This book kept being mentioned to me for a decade or so, and I thought I should give it a go, as it falls into a category I think I enjoy, a sci-fi retelling of mythology or religion or classic stories.
The book takes on hinduism and buddhism, and describes a world where the Hindu gods (which are actually people) rule (unjustly) over a world where Buddhism, in the form of the protagonist Sam, is a revolutionary force (or, “accelerationist” as they are called in the book, who want technology for everyone not just the Gods).
Many of the characters and tropes of indic religions appear such as the reincarnation, karma, plenty of deities, rakshasas.. and we even have conflict with Christianity.
The book is written in what I can only describe as “non-epic”. It’s hard to explain, but it seems to be telling big stories with the least possible gravity.
Yet, I didn’t love it, and I found it a bit hard to follow, but it is a classic, and I’m glad I read it.
Vote: 6.5/10, would reread in my next incarnation.
@riffraff
Irrelevant aside: "Argo", the fake movie used to smuggle US diplomats out of Iran, was based on this novel.
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@cptbutton @riffraff I remember seeing press coverage in Newsday about the not-actually-going-to-be-made movie and planned theme park.
They did a great job of pushing that cover story.
* * *
And, good book.
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@cptbutton @riffraff I don’t think I’d heard about that! https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/argo-the-ingenious-exfiltration-of-the-canadian-six/ looks like a reasonable version (despite the source).
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that’s a pretty crazy trivia, love it, thanks!