciju šim uzbrukumam. Bet kopumā ļoti interesanta un labā ziņā dīvaina. Patika katras nodaļas sākumā frāzes/reklāmas par UBIK produktu un ne tikai, bet pamatā kā spēcīgas zāles.

UBIK ir vien trešā grāmata no šī autora, kas klausīta, bet pagaidām iespaids vislabākais.

                                                                                                                                                             

There’s an attack against Glen Runciter and his company’s team from their competitors. He himself dies in the explosion and after Joe Chip, Ella, Patricia, Wendy and others burry him with an honor weird things start to happen.

Everything around them starts to go back in time and become as they were back then. While they stay together it seems that there might not be mortal danger to them but some realize this a bit too late. I should add that one of the team has such powers that she can influence the past, but not to travel in time.

However that’s not the strangest thing because soon enough Joe notices various messages from Runciter like the commercial with him in the television and his portrait on coins. That creates a question who really died and who survived the explosion?

Didn’t understand fully the motivation behind this attack. But overall the book is quite interesting and weird in a good way. I liked the commercials about UBIK at the beginning of each chapter.

Have listened only three books by Philip K. Dick including this one, but for now the impression is the best from them all.

Isaac Asimov – The Gods Themselves (Audiobook)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

In the twenty-second century Earth obtains limitless, free energy from a source science little understands: an exchange between Earth and a parallel universe, using a process devised by the aliens. But even free energy has a price. The transference process itself will eventually lead to the destruction of Earth’s Sun—and of Earth itself.

Only a few know the terrifying truth—an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun. They know the truth—but who will listen? They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy—but who will believe? These few beings, human and alien, hold the key to Earth’s survival.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Doubleday

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 2.25/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Enerģijas resursi neierobežotā daudzumā un bezmaksas caur Elektronu pumpi. Kas var būt labāks par šo? Bet par kādu cenu? Avots enerģijai ir paralēlais visums, kuru ieguvums no pasākuma ir viņu zvaigznes ilgāks mūžs, no kā arī izriet mūsu cena.

Paralēlajam visumam interesanta, savdabīga sabiedrības uzbūve, kur tu esi the Emotional, the Rational vai the Parental. Ir arī ceturtā grupa, kā skolotāji – ‘’hard ones’’. No šīs puses tad arī doti trīs tēli no minētajām kategorijām, izņemot pēdējo, bet diemžēl ne par vienu no šiem vai pat citiem tēliem neradās dziļāka interese.

Uz mūsu Zemes atrodas tādi, kas aizdomājas, ka varētu būt pārāk labi un ka kaut kur ir jābūt arī āķim. Bet lielākā daļa ir priecīgi par radušos situāciju un neparko citu neuztraucas. Tikmēr arī paralēlajā visumā ne visi ir tik aukstasinīgi, lai nolemtu nāvei veselas planētas populāciju. Tomēr, vai būs kāds, kas viņos ieklausīsies?

Diemžēl grāmata beidzās bez šķietamas kulminācijas un sakarīga atrisinājuma. It kā bija pārdomas un kāda rīcība, bet bez jau pieminētās kulminācijas/crescendo. : )

Grāmata ļauj padomāt arī par mūsdienu realitāti ar visiem globālajiem laikapstākļiem, fosilo resursu ierobežotību un meklējumiem pēc atjaunojamas un dabai draudzīgas enerģijas.

                                                                                                                                           

Free energy in unlimited supply through Electron Pump. What could be better than this? But for what price? The source of the energy is a parallel and their gain from all this is their own star’s longer life, and from that consequently the price we would have to pay.

The parallel universe has an interesting society structure were you are the Emotional, the Rational or the Parental; there’s also the fourth group ‘’hard ones’’. From this side we are presented with three characters from the mentioned categories but unfortunately I didn’t care for these characters or anyone else for that matter.

On our Earth there are some who get suspicious that it might be too good to be true and that there has to be some catch. But mostly everyone is just happy about the current situation and don’t worry. Meanwhile also in the parallel universe not everyone can live with the thought that their gain might mean the death of the other planet’s whole population. But will there be someone who will listen to them?

The book end’s without a culmination point and logical ending/solution. I guess there were some food for thought and reflection but without already mentioned culmination/crescendo. : )

But the book allows you to think about our dependence on fossil fuel resources and the search for renewable energy.

Philip K. Dick – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner #1) (Audiobook)

7082

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? was published in 1968. Grim and foreboding, even today it is a masterpiece ahead of its time.

