4/5 stars. This was an ambitious, introspective, and thought-provoking book, and I’m very glad I read it. The first half is very character driven and somewhat slow paced, with quiet but lovely prose and a dreamy, meditative vibe. Then it pivots into a different kind of book as it jumps into the further future. It becomes much more of a thriller, while still maintaining most of the meditative and philosophical qualities of the first half. I think this is a little bit of a magic trick! I’m impressed that the author managed to keep such a clear through-line when writing in such different styles and with multiple different POV characters.

I haven’t fully decided what I think of this book, except how much I liked reading it. Initially I felt that I liked the prose and character-driven aspects of the first half better; it’s a bit more focused and accessible. The second half is a little more far-reaching and some of the plot elements didn’t land for me. But after sitting with it a few days I’m starting to really appreciate the overall experience of reading the book, and the way it seamlessly moved from accessible character driven narrative to…something else that I can’t quite describe. I have found myself thinking back on the book a lot, and I’m certainly going to reread it.

I don’t know if every single thing the author was trying to do worked for me, but overall I enjoyed this a lot, and I think some aspects of it will really stick with me. This is an impressive and thought-provoking debut. I’m very interested to see what Anton Hur will do next!

Thank you to HarperVia, Anton Hur, and NetGalley for graciously providing an e-ARC for review!

5⭐️ NEW FAVORITE!

When I got the email that my ARC request had been approved I jumped and flailed in my parked car so hard I accidentally beeped the horn is some poor lady’s face. I was so unbelievably excited to read this book and SOMEHOW… it GENUINELY exceeded my VERY HIGH expectations.

It’s so good that I feel self-conscious about writing a review. Like how on Earth am I qualified to say ANYTHING about this piece of art. Every word I am putting down in this review space is so fraught. We haven’t invented words for how good this book is.

I am something of a Pondering person, one might say. I like to Ponder things & how they are represented in art. A lot of the feelings and ideas in this book are the types of things I like to ponder; family, love, death, language, bodies. Expansive and complex yet simple and fundamental to humanity. ANTON HUR GETS IT.

I am such a fan of his translations, and this book seriously exudes love and care for his art and the craft of writing. I love being able to feel on a line-by-line basis that what’s being written is important. No water weight, yet it’s not so dense that it’s difficult to read. One would benefit from reading at a controlled pace, to really squeeze the meaning and rhythm and reason out of every paragraph. ALMOST LIKE READING POETRY…. who said that.

Amazing. I will be ordering copies for myself and every person I know who can read.

HUGE THANK YOU to NetGalley & HarperVia for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. AND THANK YOU ANTON HUR! Just in general!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eARC!

Wow, I honestly have no words (the irony of that, if you end up reading this book.)

I had no idea what was going on for a solid 70% of this book. So the fact that I managed to finish it in about 2.5 days should tell you exactly how compelling it was. A very strange mix of sci-fi, dystopian, techn0-thriller-adventure that all combined to make something so interesting I literally could not put it down.

This novel is definitely not for everyone. But if you're at all interested in AI and distant- (or not so distant?) future fiction, it is for you. If you played the game Detroit Become Human, you should 1000% read this. The way that deviants become more (or less) human is very present in this book. The plot twists alone make it worth it. If you like sci-fi and you need something to chew on, read this!

This was a hard book to read, not going to lie. I feel like it was dense and required a lot of brain power. However, I’m not gonna fault the book too much for that as I read it during a hard time where it was hard to focus. The overall book itself wasn’t bad the story was interesting and was very atmospheric.

Toward Eternity was most engaging when it began. I think there is a moment in which the farfetchedness becomes more tangible, near when the Eves start to pop up. I think this concept is so fascinating, and in many ways, it's executed nearly perfectly. And oh, the writing of this book, the WRITING. I would stop to read the prose aloud to my loved ones in shock because of how beautiful it was. And honestly, when the prose started to become secondary to the very intense space opera-esque plotline, that's when the book started to lose me. I want to see Anton Hur write poetry. I want to see Her spend days and days  on purple prose. I'd read some sort of The Goldfinch-esque maximalist novel from Anton Hur.

Wow. Absolutely incredible. I felt left behind by the narrative at times, a little inaccessible to all in the level of its brilliance and intelligence, which is what kept it from being 5 stars. But Hur was just out of this world in his expansion of language and love for both reading and writing.

