It doesn’t really know what it wants to be. Metro 2033 comes off more as a series of short stories set in this universe than anything else. He’s a largely silent, unenthusiastic character to follow and could really do with some added dimensions. He isn’t very well-fleshed out and the infrequent attempts to do so are ham fisted – though that may have something to do with the rather loose translation from the original Russian, which frequently results in some rather odd sentences and grammatical choices. In fact, if Metro 2033’s plot is to be criticised for anything, it is that it almost reads like an encyclopaedia of this fascinating little canon more then anything, as our hero finds himself visiting and interacting with every other part of the Metro system at one point or another, learning about their points of view and personal beliefs.Īrtyom, in his trip around the Metro, is little more than an audience surrogate, a real weakness. It is a wide and varied narrative, jumping from Nazi show trials to the ethics of self-defence to the key divides in Marxist theory to the persistence of religion in dire circumstances. The main plot – Artyom’s journey – is just the vehicle for what is an astounding mix of folk tales, religious discussion, political commentary and philosophical musings from a wide variety of sources. It’s all very dark in its tone and atmosphere, strangling even, and that all works very well for the setting.
Metro 2033 is a book about the last scraps of humanity trying to retain that humanity whatever they way they can, seen through the eyes of a “chosen one” archetype, a child of this new world. It’s interesting, keeps you reading, though I wouldn’t call it a “page-turner” per say – the plot takes endless deviations from the main point, not all of them good.
Glukhovsky novel, which could be described as a sort of underground (ha) hit, is a half-decent sci-fi/apocalyptic/supernatural blend, mixing in classic “quest” storytelling with a pretty well established and fleshed out universe. Artyom, a young resident of an outlying station, takes it upon himself to journey around the system, seeking aid for his home in their battle against the “dark ones”, mysterious creatures that threaten to destroy the last of mankind. The usual NFB warning regards spoilers applies.įollowing some manner of nuclear apocalypse, humanity in the year 2033 survives in the vast Metro system of Moscow, split into various factions and governments.
0 kommentar(er)
