I just finished reading Freedom and Necessity by Steven Brust and Emma Bull. Fabulous story! I found a copy at the library, but I liked it so much I plan to buy my own copy.Recommended book!
Posted by Liz M on December 16, 1997 at 12:16:36:
I just finished reading Freedom and Necessity by Steven Brust and Emma Bull. Fabulous story! I found a copy at the library, but I liked it so much I plan to buy my own copy.
Since the two authors usually write sci-fi, that's where it was shelved in the library/bookstore, but that's not at all the tone of the book. It had much more in common with The Moonstone, The Alienist, or The List of Seven.
The action takes place in 1849, so there are wonderful 19th Century English settings and characters. The book is also written in an epistolary format, as letters between the characters and journal entries by the characters. Wonderful!
There are lots of philosophy references in the text (Hegel, Marx, etc.), some of which were enough over my head to make me want to take a philosophy refresher course. An understanding of the Chartist movement in England is also helpful, although not required to enjoy the story.
I would love to know if anyone else has read this, and what they thought of it.
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