Truly incredible. One of the best I've read this year. Dazzling in scale, written gorgeously, with a deep understanding of our past and future (and far, far future). Felt it rolling over me in waves. Creates a sense of time and technology that is beautiful and haunting. Describes in tense and fine detail the physical heft of words, the weight of poetry, and what it means to read and to write. The kind of book that inspires you to seek out more stories, to write your own, to look for them in the textures of the universe itself. Unforgettable.

In "Toward Eternity," Anton Hur, already acclaimed for his translation skills, reveals his prowess as a novelist, delving into the core of humanity.

Initially unfolding leisurely, the narrative immerses us in the inner worlds of its protagonists before accelerating through time, challenging readers with its intricate Russian Doll-like recursions. While I found the story's beginning more accessible, its temporal jumps offer profound insights into the interplay between past and present.

The novel's true brilliance lies in its exploration of memory, artistry, and the human condition amidst technological progress. Questions reminiscent of the Ship of Theseus paradox emerge, probing the nature of identity, while discussions on artistic expression prompt reflection on the essence of creativity. Hur's background in translation adds a unique perspective to these inquiries, enriching the narrative.

"Toward Eternity" presents a plethora of themes ripe for contemplation, blending existential ponderings with gripping sci-fi elements. Hur crafts a narrative that seamlessly oscillates between philosophical depth and thrilling entertainment, promising a captivating read.

I eagerly anticipate further exploration of Hur's work and extend my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. I will say the synopsis drew me in but in the end this book wasn’t for me. The slight bit of mystery and sci fi wasn’t enough to keep me entranced. The introspective nature of the entire novel isn’t something I typically am interested in and the synopsis didn’t lead me to believe that would be a large portion of the book. However, the authors writing and the concept are still wonderful and I did enjoy aspects of the book.

Another fantastic entry for the ‘robots learning about their inner humanity’ genre. Toward Eternity is an ambitious sci-fi novel? novella? novelete? spanning hundreds of generation. Each chapter is a journal entry of a POV character in the wake of a new technology that allows one to replace one’s entire body with nanotechnology. Through these characters, some of whom re-appear, in some form or other, in the other chapters, Hur explores the question of what make art human? Where does that humanity stem from, if the human can be replaced, both body, and eventually, mind. This is definitely a book that deserves multiple re-reads and a lot of pondering. Given that I read it under relatively sleep-deprived circumstances, I don’t know if I was able to fully take in the story. However, I applaud the ambition of the story and I look forward to more of Hur’s original work. Overall, I rate this book a 4/5.

Review will go live on my blog on 28 June 2024

hello! i feel so utterly incapable of writing a review for this. it was stunning! brilliant!

towards eternity is written in the form of a journal, where entries are made throughout centuries through different interconnected characters. it follows a timeline where scientific developments allow one to eventually replace their cells with nanites - ridding one of disease and in turn, their mortality.

this is a future that is hurtling towards us at a startling speed. if you’ve been caught up on all the recent developments of elon musk’s neuralink, you’ll understand that replacing our cells with little robots is something that might one day be very much feasible. perhaps not in our lifetime.

[neuralink is .. controversial. being able to control technology through chemical signals from your brain sounds fascinating and very convenient. however, there’s always the other side, the micro chip being hacked and then sending signals to your brain.]

i digress! the human body is nothing but flesh and meat without the brain. there’s lots of differing cultural thought on whether it is our consciousness that gives rise to critical thought or if it is the chemicals in the brain that give rise to the consciousness. western thought argues that the soul is an individual being, while some eastern cultures seem the soul to be connected to a larger consciousness of the whole.

where do we begin (our consciousness/soul) and where do we end (our mortal body)? this is the question of the ages. the one thing mankind can agree on, i suppose, is that our mortality—the undefeated and outrunnable promise of death—is what makes life and humanity so precious. when we give up our mortality, do we cease to be human?

that is what anton hur aims to respond to in toward eternity. in a way only a lover of languages could, anton has weaved together a beautiful story of life, exploring the interconnectedness of language, music, and poetry, which transcend the boundaries of time and mortality — the threads that bind us to our humanity. isn’t it wonderful that our mortal beings create such immortal art? how the words spoken today will be echoed on the dawn of tomorrow?

a stunning novel that resonates deeply, leaving us with a profound appreciation for the enduring legacy of human expression. I hope to include quotes upon publication because there are so many beautiful lines.

