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Title: Glass Houses
Subtitle: Avatars Dance, Book 1
Author: M. J. Locke
Narrator: Dina Pearlman
Format: Unabridged
Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
Language: English
Release date: 04-24-12
Publisher: Audible Studios
Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes
Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary
Publisher's Summary:
Ruby runs waldoes. Freelance. Construction, security - no job too large or small. And her favorite tool is Golem, 600 pounds of vaguely human-shaped, remote-operated power. Not an easy living, but it's better than most in half-sunken, greenhouse-heated, 21st-century New York. Best of all the waldoes go Outside, not Ruby. Ruby hates the Outside.
But when a Ruby/Golem tries to rescue a rich Egyptian from a collapsing skyscraper, and accepts the papers he presses into her hands as he dies, Ruby's in trouble. She may have to go Outside for real. All of which might be a lot easier if she hadn't stolen the diamonds off his body.
Members Reviews:
Punk scifi with real characters
Everyone says they read a book because of the science fiction or mystery or action. No, what we remember from good books are the characters and the relationships. Same for television or movies. Batttlestar Galactica was probably the greatest science fiction shown (music, story, acting, plot, etc) but it was the interaction of the characters, the loves, passions and desperate seeking that we really liked.
I started reading Mixon backwards, first finishing PROXIES, a gem of a novel. GLASS HOUSES is a prequel of sorts, when the world (and the author) are working out the intricacies of the life on a hellish Earth with waldos. Unlike many futuristic dystopias, there is much humor along with tenderness, doubt and conviction. At least in this world we are still human and are guided by human psychology of good and bad. Ruby comes alive, relishing her practically unrequited love for Melissa but as in PROXIES, the waldos seem to take on a life of their own. Short but good read.
Good Solid Cyberpunk Story
This is a good little cyber punk story. I first read it when I discovered William Gibson et al... and while the prose isn't as hard hitting as his, it's a good fun read in the genre.
Few surprises in this very straightforward novel
Bottom line: Cyberpunk-esque mystery novel so straightforward there's little point in reading it.
Content warnings (may contain spoilers): Prostitution (though not out of desperate need or coerced), abuse (by man on woman, mentioned in backstory), violent death (not of main character), agoraphobia(?), apartment break-in, body image issues.
How does it treat women/same-sex relationships? Same-sex relationships seem to not raise any eyebrows. Sexism seems at about real-world levels.
Does it have explicit sex scenes?: No. One same-sex sex scene in fade-to-black.
Would I read it again? No. There's nothing new or interesting in this story. I've rarely read anything so straightforward.
Would I publish it? No. See above--there's little reward in reading this. You can see where the story's going from the first 50 pages, and it goes there without wavering into anything unexpected or affecting.
I read about Laura J. Mixon's "Glass Houses" in K. Cadora's article "Feminist Cyberpunk." Cadora, author of the novella "Stardust Bound" (which I recommend), argued that, in "Glass Houses," Mixon translates the tropes of cyberpunk out of a male-only worldview into a wider, more equitable worldview. As a sometimes cyberpunk and noir fan, I was looking forward to reading this revelation for the genre.
Unfortunately, "Glass Houses" is very straightforward.