Intrusion

but actually a little disappointing. 3 stars is a little harsh, but I couldn't justify 4 - it's one of those cases were a three and a half option would be welcome.This is my second Ken MacLeod after "The Restoration Game" which I much preferred, so I was surprised to see that "Intrusion" actually gets a better average star rating.My problem with "Intrusion" isn't with what it does contain, which is largely excellent - although i could have done without the Marxist lecturing. What lets it down is what wasn't included - this is a rare example of where I would like an SF book to be at least half as long again. The intrusion of the state into peoples' lives is well covered, but it should have been balanced by a bit more about the intrusion by the "other world" (I won't give a spoiler by saying what the "other world" is) and a lot more about our world's intrusion into the "other world".Still and all, I finished it, quite enjoyed it, and will certainly read more of his stuff. If anyone who agrees with my relative ranking of "Intrusion" and "Restoration" could point me to what i should read next I'd be much obliged.

It's not giving anything away to mention this book is about the social, political and security consequences that follow Hope Morrison's decision not to take the "Fix", a wonder drug that if taken during pregnancy "fixes" the genes of the baby in the womb with the result that the child is born immune to a range of childhood illnesses.I was rather disappointed with the start of this novel as it fell into the trap of any novel written with a message. The first few chapters made it feel like a book written to give a message. These chapters dealt with introducing the characters, giving some background indications of the state of technology and the global political situation, and edging the reader into the space where issues of freedom, choice and liberty could come to the fore. I won't spoil the book by giving away specifics, but I felt the roles played by the characters were a bit stereotypical and everything was focused on setting the story up for the message and nothing included for window dressing or decoration. Sub plots do not play a significant part in this book.Once Hope meets her local Member of Parliament at a rally for the Labour Party the book does step up a gear and the action flows much faster from there on in.Ken wrote this book while he was Writer in Residence at the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum at Edinburgh University. As is obvious from his blog and other publications, Ken loved his work with the Genomic Forum and it was only natural that he should write a book on the subject and that he should weave in his excellent understanding of social issues and politics.The message I took from the book was that a country that is implementing policies and laws based on good intentions in relation to childcare, health, etc... could display all the hallmarks of a totalitarian state, especially if the global socio-political environment gives rise to strong security agencies. I got a hint of Ken complaining abut the "Nanny State" and venting some irritation against the smoking ban in the UK. If I were a psychologist I'm sure I could interpret this entire novel as a lash at the UK government for banning smoking in workplaces.I was disappointed however, to see Ken regularly using singular verbs with plural subjects in his reported speech. It doesn't help the standard of English usage if a well regarded author reinforces sloppy grammar.Ken was good at portraying the feeling of living in a state where the population is constantly under surveillance. While the level of technology was different his writing did remind me of when I lived in Northern Ireland during the 1970s with constant surveillance by the army and police. The interactions with the members of the security forces were particularly realistic.I enjoyed Ken's descriptions of Lewis. Given that the author grew up on Lewis it is obvious where he got his material and he demonstrated an intimate knowledge of the terrain and the difficulties of traversing it on foot.Another attractive element was seeing the similarities between Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic. All the Gaelic words Ken used are pronounced the same way in Irish Gaelic, but the spellings are quite different. Also, the legend of Tir Nan Og (in Irish, "Tír na nÓg") is obviously the same on both sides of the North Channel. If you are not familiar with the tales of Tir Nan Og you should look them up. Knowledge of these would give a better understanding of what happens at the end of the book.The book is a good read once one gets past the initial introductions and scene setting. Despite some silly, and somewhat extraordinary decisions by the characters, the book is enjoyable.

Intrusion is a reflection on the most ridiculous levels of rules, regulations and stupid laws our governments have imposed upon the already law abiding citizen over that past 15 years, and extrapolating to a probable future. Laws designed, possibly, with the "best will" in mind, suffering from feature and scope creep. For example, having your collar felt for taking legitimate photographs in public places such as your local high street.After I read this book I caught a few minutes of one of those "Traffic Cops" programmes aired on the Dave channel. Some poor bloke and his wife had misread their ferry departure time, turned in their transit van up 12 hours early and were unable to board the one that was leaving there and then. They decided to leave the van at the terminal and head off for some lunch and a pint then sit out their wait later on. Some busybody reported the van to the police as "suspicious" which of course then turns this into a "terrorist" threat.The cops are about ready to call in backup when the owners return and explain why they left the van. Despite their explanation the cops insist this could be a terrorist threat and start quoting all sorts of sections of "terrorism" law to give them an excuse to nosey about their van etc. Surely if the cops had contacted the ferry operator and quoted the vehicle number plate the confusion and "threat" would have been cleared up instantly. But common sense never prevails in the face of an excuse to escalate fear levels and control.This book is a story about where we're heading, every innocent lawful resistive action becomes a small red mark on one's record leading up to invasion by the state "for our own good".

I am glad I bought this outright rather than just relied on the free first chapter you can get on Kindle. That would really have put me off. However other readers might have liked the setup of a future where there really is no privacy at all. Nor would I have liked the protagonist who was pregnant woman who decides she just does not want the pill which corrects or prevents a host of childhood illnesses. She is also unwilling to just pretend to have a faith in order to have her way. But Ken MacLeod wrote this book in such a way that I found I warmed to the character and was rooting for her and her husband by the end. This is why he is one of Scotland's greatest writers. To pull off a trick like that needs skill. The milieu felt similar to The Execution Channel and also had a little bit of political exposition which I did not understand at all. But overall I liked this book and am glad I bought it.

A well-written modern version of "1984". It sparks useful thoughts about how far we want our "voluntary" Big Brother-monitoring to go.

Excellent product, arrived right on time and with better than expected quality.

got here on time fine quality

While I was intrigues by the idea of the exploration of the dystopian future where the state holds a tight, intrusive control on people's lives, the book itself was very...

This is two thirds of a good novel. The central premise is strong and timely and raises uncomfortable questions about the individual's place in society, control over our own...

Whilst the author developed a good story and creates a believable world, with some exceptional ideas.

A brilliant, terrifying look in the near future and implications of technology on our most sacred and intimate relationships.

I've read most of Ken Macleod's books and thought this the first dud. I did not find its near-future convincing, but worse was to come.

It is very nearly not a science fiction any more, it is the very possible future that we should guard against.

I honestly couldn't finish it. I thought it was super imaginative and I guess the writing didn't grasp me. It seems like a lot of people liked it though.