When We Were Real

This is a unique, brilliant, and creative novel. I loved the characters! The humor throughout is wonderful. I've lived in KY and UT and the laughs are right on target. The premise is truly original, and kept me hooked through to the last page. If I could, I would give this book 4.5 stars. The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is that the ending seemed a bit rushed and discordant with the rest of the novel. In my mind, there was still plenty of ground to cover and some storylines were left open. I'd like to know what happened to all of the characters. Perhaps the author plans a second book with these characters? If so, I'm onboard for that!

When We Were RealBy Daryl GregoryThis is a very bizarre book. You will either love it or hate it – or maybe lose your way in it. While the story is not always easy to follow, the messaging leaves you with much to ponder.The world, seven years ago, received a profound Announcement – it is not "real" but actually a simulation! Chaos ensues, societal norms crash, and life as we know it becomes a giant question.The story revolves around a tour bus trip to visit the Impossibles – a series of wonders, totally inexplicable, which have suddenly appeared in the world. The tourists are a motley crew. A cancer-stricken engineer and his best friend; a nun, a novice, and a rabbi; a Taiwanese who does not interact but reads quietly in the background; a Podcast wannabe, his son and a very pregnant Influencer; an old woman in constant pain and her daughter a nurse; and four Octogenarian friends from Oregon. Aneeta, the new tour guide and Agnes, the driver, round out the tour bus cast. Then there is Gillian (a/k/a Margaret) who crashes the tour bus one step ahead of her would be murderers.There are other characters who appear during the tour – various government agents; terrorists; and people who seem to be able to travel among various simulations to help the people caught up in this one.While the plotting makes you feel like whiplash, there are several ideas for the reader to explore. Does God exist? Or only the controllers of the "sim"? Is it better to be very sure of what we believe or to be open to a variety of ideas? What is our purpose?I was left with one question at the end of this book: is the unfinished quality at the end intentional – or is there perhaps a sequel to come? Either way, this book is well worth reading.Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is probably the best science fiction/fantasy novel I have read in years, and I read a lot of good sf. It may require some extra reading attention to details (I am over 80), but it is an excellent read.

The book isn’t bad but it’s also not good.I had a hard time staying interested in it.

This is a wonderful science fiction novel, humorous, rich in character, challenging in its premise. Gregory is one of the great writers working in sf today. Terrific read.