Metropolitan [Kindle Edition]

Walter Jon Williams (Author)

Book Description

NOMINATED FOR A NEBULA AWARD. Walter Jon Williams’ classic science fantasy Metropolitan is once again available for a new generation of readers.

Aiah has fought her way from poverty and discovered a limitless source of plasm, the mysterious substance that powers the world-city. Her discovery soon involves her with Constantine, the charismatic, dangerous, seductive revolutionary who plans to overthrow, not simply the government, but the cosmic order . . .


“A spectacular blend of fantastic science, high politics, and low intrigue . . . Williams’s world and characters are richly imagined yet utterly real.”
—Melissa Scott

“Entertaining . . . Williams understands that science fiction can breathe life into language . . . [His] writing is always lean, lively and engaging.
---New York Times Book Review

“Blends SF aspects with noir stylings to create a potent atmosphere or urban dystopia . . . Ever the expert storyteller, Williams provides more than enough suspense.”
---Publishers Weekly

Product Details

• File Size: 742 KB
• Print Length: 311 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007UVNI1K
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,765 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting exploration of power and morality April 18, 2012

By HaloJonesFan

Amazon Verified Purchase

Metropolitan is the kind of story that, today, we'd probably call "urban fantasy", although it's more fantastical than most of that genre. In the indistinctly-far future, the world has been encased in an energy barrier known as the Shield, and the entire surface of the planet has been combined into a single megastructure. In this world, an energy known as "plasm" is generated by the confluence of so much structure; this energy can be harnessed and used by humans, to create magical effects.

In this story we meet Aiah, a low-level government bureaucrat who finds a hidden plasm source of unprecedented power. As the story progresses, she uses this power to learn the ways of magic and to unlock the potential hidden in herself--potential both in her talent, and in her person. The story discusses several concepts related to power and morality; its chief message is more or less spelled out when one character says "you need to learn to know you want, as opposed to rationalizing what you have had to accept." Yeah, it's a "bootstraps" kind of story--we should all be so lucky as to find our own personal nuclear reactor, right?--but it's still a well-done exploration of how someone might transform from a mousy little office worker to a major revolutionary figure.

I very much enjoyed reading this work; the world, the plot, and the writing were all intriguing. The writing starts out somewhat lyrical and rhythmic, but settles down after the first chapter or so. I'm glad to see that the rights to this work were cleared up (and reverted to the author) so that I could share my enjoyment with a new generation of readers.

5.0 out of 5 stars solid... nice twist May 16, 2013

By igor vladimirovsky

Amazon Verified Purchase

interesting twist on typical fantasy "magics" ... cant wait to read the second book... recommend to any fan of science fiction.

5.0 out of 5 stars Novel and engaging work! April 5, 2013

By Mountain Runner

Amazon Verified Purchase

While the particular storyline was not what I usually seek out, I was reminded of the movie "Brazil", I was constantly engaged by the sheer writing ability of the author! This man can write. I will read his books for that reason alone!