# The Gone-Away World is a ridiculously good novel **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 22, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473 "2009-01-22T16:20:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/21 "2009-02-12T22:33:40Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Finished the book, loved it, and have a question about the twist. I’m not sure I’m interpreting it right. It doesn’t make any difference in my enjoyment of the book, but I feel like I missed something important. > > Questions boxed: > > Was the unnamed protagonist Gonzo’s alter ego? When he got covered with Stuff, is that what made him real to Gonzo? Was he not real to anyone before then? That’s what I thought happened, especially when no one seemed to know him. But then Elizabeth seemed to remember him. Did she, or did she just feel a connection that she couldn’t explain and didn’t want to question? > > Thanks for your help. [spoiler]My interpretation: Not as much his alter-ego as his imaginary friend, the aspects of Gonzo’s personality that were “less heroic,” with all the good and bad that implies. Gonzo sublimated/suppressed those parts of his personality in himself and molded them in his head into his ideal playmate. So everything that the protagonist talks about happening prior to the accident with the Stuff actually happened to Gonzo, including being trained, along with Elizabeth, by Mr. Wu. And Elizabeth watched the accident happen, so she saw Gonzo being split into two parts. Then she recognized in the protagonist those aspects of Gonzo that she had always been in love with, and saw him for what he was as a result (while no one else, except Gonzo’s parents to a degree, really could). I think.[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/22 "2009-02-12T22:35:50Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I’m a huge fan of Douglas Adams (he was my favorite author throughout my teens and early 20s) and _Catch-22_ is probably my favorite book of all time. Believe it or not, that’s 2 huge strikes against this book. For some reason, I’ve found that I usually hate things that are compared to other things I love. I have no idea why. _That being said_ . . . I’m suddenly interested in fiction again after reading non-fiction almost exclusively for well over a year, so I’ll give this a try and report back later. _Catch-22_ is definitely my favorite book of all-time, although I’m not sure if that should give you comfort or make you more wary. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/23 "2009-02-12T22:48:05Z")
I am struggling with it. It has been recommended several times on the dope, so I figured I’d give it a try. I want to sit the narrator down and say: you don’t have tell us \*everything \*that pops into your head. For fun one night I decided to read only the even pages of a chapter and see if it changed my reading experience - it didn’t. I went back and reread the chapter and didn’t find that I had missed much. OK, not true, there was tons of details that I missed, but so far, I can’t seem to see how it would have made a bit of difference. Perhaps as the book progresses I will find out how it pieces together, but so far way too much detail, not enough plot. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/24 "2009-02-12T22:53:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Perhaps as the book progresses I will find out how it pieces together, but so far way too much detail, not enough plot. The digressions are much of the fun, for me. (If you’ve ever read _Three Men in a Boat_, I’ll bet you hated it! 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/25 "2009-02-13T00:59:12Z")
**Gadarene** , thank you! I was almost there, but still a bit confused. You laid things out beautifully, and now I’m tempted to read the book again. **Khadaji** , I loved Harkaway’s tangents (maybe more than the plot). The book would have been a lot thinner (literally and otherwise) without them. I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a book so much. Maybe _English Passengers_ or _Cloud Atlas_. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/26 "2009-02-13T02:27:54Z")
I really like the tangents, but some of it feels contrived (Master Wu’s ‘gong-fu secrets’ and the Addeh Kadir history). Still, there are absolute gems (the Headmistress administration realization, the first man becomes cog explanation) ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/27 "2009-02-20T00:53:05Z")
\ If any paragraph sums up the feel of the entire book it’s this one: “Ike Thermite is lying on the sofa in the living room, and Ma Lubitsch is filling him with cake and some kind of murky grey infusion she makes from her window boxes, and which (like me) has no name. Her husband is in the garden, burying ninjas. He is assisted by the Matahuxee Mime Combine, which might or might not be a good thing. I go out to help.” Thanks **Gadarene** , it was the best book I’ve read in at least a year. I loved it and the end was a complete surprise. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/28 "2009-02-20T04:54:56Z")
😃 So glad to hear it. I’ve had a pretty terrible year so far, all things considered, and reading that book was a damned fine bright spot. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/29 "2009-02-20T10:25:32Z")
I had heard a lot of good buzz for this book, so I’m planning on reading it, but I’m waiting for the paperback. ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/30 "2009-02-20T12:12:38Z")
I have a proof copy that I read a while back. Although it has flaws I really enjoyed it. I thought the set pieces were better handled than the overall plot, and I guessed the broad outlines of the “twist” fairly early on. Overall a really fun read - I read it about a year ago and bits of it are still really in my mind: The guy who eats the dog and the mimes in particularLet’s hope it becomes a cult classic, then my proof will be worth something! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/31 "2009-03-02T23:27:41Z")
Just finished it. Liked it, didn’t love it. Being a girl, I found all the war stuff and the lovingly detailed fight scenes boring. Was very disappointed by the ending – the last 50 pages or so, basically everything after the narrator and Elizabeth hook up again – is done in way too cursory a fashion. Glad I read it, but didn’t think it was anywhere near as good as _Cloud Atlas._ ---
