Peter Watts: Blindsight (AudiobookFormat, 2008, Recorded Books LLC)
Audiobook
English language
Published Oct. 23, 2008 by Recorded Books LLC.
Set in 2082, Peter Watts' Blindsight is fast-moving, hard SF that pulls readers into a futuristic world where a mind-bending alien encounter is about to unfold.
After the Firefall, all eyes are locked heavenward as a team of specialists aboard the self-piloted spaceship Theseus hurtles outbound to intercept an unknown intelligence.
The ideas are compelling, and the inclusion of recreated vampires is a weird but interesting diversion. There's no emotional core though. In some ways that's by design - the primary narrative POV is of someone who's had significant, personality-destroying psychosurgery. I found myself asking why should I care about any of this throughout.
Had to put it aside after ~ 50 pages. Could not follow anything that's going on at all due to all the slang and obscure references used.
As someone on Peter Watts' own site is quoted, "Whenever I find my will to live becoming too strong, I read Peter Watts." Reader beware.
I re-read it just recently. This book fundamentally shifted my perspective on my own humanity, and maybe not in a good way. But it did a really good job! I think it took me a few reads to really get a handle on what was happening in the story and that only made the hammer blows of its conclusion stronger.
Has a permanent space on my shelf, except my copy keeps walking out of my house because I lend it out so much.
The author has started giving away this book, available here for free on his own site: www.rifters.com/real/Blindsight.htm
But you might want to consider donating: www.rifters.com/real/donation.htm
Once you've read the book, check out this gorgeous fan-made film: blindsight.space/