By 2021, the World War had killed millions, driving entire species into extinction and sending mankind off-planet. Those who remained coveted any living creature, and for people who couldn’t afford one, companies built incredibly realistic simulacrae: horses, birds, cats, sheep…

They even built humans.

Emigrants to Mars received androids so sophisticated it was impossible to tell them from true men or women. Fearful of the havoc these artificial humans could wreak, the government banned them from Earth. But when androids didn’t want to be identified, they just blended in.

Rick Deckard was an officially sanctioned bounty hunter whose job was to find rogue androids, and to “retire” them. But when cornered, androids tended to fight back, with deadly results.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 3.75/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Pasaule pēc plaša mēroga un ļoti postoša kara, kas Zemi atstājis bēdīgā stāvoklī. Neviens vairs nezina vai neatceras, varbūt vienkārši nevēlās atminēties, kādi gan bijuši tam par iemeslu. Visbēdīgākās kara sekas rezultējušās plašā dzīvnieku izmiršanā, kam par iemeslu bijis milzu apjoma gaisa piesārņojums ar sīkām putekļu daļiņām, par kuru izcelsmi arī zināšanu nav.

Kas gan drīkst tikt pieskaitāms dzīvībai? Vai lielāki un mazāki, sarežģītāki un vienkāršāki roboti arī pievienojams šim terminam? (Mākslīgais) intelekts grāmatā apspriests mazāk, bet apšaubu, vai to varētu uzskatīt par būtisku un vērā ņemamu faktoru.

Riks Dekards ir atlīdzību mednieks un par noteiktu samaksu tieši viņš ir tas, kurš atbrīvo izbēgušus androīdus no to eksistences nastas. Bet arī Riks sāk apšaubīt savas rīcības pareizu. Šķiet, gadu gaitā viņš sācis izjust simpātijas un līdzjūtību pret sava darba upuriem. Viedokļu dažādībai, lasītajam dots arī skatpunkts no otras,androīdu, puses.

Vēlreiz uz mirkli pievēršoties dzīvo radību izmiršanas tēmai. Jau pats nosaukums drusku liek iedomāties, ka kaut kas līdz galam nav, tā kā vajadzētu. Tie, kas pamanījušies izdzīvot, kļuvuši par izdevīgu un peļņu nesošu preci, bet, ja vēlme pēc dzīvnieka ir tik nepārvarama, bet maks nav tik biezs, tad vienmēr ir iespēja iegādāties elektrisku/mākslīgu līdzinieku. Jaunu sugu rašanās/atklāšana, kas būtu sagaidāma, gan nebija minēts, iespējams, pēc kara vienkārši pārāk īss laika posms vēl nav pagājis.

Bet noslēdzot. Kuram gan bijusi tik ģeniāla doma radīt neatšķiramus robotus no parasta cilvēka? Stāstā tiek izmantoti īpaši testi jautājumu formā, lai noskaidrotu un atklātu bēgļus. Tomēr man pirmā doma bija par asinīm, kuru analīzēs gribētos domāt, ka būtu manāmas atšķirības. Tiek minēts, ka šo humanoīdo robotu dzīves ilgums nepārsniedz četrus gadus, kas tad liek jautāt, vai tie rada tik lielus draudus, ka ir vērts viņus tvarstīt?

                                                                                                                                           

In the world after a massive war Earth now is in pitiful condition. No one knows or doesn’t (want to) remember what the reasons were for it. The most sad consequences of war is the wide range animal extinction because of large amount of tiny dust particles polluting the air, and no one is sure what did create that too.

What exactly could be accountable as a life/live being? Could smaller and larger, simpler and complex robots be added to that list? (The artificial) intelligence isn’t discussed much but I doubt if that would be a big factor.

Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter and for certain reward he retires escaped android and frees them the miserable existence. But at some point Rick starts to have these doubts about what he does and is it right. It seems that in the years he has developed sympathy towards his victims. The reader  has the chance to read the other side’s opinion, so there are more than one viewpoint.

Talking once more about animals, the book’s title itself signalizes that not everything is as it should be. Those who have managed to survive have become a very valuable and profitable product. But if you have irresistible urge and want to have an animal at home but not enough money then there always is available electric/artificial substitute. Discovery of new species isn’t mentioned but maybe there haven’t long enough distance since the end of war.

And concluding my rambling I want to ask. Who had such a genius idea to create robots undistinguishable from real humans? In the story they use special tests/questions to find out and discover them. But the first thing that comes in my mind is blood. I would think that there should be some differences in that test. It is mentioned that the life expectancy of these humanoid robots is four years, and that makes me think, are they so bad/evil to bother to hunt them down?

