Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
Book Brief
Beta208
Novel • Fiction
Magic Kingdom • Future
2003
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Cory Doctorow's novel Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, individuals navigate a future society where death is obsolete and the economy is based on reputation, called Whuffie. Set in a Disney-like theme park, the protagonist grapples with personal conflicts and technological advancements, exploring themes of immortality, identity, and societal change.
Mysterious
Fantastical
Adventurous
Challenging
Informative
Reviews & Readership
14,447 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Cory Doctorow's Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom is celebrated for its inventive take on post-scarcity society and themes of immortality. Critics praise its imaginative setting and commentary on social structures. However, some feel the narrative suffers from underdeveloped characters and pacing issues. Overall, it offers a thought-provoking glimpse into a possible future.
Who Should Read Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom?
Tech-savvy readers who enjoy speculative fiction and exploring themes of future societies and digital culture, such as found in William Gibson's Neuromancer or Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash, will appreciate the innovative and satirical narrative of Cory Doctorow's Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom.
14,447 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom was the first novel released under a Creative Commons license, allowing readers to freely share and download the book legally.
The novel is set in a futuristic version of Disneyland, specifically focusing on an area inspired by the real-life Disneyland's Frontiertown.
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Cory Doctorow, the author, won the Locus Award for Best First Novel in 2004 for Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom.
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208
Novel • Fiction
Magic Kingdom • Future
2003
Adult
18+ years
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