Customer Reviews

Brasyl (Gollancz S.F.)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I understand why people like this book so much: the intriguing concepts, the complex storyline, the interesting characters. However, I suspect I'm not the only one who is so turned off by the writing style that the overall experience is ruined. At best the writing is pretentious; at worst it is laughably bad. My stomach turned when I read this sentence on pg. 18:

"At first capoeira had been another wave on the zeitgeist upon which Marcelina Hoffman surfed, driven by the perpetual, vampiric hunger for fresh cool."

If you don't find this groan-worthy, then perhaps this book is for you. The overwritten prose isn't my main complaint, though. Once you remove the meandering descriptions and the abundance of Portuguese, there's very little actual substance in many of the scenes, making the events seem disjointed, arbitrary, and often downright boring.

I suspect if you read it quickly, you'll like it better. Let horribly mixed metaphors slide right by. If events seem disjointed, keep moving on--you didn't miss anything; rereading sections will only confirm this and frustrate you.

Brasyl was one of this year's most anticipated reads for me.

With River of Gods, Ian McDonald raised the bar rather high, and I was wondering if the author could come up with something as good. It never occurred to me that McDonald could write a better novel. And yet, somehow, he did!

Brasyl is a mesmerizing ensemble of three different tales. On takes place in Rio de Janeiro in 2006, as an ambitious reality tv producer finds herself in the middle of a conflict that could unravel reality itself. The second story takes place in Sao Paulo in 2032, as a man is thrust into the dangerous universe of quantum computing and he'll never be the same again. The third storyline occurs in Brazil in 1732, as a Jesuit Father is sent to bring back a rogue priest to face the justice of the religious order.

I was astonished to see the tale unfold, to see how McDonald yet again captures the essence of a country and its people and weaves it in a myriad of ways throughout the novel. The author paints a vivid picture of South America's largest country, depicting the past, the present, and the possible future of Brazil in a manner that makes everything come alive as you read on. Every plotline is tied to the others. Indeed, everything is linked together across time and the fabric of reality, thanks to quantum physics and the multiverse that surrounds our existence.

The worldbuilding is "top notch." Ian McDonald deserves kudos for his brilliant depiction of Brazil during three different epochs. As always, the author's eye for exquisite details adds another dimension to a book that's already head and shoulder above the competition.

Of the three main characters (one for each era), Father Luis Quinn steals the show. Funny how a Jesuit priest from the 18th century should become the star of a thought-provoking scifi masterpiece! The supporting cast consists of a few interesting characters, chief among those Dr. Robert Falcon.

You'll be amazed to see how the various plotlines come together to form a dazzling whole. This book blew my mind even more than River of Gods. Seriously, I didn't want it to end!

Brasyl deserves the highest possible recommendation. It will surely be one of the best -- if not the best -- science fiction novels of 2007.

Without the shadow of a doubt, Brasyl is one of the books to read this year!

You know, I always liked Ian McDonald's books. "Desolation Road" got my attention in a big way and while there have been some weaker books since then, "River of gods" (for which he wuz ROBBED of a Hugo Award) was such a great book that I'm now a Believer.
So when "Brasyl" came out..well, what's not to like? Brazil! McDonald! 134 gradations of skin color! Thongs! Quantum computers! Mad Jesuits!

To be honest, about 3/4 into the book I got the sickening feeling that the story was all very humdrum, reality-hopping Order, yawnsies. But then the whole thing sort of twisted 90 degrees and I was spellbound to the end again.

You can read plenty of potted notes about the actual events in the book elsewhere. One thing I have to comment on is the lavish use of Brazilian/Portuguese slang/words/expressions. At first it's a little disconcerting (he's full of WHAT? She went to the WHAT?) but after awhile you just get into the...rhythm (insert obligatory Brazilian samba reference here) of the thing and it's all good to the end.

Any book that can combine reality TV shows, quantum computers, Fitzcarraldo and "The Mission" and transvestite street hustlers is okay by me.

