Mardock Scramble

This compilation of three novels clocks in at a massive 775 pages. Nice read except for two chapters that seem to go into too much detail of casino card games, like reading the script for the oceans 11 movies. Twelve chapters in all, the story is about a fifteen year old prostitute named Rune-Balot who is almost killed by a corrupt businessman named Shell. She barely survives the explosion and is rescued by two private investigators that are trying to bring shell to justice. Rune is transformed into a cyborg by the Scramble 09 project division and is tasked to help the case to bring shell down. Throughout the book the reader learns more of the intricate ties each character has to other characters and the motivations that drive them. Mardock City itself could use a bit more detail as it seems to reflect this future society and its morals. Lots of great action scenes that would transfer well to the movie screen. Never seen the anime or manga versions but would recommend this book to the reader of near-future cyber/dystopia genre. It can make the reader think as well as be entertained.

it's a good book, it really makes you think about life, death and the point of living. if you are into Sci-Fi and Slightly horrific....things then it's for you. though as a warning it is not very censored and has stuff that will make you go, say what? and want to hide in a broom closet Mardock Scramble is thrilling, murderous and at times seems to be falling of the deep end. for fellow readers who would enjoy stories like this. it's philosophical, scary, and at times will make you sit on the edge of your seats in anticipation. the characters are well developed and though the translation at times is somewhat awkward, the writing really will transport you into the characters thought process.the story line itself is one heck of a ride, but... you might need a stomach of steel and have a good mind that isn't easily influenced. I can not stress this enough. if you don't have the guts for this, don't read it.I must say though I especially loved the relationship between the doctor, Balot, and the yellow mouse that I can't spell the name of...at moments it seemed familial and at others...well, everyone has a different point of view.

(This book is not for the faint of heart)As everyone says, Mardock Scramble starts off with a bang. Not only are the action scenes incredibly choreographed, but the characters, too, are incredible in their depth and unique motivation.Perhaps one of the best things in this book is the development of the characters, our heroine, Rune-Balot, in specific. Seeing the phases she goes through in gaining trust, strength, self-control, and--eventually-- the knowledge of what love really is, is absolutely fascinating.Seeing the characters' psychological descriptions and then seeing how they interact is another incredibly enjoyable part of the story. There is a good mix of characters, some who are completely depraved and others who are struggling to find their way in the world. Many times, you will be left laughing, whether by deliberate humor on the characters' parts or as a side-effect from their interactions.For the dreaded casino part (that I actually enjoyed a lot) I would recommend not paying attention to anything but the basic rules of the game (so that you have an idea of what each move means) and then the psychological battles/manipulation that appear. There are paragraphs that state "so-and-so got this card" but those are unimportant compared to the paragraphs on the characters' minds.All in all a wonderful book that made me sit still and think after closing it.

Mardock Scramble the novel is more philosophical than the movies and goes into more detail about the basic motivations of Scramble 09 and OctoberCorp. My review will focus more on the Philosophical POV. Scramble 09 represents concrete values(usefulness) via Entropism while OctoberCorp represent nonconcrete values(amusement and entertainment) via Nihilism. The Cyborg Rune Balot is Scramble 09 latest creation asks "why me?"( Entropy) is balanced out by cyborg Dimsdale Boiled who is Scramble 09 last creation to go wrong argues "Why not?" (Nihilism). Oeufcoque (the golden egg/trophy all purpose tool mouse) is that hyper intelligence go hand-in-hand with self-awareness (sentience) and this leads to innate values that go beyond any set of rules define by any external judicial authority (e.g. Broilerhouse). Oeufcoque represent a form of redemption for both Balot and Boiled. Oeufcoque's rejection of Boiled(Nihilism) due to abuse and ultimate acceptance of Balot (Entropy) is premise on humans are social animals whose value system are innately bound to our genetically wired social behavior. Boiled (Nihilsm) after being permanently modified to be the ultimate soldier in futuristic war is unable to sustain those basic innate social need that he needs to stay connected/loved with others. Hence, even when Boiled finally has Oeufcoque in his hands - he is unable to connect with (or use) Oeufcoque. Having lost Oeufcoque in Battle, Balot finally finds the meaning to her life when she able to regains Oeufcoque - her social/emotional connections to Oeufcoque bring meaning and thus value to her life.

