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Steve's Reviews > The Gold Bug Variations
The Gold Bug Variations
by
by
A mid-50's scientist was on the verge of real discovery in the realms of DNA research, and nothing happened. Decades later a librarian wants to know why. Where'd he go? What happened?
If you liked Gravity's Rainbow you might want to give The Gold Bug Variations a look. It has perhaps not quite a Pynchonian level of technical discussion and detail, but a lot nonetheless; Power's voice is hard work, but after awhile I found it growing on me. Rich characterization, imagery, and arcane references abound. (Many appear to be included to aid with chronology. The book is non-linear. Not to a fault, but almost.)
7-29-05. Just finished, and the question that keeps turning over in my mind is: so, why CAN'T this be my favorite book of all time? I think it might be. It's got music (and lots of it), it's got science (just a little more than I could get my head around—not a bad thing), it's got aching romance (I've discovered I have a bit of a taste for romance here as I plow into my 40s), it's got suspense and puzzles and art and trivia, to say nothing of just being wonderfully erudite and well-written and DIFFICULT. [The really good books that I've gotten lost in have been books that rewarded study. Like the good old Queen's Gambit back in November, I might have found myself doing an instant reread, were it not for this puppy's 600+ page count.]
14OCT12. over 1/3 the way through the long-overdue reread. Interesting how I found the science too much seven years ago...before I taught high school bio for three years! Viewed with these better trained eyes the science discussions are on the level of the stuff I taught in my honors classes.
09DEC12. Have a look at my Gold Bug Variations page. You might find it handy as a scene spotter or a reading companion, but I created it to break down the chronology of the novel's three narrative time frames.
If you liked Gravity's Rainbow you might want to give The Gold Bug Variations a look. It has perhaps not quite a Pynchonian level of technical discussion and detail, but a lot nonetheless; Power's voice is hard work, but after awhile I found it growing on me. Rich characterization, imagery, and arcane references abound. (Many appear to be included to aid with chronology. The book is non-linear. Not to a fault, but almost.)
7-29-05. Just finished, and the question that keeps turning over in my mind is: so, why CAN'T this be my favorite book of all time? I think it might be. It's got music (and lots of it), it's got science (just a little more than I could get my head around—not a bad thing), it's got aching romance (I've discovered I have a bit of a taste for romance here as I plow into my 40s), it's got suspense and puzzles and art and trivia, to say nothing of just being wonderfully erudite and well-written and DIFFICULT. [The really good books that I've gotten lost in have been books that rewarded study. Like the good old Queen's Gambit back in November, I might have found myself doing an instant reread, were it not for this puppy's 600+ page count.]
14OCT12. over 1/3 the way through the long-overdue reread. Interesting how I found the science too much seven years ago...before I taught high school bio for three years! Viewed with these better trained eyes the science discussions are on the level of the stuff I taught in my honors classes.
09DEC12. Have a look at my Gold Bug Variations page. You might find it handy as a scene spotter or a reading companion, but I created it to break down the chronology of the novel's three narrative time frames.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
July 29, 2005
–
Finished Reading
August 18, 2008
– Shelved
December 1, 2010
– Shelved as:
lifetime-favorites
Comments Showing 1-6 of 6 (6 new)
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Nathan, if you do, check out Galatea 2.2. Of the Powers books I've read, it was probably the best. Certainly the best for its length.
Drew wrote: "Nathan, if you do, check out Galatea 2.2. Of the Powers books I've read, it was probably the best. Certainly the best for its length."Thanks. That is one that I do have on my shelf. I also happen to have Plowing in the Dark.
I think Gold Bug was his watershed, but really, I could make a case for Three Farmers On Their Way To A Dance, Galatea 2.2, or The Time of Our Singing as well.
Steve wrote: "I think Gold Bug was his watershed, but really, I could make a case for Three Farmers On Their Way To A Dance, Galatea 2.2, or The Time of Our Singing as well."I, too, think that Gold Bug is his best representation for my interests. I've not yet committed to his oeuvre, but I think Galatea is getting the thumbs up for my next Powers.
Plowing the Dark was one I was really interested in after reading The Echo Maker (the first Powers I read), but when I finally got around to it, it was underwhelming. Definitely Galatea over that one.
I found Gold Bug a bit flat for my preferences, but I'd like one day to move into another of Powers' novels. It's a smart book, no doubt.