Give this man a Hugo. Now. Or the kitten dies.

Coming on the heels of McDonald's blockbuster hit "River of Gods", Brasyl is part cyberpunk, part historical narrative, part bladerunner, part parallel universe epic, and part introduction to a culture most Americans know nothing about. Throwing standard American/Western European scifi on it's head, McDonald sets his story in Sao Paulo, the capitol of Brazil. I don't know about you, but everything I know about Sao Paulo can be summed up with "they speak Portuguese, right?". I am a sad, sad American that I know next to zero about one of the worlds largest cities. Forget Tokyo and New York City, this future is in South America. While he overwhelms you with local slang and culture (don't worry, a lot of it is in the glossary in the back), we are introduced to three different Sao Paulos in three very different times.

Sao Paulo, 1730's, father Luis Quinn is on a Jesuit mission to bring a rogue priest back into faith by whatever means necessary, before this man can burn and kill his way through the jungle. Beyond treacherous waters, dangerous animals, unpredictable natives and poisonous everything, Quinn has no idea what to expect. And the reports of gigantic angels flying over the river followed by fiery death are especially disturbing.

Sao Paulo, right now. Marcelina Hoffman produces trash reality tv shows by day, and sleeps with a highly respected news reporter by night. Always chasing the new big thing to beat the competition, she has no idea when she is in over her head. While on a wild goose-chase for the story of her life, no amount of capoeira will save her from the a fast death by a q-blade, which cuts down to the quantum level.

Sao Paulo, thirty years from now. The population is higher, the stakes are higher, the technology is faster. Uncontrolled consumer garbage is a marketplace unto itself, where children mine for metals, and quantum computing crime is organized. Enter Edson, a sometimes talent agent, sometimes petty thief, always protector of his family. Getting involved with the beautiful Fia pulls him into her dangerous world of quantum computations, digital hacking, and parallel universes. While visiting the scene of her gruesome death, Edson looks up to see Fia staring at him from across the street.

What could these three story lines possibly have in common? McDonald braids them around each other, bring them together only at the knot at the end. Sure, I've read parallel universe plotlines before, but Brasyl takes it to a whole new level of weirdness. McDonald's characterization is great, the characters feel realistic, fleshed out, and for the most part, unlikeable. Marcelina and Edson seem to be drowning in their own distaste for themselves, looking for new people, new thrills, new drugs, new anything to help them run from who they are. Quinn is a quiet man with a violent past, who has found his personal salvation. The man with the strongest faith, he has the most to lose. We get whispering and rumors of a behind-the-scenes "order", who are trying to keep knowledge from the general public. What are they hiding? It's these shadowy details that become the most fascinating part of the book, but are rarely expanded upon. Quinn, Marcelina, and Edson, they do not exist in a vacuum. the Universe and all its secrets exists around them. How much knowledge can they handle? will the truth set them free? Or imprison them further? Enjoy their stories for what they are, don't rush to the end for the action. The enjoyment of the journey makes the unexpected and bizarre kicker even sweeter.

Although alluring, Brasyl is not an easy book to read. Peppered with what's become the standard cyberpunk shock value and constant barrage of Portuguese slang and reference to indiginous religons, you've got to get through a lot of interference to hear what McDonald is trying to say. There is a line between imersion, and drowning. I'm sure the next time I read a book that culture shocks me, I'll enjoy it more. the first time is always the hardest. Perhaps it is time to for me to pick up McDonalds earlier work - River of Gods, his view of a future India. Also a center of population whose details I am ignorant of.


3 and a half out of 5 spaceships

Reviewer: Andrea Johnson for Multiverse Reviews

tried to read it twice but had to put it down twice. Would have given it 3 stars if I could have finished it. Would have given it 1 star if it didn't interest me at all.