Well written and translated book would definitely read again much better than the movie as you get to know about balots internal feelings more deeply

This book is outstanding, it shipped super fast and was in great condition. If you're into scifi, and adult themes, then Mardock Scramble is definitely for you!

One of the largest books published by Haikusoru's fascinating range of Japanese science-fiction novels, Mardock Scamble collects the three books of the Japanese edition into a single huge block of 775 pages. This might not be quite as portable for English language readers (not so much a problem for Kindle readers), but it does give recognition to the fact that Mardock Scramble is all just one story, and - even though it has been adapted to anime in Japan - it's not episodic as you might expect from its SF manga premise. There are however varying tones to the story that are quite unusual and interesting.The story springs into action fairly quickly when a PI team of Dr. Easter and his technical tool mouse Oeufcoque rescue Rune-Balot, a young girl who is the victim of a wealthy businessman Shell-Septinos, who uses young girls for his own depraved needs only to have his bodyguard, Dimsdale-Boiled, dispose of them when he is done with them, having his memory erased so that he cannot be accused of or feel guilt over any crime. The Doctor, who specialises in Scamble 09s, the use of forbidden science in exceptional cases where it can be demonstrated as being for the greater good, uses the technology to enhance the badly injured girl, turning her into an impressive killing machine with extrasensory powers to influence mechanical objects in her vicinity. Guided by Oeufcoque, she's going to need those powers, because the PIs want to use Balot as a witness against Shell in a court case they have submitted against him, and Shell intends to use his own Scramble enhanced bodyguard to make sure she doesn't testify.There's plenty of potential then in Mardock Scramble for fast-paced action chases and super-powered battles as Balot discovers the extent of her powers and even proves to be capable of taking them to unprecedented and unexpected levels. Tow Ubukata however is just as interested in the moral, ethical and philosophical questions that are raised by the subject relating to the dignity and respect for the individual, as well as to questions over the benefits of technology and their value to society, even getting right down to what constitutes "value" and what constitutes "society". Coming from a background of childhood abuse that has led her on the road to prostitution that has nearly taken her life, Balot also becomes a complex figure when the roles are reversed and she has power over others and the temptation is there to abuse it. The action sequences however give way then in the extended middle section to a different kind of psychological battle - a battle of wits in a gambling casino - where questions of probability and chance come into the equation.So while in some ways, Mardock Scramble is quite straightforward in its anime-like characters and action, providing plenty of explosive battle sequences by characters that have extraordinary powers, there's also something of a naive Philip K. Dick angle to the book, of ordinary people grappling with big, but meaningful concepts that influence their activity but remain just out of their grasp to fully comprehend. The whole tone of the book is also quite surreal, the characters having strange names and caught up in realities that have various literary and fairytale references - from Humpty Dumpty and Alice in Wonderland to Biblical references - that add another layer of strangeness to it all. I'm not sure it all entirely holds together and the translation - particularly dialogue - is a little bit awkward, but this is an intriguing and unique book and surprisingly quick to read considering its size.

Der Film war besser.Nachdem ich als großer Hayashibara-Fan die Animetrilogie gesehen habe, wollte ich mir auch die Lit.-Vorlage zu Gemüte führen und als jemand, der sich nicht groß für Poker u. Co. interessiert, fand ich es sehr ermüdend, immer wieder zu lesen, wer nun welches Blatt in Händen hält und war dementsprechend überglücklich, als ich diesen Teil endlich abgeschlossen habe.

Mejor aún que el anime, que es muy bueno, pero que no logra reflejar en su totalidad las interioridades de sus personajes.