Here's some quick comments by Mary...
Comments on "The Reality Dysfunction" (spoilers avoided):
Hello from Mary Ann,
Finally finished part one of Reality Dysfunction. I'd like to make some comments on this one. On the positive side, there were some great ideas and descriptions of those ideas. I did enjoy the Adamist vs Edenist differences, the "genering", and "affinity". And the increasing of evilness in the characters. Also, he does have a way of world descriptions that is convincing.
On the negative side, I have a few things to say as well. I believe I've already mentioned the discomfort of having to jump from one world to another. I prefer more immersion in one mindset. Also, there were too many characters that had little to do with the main action. It's like having all the extras introduce themselves to you. No wonder it was so long. Also, this one was a little graphic for me - I don't mind reading about a body being torn apart once or twice in a juicy novel, but I'm not a coroner and this was a little redundant for my taste. Even in a part one book, the reader would appreciate a little reward for turning all those pages in partial plot resolution. Give us somewhat of an ending. And finally, the pace was sooo slow in the last few chapters. Reading about the Norfolk tears and puritan style life that late in the book was frustrating.
I'm not a writer and won't pretend to be a legitimate critic, so please accept these from a reader's
point of view. (It's hard for a short story lover to read almost 700 pages and not get an ending! : ^ )