The writing is pretty bad. It's overly flowery. He uses a lot of portugesse words in his descriptions and character interactions while rarely giving context to the words. This would be fine if he repeated the context so overtime the book built up its own internal lexicon but it doesn't. So it fails.

I am a science fiction fan so for me ideas come first and writing second. Writing style is a poor cousin of the idea in my mind so it is unusual for me to comment on the writing. However in this case the writing got in the way of some potentially very interesting ideas. So I wanted to like this book but the writing is so bad it clouds the ideas and makes reading the thing pointless. Twice!

I think what irked me most was when his clumsy ham-fisted research showed, and it showed a lot. Science Fiction fans are used to being treated with unfamiliar terrain. It's one of the appeals of sci-fi. Most good writers will let the world subsume the reader. The world gains reality and internal logic. Good examples are books like ON or FEERSUM ENDJINN. Bad examples are books like Brazyl. In Brazyl he TELLS rather than SHOWS you the world. It constantly feels like you are being TOLD what the author learned in the last year. Each new phrase, sentence, lingustic flight of fancy rather than being deeply immersed in the world of the story reads like the skin deep school boy research it is.

A bit harsh I guess... ymmv

Quantum conflict time.


A book told in eight sections, all starting Our Lady Of... from golden frogs to all worlds.

Each section has three parts, that are stories happening in three different timestreams. In the beginning, you are not particularly sure why there is a 2006 really, really bad reality tv maker in one, and an early 18th century priest in another, and you think 'he better be tying this all together in the not too distant pagecount.' The third part, set in the 2030s, makes rather more sense to begin with, following some people versed in quantum technology. This part, along with bits of satire from the current day setting give you some of the frenetic feel of a Snow Crash, or Accelerando by way of Antibodies.


He does pull the three disparate threads together, and this book is rather good. It gets better and better as it goes on, even if the start drags a little. There is plenty of action to come later, though, so you should definitely cut this part a break.

At the heart of the novel is the quantum nature of reality, and the place of humans within, and in particularly in this case, Brazilians.

A refreshingly different setting, and sport even plays a role, which is in general a little different, as a large number of sf geeks or writers have no interest in, phobias of, or avid dislike of things football. Whether McDonald does or not, I am not sure, but a pivotal secondary character is a 1950s Brazilian national team goalkeeper.

Also swords, lots of swords, particularly of the quantum variety that Wolverine himself would be pretty pleased with.

This book is also shorter than I thought it would be with the word 'epic' being bandied around the place, and was not quite 400 pages.

While resolved, plenty of spinoff novella or other opportunities if he desires.

Absolutely worth checking out.



4.5 out of 5

I can certainly understand the frustration that many other reviewers have expressed about this book. Ian McDonald, more than any other author I have yet read, has the ability to veer between great loveliness and disappointing awkwardness. His metaphors are often bizarre without being particularly revealing (he has an unnerving tendency to relate things to vaginas), and in Marcelina Hoffman he created a singularly flat character with few engaging qualities (which is perhaps appropriate given her status as a reality-TV producer). There is however much to enjoy in this book, and in spite of its flaws I would recommend it to anyone who wanted a vision of the near-future a little bit different than what is portrayed in so many 'cyberpunk' novels. The world that McDonald describes is in fact far from a dystopia, and is, particularly in the segments that deal with the Brazil of the distant past and that of only a few decades hence, a teeming, bewildering, even achingly lovely place, one as familiar and yet impenetrably exotic as the baroque landscapes of Gibson. That there are inaccuracies in McDonald's description of Rio de Janeiro is probably less about ignorance and more about his effort to create a world at once wholly believable and yet rather removed from our own, much like the smog-filled Los Angeles of Blade Runner or the vast, depthless Neo-Tokyo of Akira. That said, McDonald's prose tends to come alive most when he is describing the near-future Brazil, characterized by near-total governmental omniscience, effortless identity-switching, and a chasm between the rich and poor as vast as the one that exists today. Like Gibson, McDonald creates a futuristic environment that despite its massive problems is a place one wants to live--or at least visit. The same intricacy and beauty characterizes the portions of the novel set in the past, with the high-tech wilderness of the 21st century replaced by the literal wilderness of a near-virgin Brazil of more than 200 years before. This thread, however, is in some ways the one I enjoyed the least, if only because it often interrupted the relentless pace of the present and future portions, and the adventures of a Jesuit monk and his eccentric French companion seem to drag in comparison to those of the embittered Hoffman in the present and the ambitious Edson in the future.

