Neom

Neom takes place in a futuristic city on the Red Sea coast - a planned metropolis that represents humanity's hopes for technological advancement and sustainable living. The story follows multiple characters whose paths intersect in this sprawling urban landscape. The narrative shifts between timelines and perspectives, connecting tales of robots, refugees, and residents trying to make their way in a city caught between tradition and progress. At its core is a mystery involving artificial life and ancient technology buried beneath the desert sands. The book blends Middle Eastern culture and history with elements of cyberpunk and far-future speculation. Characters navigate complex relationships with machines, memory, and each other against the backdrop of a city that exists both as a real place and as a symbol of human ambition. In its exploration of artificial consciousness and human identity, Neom asks questions about what constitutes life and personhood in an age where the boundaries between organic and synthetic continue to blur. The novel examines how the past shapes the future, even in places designed to break free from history.

Readers describe Neom as an atmospheric science fiction novella that blends Middle Eastern culture with futuristic technology. Many note its poetic writing style and rich worldbuilding of the Saudi Arabian mega-city. Readers appreciated: - The blend of traditional Arab folklore with robots and AI - Short chapters that weave multiple character perspectives - Vivid descriptions of the desert setting - Connections to Tidhar's Central Station universe Common criticisms: - Plot feels fragmented and hard to follow - Character development feels rushed due to length - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Readers unfamiliar with Central Station felt lost Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (150+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (50+ ratings) One reader noted: "Beautiful prose but I wanted more time with the characters." Another wrote: "The world-building outshines the actual story, which meanders without a clear purpose."

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🌟 Neom is set in the same universe as Tidhar's earlier novel "Central Station," though it can be read as a standalone story 🏗️ The book's setting is inspired by the real-world NEOM project, a planned futuristic mega-city being built in Saudi Arabia with a proposed budget of $500 billion 🎭 Author Lavie Tidhar grew up on a kibbutz in Israel and has lived in South Africa, Laos, and Vanuatu, bringing a unique global perspective to his science fiction 🏆 Tidhar has won multiple prestigious awards including the World Fantasy Award for his novel "Osama" and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for "Central Station" 🤖 The novel explores themes of artificial intelligence, robotics, and human-machine relationships while incorporating elements of Middle Eastern culture and mythology