The Last Book in the Universe

Bellissimo questo libro perchè fa non solo volare la fantasia, ma la fa anche lavorare. Spesso ho pensato a chi avrà il merito, la fortuna, la sfortuna, il piacere o la disavventura di scrivere l'ultimo libro prima della fine dell'universo. Pensate a cosa potrà contenere un libro del genere: la somma di tutti i libri scritti? La sintesi di tutte le idee espresse dagli uomini nei millenni? Un pensiero unico? Un'idea trans-umana? Un testo fatto di tante pagine bianche leggibili solo da chi ne conosce la lingua? E quale sarà quella lingua?

In un mondo devastato, in cui secoli prima un cataclisma ha distrutto gli equilibri e le risorse del pianeta, la vita e ridotta a pura sopravvivenza. Le città sono divise in territori, contesi e show more difesi da bande armate, territori che nessuno può attraversare senza permesso, pena la morte. Nessuno più ricorda, nessuno più e in grado di leggere, non esiste niente di più prezioso di una sorta di sonda cerebrale in grado di riprodurre immagini direttamente nel cervello. A Spas è negata anche quell'effimera evasione. È nato "difettoso", soggetto a spasmi epilettici che hanno causato la sua cacciata dalla famiglia adottiva con cui viveva; tollerato a malapena dalla banda del potente Billy Bizmo, deve ripagare la generosità del capo con qualche lavoro sporco. Come per esempio picchiare e derubare il vecchio Tore, che non sembra avere niente di prezioso con sé, tranne una scatola in cui custodisce tanti fogli di carta che chiama "libro". Contrariamente agli ordini, Spas aiuta il vecchio, da cui e affascinato; e quando viene a sapere che la sua amata sorella Bean è malata terminale, è proprio a lui che si rivolge per osare l'impensabile: passare da una zona all'altra, da clandestini, per raggiungere Bean e aiutarla. Ma l'impresa è folle, e non basta il coraggio per compierla...

Rodman Philbrick, pluripremiato autore americano di fantascienza, ha scritto una fiaba noir dai toni apocalittici ambientata in un mondo alternativo e grottesco. L'ultimo libro dell'universo raffigura il nostro pianeta sotto il giogo del Caos, alla mercé di poche bellicose fazioni che si spartiscono il potere. Una catastrofe immane aveva prodotto intensi rivolgimenti, distruggendo in un sol colpo società e culture millenarie. I ricordi e le tradizioni si indeboliscono, il presente si confonde con il mito, mentre i libri scompaiono dalla faccia delle terra senza troppi rimpianti. Finché il giovane Spas, protagonista e voce narrante, non s'imbatte in un cumulo di fogli di carta di dubbia utilità e dal nome esotico di ”Libro“. Presagi? show less

Most people, upon picking up The Last Book in the Universe, would be instantly intrigued by the summary provided on the back cover. “Why bother reading when you can just shoot all the excitement straight into your brain?” On this intriguing note, I expected a thought-provoking journey into this very interesting concept. Once I actually started reading, I found that the issue of reading versus probing features less prominently in the book than I expected. It was, however, still a thought-provoking journey. The Last Book in the Universe is a book that explores issues of human suffering, leadership, struggle and what it means to live forever. Unusually deep for a book aimed at younger readers, it succeeds spectacularly at being show more everything it attempts to be. There is no point trying to judge this book as a work of mid/late teenage fiction, because it isn’t one, and although Philbrick hasn’t produced one of the finest adventure stories ever written, in this novel he has achieved what matters.

The world created in The Last Book in the Universe is rich and realistic; a place where the colours fill readers’ heads and control their emotions, from the wretched greys of the latches to the lush paradise of Eden. Philbrick has also done a very good job of thinking outside the box. Readers should prepare themselves to learn a whole new vocabulary of futuristic slang, including phrases like ‘cut my red’, ‘takvee’ and ‘the Big Shake’. One of the most incredible things about Philbrick’s books has always been his ability to write brilliantly in the first person from a different character every time. It almost seems as if he can pour himself inside a character, tell himself, “Today I am Spaz,” and start writing, and not once does the character falter. It is this skill that sets Philbrick’s books apart from the rest.

