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Michael Marshall Smith
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Spares Kindle Edition

by Michael Marshall Smith (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 384 ratings

Talking fridges, human clone farms, flying shopping malls – we must be in the Michael Marshall Smith zone. A world all too close to our own…

Spares – human clones, the ultimate health insurance. An eye for an eye – but some people are doing all the taking.

Spares – the story of Jack Randall: burnt-out, dropped out, and way overdrawn at the luck bank. But as caretaker on a Spares Farm, he still has a choice, and it might make a difference…if he can run fast enough.

Spares – a breathless race through strange, disturbing territories in a world all too close to our own.

Spares – it’s fiction. But only just…

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  1. Print length
    328 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperCollins
  4. Publication date
    1 May 2009
  5. File size
    827 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product description

Review

‘Comic, cruel, twisted and surreal’
EMPIRE

‘Some books stretch the imagination. This one mugs it’
DAVID BADDIEL

‘Tense, exciting and at times very, very funny… He’s worth every penny’
TIME OUT

‘Witty, hard-edged and coruscatingly imaginative… Compellingly off-kilter’
NEW SCIENTIST

‘Spares blurs imaginative surrealism and hard-bitten horror with a storytelling skill that can only be described as pure genius’
VENUE

‘A compulsively readable melding of hardboiled narrative and hardware invention’
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

From the Inside Flap

a moment you're Jack Randall. You're a loner, an ex-cop, the dangerous veteran of a savage war. All you've held dear has long ago been destroyed. For the last five years you've been hiding out on a spares farm, working at the only job that will still have you: guarding people who have never seen the outside world and can't even spell the word "escape." In short, your luck has run out.

You might think things couldn't get any worse. You'd be wrong. Because Jack Randall has a talent for attracting trouble: the kind most people run screaming
from. But Jack Randall is not most people. That's part of his trouble. Now he's on the run with seven of the Farm's inmates (well, six and a half), and the people who own them will do anything to get them back. All Jack wants to do is score enough money to disappear with his human contraband. But things aren't as simple as that.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002RI9R20
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins (1 May 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 827 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 384 ratings

About the author

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Michael Marshall Smith

Michael Marshall Smith

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Novelist, short story writer and screenwriter, writing under the names Michael Marshall Smith and Michael Marshall. As the former, author of ONLY FORWARD, SPARES, ONE OF US, THE SERVANTS and the upcoming HANNAH GREEN AND HER UNFEASIBLY MUNDANE EXISTENCE. Also winner of the August Derleth, International Horror Guild and Philip K Dick Award — in addition to winning the British Fantasy Award for best short story more times than any other author in history.

As Michael Marshall, an internationally-bestselling writer of thrillers including the STRAW MEN trilogy and THE INTRUDERS — recently televised starring John Simm, Mira Sorvino and Millie Bobby Brown.

www.michaelmarshallsmith.com

Twitter @ememess

Insta @ememess

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
384 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the writing style as well-written and a page-turner. They find the plot thought-provoking and amazing, with good twists and turns. The action is entertaining, though violent. However, opinions differ on the character development, with some finding them relatable and caring about them, while others find the protagonist unpleasant and hard to empathize with.

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Writing stylePlotPacingCharacter development
14 customers mention ‘Writing style’14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the book well-written and believable. The author is described as talented and original.

"...different to any of the others I've read, it's weird, wacky and wonderful and so surreal, I'll just have to get the rest of his Marshall Smiths now...." Read more

"...Some good twists and turns long the way. Great page turner, I'm going to go look for more books by this author!" Read more

"...The writing style is quite accessible, and it's easy to get into...." Read more

"MM Smith wrote 3 amazing books, each with plots and traits that sound totally ridiculous, but which he made utterly believable...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Plot’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the plot thought-provoking and amazing. They appreciate the good twists and turns, as well as the entertaining action. The emotions are human yet so surreal, with weird undertones.

