"Alternate history: The USA had a communist revolution in 1917. A collection of novella length stories charting the rise and fall of the USSA from WWI till a Glasnost-style collapse of communism in the 80's.
This is some of the most well written alternate history in existence. Some of the stories will move you deeply, like "Teddy Bear's Picninc" - a British private trying to cope with his experiences in an inverted Vietnam war and his return to London at the height of the pop art epoch. Some just defy definition, as the "Abdication Street" inside view of the Russian televison industry - during the wedding of Charles, Duke of Cornwall and the Grand Duchess Ekaterina where TV hostess Cinzia Davidovna Bronstein (you'll understand when you read it!) get's to play an unexpected role, Philby and Andropov lurk in the background and Henryek Kissinger is the Russian Prime Minister.... It's an incredible book. Spotting all the Big Names and cultural icons in their warped roles is just part of the fun, but this is by no means a simple entertainment. It's a GREAT little book!"
Geir Grim, Resident Eugene Byrne & Kim Newman Scholar
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Overall Review
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dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 60%
Tone of book
- cynical or dry-wit
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- alternate history
Repressive society story
Yes
Repressive because:
- strict rationing of freedoms/goods
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Main Adversary
Identity:
- society
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th century
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- very explicit references to deaths and torture
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