Robert A. Heinlein – Stranger in a Strange Land (Audiobook)

350

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

NAME: Valentine Michael Smith
ANCESTRY: Human
ORIGIN: Mars

Valentine Michael Smith is a human being raised on Mars, newly returned to Earth. Among his people for the first time, he struggles to understand the social mores and prejudices of human nature that are so alien to him, while teaching them his own fundamental beliefs in grokking, watersharing, and love.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Blackstone Audio

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 2.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Valentīns Maikls Smits, pēc izcelsmes cilvēks, bet uzaudzināts kā marsietis. Nokļūstot uz Zemes starp cilvēkiem, Maikls kļūst par svešinieku savējo vidū, ar spējām, kuras dēvējamas par pārdabiskām mums cilvēkiem, un filozofiju un uzskatiem kardināli atšķirīgiem

Spriežot kā viņš attiecas pret ūdeni, tad uz Marsa atšķirībā no Zemes tā ir stipri vien mazāk. Kā būtisku piemēru var minēt, ka Maikls izsaka gatavību apēst savu ‘’ūdens brāli’’ pēc tā nāves, lai pilnībā izmantotu šķidrumu. Arī viedoklis par laiku ir krasi citādāks, pateicoties marsiešu un arī Maikla potenciālam dzīves ilgumam.

Sākotnēji Maikls ir valdības rokās, bet medmāsa Džiliana nogādā viņu drošākā vietā un kopā ar Džubalu Haršāvu~, mēģina izprast Maiklu, un arī viņš viņus un cilvēkus kā tādus. Pārsteidz, ka tiek ar tādu izgājienu cauri sveikā.

Ja sākuma filozofiskas dabas jautājumu iztirzāšana ir interesanta un saistoša (cilvēku un marsiešu atšķirības), tad brīdī, kad Maikls ir izpratis jeb pielietotais vārds ‘’grok’’ cilvēka dabu, viņš dibina savu baznīcu/reliģiju, un debate aiziet galīgi pa reliģiozitātes taku. :/ Ticīgo pievēršanai noder Maikla spējas kā dažādu lietu pacelšana vai pazudināšana ar domu spēku vien, kaut gan apgalvo viņš, ka to spēj katrs, ja vien ir 100% izpratis vārda tiešākajā nozīmē lietu, tās būtību. Pēc noklausīšanās, atradu izteikumu, ka grāmata sarakstīta vairāku gadu laikā, kas, iespējams, kalpo kā izskaidrojums, kāpēc tā.

Hainlains atkal izcēlās; viens izteikums, ko īpaši piefiksēju, turklāt no sieviešu kārta tēla, ka izvarošanas gadījumā visticamāk sieviete pati uzprasījusies un ir pie vainas. Un beigu epizode ar akmeņu mešanu bija kronis visam! Tomēr grāmatas beigu aptuveni trešdaļa nepaspēj visu sabojāt. : )

                                                                                                                                                 

Valentine Michael Smith by origin is human but was raised as a Martian. When as an adult he is back on Earth between human beings, Michael becomes a stranger among his own, plus he is have powers that any Earthian would call as supernatural and his life philosophy and opinions are crucially different than ours.

Judging by his attitude against water then on Mars it’s probably much less than on Earth. A good example might be that for Michael it’s completely normal to eat his loved one or ‘’water brother’’ after his death to use his liquids. His viewpoint thinking about time also differs from ours considering how long a Martian and also he could live.

At the start Michael is in the hands of government but soon enough he gets out with the help from the nurse Gillian or just Jill and together with Jubal Harshaw they try to figure him out, the same of course goes in the other direction. Surprisingly there are no big retaliations for such doing.

If at the beginning the philosophical discussion was quite interesting and captivating like differences between Martians un humans then once Michael has figured out human nature or his used word ‘’grok’’, he establishes a new church/religion and the debate turns downright religious. :/ Previously mentioned powers like stopping things in a mid air or making them disappear and much more convinces many to believe in him. But if I grokked right :D then if you do understand something literally for 100% you are not far from doing something similar. After I finished this book I found a comment that it took year for Heinlein to write this book, and maybe that is an explanation enough.

Once again Heinlein managed to stand out and with one statement especially, that in the case of rape the woman violated probably is to be blamed herself. And the ending with stone throwing topped it all! However approximately the last third of the book doesn’t fully ruin the first two thirds. : )