Twisted Metal (Penrose)
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Product Description
Review
'Edgy, kinetic, and creative.'
--SciFiNow
`an original work with a distinctive voice. It works not only as a thrilling action adventure, but as a thought experiment exploring free will, independence and totalitarianism.'
--Guardian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--SciFiNow
`an original work with a distinctive voice. It works not only as a thrilling action adventure, but as a thought experiment exploring free will, independence and totalitarianism.'
--Guardian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Written in a deceptively simple style, "Twisted Metal" is not only highly readable, but surprisingly thoughtful." --"Times"
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Reading the other reviews, I'm slightly puzzled by some of the reasons given to dislike this book. One of the main drivers in the book is the concept that information from robot parents is blended together into their offspring. This 'twisting of the metal' is done without much technical detail and I for one think this is fine (how many readers want to read about meiosis in a standard fantasy novel?; or need a diatribe on comparative genomics / syntenics if the author needs a human/orc hybrid?). I for one would be INTERESTED to hear more about the mechanism but it is not essential for the plot; and I'm happy to believe that there is some element of nanotech/silicon-extrusion engineering to the mechanism of 'twisting metal' (blue is a perhaps a clue that it is not just pure elemental metal being 'twisted'). Many of the complaints in the negative reviews are akin to dismissing the Alien books/films because their weaponised / genetically engineered origin is not spelled out in bioinformatic detail ! Suspending disbelief and filling in the gaps yourself is part of the fun in science fiction and I haven't found too much so far that cannot be imaginatively filled in with a bit of creative licence (after all, who would have believed in miRNA's before they were discovered) - I'm only about 3/4 through so far (seriously restricted private reading time) but I came here looking for a sequel in preparation for finishing..
Throughout the thread of the book there is a clear inorganic/informatics equivalent of Darwinian selection (akin to Dawkins meme selection in some ways). To me this is one of the most intriguing aspects of the plot and reminiscent of 'Code of the Lifemaker' - which I recommend if you liked this book (especially the first chapter which is also available as a short story). To balance this, the evolutionary drives of these robots are in some ways more Lamarckian than standard biology permits which allows for some interesting possibilities. It also seems that their general development is more pre-determined than human development which somewhat restricts some of their choices (but doesn't stop potential future meta-regulation of development). I find this all quite self-consistent and I like the discussions of form vs function which manage to fit into (and progress) the plot without being contrived. I also like the shock tactics of making the reader suddenly question their own definitions of life vs mechanism - especially when it comes to the character 'Axel'.
In summary, this is quite a thought provoking book that also has a quite acceptable plot that allows the various characters to develop in parallel and interact (twist) together. It is a tiny bit shakespearian in one or two of its outrageous coincidences but then I'm OK with that..
Throughout the thread of the book there is a clear inorganic/informatics equivalent of Darwinian selection (akin to Dawkins meme selection in some ways). To me this is one of the most intriguing aspects of the plot and reminiscent of 'Code of the Lifemaker' - which I recommend if you liked this book (especially the first chapter which is also available as a short story). To balance this, the evolutionary drives of these robots are in some ways more Lamarckian than standard biology permits which allows for some interesting possibilities. It also seems that their general development is more pre-determined than human development which somewhat restricts some of their choices (but doesn't stop potential future meta-regulation of development). I find this all quite self-consistent and I like the discussions of form vs function which manage to fit into (and progress) the plot without being contrived. I also like the shock tactics of making the reader suddenly question their own definitions of life vs mechanism - especially when it comes to the character 'Axel'.
In summary, this is quite a thought provoking book that also has a quite acceptable plot that allows the various characters to develop in parallel and interact (twist) together. It is a tiny bit shakespearian in one or two of its outrageous coincidences but then I'm OK with that..
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
You never know what you're going to get when you open a book from Tony and the unpredictability is what makes him an interesting read. The book presented here follows the beliefs, times and exploits of a robot civilisation as it undergoes changes due to the warlike state that they've adapted. Its fascinating to see human traits placed upon what many would state is an emotionally sterile environment with no understanding of anything other than the core programming yet the quirks along with the traits of the characters involved really do come across in the tale and allow you the chance to identify and sympathise with the myriad of characters within. If you're looking for a new author to take the mantle in the genre from the old guard you really could do a lot worse than trying Tony's work.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you have previously read a TOny Ballantyne novel, then you will be as disappointed as I was. This is nothing like the sparse, focused text of "Capacity" or "Recursion". This novel has a great central idea (planet full of robots), but almost instantly loses the reader's attention due to the ludicrous number of characters, the lack of coherent plot and a method of robot "birth" that is plain silly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Great Book
I very much enjoyed this book as I have all his other books. I like the idea behind the series and look forward to following the central characters through the series. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Spange
Nothing cosy about these robots...
This is a story all about robots, living in a robot world. But before you embark on this novel- know that the grim cover is far closer to the tone and style of this book than any... Read more
Published 8 months ago by sjhigbee
Original Concept
This is the first book of Tony Ballantynes that I have read. Such an original concept and well executed. Read more
Published 13 months ago by MZ Rider
Another interesting set of concepts from Ballantyne
Tony Ballantyne writes high concept SF with some knowing in-jokes thrown in to boot, and I was intrigued to see where he would go with this start to a new trilogy. Read more
Published 17 months ago by R. M. Lindley
Mature and intelligent start to robot saga
Set on a world of advanced robotic civilisation, Twisted Metal starts with two robots making love and working to conceive a child. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Kamvision
Seriously imaginative sci-fi
A lot of what's being said in the negative reviews is based on two things: the concept at the heart of this book and the way that characters are used to explore this concept. Read more
Published 21 months ago by tenshi no hone
Boring
One good idea stretched for 300 pages,
and a menacing trilogy ahead...
One is enough!
An ecology based only on silicon... ok,
Robots with feelings... Read more
and a menacing trilogy ahead...
One is enough!
An ecology based only on silicon... ok,
Robots with feelings... Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2010 by Antonio Donini
Inconsistant and based on a naff idea
This is very true, the book is dull. The ideas are inconsitant from chapter to chapter. I have read far far better books. Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2009 by Haydies
A good concept poorly exectuted
The best thing about this book is the cover. Whilst the synopsis suggests a book exploring and building on ideas found in the work of Isaac Asimov, the story fails to enable the... Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2009 by Prendy
Twisted
When I started this book I thought it wasn't that great, but as the book went on I found my interest growing. Some of the ideas are excellent and the story does pick up. Read more
Published on 3 July 2009 by J. Peebles
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