**Author:** ![Thrillhouse15](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@Thrillhouse15](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thrillhouse15)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/32 "2009-09-18T05:53:01Z")
I just finished reading this, and really enjoyed it. But one thing I wasn’t quite clear on: I assume Gonzo was working for Jorgmund because he didn’t know what they actually were doing. But why was The Bey there, and why did he need to be rescued? Was Pestle planning on using him and the Found Thousand as FOX generators? Was he somehow tricked into joining up with the company, or was he kidnapped, or what? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/33 "2009-09-18T13:36:13Z")
I got suckered into reading this piece of garbage a couple of months ago. Can’t see why anyone would like it. There are large chunks early on that are so poorly written that I thought they were deliberately like that to reflect the “style” of the narrator. But then that “style” disappeared with no explanation. Didn’t an editor or anybody notice this? Some crappy speculative fiction could be cut down to a short story and be salvagable. But not this one. Even when you can see all the major plot points a mile away, a book can still be interesting since you feel good figuring it out ahead. But not this one. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/34 "2009-09-18T14:04:23Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I got suckered into reading this piece of garbage a couple of months ago. Can’t see why anyone would like it. > > There are large chunks early on that are so poorly written that I thought they were deliberately like that to reflect the “style” of the narrator. But then that “style” disappeared with no explanation. Didn’t an editor or anybody notice this? > > Some crappy speculative fiction could be cut down to a short story and be salvagable. But not this one. > > Even when you can see all the major plot points a mile away, a book can still be interesting since you feel good figuring it out ahead. But not this one. Different strokes. ---
**Author:** ![Made\_in\_Macau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@Made\_in\_Macau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Made_in_Macau)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/35 "2009-09-18T15:49:23Z")
Thanks Thrillhouse15, for resurrecting this thread; I bought and read the book because of this thread so I’m happy to be able to post. While it seems apparent that I don’t have the literary analytical nous of some posters here, I can see what someone would enjoy in the book. I really enjoyed it; have recommended it to friends who’ve also enjoyed it, and I’m re-reading it now. I do think it’s a book aimed at british (or anglophile) men, but that minor criticism aside I thought it belted along and was bursting with ideas - maybe too many? Maybe not - a matter of taste I think. From ftg 'I got suckered into reading this piece of garbage a couple of months ago. Can’t see why anyone would like it. There are large chunks early on that are so poorly written that I thought they were deliberately like that to reflect the “style” of the narrator. But then that “style” disappeared with no explanation. Didn’t an editor or anybody notice this? Some crappy speculative fiction could be cut down to a short story and be salvagable. But not this one. Even when you can see all the major plot points a mile away, a book can still be interesting since you feel good figuring it out ahead. But not this one.’ That’s exactly how I felt after reading Da Vinci Code - this is a different kettle of fish altogether. Thanks Gadarene for telling us/me about this book - would never have read it but for you/the dope. Cheers MiM ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/36 "2009-09-20T11:45:48Z")
I liked it, but didn’t love it. Some things didn’t work like, for example, the protagonist’s clever insights into corporate culture. Those little moments really broke the book apart because there’s no explicable reason why someone of the protagonist’s life experience (small-town school, martial arts, student radical, covert forces, military) could know or even care about these things. Neal Stephenson litters his books with similar clever observations but in his case there is always a reason for it and it’s contextually appropriate. He did get some things right though, like locating the ‘twist’ at the right place in the storyline. Lesser authors would leave it until much later and thus leave a lot of things unsatisfactorily explained. His prose hit some really inspired highs, but also had a lot (too much, IMHO) of cringeworthy lows. Huge portions of the book are concerned with the importance of being a badass, kung foo-hero, pirate-ninja so if that’s not your cup of tea, you’ll find those portions of the book to be slightly tough-going. On the whole, the book was a page-turner, but felt somehow unbalanced, like it was constructed of parts of several different ideas that the author just wanted to cram together into one story. Not to take away anything from him - he’s definitely got some talent - and I’d recommend it as a good read. 7.5/10 ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/37 "2014-04-22T17:12:37Z")
So, the time has come for me to eat crow. I’ve finally read the book, it was GREAT, and the way it was written was a good part of it. Ñam Ñam, rico cuervo con papas. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/38 "2014-04-22T18:11:00Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > So, the time has come for me to eat crow. > > I’ve finally read the book, it was GREAT, and the way it was written was a good part of it. > > Ñam Ñam, rico cuervo con papas. That is so cool, coming back to say this. 🙂 Harkaway has since written another fine book – _Angelmaker_ – I didn’t like it as much as the first, but it was pretty darn good. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/39 "2014-04-22T18:21:41Z")
I read **Angelmaker** first and loved it. **The Gone-Away World** was also tons of fun, but I think this is one of those authors with such a distinctive voice that whatever you read by him first will be your favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473/40 "2014-04-22T19:25:18Z")
I bought this when it came out and have started it at least 6 times. I never get past page 25 or so before I put it down as utterly boring and overly contrived. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gone-away-world-is-a-ridiculously-good-novel/482473.md?page=3)