God Game

Rating:
Summary: An interesting contribution to the sci-fi genre. . .
Review: For some, the name of Fr. Andrew Greeley instantly suggests a "liberal" Catholic priest seeking to be a gadfly in the Church. For some, the name conjures up some fairly steamy sex scenes in some of his novels. For some, a competent, if media-hungry sociologist. Readers of "God Game" will add "imaginative Science Fiction writer" to this eclectic mix.

In "God Game" Fr. Greeley presents us with the unusual scenario of a priest (not unlike the author) spending an evening playing a compter adventure game. His home is struck by lightening, something is scrambled, and suddenly the images on his screen are real -- and the real characters think that he is God.

Yes, this might seem a little philosophical for many sci-fi fans -- but for those readers who expect depth in their books (regardless of genre) will want to read and re-read this one.

I still find myself in sharp philosophical and theological disagreement with Fr. Greeley -- and probably always will. But in this book, the Irish storyteller comes to the fore in a wonderful way.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book
Review: For some, the name of Fr. Andrew Greeley instantly suggests a "liberal" Catholic priest seeking to be a gadfly in the Church. For some, the name conjures up some fairly steamy sex scenes in some of his novels. For some, a competent, if media-hungry sociologist. Readers of "God Game" will add "imaginative Science Fiction writer" to this eclectic mix.

In "God Game" Fr. Greeley presents us with the unusual scenario of a priest (not unlike the author) spending an evening playing a compter adventure game. His home is struck by lightening, something is scrambled, and suddenly the images on his screen are real -- and the real characters think that he is God.

Yes, this might seem a little philosophical for many sci-fi fans -- but for those readers who expect depth in their books (regardless of genre) will want to read and re-read this one.

I still find myself in sharp philosophical and theological disagreement with Fr. Greeley -- and probably always will. But in this book, the Irish storyteller comes to the fore in a wonderful way.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting contribution to the sci-fi genre. . .
Review: For some, the name of Fr. Andrew Greeley instantly suggests a "liberal" Catholic priest seeking to be a gadfly in the Church. For some, the name conjures up some fairly steamy sex scenes in some of his novels. For some, a competent, if media-hungry sociologist. Readers of "God Game" will add "imaginative Science Fiction writer" to this eclectic mix.

In "God Game" Fr. Greeley presents us with the unusual scenario of a priest (not unlike the author) spending an evening playing a compter adventure game. His home is struck by lightening, something is scrambled, and suddenly the images on his screen are real -- and the real characters think that he is God.

Yes, this might seem a little philosophical for many sci-fi fans -- but for those readers who expect depth in their books (regardless of genre) will want to read and re-read this one.

I still find myself in sharp philosophical and theological disagreement with Fr. Greeley -- and probably always will. But in this book, the Irish storyteller comes to the fore in a wonderful way.

Rating:
Summary: God's job is not an easy one
Review: I read this book several years ago and found it a fascinating look at what it would be like to be God. A man is playing one of those fantasy-type computer games -- dungeons, lords, ladies, armies, etc., where he controls the action. Then lightning hits his computer and suddenly all these people become real. The fighting is brutal and bloody. The lives of the people are dependent on his ability to control their actions. Which is not an easy task, because of that little thing called free-will. He tries to convince them to stop fighting and behave nicely to each other, but because they are human they do not always follow advice. So our hero learns a great deal more of what God's role in our lives could really be. Good story, with lots of room for theosophical discussion.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book
Review: I'm so incredibly glad this novel has been reprinted. I admit I'm not one to particular care for computer games or religion, but this novel, written with such deft skill, won me over whole-heartedly. Perhaps the best of all the "computer-game comes to life" novels, Greeley gives all the reader characters that can actually be cared about; further more all the characters have quirks and weakness which one can easily see in the "real-life" people around oneself. This book is definately a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Enchanting novel with compeling characters
Review: This is such a wonderful book. Once you adjust yourself to the eighties computer technology that the narrator has to put up with, you will be as captivated with the book as the narrator was with his characters. And indeed, who wouldn't be captivated with this particular group. First there are the duke and duchess of neighboring kingdoms who have been feuding for generations but who are compelled by the narrator (who everyone thinks is God)to make peace. The duchess is a passionate, quick tempered, but vulnerable warrior with a talent for painting thunderstorms, and the duke is a gentle dreamer who doesn't enjoy war but has become so used to it that on rare occasions his warriors instincts become out of control. Then there is the bitter matron who is tired of being a minor character in a minor subplot and metamorphoses into a graceful, passionate woman, loved by all, including the author. And then there is a perky little ilel . . .but you'll have to find out about her yourself. If you are longing for a book with characters you can care about, even love, then I strongly urge you to read this delightful book.

Rating:
Summary: Enchanting novel with compeling characters
Review: This is such a wonderful book. Once you adjust yourself to the eighties computer technology that the narrator has to put up with, you will be as captivated with the book as the narrator was with his characters. And indeed, who wouldn't be captivated with this particular group. First there are the duke and duchess of neighboring kingdoms who have been feuding for generations but who are compelled by the narrator (who everyone thinks is God)to make peace. The duchess is a passionate, quick tempered, but vulnerable warrior with a talent for painting thunderstorms, and the duke is a gentle dreamer who doesn't enjoy war but has become so used to it that on rare occasions his warriors instincts become out of control. Then there is the bitter matron who is tired of being a minor character in a minor subplot and metamorphoses into a graceful, passionate woman, loved by all, including the author. And then there is a perky little ilel . . .but you'll have to find out about her yourself. If you are longing for a book with characters you can care about, even love, then I strongly urge you to read this delightful book.