Brilliant yet lacking. A difficult read.

OK I am going to start by saying this is a brilliant book, the concept is fantastic, the science elements make you think. The true horror of are we alone or aren't we. What is a scarier prospect?

Firstly the story focuses on 2 different timelines and this isn't evident from moment one. The story starts with a historical view of China after the modern communist regime has taken hold and the main character being sentenced to working on a science project that the regime is focused on. The story develops at a glacial pace, dropping hints at what is going on. I have to be honest I glazed over multiple times but the story drew me back in at important story points.

I think the difficulties I found was the sterile writing. This being a different cultures writing, the emotive expressions we have become used to in modern works is not present. It is hard to become attached or relate to the robotic characters. It is similar to old works of Orwell. Large concepts but lacking character depth.

Another issue and this is purely me as I am bad which too many characters and names. The non western names and lack of character individuality or voice meant I lost track or the characters multiple times.

The strength of this is the scope of the story, the science fiction and thought behind the ideas are genius. There is an explanation of computer operators using people which has the be listened to, to believe. Another explaining folding 2 dimensional objects into further dimensions. This complex concept development is throughout the book.

Let's be Frank if you like science and have a basic understanding of it you are going to love this book.