One that is sure to hold a special place in the hearts of writers and English teachers, The Last Book in the Universe is touching and inspiring – a fantastic introduction into deeper reading for younger bookworms. show less

One of my favorite YA/MG books. Philbrick effortlessly lets his characters tell the story with rich new vocabulary for a dystopian society. Gummies and proovs and mindprobes make this story fun to read. The plot is not just for entertainment but offers a glimpse at the dark side of pleasure-seeking through mindprobes as well as discovering an appreciation for what's real.

The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because the characters "tell" more than "show" quite a bit. I like first person stories but not when it's the protagonist telling me a story. I'd rather see it unfold through the main character's eyes.

Spaz goes on a quest to save his dying sister, Bean, in a post-apocalyptic future where no one reads and the human race is divided between the "normals" in Urb and the "preevs" in Eden. Musings on the role of the written word as institutional memory, the nature of perfectability (preevs are genetically-altered people) and the true meaning of family are matched with high-paced action and roller-coaster plot turns. There's plenty to like in this short SciFi gem.

This is one of those memorable, but less widely read, books of the kind that often shows up in the GR Group What's the Name of that Book?"

There's Dickensian dystopia with gangs and orphans, and a Odysseyian quest, and an underdog hero, and an Eden populated by the naive & self-centered, and a bunch of authentically interesting characters we get to know well.

It also reminds me a bit of Pullman's "His Dark Materials" in some ways, and of Lowry's "The Giver." Even more does it evoke thoughts of [b:The Supernaturalist|45432|The Supernaturalist|Eoin Colfer|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1233460677s/45432.jpg|1019140] by [a:Eoin Colfer|10896|Eoin Colfer|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1254336426p2/10896.jpg], especially the creative details show more in the world-building.

(If you have trouble with the invented slang, there's a glossary in the back (at least in my edition, with the 'Afterwards' feature).)

It's an exciting adventure that should appeal to reluctant readers age 10 up, and it's rich in themes and ideas, gracefully written to satisfy all the rest of us. Highly recommended even if you're not a fan of any of the other books I mentioned above. And if you've missed any of those, add them to your to-read list, too.

I'm recommending this to both my husband and my teen son. 4.5 stars." show less

Very interesting story.
In a world where no one reads anymore and everyone gets information through brain probes there is Spaz, an epileptic boy that has lost his family unit, now survives by being an errand boy for the Bangers gang. "Stealing is my job" he says. But when he receives a secret message from his foster father informing him that his foster sister (whom he feels is like a blood sister to him) is deathly ill and wishes to see him, all bets are off. He must travel to the other side of the Urb across territories of three other gangs in order to get to her. With the help of an old gummy named Ryter and a proov named Lanaya and a little kid in tow, they set off for a greater adventure than they could have imagined.
Okay my first show more question has got to be who ripped off who exactly. This book parallels with verbiage aspects and storyline so close to the book Ready Player One that it is uncanny. considering this book has a copyright of 2000 where I was Ready Player One has a copyright of 2011 I would have to say that answers that question. Perhaps this book was the inspiration for the other, I don't know.
The book itself is written in a very easy to understand manner. It is obviously written to be read by young adults and teenagers as well as perhaps preteens. The plot is very to the point as the book really does not have the girth to go into too much detail. With that in mind the author makes up for it very well in their language and imagination. The names the author uses for things resemble names that we would use regularly but are slightly different and give it that extra feel love dystopian future.
All in all this was a very enjoyable read. This was referred to me by a very good friend (Hi Holly! 🤘🏻). I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who likes interesting dystopian novels and younger readers such as preteen and up. show less

Spaz lives in a future world where there's no such thing as books and reading and mind probes make people forget their past. Adopted and then forced out of the family because of his epileptic condition, Spaz works for a latchboss, the person who keeps "order" within a community, stealing from others. When Spaz's "sister" Bean falls ill, he enlists the help Ryter, an old man he was supposed to steal from, to travel across the latches to visit her. Along the way, they are aided by a "proov", a member of the genetically improved race that live in Eden. Notions of memory, immortality, and perfection are all discussed. Language reminded me of A Clockwork Orange.