Book reviews

Archform: Beauty
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography History
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Books
New book search
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of Archform: Beauty
"
.
Tor, Jul 2002, 25.95, 330 pp.
ISBN: 0765304333

Four hundred years or so into the future, technology and climate has changed the world, as we readers know it. The North American east coast mostly resides under the sea so that the capital of NorAm has moved to the center of the nation Denv. No one lacks sustenance, as there is an abundance for everyone. However, problems remain mostly with self-actualization since people do not need to accomplish much to insure a full belly and a roof.

In Denv, police lieutenant Eugene Chiang studies crime statistics seeking patterns when he observes an apparent link between seemingly unrelated events including suicide among the under twenty five crowd. Music professor Laura Cornett struggles with today's popular music that makes her style antiquated and unacceptable with the fad being resonant amplification of the emotional impact causing behavioral conditioning that would shock Skinner. Senator Elden Cannon adheres to his values trying to do the right thing, but his re-election is in trouble due to unknown forces wanting the do-gooder out of the way. Media expert Jude Parsfal learns some questionable things about the Martian Republic. Businessman Chris Kemal deals on anything to make for money for his family's business. These five people will clash in a dangerous convergence.

As highly regarded L. E. Modesitt, Jr. is for his speculative fictions, ARCHFORM: BEAUTY is his best work to date and perhaps the science fiction tale of the year. Satirizing the art vs. science war, the author provides a powerful insight into society through his five narrators. His ability to provide distinct lucid voices for each members of the quintet makes the action packed story work.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of Archform: Beauty
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture Yes
Culture clash- - one human from different culture of other humans
Intense exploration of society's culture? Yes

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - police/lawman
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - society

Setting
Earth setting: - distant future
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - a fair amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - mostly dialog
Most similar books to Archform: Beauty
Hybrids by Robert J. Sawyer
Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn
The Braided World by Kay Kenyon
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
Tritcheon Hash by Sue Lange


Click here for more information about this book




Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Science Fiction books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Animal Story

Clones

Coming of age

Cultural problems, alien culture

Explore/1st contact/ enviro story

Family relations

GIANT monster(s)

Horror story?

Inner Struggle

Lifeform altered?

Mental/magical powers focus

Parody

Political power play

Religious overtones?

Repressive society story

Robots, Computers, VR

Romance

Spying & Investigations

Tech./$$$/Info hunt

Time Travel story?

Training/Apprent.

War or Invasion



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
Feedback
About us




Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
.
Deric Longden 7:32:09 PM
Dave Pelzer 6:52:56 PM
Lurlene McDaniel 5:58:08 PM
Robert Segarra 5:48:05 PM
Jean M. Auel 3:13:06 PM
Lynn and Gilbert Morris 1:31:36 PM
Dean Koontz 12:02:10 PM
Vince Flynn 7:10:39 AM
Lori Wick 12:03:25 AM
Suzanne Collins 9:12:08 PM
George W. Bush 7:53:33 PM
Christopher Stasheff 6:25:29 PM
Jane Juska 5:48:53 PM
Cecelia Ahern 10:53:33 AM
Lilian Jackson Braun 9:30:43 PM
Donna Fletcher 9:16:54 PM
J.K. Rowling 7:40:18 PM
Lisanne Norman 7:16:47 PM
Barack Obama 7:10:39 PM
Margaret Peterson Haddix 6:23:46 PM

More message boards