My Bookspotcentral review ( )

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.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/08/brasyl-ian-mcdonald.html ( )

Excellent book following three interconnected stories set in different time periods and realities in Brasil...I was a bit confused after the first read, but it made a lot more sense after the second...but then maybe I'm just a bit slow :) ( )

I enjoyed the glimpses of a country I now very little about. Lots of interesting twists. It takes a while for the threads to draw together, but they do in an interesting way. I hope there is a sequel. ( )

What better stage to put the question of how many Universes exist than Brasil? How many Brasils exists?
The Brasil of the world of the soap operas, the Brasil of the houses protected by bars and armed private guards, the Brasil of the favelas and the landless peasants, the Brasil of Brasília, the Brasil of the football fans, the Brasil of the religious sects? How many Brasils exists?
Not knowing the original text, I read the very good Portuguese translation. In this one can feel the taste and flavors of all these Brasils.
More than a very interesting science fiction book this is a good analysis of a nation with a strong national identity but where the past, the present and the future seems to be the same tragedy rerun over and over again.
Robert D. Kaplan, in a famous essay talked about unexpected failed states and reading the Brasil of the future in this book one wanders if this is not one of those failed countries where the state apparatus is no longer working.
The pessimist view is one of all those Universes patrolled by religious/police societies controlling the will of humanity. There was also, several years ago, a Brasil like that. The Brasil of the military dictatorship.
A book worth reading that makes one look harder and with a critical eye at what’s going on our world and on the future we are building. ( )