"What is DNA but lines in a narrative of our lives? What else is all our code? Our literature? They exist before we do. We exist to perpetuate them. To perpetuate story."

A really hard book to rate as I try to process a multitude of conflicting feelings about what I just read. One thing for sure is Toward Eternity leaves a lot to ponder over. However, I think books that fall under the "literary" science fiction category may just not be for me, as I often find that they attempt to tackle some pretty hefty topics in unsatisfactory ways. In this case, it was humanity's transendance over the corporeal as well as the everlasting nature and beauty of art.

Hur's debut work is...ambitious to say the least and almost impossible to summarize sufficiently. The book utilizes a unique storytelling structure where we essentially ricochet from one character to another across generations and centuries until the end of time. For instance, one character that crosses paths with the current POV character will become the POV in the next chapter and so on. This could have made for a very fractured and disjointed reading experience but instead was brilliantly done by Hur and really helped to emphasize the interconnectedness of human lives. His language was oftentimes ethereal and occasionally I found his commentary on immortality and the deep ache of grief to be particularly moving. At the same time, however, some aspects of the book (especially Hur's tendency to over-season the story with actual poetry fragments) as well as the author's other philosophical musings fell towards the more ham-fisted.

The last few chapters were absolutely gorgeous though and if the rest of the book had carried that same sort of atmosphere and levity this would have been a masterpiece. Also!!! Love it when that moment of clarity about a book's title hits you like a sucker punch 😭😭😭

This is the most artistic and intricate exploration of AI, consciousness, and what it means to be human since the famous Star Trek: TNG episode "The Offspring" back in 1990. The parallels between Yonghun's creation of the AI entity Panit (meaning "Beloved") and Data's creation of the humanoid android Lal (after the Hindi word for "Beloved") are crystalline. A novel of immense warmth, heart, intelligence, and soul: a thoroughly captivating read.

This novel read to me as a curious attempt to answer the eternal question of “What makes us human?” in AI-related context. Structured as entries in a journal spanning literal centuries, passed from key individual to key individual, it takes the reader through the history of this imagined future in leaps and bounds - some more impactful than others.

There were things about this story that definitely resonated with me - like Mali's constant pain of missing her deceased mother, Ellen’s depth coupled with occasional almost clinical detachment, Delta’s journey - and things that I found absolutely believable and reasonable, like how every technology is inevitably co-opted by the military and how exactly that could backfire when self-aware AI and nanite tech is involved. I mostly enjoyed the style and how some aspects were (purposefully, I assume) left vague or were meant to be a thought-provoking start to a longer reflection/conceptualization process.

If I had to formulate what I think the author’s answer is to “What makes us human?”, I would say “Poetry, music and love”, and your love for the book will probably hinge on how much this answer resonates with you.

3.5 rounded up to 4, with many thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of the book.

"Toward Eternity" is a captivating mix of dystopian adventure, mythical wonders, and deep thoughts that kept me hooked from start to finish.

What really grabbed me was how the story combines gods, magic, and fantasy elements into a world on the brink of collapse. It's like being whisked away into a realm where anything is possible, yet danger lurks around every corner.

I loved how each chapter feels like a personal journal entry, passed from one character to the next, creating a bond between the reader and the characters as their stories intertwine. But what truly resonated with me was the way the book delves into the big questions about life, memory, and what it means to be human in a world driven by technology. It's like peeling back the layers of existence to uncover the truth hidden beneath.
Despite its deep themes, the story doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of life. Loss, grief, anger – they're all part of the journey, reminding us of our own fragility.

Yet, through it all, there's a sense of hope. "Toward Eternity" paints a picture of humanity's resilience, showing that even in the darkest of times, there's always a flicker of light to guide us. It is a captivating adventure that will leave you pondering long after you've turned the last page. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a captivating blend of dystopian fiction and philosophical exploration.