"..." seems completely different to any of the others I've read, it's weird, wacky and wonderful and so surreal, I'll just have to get the rest of his..." Read more

"Great characters and story with fast paced action that doesn't come at a cost to the plot! Some good twists and turns long the way...." Read more

"I just cannot wait to continue to read the book. The story is amazing, the emotions of the books are so human and yet so in the future." Read more

"Excellent novel by an under-rated and extremely talented author. Superb plot in the vein of bladerunner and more warped than a Terry Gilliam..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Pacing’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's fast-paced action and thought-provoking plot.

"...It’s fast-paced, violent and frankly, a bit random...." Read more

"Great characters and story with fast paced action that doesn't come at a cost to the plot! Some good twists and turns long the way...." Read more

"...A captivating story from start to finish, with an interesting idea for a fast paced and thought provoking plot." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Character development’2 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development. Some find them engaging and caring about the characters, while others feel it's hard to empathize with the protagonist. They feel he's not a nice person and it's hard to care about him.

"...I found it hard to empathise with the protagonist or really care about him (I did however want to give him a slap on more than one occasion)...." Read more

"...I was stunned with how incredibley good it was, the characters are for the most part likeable and well formed and the action is entertaining, though..." Read more

"...time off his face on some kind of designer drug which makes it hard to relate to him and made me lose interest in him long before the end...." Read more

"Great characters and story with fast paced action that doesn't come at a cost to the plot! Some good twists and turns long the way...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • book fan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Spares
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 August 2009
    Verified Purchase
    I have read this author previously under the name Michael Marshall and this book "Spares" seems completely different to any of the others I've read, it's weird, wacky and wonderful and so surreal, I'll just have to get the rest of his Marshall Smiths now. I had this one on my shelves for ages not knowing if it would really be my cup of tea, but once I started it, I was stunned with how incredibley good it was, the characters are for the most part likeable and well formed and the action is entertaining, though violent. It's not an easy novel to put in to a particular category, because there are so many different threads to the tale, I just know the writer has written a great narrative, full of wit, which I love in a book and characters I cared about, which is always important to me. I know that this is going to be one I'll want to read over again, this doesn't often happen nowadays as there so many books out there just waiting for me to get my hands on them. This is outstanding work from an original and entertaining writer.
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  • T. S. Dawson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written tale of human spare parts in an M M Smith gangster dystopia.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 January 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Down on his uppers and morally bankrupt hero takes job as caretaker in a cloned body-parts farm for the super rich, then bonds with the victims. Escapes with the inmates and settles score with long-time enemy.
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  • SilverfaceCosmicman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Moving on from his groundbreaking debut, Only Forward, Michael Marshall Smith chose to up the noir ante. The aptly named Spares follows the exploits of what could easily be termed society’s outsiders. Namely, a drug addict, a sex worker and a career criminal. They’re not just the good guys but also the fortunate ones, fighting for the right to life of a group of clones that have been bred specifically to provide body parts for the super rich. It is the Twenty-Second Century and Capitalism has run rampant until all law and even a semblance of order have vanished. City-sized super-malls fill the skies. Awesome science fiction stuff, but before you know it you’re reading a horror novel set in a nightmare jungle! The transition is subtle and seamless as the narrative then becomes something more akin to a revenge flick. It’s fast-paced, violent and frankly, a bit random. Then in the final quarter Marshall pulls the proverbial rabbit from a hat and everything makes sense. The seeming randomness becomes apparent as a structural expression of the book’s message and the narrative wraps up just short of a tidy little bow.
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  • Philip Baker
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you like Cyber Punk give this a try!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 December 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Great characters and story with fast paced action that doesn't come at a cost to the plot! Some good twists and turns long the way. Great page turner, I'm going to go look for more books by this author!
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  • h. O. Byrne
    4.0 out of 5 stars It's a good book I liked it
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 March 2017
    Verified Purchase
    It's very similar in flavour to only forward his first book. Lots of gross disturbing imagery violence gangsters and the best technological little perks. Loved it
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  • Aigul4
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant as his books are.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I just cannot wait to continue to read the book. The story is amazing, the emotions of the books are so human and yet so in the future.
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  • Kurlach
    3.0 out of 5 stars Ultimately disappointing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 February 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I really wanted to like this novel. It had a whiff of the William Gibson about it, a certain sci-fi noir air. The writing style is quite accessible, and it's easy to get into.

