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Gnomon
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
From the widely acclaimed author of The Gone-Away World and Tigerman, a virtuosic new novel and his most ambitious book yet--equal parts dark comedy, gripping detective story, and mind-bending philosophical puzzle--set in a not-too-distant-future, high-tech surveillance state. In the world of Gnomon, citizens are ceaselessly observed and democracy has reached a pinnacle of 'transparency.' When suspected dissident Diana Hunter dies in government custody during a routine interrogation, Mielikki Neith, a trusted state inspector, is assigned to the case. Immersing herself in neural recordings of the interrogation, she finds a panorama of characters and events that Hunter gave life to in order to forestall the investigation: a lovelorn financier in Athens who has a mystical experience with a shark; a brilliant alchemist in ancient Carthage confronting the unexpected outcome of her invention; an expat Ethiopian painter in London designing a controversial new video game. In the static between these mysterious visions, Neith begins to catch glimpses of the real Diana Hunter--and, alarmingly, of herself, the staggering consequences of which will reverberate throughout the world. Gnomon is a dazzling, panoramic achievement from one of the most original voices in contemporary fiction.
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Booksblanketsandahotbeverage
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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I finished Titanium Noir in a day, so I decided to take on this #chunkster It‘s definitely slower reading, but I‘m intrigued enough to continue!

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Pickpick

Yeah. YEAH! I just love the way Harkaway writes. I hope nobody ever asks me to explain this book fully, but I'd go for 'sci-fi mystery with fantastical elements.' While the Matrix feels like an obvious reference point, I'd add Inception and Sucker Punch to the film comps. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? It's hard to pitch the framework because fictional utopian societies that are actually revealed to be dystopian are not new, especially in the framework of fears around the surveillance state, having your mind no longer be a private space, and possibly having your own thoughts/ workings of society manipulated by others via tech are themes that loom large these days. 7mo
Robotswithpersonality 3/? But Harkaway has this truly, splendidly powerful imagination that adds in layers and elements to bring humanity and humour and truly wild experiences to that kind of story. 7mo
Robotswithpersonality 4/? There is a darkness to the narrative, I think the best indicator I can give is this is the second book I've read from this author and both involved torture sequences, though you could argue the ones featured here range from the more tactile to the more abstract. 😬 ⚠️Racism, violence 7mo
Robotswithpersonality 5/5 And still, I enjoy floating along in the worlds he creates. I think even more so than with Angelmaker you have to be willing to go with flow, take your time. 😏 7mo
2 likes4 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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"-a most diverting action of itself..." the demon in the peacock feather coat is hitting on the Ancient Greek alchemist. I love it here. ?

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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An amusing spin on the whole birds are raptors descended from dinosaurs thing. ☺️

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Congratulations on selecting two of the least reassuring references in literature. 🫣

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Given my 'hit and miss' experience of poetry, this analogy really resonates. 🎯

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Dammit Harkaway. After 38 years, I am fully aware of my notebook abandoning tendencies and how slow and handcramping I find writing in comparison to the speed of type and how that is reflected in my dreadful handwriting and you're STILL making me want to write on physical paper with a nice pen! 🤦🏼‍♂️

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Algorithms and art...for a book published in 2017, this is feeling very topical for current day! 🫤

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Grandfather defeating the power of nightmares with art. 🥹💚

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Such a satisfyingly sensual description. 😌😏

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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I love everything about this take down of fascism: "a bully's faith", "it is beneath you", that if the character applied his usual analysis it wouldn't stand up to scrutiny, that his dead wife would rather he have a shallow affair with a younger woman than succumb to the conspiracies surrounding this spurious ideology. ??

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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On the bus, on weekend errands, I recognize the feeling.

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Uhhh, that symbol is called a fasces, and guess what violent, prejudiced, often dictatorial political ideology it gave its name to?
Yeah, this is not a good sign. 🫣

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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TLDR = TL;DR = Too Long; Didn't Read - As the name of an archive? LOVE IT.

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Robotswithpersonality
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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When the dedication just gets you. 🥹

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wanderinglynn
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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#LittensDressedInBlood 4 Sep “Every Breathe You Take”

In Gnomon, the System provides safety & security by constantly observing citizens—every action is seen, every word recorded. The System can even access its citizens‘ thoughts and memories.

MidnightBookGirl That sounds terrifying! 3y
rabbitprincess I bought this for my brother so that I could borrow it when he was finished, but neither of us has picked it up yet 🤣 3y
wanderinglynn @rabbitprincess 🤣🤣🤣 that‘s awesome. Maybe one of these days one of you will pick it up. 3y
AlaMich I read one of his other books which was bonkers but I loved it! (edited) 3y
wanderinglynn @AlaMich I admit, i haven‘t read this one 🤭 But it‘s in my September TBR pile. 3y
60 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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eshchory
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Mehso-so

This started out as a 5 star book but disappointingly failed to achieve its potential.

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eshchory
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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St Augustine is mentioned a lot in this section of the story which unusually features a strong woman in the ancient world.
This is a slow read but I am savouring every word.

BookwormM I loved this book it‘s one of my favourite ever 5y
3 likes1 comment
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eshchory
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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My new morning read.
At 700+ pages I'm glad this is a Kindle rather than a dead-tree I have to lug along on my commute!