I have followed the author through their prolific work as translator to some of the most celebrated contemporary Korean literature. So it makes sense that the focal point of their sci-fi novel is language and is an expansive meditation on the power of it through a narrative spanning centuries and galaxies. The narrative doesn't delve deep into any particular technology or break new ground. It instead uses existing technology and sci-fi tropes, and instead of indulging in the weeds of scientific details it indulges in the language and psychological details. Which is compelling and poetic, but often flirts with the edge of digression into thought experiments. Just as I'm about to start questioning some of the "how"s, the story jumps forward to the next baton (notebook) holder to tell the next part of the story of humans and nanite-transformed immortal clones. I'm tempted to complain about the masterful hand waving and distraction from the juicy science stuff, but the author distracted me with poetry instead, my other kryptonite. I feel like a lot of hard sci-fi readers may not be as pleasantly distracted and find this, not unjustifiably, a bit on the pretentious side. Yet, I couldn't put the book down and read it in basically two sittings. It reads like the movie Interstellar -- expansive, deeply human, resilient and hopeful. There is so much in this that is a meditation on being Other-ed by creations of humanity that can be both beautiful and oppressive, the inevitability of immortality through language, and so much more. In the first third or so of the book, a lot of that is conveyed more or less as authorial sidebars, but gradually the poetry of it all becomes an active participant in how the narrative unfolds. Overall, even though it's not perfect, I'm excited that a celebrated multilingual translator of world literature has entered the world of speculative fiction and I'm excited to see what their voice will create next.

This was absolutely wonderfully done. The language and style was smooth, giving the book a wonderful place. Thought provoking and beautiful.

This was a really well done novel, I loved the scifi elements to this book. It uses the technology versus biology that I was hoping for and thought it worked with the overall concept. I thought the character were well written and they felt like people in this universe. I really enjoyed the cover to this and worked with the story from how I was hoping in the genre.

I'll start off by saying I'm not a huge fan of the philosophical type of science fiction that reads similar to literary fiction, but I still enjoyed this book. It took me a bit to get into but I still thought it was thought-provoking and pretty solid. I thought it started off quite slow and took a while for me to get into it but once it goes, it was a nice pace on contemplating what it means to be human.

Thank you for the ARC!

This is a gentle and contemplative exploration of how we grasp at identity and yet construct our humanity through our relationships with others. The language is poetic and soft, with an inquisitive, wandering quality. There are numerous characters that move in and out of the story’s centuries, and they are specific and heartfelt, each given time and space to open and discover themselves. There isn’t a strong narrative, at least not foregrounded, as we move liberally across time and space with multiple narrators. There is an implicit narrative, in the background, the events happening around our various narrators, but that is more circumstance than propelling narrative. The closest thing to narrative might be the interconnection that binds them all together, narrative in feeling if not in style. Even without a strong narrative each new chapter was compelling. The way the various narrators were structures, and how the voices built on one another, was intriguing and inviting, it made me not only care about these characters but to see where and how they experienced their journeys.

The story has this literary conceit, that each chapter is being written down in a single notebook by that particular narrator, and this notebook makes its way from one narrator to the next throughout the evolving story. I usually don’t really feel the need for this literary device, it feels both limiting and prescriptive, and often there seem like weird hoops to jump through to make it plausible that this story is being independently written by the characters in the story. That was true here, too, I think the overwhelming majority of the story could be told the exact same way without this device. Arguably, language, poetry, and the idea of communication and legacy is critical to this story, and so this framing device aligns with that, and so it may be intended to shape the reader experience. I feel a similar intimacy could be nurtured without this device, by letting the reader flow into and through the various narrators lives without the prescription of notebook, kind of adopting a metanarrative idea that us, as readers, create the story anew every time we engage it. We write the story ourselves through our participating in the lives of the characters, not through their contrived writing down of their histories. However, all that said, while I feel this device wasn’t necessary and there may have been a type of intimacy to be explored had it been absent, I didn’t feel like it hampered the story, and I did appreciate the consummate attention to the power of language.

I say this is a gentle story, reflective and contemplative. But it contains eternities, and folded in those stories are loss, grief, anger, rage, violence. Not everything in this story is pleasant, not everything optimistic, but it is always intentional. It paints an ultimately hopeful portrait of what humanity can become, even in the face of destruction or loss, as long as we endeavor to preserve what truly makes us whole—the stories we create about ourselves and those we love.

I want to thank the author, the publisher HarperVia, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.