• Machinist@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    His ideas are fantastic. Execution and characterization are spotty. Been a while since I read anything of his, but IIRC, he has a tendency to dip into surrealism or absurdity that feels cringey instead of his artistic target.

    In some ways, it’s similar to a lot of Golden Era SF. You read it for the ideas, not the story.

    I do have a favorable opinion of him and his work. I’d really enjoy Doctorow being paired with a traditional fiction author and both being rode herd by a hardass SF editor.

    • brisk@aussie.zone
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      2 days ago

      I assume this is specific to his fiction?

      Very much my experience with Walkaway. Unauthorized bread (short story) was a little better executed imo.

      • Machinist@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Correct, specific to his fiction. I don’t know if I’ve read a non-fiction book of his. However, I’ve never read a bad article or essay by him. He has great insight.