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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
interesting and thought provoking but dated ideas that make it harder to get immersed in
This was an odd but interesting book. Imagine all of humanity suddenly woke up on a strange planet at the same time. Billions upon billions of people from every era. Every one is naked and hairless and has no idea where or how they are there.
That is the premise behind this book. There are definitely some issues with it. It's a product of it's time so it's a bit sexist, though given the eras the majority of the characters come from it's not a surprise and fits in. The plot is around the search for why there are there but I would have loved to have been given more glimpses into the various cultures, histories and famous people, though I believe there is more of that in the sequels.
A good book, one day I might even read the next one.
That is the premise behind this book. There are definitely some issues with it. It's a product of it's time so it's a bit sexist, though given the eras the majority of the characters come from it's not a surprise and fits in. The plot is around the search for why there are there but I would have loved to have been given more glimpses into the various cultures, histories and famous people, though I believe there is more of that in the sequels.
A good book, one day I might even read the next one.
I cannot continue with this book. The premise is moderately interesting, but the sexism is just too much. Prudes and whores and nags and every fucking stereotype of woman you can think of, but god forbid there be a woman who serves any purpose other than sex object or victim. Yet another "genius" who can imagine a world without religion or oppressive sexual mores, but can't imagine competent women with purpose and agency outside of a man.
I really enjoyed this short novel. The basic premise is that everyone who has ever lived on Earth is resurrected naked alongside a long flowing River.
The story follows from the point of view of the 19th Century explorer Sir Richard Burton, himself who when alive attempted to find the source of the Nile (at least from a European point of view).
There is a sense of Babylon at first as it appears people not just from different parts of the world but different parts of history are together - there is some speaking in tongues to be sure.
It soon appears clear that the needs of resurrected humanity are catered for as each individual has a 'grail' attached to them which when placed in 'grailstones' (large mushroom structures with indentations) provide them with sustenance.
What's provided in the grails is very much a product of time - there's meat (but no vegan option), cigarettes, bourbon, marijuana and 'dreamgum'. Yep - that's what we need to survive, meat, fags, booze and drugs.
One of the saddest things about this novel and Farmer's view of humanity is that within a day or so humanity begins to screw and kill. Yes, in a world where our needs are taken care of we would choose to kill, build little empires and conquer others for slaves or mates. I choose to view humanity differently so the lack of cooperation and collaboration among many (most) of the River's inhabitants is a little dispiriting.
The treatment of women in the book is troubling. I have little problem with the fact that the central male characters are viewing potential sex partners and assessing the physical attributes of women. However Burton does verbalise some pretty sexist opinions (probably not viewed as sexist in the 1800's or 1970's) which reduces pretty much all the women into something to have sex with. The fact that pregnancy doesn't exist and women can be loosened up with stimulants seems a bit of a 'lads heaven'. Rape is a real threat for all the women but even the central characters could be considered committing borderline sexual assault.
That all said, it is very much a 'boy's own' adventure. Burton sails down the River, has a lot of interaction with Herman Goring and there is tons of violence and pursuit - a dramatic river battle being the peak. Real characters from history abound and this is the most fun aspect. It was interesting reading about the real characters and their stories in real life. Burton wrote a book that would be considered anti-Semitic and he is called out for this in the book. I like the idea of him being challenged in the 'afterlife' (by a character who is clearly loosely based on the author). However, there are certain comments made by other characters which are not challenged. Farmer's Jewish voices are problematic in that the racism towards Arabs is unchallenged.
The world building is fascinating and ripe for possibility (I think Farmer could have explored more ways of societal organisation other than exploitative / militaristic ones). The River is a character in it's own right. The novel is as much a spiritual journey as a physical one. It explores themes of regeneration and resurrection - how many times must one die and relive their life to achieve salvation. Is the journey down the River more a journey through one's soul?
As Burton begins to unlock some of the clues as to why they are there the novel does loose it's way somewhat but I'm certainly intrigued to read more.
Although modern audiences may baulk at some of the attitudes there is much to commend here - it raises questions as to what it is to be human, our views of religion and the afterlife. It also works as a great adventure story and mystery.
The story follows from the point of view of the 19th Century explorer Sir Richard Burton, himself who when alive attempted to find the source of the Nile (at least from a European point of view).
There is a sense of Babylon at first as it appears people not just from different parts of the world but different parts of history are together - there is some speaking in tongues to be sure.
