Bobiverse: worth continuing?
May 21, 2018 10:10 PM Subscribe
I'm midway through Book 2 of the Bobiverse, Dennis E Taylor's series of Bob books, and before I get further into Books 3 & 4, I want to know if they improve re: casual and inherent sexism. I'd normally just skim ahead in reviews, but they're so plot-heavy I don't want spoilers. They are totally Marty-Sue novels, but fun reads except the gender blinders and absence of any human social change past 2010-society is kind of... does it improve? Or worsen?
Incrementally better, I think, but its universe is still populated by copies of Bob, who do not vary so much. Though only Bobs get to be POV characters, there are a couple plotlines coming which involve a very significant lady you've probably already met, and a number of human characters in a drama you haven't seen anything about yet. You'll also get some non-human drama, and some social changes, particularly when... ah, I shouldn't hint.
The whole trilogy was pretty indulgent and geeky, and I liked it.
posted by Sunburnt at 12:24 AM on May 22, 2018
The whole trilogy was pretty indulgent and geeky, and I liked it.
posted by Sunburnt at 12:24 AM on May 22, 2018
I don't know-- have you read the one yet where one of the Bobs falls in love with a human woman? Her name was Bridgette, if that helps you, although for the life of me I can't remember which Bob it was. You probably won't like that part?
Other thoughts about the trilogy:
Yes, I agree with Uncle that it is a strange answer, but "it doesn't get worse" does sum up the third book. And I did enjoy seeing more Bobs be created, and the personality differences despite all coming from the same matrix. Also I liked the explanation and method of how the seemingly unbeatable Others were (spoiler) defeated. I was meh on the lemur people plot-- also can't remember if that was book two or three. And I never warmed to the Archimedes/Original Bob story-line, which I think covered all three books?
I can't believe I am about to defend such light and unremarkable books, but I think the lack of cultural progress can be ascribed to the human race being nearly extinguished except for a few hundred thousand refugees, all of whom came from different backgrounds and are now thrown together and must work together to survive and to get to the new colony worlds. That and the reaction of the English speaking survivors to deliberately eschew the practices of the former American theonomy/theocracy and return to the "enlightenment values" of the early 21st century. Or maybe, you know, the author doesn't care? He tries to throw some stuff in about Polynesians and Cubans, so at least he is making an effort?
The Facebook group for the books is one of the most active I have seen, and amazingly the author shows up two or three times a day to answer questions. Most members of the group are passionately convinced these are the BEST BOOKS EVER and WHO WILL STAR IN THE MOVIES and wow, I put the whole group on Facebook snooze for thirty days and will probably eventually leave. (Although the group's traditional acknowledgement of new members is a GIF "Welcome Replicant!" meme, which I always found at least a little bit amusing.)
Final answer: I mean I liked the books, and I did not pay extra for them since they are on Kindle Unlimited. They were light and fun and helped take my mind off some health and financial troubles. I don't think I could have handled anything more serious during the days it took to read them. I don't think I would have purchased them if they weren't already included in a service I already have. And as Surnburnt wrote, they are geeky and fun. I don't regret reading them, but it's not Octavia Butler if you know what I mean. And sometimes that's OK for me.
posted by seasparrow at 12:30 AM on May 22, 2018
Other thoughts about the trilogy:
Yes, I agree with Uncle that it is a strange answer, but "it doesn't get worse" does sum up the third book. And I did enjoy seeing more Bobs be created, and the personality differences despite all coming from the same matrix. Also I liked the explanation and method of how the seemingly unbeatable Others were (spoiler) defeated. I was meh on the lemur people plot-- also can't remember if that was book two or three. And I never warmed to the Archimedes/Original Bob story-line, which I think covered all three books?
I can't believe I am about to defend such light and unremarkable books, but I think the lack of cultural progress can be ascribed to the human race being nearly extinguished except for a few hundred thousand refugees, all of whom came from different backgrounds and are now thrown together and must work together to survive and to get to the new colony worlds. That and the reaction of the English speaking survivors to deliberately eschew the practices of the former American theonomy/theocracy and return to the "enlightenment values" of the early 21st century. Or maybe, you know, the author doesn't care? He tries to throw some stuff in about Polynesians and Cubans, so at least he is making an effort?
The Facebook group for the books is one of the most active I have seen, and amazingly the author shows up two or three times a day to answer questions. Most members of the group are passionately convinced these are the BEST BOOKS EVER and WHO WILL STAR IN THE MOVIES and wow, I put the whole group on Facebook snooze for thirty days and will probably eventually leave. (Although the group's traditional acknowledgement of new members is a GIF "Welcome Replicant!" meme, which I always found at least a little bit amusing.)
Final answer: I mean I liked the books, and I did not pay extra for them since they are on Kindle Unlimited. They were light and fun and helped take my mind off some health and financial troubles. I don't think I could have handled anything more serious during the days it took to read them. I don't think I would have purchased them if they weren't already included in a service I already have. And as Surnburnt wrote, they are geeky and fun. I don't regret reading them, but it's not Octavia Butler if you know what I mean. And sometimes that's OK for me.
posted by seasparrow at 12:30 AM on May 22, 2018
Best answer: They definitely remain Marty Sue books. Books two and three get more socially diverse in that there are more characters that are not Bob. The books do address questions of society formation and social evolution. Also some of the Bobs get more interesting as the generations diffuse. But it's totally a male book written with a single male character at the center of everything who suffers too much from being the author's stand-in. I still liked the books, but if that is grating on you it doesn't really get better.
(Totally random recommendation for something else to read: Xenogenesis trilogy from Octavia Butler. The first book Dawn is amazing. eBook was on sale for like $1 yesterday, but sadly that passed.)
posted by Nelson at 9:08 AM on May 22, 2018
(Totally random recommendation for something else to read: Xenogenesis trilogy from Octavia Butler. The first book Dawn is amazing. eBook was on sale for like $1 yesterday, but sadly that passed.)
posted by Nelson at 9:08 AM on May 22, 2018
Response by poster: Thank you! I've decided not to continue, my immediate to-read list at 87 books now (Butler's Wild Seed is at the tail end of that, but I might re-order to Dawn).
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 9:23 PM on June 15, 2018
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 9:23 PM on June 15, 2018
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posted by Uncle at 11:40 PM on May 21, 2018 [1 favorite]