Customer Reviews

Polymorph

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What an amazing read! POLYMORPH is definitely one of the slickest, sexiest books I've read in a long time. There's a lot more here than you'd expect from your typical cybernovel -- Lee is a fascinating, complex, richly-drawn character, and Manhattan's downtown scene is so fully sketched that it almost qualifies for character status itself. Westerfeld is constantly questioning identity and community, and he plays with the reader's preconceptions of sex and sexuality and gender in very real (and disturbing) ways. Plus, it's a great story -- with some of the hottest sex scenes in recent memory. I had a *wonderful* weekend with this book, and recommend it without qualification. Put me down for his next one.

To be perfectly honest, after reading a couple of chapters of "Polymorph", I wasn't sure I that was going to enjoy this book, because I intially found the protagonist's life-style so trite and unappealing. As she begins to search for the other polymorph, I became a little more interested, but still wasn't really blown away by it all. That is, until the last two chapters. The way this book ends is so chilling and so subtly subversive that it redeems practically all that has gone on before. I highly recommend it, just for the unexpectedly viscious little twist at the end.

A great book that makes you think about gender and identity. The plot was a bit weak in parts, but the characters were extremely interesting. Highly recommended.

Imagine that you could change your shape into anything that you wanted, whenever you wanted. But, as far as you know, you are the only one who can. This is how Polymorph, the Sci-fi thriller by Scott Westerfeld, starts.

Lee is a shape-shifter (polymorph) in post-industrial Manhattan, who uses her gifts to live without work, surf clubs, and pick up lovers for one night stands. She sheds names, faces and sexes like the clothing in her elaborate collection. All of that changes when she meets Bonito. Bonito is also a polymorph, but he uses his gifts to manipulate money and power. Together with her true love, Freddie, she must stop Bonito from taking control of Earth's information technology, and thus the earth itself.

This book is very well written. I especially enjoyed Westerfeld's descriptions of when Lee changes shapes, because he describes the changes so vividly that I can picture them in my mind. I also like to think about what in their body would make a person able to do that, because I am a very scientifically minded person, and it fascinates me to think of what happens to the body's tissues and cells to allow the drastic changes, like when she changes genders, to take place.

The theme of this book is that you should never give up trying. This the theme because in the book, Lee thinks that she is the lone polymorph on the face of the planet, but she never stops looking for others like her. She also never stops looking for someone that she really loves, because although she has had more lovers than stars in the sky, none of them really mattered to her. When another polymorph and the love of her life show up, she never gives up trying to track down the polymorph and make the man she loves accept her for who she is.

This book was one of the best sci-fi books that I have ever read. Of Mr. Westerfeld's books that I have read, this is by far my favorite. In this book, he has found equilibrium between plot and action, description and dialogue that adds together to make the book one that I literally could not put down. This book is probably not suitable for those who do not like or are not ready for sexual descriptions and content, because it gets fairly descriptive a number of times. Other than that, this is a five-star book that definitely is worth the read.

The author uses fantastic imagery to provide the reader with a world of graphic, descriptive sexualtiy and gender-bender chameleon talents of the main character.
The plot appeals to many diverse interests, ie. cyber-punks, shape-changer fans, and fans that wish they could also cross all ethnic/gender/cultural lines.

POLYMORPH provides a thrilling, thought-provoking narrative on the nature of self, a most welcome adjunct to the current debate on the ethics of cloning humans. The fear of human cloning stems from the belief that DNA is all--"Genes are us". However, Westerfeld's polymorphs, through their ability to change both physique and physiology, emphasize the contribution of environment, especially culture, to identity.

And what happens if you can be copied and replaced?

Two polymorphs, two hackers, a software mogul (the man Bill Gates would like to be), and his glorious girlfriend battle it out in the clubs, streets, artworld and corporate offices of a futuristic but quite feasible New York. Westerfeld's New York is wired--caffeine, adrenaline, amphetamines and morphine flow through the characters. It's also computer wired--identities can be created, lost and found in cyberspace, which the hackers manipulate much as the polymorphs manipulate their physical form.

Westerfeld's racing, racy prose will keep you turning the pages eager for more. There's a twisted car chase that must be one of the scariest literary car events since Ballard's CRASH. And, POLYMORPH gets to the crotch of the issue of gender--both men and women will find some amazing strategies to improve their sex lives! If you're looking for brains, brawn, and beauty - POLYMORPH has it all!

While an intriguing idea, I thought that the character development was a bit thin. For the most part, the story survives on the interesting morphing ability of Lee. Overall, characters seemed barely motivated. Lee, the main character, gets her identity stolen. Big deal - she can be anybody she wants. Lee claims to be upset because the villian, Bonito, won't tell her about other polymorphs - not really an insurmountable problem. Even Bonito has no real objective goal, only trying to get close to the "King of America." In my opinion, the author has an interesting idea then was stretched thin coming up with a full-length story. But, if you like twisted sex, some drugs, with a bit of vague hacking thrown in, this book's for you.

I found this story quite interesting right up to the intense conclusion which left me a bit cold. I can best compare the feeling to finding one of those large jars that you might discover on the back shelf of an antiques store, filled with a murky liquid and with something not quite right floating in it. An intriguing curiosity but I don't want to get too close!

The characterization was well done. I loved Sam, the deaf super-hacker friend of the hero Freddie. The polymorph, Lee, was very well done and quite believable (within the necessary and somewhat strained suspension of disbelief). I had a problem with Freddie who was well written but was subjected to so many assaults on his friendship and understanding that he must have been superhumanly cool and compasionate.

And now to protagonist Lee, antagonist and devil Bonito, and polymorphism. I've enjoyed other shape changing novels, such as those by Czerneda, but this one gave "genuine" insite into the nature of (Westerfield's) polymorphic beings, and the development of their bizarre abilities. He dwells at some length on their insight into human anatomy and mannerisms, gained in various ways, necessary to convincingly emulate another human.

I guess that I was hoping for a simpler, more uplifting ending, but taking it for what it was I will certainly recommend this book to those seeking insight into yet another extraordinary possibility in the range of beings that might exist.

This was an entertaining and fast paced book about a shape-shifter who uses his/her abilities to go club-hopping until s/he meets another polymorph who uses her/his powers for more insidious purposes. Westerfield will undoubtably be compared to William Gibson due to subject matter and writing style. Those who have read Gibson may recognize the setup which seems to be taken from his and Robert Shirley's short story "The Belonging Kind" (available in Gibson's collection, BURNING CHROME.) The aspects of being able to change genders, races and even body parts is explored in almost every way one can think of from impersonation to sexual uses. After reading this book, I don't think I'll look at any stranger in club the same ways again.

I was really amazed with this product, the book Polymorph. When I ordered the product I was expecting slight damage but I was surprised when the book was like new, except for the yellowing pages. The friend I bought the book for love the gift and I am extremely happy with it. Thank you.