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Distraction by Bruce Sterling

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Love Distraction but not sure what to read next?

These picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Complete a quick Shelf Talk to get recommendations made just for you! Warning: possible spoilers for Distraction below.

In Distraction, did you enjoy ...

... the intricate political maneuvering and near-future power struggles?

The Ministry For the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

If you were drawn to Oscar Valparaiso's deft navigation of shifting political alliances in Distraction, you'll love how The Ministry for the Future plunges you into a near-future world reeling from climate catastrophe, where Mary Murphy and her agency orchestrate global-scale political games, backroom deals, and radical acts to steer humanity's survival.

... the extensive and immersive worldbuilding of a society on the brink of transformation?

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

If the richly imagined post-collapse America of Distraction fascinated you, you'll be captivated by the detailed depiction of Martian colonization in Red Mars. Robinson’s worldbuilding brings the social, technological, and environmental challenges of building a new civilization to life, much like Sterling’s vivid future landscapes.

... the sharp, satirical humor and biting wit?

The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl and C. M. Kornbluth

If you enjoyed Bruce Sterling’s satirical tone and Oscar’s irreverent commentary on politics and media, you’ll appreciate the darkly comic, razor-sharp prose of The Space Merchants, where advertising executives scheme and manipulate in a future where consumerism has run amok.

... the morally gray protagonists navigating ruthless, future societies?

Market Forces by Richard K. Morgan

If you found Oscar’s questionable ethics and pragmatic worldview compelling, you’ll be drawn to Chris Faulkner in Market Forces, a corporate mercenary whose ambition leads him into brutal and ethically murky territory as he climbs the ladder in a dystopian near-future.

... the multi-layered, goal-driven plot that explores social change through action?

Walkaway by Cory Doctorow

If you loved following Oscar’s mission-driven schemes and the interlocking plots of activism, science, and politics in Distraction, you'll be engrossed by Walkaway. Here, a cast of hackers, engineers, and rebels work toward building a new society, constantly pivoting between personal goals and world-shaping events.

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