Babel17

What a cool book, i loved it. When i started to read it i was a bit confused. Your just thrown into this government situation and have no idea what these people are talking about or why her poems are so wonderful. But as i continue and still have no idea what everything should look like in my head, i think, i dont care thats not whats important. I thought Rydra what a pretty great character. I dont see why so many people complained about how perfect she was, she had plenty of issues. She did however always seem to pass out at the right time in the comfort of some strong mans care though...I loved all the characters on her crew. Cali was very funny and i liked him immediately, Ron was ok but he got better after they found Molly to complete their trio. Brass was awesome from the start and i love how he couldnt pronounce any word with 'p' in it. i was just trying to picture this lion man with a speech problem. I also tried to picture the Slug, a 300 lb guy taking care of the "kids." To think that 17 was considered being a child, but i guess thats what happens when you can live a much longer life, the age brackets change. The body modification! How crazy, flowers on shoulders, dragons IN shoulders, tails! and seeing the customs officer getting a mod in under 5 minutes. REALLY?! it could never be that fast and painless...but one could only hope for that in the future.

The basis was on language. What an interesting idea of creating a computer-like language that is so powerful it can alter personalities for its own benefits by creating some sort of self preservation. Like with the damaged ship parts. I never felt like anyone on that ship could have damaged it other than Rydra but of course you dont think its her either. But of everyone she was the most obvious answer. We jump from place to place and she was right about where the next bombing would be, escape from that and now were on a pirate ship. This girl is popular by everyone no matter where she goes. Everyone knows who she is and wants to hear about her poetry but she hates talking about it. but you dont say no to a pirate. The Butcher, interesting guy who doesnt say much but i guess that was the appeal of him to her. That was a bit confusing when they started talking telepathic in the graveyard...and they just kept talking that way to each other from then on. Then they get stuck in a telepathic lockdown. That i didnt fully understand either...but once they were free and explained the purpose and function of Babel17 it was very clear to me. But what an anti-climatic ending, eh?