Past Master

Rating:
Summary: Skip it.
Review: Even though this book stands on its own, if one has not read Thomas Moore's Utopia, I suspect they would be lost. The book is interesting, but not very entertaining. There is no character development, no story development, just a hodgepodge of ideas.

I can't believe this was nominated for a Hugo.

Rating:
Summary: Skip it.
Review: Even though this book stands on its own, if one has not read Thomas Moore's Utopia, I suspect they would be lost. The book is interesting, but not very entertaining. There is no character development, no story development, just a hodgepodge of ideas.

I can't believe this was nominated for a Hugo.

Rating:
Summary: Might be good, but hard to follow.
Review: I have mixed feelings about this book, but overall it didn't work for me. On the plus side the author has a unique vision, the book has some intriguing imagery, & St. Thomas More's reaction to the time traveller was priceless. The problem was that I didn't know who was saying what or what was going on. That may only be 1 problem, but it's a big one. Also I think this is a metaphor rather than a future world or time traveller story. That I don't mind. As a Catholic who loves science fiction I really wanted to like this. Oh well enjoy the scenery & here's hoping you'll have better luck following it. If Amazon'll allow I heard Lafferty doesn't entirely believe the theory of evolution. I think that's cool since the more beliefs represented in SF the better as far as I'm concerned.

Rating:
Summary: Lafferty discusses the meaning of existence, with jokes
Review: Past Master takes a rejuvenated Thomas More and places him in a future community which corresponds to his own Utopia. This is a novel full of heavy ideas; perhaps more than it can support; but there is a huge amount here to reward somebody who gives the book the attention it demands.

Rating:
Summary: Read _Utopia_ first
Review: To understand this novel, you pretty much have to read Thomas More's _Utopia_ first. Still, the book does make sense on its own --it's essentially what would happen in a "perfect" world; a Heaven on Earth. Not surprisingly, people can't stand it and go live in Hell. At least they feel alive there. It probably would have been better as less than a novel; I don't think the length can be justified. Lafferty is a very literate writer, full of interesting ideas and intriguing imagery.

Rating:
Summary: Read _Utopia_ first
Review: To understand this novel, you pretty much have to read Thomas More's _Utopia_ first. Still, the book does make sense on its own --it's essentially what would happen in a "perfect" world; a Heaven on Earth. Not surprisingly, people can't stand it and go live in Hell. At least they feel alive there. It probably would have been better as less than a novel; I don't think the length can be justified. Lafferty is a very literate writer, full of interesting ideas and intriguing imagery.