BookwormM One of my fav books ever hope you enjoy it 5y
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Oblomov26
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Pickpick

Upfront statement, I love Nick Harkaway as a storyteller, but this is by far his most baroque tale including a cast of characters such as the detective from a future surveillance state, a banker haunted by a god shark, an ancient alchemist, an artist who can walk through walls and a librarian who is more than she seems. An exploration of a state who has abandoned privacy for security and the implications of such a decision. Does it work

Oblomov26
as a story? Well mostly but I find myself still processing and trying to decide if the thread of the tales all tie together?
5y
BookwormM I absolutely loved this book 5y
Oblomov26 @BookwormM I think I am reaching the same conclusion 5y
54 likes3 comments
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Kryckett
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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My snuggle buddy seconds as a book stand.

We are catching a few hours of quiet time before the holiday insanity begins.

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lucylovestoread
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Loved my afternoon at the Edinburgh book festival yesterday. The children's bookshop tent was particularly exciting, as was the grown up tent! With a friend I went to a really interesting talk about Gnomon by Nick Harkaway and We See Everything by William Sutcliffe. Both are obviously intelligent, well read and thoughtful on the subject of surveillance, in both their own writing and the wider world. A lovely bookish day out!

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lucylovestoread
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Pickpick

A detective in an surveillance society tries to uncover what really happened to a woman who died in the custody of "the system".

I was on a deadline to read this as I'm attending an author event at the Edinburgh book festival. As such I probably read it at a faster pace than I normally would, which may or may not have helped with my comprehension. Chin scratching and confusing but intense, immersive, satisfying and an eerie look at what could be.

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Decalino
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Pickpick

In Gnomon, a detective investigates the death of a woman during a mental interrogation, a standard procedure in this near-future world of surveillance and constant monitoring by AI. Somehow the dead woman, Diana Hunter, has eluded the System, even inside her own mind. As the detective explores the narratives Hunter created, she comes to see her world in a new way. A big, complex, demanding and brilliant book.

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fmcgeough
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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This is not okay. I do not consent. I do not consider the intrusion legitimate, and I do not accept the argument that it is in the interest of the nation as a whole, nor that If it were in the nation‘s interest that would make what is happening to me acceptable. Just because something is done according to the law does not mean that it is lawful.

RaimeyGallant Good quote, but I think 'moral' or 'ethical' would have fit better at the end, no? 7y
fmcgeough @RaimeyGallant it continues “law is made in the image of an ideal. One can make a law that does not reflect that image, and that law may be a law without being lawful.” I just ran out of steam on the quote. Great book. 7y
RaimeyGallant Thanks! 7y
9 likes3 comments
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MatthewBurris
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway

I always like the idea of Harkaway books but it‘s so hard to get past the beginning for me. I‘m past the beginning of this one but it‘s not coming easy.

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speljamr
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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One more addition to the book shelf.

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Tonton
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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The eternal dilemma: It is very late (2am) on Sunday night; have got 25 pages in Japanese to translate tomorrow; should I start this now?!?

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Liberty
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Day 3 of the @bookriot #Riotgrams Challenge: naked hardcovers! 💚🦈📚

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ElvinaGB
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Todays @torontopubliclibrary hold shelf haul. No one bother me this weekend.

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ThatElusiveFeeling
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Pickpick

A remarkably smart and entertaining read with a surprising and satisfying finish. It felt a bit long in places, but, oh so worth it.

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BacklistB__ch
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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My first #24in48 !!! Late start because of work!!! Enjoying the latest Nick Harkaway! Simon does not seem pleased to be in the photo 😹😹

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Eyejaybee
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Booksnchill
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Ok 640 page book recommended by @Liberty and sitting right on a front shelf when I walked into the library for lunch, yes, I will check you out and take you home....we will take this journey. #IAlreadyHaveBooksToRead #AnotherTome #LibrariesRock

AlaMich I loved Angelmaker but have not read anything else by him. Angelmaker was delightfully daffy 😆 7y
Booksnchill @AlaMich This one just came out this week but it is a tome! 7y
BookwormM I loved this one it was my favourite book of 2017 it is very different 7y
82 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Bookworm-Bobbie
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Some one has just recommended this to me. It looks incredible!

Described as “a mind-bending Borgesian puzzle box of identity, meaning and reality in which the solution steps sideways as you approach it.”

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broomperson
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Pickpick

It's hard both to review and describe this one. It's a long twisty tale that folds in on itself. If that sounds interesting then you might like this, but I can also see people really disliking or just losing patience with it.

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jpmcwisemorgan
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway

Ok, I have no idea what is happening. There‘s a shark involved. I don‘t know if this is real or some whacked out dream sequence. Also, I have 600 pages to go before January 1 so I‘m not sure I‘m gonna finish this. Yikes.

readinginthedark 😂 Sounds like a party! (edited) 7y
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jpmcwisemorgan
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway

There‘s a part where a character contrasts an assassin to a murder detective and all I can think of is Sherlock and Moriarty. Is Harkaway #Sherlocked?

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jpmcwisemorgan
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway

I‘m reading this one now, got it from First To Read. A character is described as a bookish person. Thought y‘all would want to know.

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Minervasbutler
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
Pickpick

Fantastically ambitious, complex and thought-provoking but confess I struggled to make it to the end. But overall worth the effort.

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Minervasbutler
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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This book is messing with my head lol

rabbitprincess I got this for my brother for Christmas with the selfish intention of borrowing it afterward 😈 7y
32 likes1 comment
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Crash
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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Merry Christmas to me🎄🎁🎄 Just came in the mail.

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Oblomov26
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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New Nick Harkaway, I have heard mixed reviews but I don‘t care because it is a new Nick Harkaway novel. Merry Xmas to me.

Bradleygirl Jealous! 👍 7y
50 likes1 stack add1 comment
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RedbagReadbooks
Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway
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RedbagReadbooks @Liberty I am getting this for my son.......but I may read it first 🤫🤯 7y
21 likes1 comment