An impossible murder. A ticking deadline. A political coup. A Hitchcockian thriller set in a chilling near future.
Adam Roberts is commonly described as one of the UK's most important writers of SF. He is the author of numerous novels and literary parodies. He is Professor of 19th Century Literature at Royal Holloway, London University and has written a number of critical works on both SF and 19th Century poetry. He is a contributor to the SF ENCYCLOPEDIA.
This is witty, smart, cleverly structured and, like the master's
finest films, hooks the reader from the opening moments and never
lets go. Dial M for Marvelous.
*STARBURST MAGAZINE*
A time-travelling nerd applies Kant with lethal results in this
dazzling philosophical adventure...this is really walking the
literary high wire, and Roberts not only keeps his balance, he
makes the spectacle compelling
*The Guardian*
The kind of elegantly playful fun at which Roberts, almost
routinely it seems, excels.
*SFX MAGAZINE*
using lit-fic techniques and by not playing by the genre rules,
[Roberts] rises to the challenge that Mitchell sets down
*SFX*
The Real-Town Murders is thoughful, clever and effortless fiction
that successfully blends hardboiled noir with near-future scifi to
create a rich, rewarding story. Highly recommended.
*SF BOOK*
The Thing Itself is evidence of Adam Roberts' inimitable
brilliance.
*Tor.com*
A gleeful homage to future noir.
*SCIFINOW*
Gripping and ingenious.
*CRIME TIME*
I do appreciate a novel that makes me think while also entertaining
me. The Thing Itself marries the two to perfection. There is so
much packed within these pages and, without doubt, it's one of
those memorable novels that will stand to repeated readings over
the passing of time. A book of the year for me, for sure.
*For Winter's Nights*
The sort of chase thriller that Hitchcock used to film.
*MORNING STAR*
Personally, I found it deeply fascinating...The closest reference
point for me was Philip K. Dick's VALIS trilogy which fits in the
same general literary area but "The Thing Itself" is definitely
much more fun.
*Upcoming 4 Me*
As ever, Roberts's use of the genre to explicate ideas - the allure
of virtual reality and the consequent aff ectless society - is done
with grace and economy, and what might have been a grim read is
leavened by moments of irreverent black humour.
*GUARDIAN*
An antic collision of Agatha Christie and British science fiction
anthology series Black Mirror... Smart, deliciously witty and
immensely engaging, it is Roberts at his playful best.
*James Bradley, author of Clade*
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