One thing that surprised me about this book as well was the level of emotional depth McDonald was able to infuse into some of his characters, particularly Edson. The quiet melancholy that suffuses the relationship of the teenage Edson and the middle-aged 'Mr. Peach' ensures that a would-be sleazy subplot (complete with a spandex-clad superhero fetish) is in fact endearing and genuine without being saccharine. The landscape itself is emotionally loaded: the Brazil that Edson inhabits is one that has solved its pressing climate issues, but at the cost of most personal and economic freedom, whereas the alternate universe from which a copy of his girlfriend Fia Kishida emerges is one of relative freedom but environmental waste. Overall, the future-thread is the best of the novel, in terms of scenery, mood, character development, and storyline. And though the present-track catches (deserved) flack for its often gratingly trendy diction, it redeems itself in my mind by presenting the Brazil of 2006 as a rather depressing wasteland, deprived of both the heady high-tech glamour of the future and the voluptuous beauty of the past--a familiarly vapid world of banal, sadistic TV, empty relationships, and linguistic degradation (Hoffman's boss uses internet acronyms in place of verbal idioms)--in other words, the world as it pretty much is in the early years of the 21st century. Hoffman is a character difficult to sympathize with, or even be interested in--she is casually cruel, deeply spoiled, and ultimately as wan and shallow as the tripe she orchestrates for a TV audience, and in that sense she is the heroine the present deserves.

Overall, I think there is a lot in this book to admire. Yes, it is quite flawed in some respects--the sometimes awkward prose, the jarring changes in pace--but I think that the virtues outweigh the defects. Three and 1/2 stars.

I was totally hooked by the implications of the quantum computers, and then I got slammed in the head with an expository dialog. "Oh no, it's H. Beam Piper's Paratime Police again," I moaned. Oh well. And then the notion of universe-as-simulation is another one I've read before (see "Darwinia").

But I'm still going to read "River of Gods." McDonald writes vividly and he knows how to tell a story; this one just didn't go where I wanted it to.

I wanted to experience a sci-fi book set in Brazil, to see how a foreigner eye would capture our complex reality. But this book was such a big disappointment...

I tried, I swear I tried... It's unreadable. The prose is too fractured and the Portuguese terms are imprecise and annoying. Maybe his idea was to impress his friends with all his brazilian pop-culture, but all he managed to do was to use wrong terms and awkward dialogues, with so many misspelled words I wonder if it's so hard to ask a native about them, or just, you know, google them.

I couldn't finish two chapters, as I felt it was murdering two languages with only one strike. Next time, ask a native speaker before you print it, ok?

I loved the storyline of this book and how the three tales seemed so utterly independent at first, but ended as an intricately entangled, rather cohesive whole (mirroring the story's underlying quantum mechanical themes.)

However, the writing style was a bit rough for me and I found myself often being confused by the opaque descriptions (this was my first McDonald book; perhaps I need to get used to it). This was especially apparent in the beginning of each section, often making me disoriented as to where the character was and what he or she was doing.
Also, the arbitrary use of Brazilian Portuguese confounded. Some words were written in English, others in Portuguese even though they are readily translatable. Luckily, McDonald provides a glossary of Brazilian terms, but I found it difficult to flip to the back of the book constantly to understand what each term meant.

Had it not been for the writing style issues, Brasyl would have easily gotten 5 stars. If you can handle McDonalds bumpy ride, then the food for thought he provides is quite tasty.