Brasyl

by Ian McDonald

Book Overview

Think Bladerunner in the tropics... Be seduced, amazed, and shocked by one of the world's greatest and strangest nations. Past, present, and future Brazil, with all its color, passion, and shifting... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591025435
• ISBN13: 9781591025436
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Pyr
• Length: 357 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Brilliant stuff

Brasyl is a work of true brilliance! If William Gibson will still penning mainstream science fiction works than this is what he would have evolved into. Never has South America seemed so real as in this fictional cyberpunkish take on what it might end up as. I love it. If you have any taste, you should too!

.345

Ted Williams, the great Boston baseball slugger, hit .400 in 1952 and .407 in 1953. In 1954 he hit "only" .345. .345 is a great batting average for any player. After MacDonald's earlier book,"River of Gods", "Brasyl" only hits .345. Like "River of Gods", "Brasyl" takes place in a country that readers from Europe and America will find less familiar. The author develops three story lines: a reality TV producer from 2006; an ambitious son of the Sao Paulo slums in 2032; and a Jesuit priest from 1732. (You've got to admire those Jesuits - interstellar travel in "The Sparrow" and inter-universe travel in this book.) The parenthetical phrase is not a spoiler. Almost from the beginning we realize that the story involves quantum physics and parallel universes, just as we also realize that the lives of the three protagonists will intertwine. But the plot is just the shaft of an armature, with the field being Brazilian civilization, past, present and future, and the windings being the characters of the three protagonists. Importantly we see how these characters are shaped by their environments and react accordingly. Sometimes it's not altogether clear whether the protagonists are heroes, or villains, or complex characters, like most humans. MacDonald writes with style, grace and excitement. I never thought the written details of a sword fight could hold my attention for very long since ultimately one character wins and one loses. But a sword fight described here was played out, stroke and step by stroke and step, in my mind's eye, thanks to the author. There are a few things I could have done without. The Portuguese /Brazilian glossary of terms in the back of the book had me flipping back and forth, but I suppose the exercise lent some authenticity to the book. I was not always clear of the role of some of the characters flitting back and forth across quantum barriers, even by the end. On the other hand, I was not put off by the fact that, like "River of Gods", there was an untold back story that might have been even more interesting than the tale presented. I was always a Yankee fan, but even when Ted Williams didn't hit .400 he was a pleasure to watch. So is Ian McDonald.

Not Free SF Reader

Quantum conflict time. A book told in eight sections, all starting Our Lady Of... from golden frogs to all worlds. Each section has three parts, that are stories happening in three different timestreams. In the beginning, you are not particularly sure why there is a 2006 really, really bad reality tv maker in one, and an early 18th century priest in another, and you think 'he better be tying this all together in the not too distant pagecount.' The third part, set in the 2030s, makes rather more sense to begin with, following some people versed in quantum technology. This part, along with bits of satire from the current day setting give you some of the frenetic feel of a Snow Crash, or Accelerando by way of Antibodies. He does pull the three disparate threads together, and this book is rather good. It gets better and better as it goes on, even if the start drags a little. There is plenty of action to come later, though, so you should definitely cut this part a break. At the heart of the novel is the quantum nature of reality, and the place of humans within, and in particularly in this case, Brazilians. A refreshingly different setting, and sport even plays a role, which is in general a little different, as a large number of sf geeks or writers have no interest in, phobias of, or avid dislike of things football. Whether McDonald does or not, I am not sure, but a pivotal secondary character is a 1950s Brazilian national team goalkeeper. Also swords, lots of swords, particularly of the quantum variety that Wolverine himself would be pretty pleased with. This book is also shorter than I thought it would be with the word 'epic' being bandied around the place, and was not quite 400 pages. While resolved, plenty of spinoff novella or other opportunities if he desires. Absolutely worth checking out. 4.5 out of 5

*speechless*

You know, I always liked Ian McDonald's books. "Desolation Road" got my attention in a big way and while there have been some weaker books since then, "River of gods" (for which he wuz ROBBED of a Hugo Award) was such a great book that I'm now a Believer. So when "Brasyl" came out..well, what's not to like? Brazil! McDonald! 134 gradations of skin color! Thongs! Quantum computers! Mad Jesuits! To be honest, about 3/4 into the book I got the sickening feeling that the story was all very humdrum, reality-hopping Order, yawnsies. But then the whole thing sort of twisted 90 degrees and I was spellbound to the end again. You can read plenty of potted notes about the actual events in the book elsewhere. One thing I have to comment on is the lavish use of Brazilian/Portuguese slang/words/expressions. At first it's a little disconcerting (he's full of WHAT? She went to the WHAT?) but after awhile you just get into the...rhythm (insert obligatory Brazilian samba reference here) of the thing and it's all good to the end. Any book that can combine reality TV shows, quantum computers, Fitzcarraldo and "The Mission" and transvestite street hustlers is okay by me. Give this man a Hugo. Now. Or the kitten dies.

Unbelievable read!

Brasyl was one of this year's most anticipated reads for me. With River of Gods, Ian McDonald raised the bar rather high, and I was wondering if the author could come up with something as good. It never occurred to me that McDonald could write a better novel. And yet, somehow, he did! Brasyl is a mesmerizing ensemble of three different tales. On takes place in Rio de Janeiro in 2006, as an ambitious reality tv producer finds herself in the middle of a conflict that could unravel reality itself. The second story takes place in Sao Paulo in 2032, as a man is thrust into the dangerous universe of quantum computing and he'll never be the same again. The third storyline occurs in Brazil in 1732, as a Jesuit Father is sent to bring back a rogue priest to face the justice of the religious order. I was astonished to see the tale unfold, to see how McDonald yet again captures the essence of a country and its people and weaves it in a myriad of ways throughout the novel. The author paints a vivid picture of South America's largest country, depicting the past, the present, and the possible future of Brazil in a manner that makes everything come alive as you read on. Every plotline is tied to the others. Indeed, everything is linked together across time and the fabric of reality, thanks to quantum physics and the multiverse that surrounds our existence. The worldbuilding is "top notch." Ian McDonald deserves kudos for his brilliant depiction of Brazil during three different epochs. As always, the author's eye for exquisite details adds another dimension to a book that's already head and shoulder above the competition. Of the three main characters (one for each era), Father Luis Quinn steals the show. Funny how a Jesuit priest from the 18th century should become the star of a thought-provoking scifi masterpiece! The supporting cast consists of a few interesting characters, chief among those Dr. Robert Falcon. You'll be amazed to see how the various plotlines come together to form a dazzling whole. This book blew my mind even more than River of Gods. Seriously, I didn't want it to end! Brasyl deserves the highest possible recommendation. It will surely be one of the best -- if not the best -- science fiction novels of 2007. Without the shadow of a doubt, Brasyl is one of the books to read this year!