Book Review, Race Against Time, by Piers Anthony

I picked this up at the half price book store a few days ago. It's been an easy read, and although I don't know if other reviewers would classify it as a juvenile book, I think it would be accessible to the teen age reader. The central hero is a teenaged boy, and there is another teenaged character as well.

I mentioned it to my kids as something they might like to read - they like Piers Anthony's other book groups.

This book has several historical themes, and various built in commentaries on the concept of race, and the sweep of history. It also has an element of mystery in it as the characters find their place in the world. I would say most people would classify it as science fiction, although the science plays a part in the story, but not a dominant one.

I enjoyed it, and found it to be a quick read. It is 224 pages in paperback, and was written in 1973. It is published by TOR books.

I liked it enough to recommend it to others, and I would say I might read it again some day.

Book Review, Darwin's Children, Greg Bear

I had read several other Greg Bear short stories and one novel, "Blood Music" so I was somewhat familiar with his work. I was prepared for a liberal dose of science in the book. In addition, a friend had recommended "Darwin's Radio", the previous book in this story line. I never got around to reading it, and I think I even gave the book away.

I think I'll go back and read "Darwin's Radio", now that I've read this book, although it might be anti-climactic. The book "Darwin's Children" has real pathos, and as a parent myself, I could really relate to the strain that raising children puts on a marriage, as dramatized in the book.

Of course, there is a lot more to this book. It is science fiction, if you like your science fiction with a lot of science in light touches throughout the book, including the "e-paper" and of course the many biological concepts that are central to the story.

As an aside, I've always preferred science fiction books where the science makes the story possible - in other words, the science is integral to the story. I also prefer science fiction where the story lets you see how technology would alter society. I have seen that happen in real life as I have aged, and it is interesting to see what the author comes up with - to see where his or her thinking takes him, and what that might mean about their viewpoint.

I can see myself reading this again in a couple of years, so I'd call it a good book. It definitely required some concentration, so it might be iffy for travel, but it was engaging, and I didn't really get tired of reading it.

The book is published by Random House, and runs 380 pages.

Book Review, The Summer Guest, Justin Cronin

This book was recommended by my wife, H. The author is a Hemingway Award Winning author. The blurb on the back cover is effusive in its praise of the book, with several authors and reviewers giving praise. It is a multigenerational story, beginning with a patriarch on the battlefields of Italy, which we see in flashback.

It took me a while to get into the book, and based on the blurb, I was determined to get through it and get the payoff. The author certainly is skilled in describing the scenery, the emotions of the characters, and evoking an image of what life was like at each point in time. The characters are well drawn and easy to picture as well. Several times I had an "ah hah" moment where I could really identify with the person and their struggles.

The book is written in rotation between major characters - one chapter may be from Harry's point of view, another from Joe's, then Kate's, etc. At times I found this confusing. I also struggled with the flashbacks. After each flashback I could tell the author was revealing things at the same pace that the other characters were learning about them, but sometimes it seemed just a bit too contrived.

The characters also seemed a bit too - well, noble. Wouldn't real people complain a bit more? Hesitate? Prevaricate? It certainly was very clear that the characters learned and lived and loved just as you would expect. Equally clear is the author's command of the language, and admiration for the back woods of Maine. But I just didn't enjoy it.

There were several interesting historical points which reminded me of my own experience, such as the characters' comments on President Nixon, or the way the Vietnam War draft dodgers were woven into the story. I remember evening news reports about these things when I was growing up.

So, I'm going to categorize this one as "won't read again" and "might try another from this author".

The book is published by Bantam Dell, and runs 369 pages.