    However, given that the title was 'Spares' and the blurb I thought the story was going to be about cloning, but somewhere within the book it trailed off into a fairly standard 'gritty' sci-fi novel and the whole cloning thing seemed pretty forgotten.

    Now, I don't mind my protagonists being messed up (aren't we all?), but I do get a bit wearisome when it's rammed down my throat. Okay, I get it, the main character is a lousy husband, father, and a pretty unpleasant person - but I don't need to read it every other page. I found it hard to empathise with the protagonist or really care about him (I did however want to give him a slap on more than one occasion).

    So what can I say? It passes an afternoon. But if you're well read in the sci-fi genre, don't expect anything monumental to jump out and surprise you, it's all by the numbers here. Before I forget - whoever designed the cover for this edition needs taking out and tickled until in tears. It's awful.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • G Purdie
    5.0 out of 5 stars I *heart* MMS
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    MM Smith wrote 3 amazing books, each with plots and traits that sound totally ridiculous, but which he made utterly believable. They were like nothing I'd read before. Then the b*****d went and started writing more 'serious' books, grounded more in our (current) reality.

    Come back Michael! I want more of Spares, One of Us, Only Forward etc! Take some shrooms or something FFS!

    In the meantime, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Pure brilliance.
    13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • stephanie stone
    5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite.
    Reviewed in Canada on 6 August 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Favorite of all time.
    Report
  • The Former DJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars Disturbing, but tough to put down
    Reviewed in the United States on 17 November 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Avoiding spoilers here... this book is one that makes you think. It's a pretty disturbing read, but the plot chugs along very well and the reader can't help but feel empathy for the characters and their plights.
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  • Steffi96
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all time favourites!
    Reviewed in Germany on 28 July 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A mixture between Film Noir, Blade Runner, and a Douglas Adams setting. Just give it a try, it's worth it ;)
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  • Brooke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on 23 October 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Read it 10 years ago & loved it, read it again last week, loved it still 😁
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  • Alain C. Dewitt
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great disturbing tale from the dystopian future
    Reviewed in the United States on 28 October 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Where do I begin? I recall hearing on a podcast or reading somewhere that this book influenced Richard Morgan's Takeshi Kovacs trilogy (a huge favorite of mine). And in reading 'Spares' I had to remind myself that 'Spares' was published before 'Altered Carbon'.

    'Spares''s hero (well anti-hero actually) reminds me a lot of Morgan's Takeshi Kovacs. 'Spares' doesn't have the same wide scope as 'AC' (no space travel and no colony worlds for Randall to explore). Most of the action takes place in New Richmond (Virginia). Like Kovacs, Randall is a man with a checkered past. He's also a veteran of a tough and brutal war, although unlike with Kovacs' experience at Innenin, we are given a fairly full account of Randall's experience in the Gap.

    I don't want to get into plot too much for risk of spoiling. What I found with Smith's plotting was that as Randall tries to unravel the mystery at the heart of 'Spares' you feel like Smith has given you hints and that you could almost figure out the mystery. Except you can't. I always had this feeling with some of Michael Crichton's better thrillers; as if the author has given me the information to solve the mystery and yet it remains tantalizingly out of reach. I always take this as the sign of a well-crafted plot.

    I enjoyed Smith's writing style very much. I think he manages to paint a picture of a very disturbing, dystopian future and yet at the same time Smith manages to inject quite a lot of humor into the story, which has some very disturbing aspects. His characters are real with both positive and negative (sometimes very negative) qualities, quite unlike the All-American Supermen protagonists found in the works of Tom Clancy or other similar thriller writers.

    I've made mention of this in other reviews but the ability to write good metaphors and similes is what separates a really good writer from a more pedestrian writer. In my opinion, it's the metaphors that add poetry to a writer's prose. It is also a writer's metaphors that allow for the more trenchant and insightful commentary on the human condition. In my opinion, the greatest metaphorist I've read is Michael Chabon. China Mieville is also quite talented in this respect. If Chabon gets an A for metaphors, and Mieville and A- then Smith is a solid B+ bordering on an A-.

    If you like dark, dystopian cyberpunk/cybernoir, I don't think you will be disappointed with 'Spares'.
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