It soon appears clear that the needs of resurrected humanity are catered for as each individual has a 'grail' attached to them which when placed in 'grailstones' (large mushroom structures with indentations) provide them with sustenance.
What's provided in the grails is very much a product of time - there's meat (but no vegan option), cigarettes, bourbon, marijuana and 'dreamgum'. Yep - that's what we need to survive, meat, fags, booze and drugs.
One of the saddest things about this novel and Farmer's view of humanity is that within a day or so humanity begins to screw and kill. Yes, in a world where our needs are taken care of we would choose to kill, build little empires and conquer others for slaves or mates. I choose to view humanity differently so the lack of cooperation and collaboration among many (most) of the River's inhabitants is a little dispiriting.
The treatment of women in the book is troubling. I have little problem with the fact that the central male characters are viewing potential sex partners and assessing the physical attributes of women. However Burton does verbalise some pretty sexist opinions (probably not viewed as sexist in the 1800's or 1970's) which reduces pretty much all the women into something to have sex with. The fact that pregnancy doesn't exist and women can be loosened up with stimulants seems a bit of a 'lads heaven'. Rape is a real threat for all the women but even the central characters could be considered committing borderline sexual assault.
That all said, it is very much a 'boy's own' adventure. Burton sails down the River, has a lot of interaction with Herman Goring and there is tons of violence and pursuit - a dramatic river battle being the peak. Real characters from history abound and this is the most fun aspect. It was interesting reading about the real characters and their stories in real life. Burton wrote a book that would be considered anti-Semitic and he is called out for this in the book. I like the idea of him being challenged in the 'afterlife' (by a character who is clearly loosely based on the author). However, there are certain comments made by other characters which are not challenged. Farmer's Jewish voices are problematic in that the racism towards Arabs is unchallenged.
The world building is fascinating and ripe for possibility (I think Farmer could have explored more ways of societal organisation other than exploitative / militaristic ones). The River is a character in it's own right. The novel is as much a spiritual journey as a physical one. It explores themes of regeneration and resurrection - how many times must one die and relive their life to achieve salvation. Is the journey down the River more a journey through one's soul?
As Burton begins to unlock some of the clues as to why they are there the novel does loose it's way somewhat but I'm certainly intrigued to read more.
Although modern audiences may baulk at some of the attitudes there is much to commend here - it raises questions as to what it is to be human, our views of religion and the afterlife. It also works as a great adventure story and mystery.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As many others have said, the premise is what drives this book. The idea of the billions of people who have populated the planet all coming back to life at the same time is a fascinating idea. How would different people interact, what ideas would form, and so on. The group Farmer has pulled together is also an interesting one- explorer Richard Francis Burton, Alice Liddell of Alice in Wonderland fame, a Holocaust survivor and a Neanderthal.
The world Farmer has built is both scintillating and disappointing. Much time is given into explaining how people get food, luxuries, and later, clothing. But time passes by so rapidly, and I can't help but wonder if at some point Farmer just wanted to get on with it and decided to skip all the necessary in-between. This could have been done much better, in my opinion.
What gets the rating for me, though, is the premise. This is what drives the story. Farmer also released several sequels (as well as a shared universe series), and so I wonder if perhaps the timing was improved in later novels. I suppose I shall have to wait andsee read!
The world Farmer has built is both scintillating and disappointing. Much time is given into explaining how people get food, luxuries, and later, clothing. But time passes by so rapidly, and I can't help but wonder if at some point Farmer just wanted to get on with it and decided to skip all the necessary in-between. This could have been done much better, in my opinion.
What gets the rating for me, though, is the premise. This is what drives the story. Farmer also released several sequels (as well as a shared universe series), and so I wonder if perhaps the timing was improved in later novels. I suppose I shall have to wait and
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
The only reason I stuck with this book was due to the main protagonist Sr. Richard Burton (not the movie star) who is about the most remarkable individual I've come across (and never heard of before)....I pursued his unbelievable life story after setting this book down; this guy's real-life history is far more extraordinary than any fiction.
Wow, sexism much? Apparently, 1971, was not the progressive environment I assumed. Everyone is a linguist! Why not just make everyone speak the same language rather than elaborate over paragraphs about how and which languages the characters know? Other than that, the story was enjoyable. I will probably try the next one.