Intrusion, Ken MacLeod

[iansales]

Review of Ken's latest novel, Intrusion posted in the SFF Chrons review section Intrusion, Ken MacLeod

 

[Fried Egg]

Interesting review Ian. After reading it I am tempted to go out and read the book.

Going by what you say in your review, I am not surprised that there are "those who are going to insist on reading the world of Intrusion as socialist" when it depicts a society in which "the state makes decisions for consumers". This will be many people's definition of a socialist state.

Although I presume the state doesn't make all the decisions for consumers (in this book), only in certain markets? Although if a government followed through with the principle that they should make decisions for consumers in those markets in which the consumer doesn't have perfect information, they would surely have to decide everything on the consumer's behalf!

 

[iansales]

A socialist state doesn't makes consumers' decisions for them, it simply puts the means of production under public ownership. Choice remains with the individual. In Intrusion, there is no choice for the individual as the state presents what it feels is the only viable option.

But definitely read the book. It's excellent and is likely to appear on a few shortlists next year.

 

[Connavar]

It sounds very interesting, exactly the kind interesting political world,struggles of people,state i want to read in my quality SF.

I have Execution Tunnel, Learning the World to read next but i already look forward to this novel. Your review made me very excited about it.

 

[Fried Egg]

A socialist state doesn't makes consumers' decisions for them, it simply puts the means of production under public ownership. Choice remains with the individual.

Yes, of course, in socialism the state controls the means of production but what choice is there for the individual if the state decides what gets produced? No more real choice than the producer has in this book; they can produce what they like but unless the state says the consumers are allowed to buy it, they can't sell it.

But anyway, still looks like thought provoking reading which is what SF should be.