[Gilliam]

I have just completed "The Lightstone", a fantasy novel by David Zindell which I enjoyed very much. From the authors blurb he has written a number of other books which are more scifi than fantasy. While I prefer fantasy over scifi I do enjoy a story that is challenging and has more to it than spaceships blowing each other up.

So has anyone read "Neverness" and the "Requiem for Homo Sapiens" trilogy and what were your impressions of them?

Thanks

[nicba]

I've read "Neverness" but not any other of David Zindell's books (yet).

"Neverness" is a rather atypical science-fiction book, in my mind at least. Most authors I've read either goes for a post-apocalyptic/cyberpunk kind of world, or for a world where humanity has overcome most of it's dark tendencies and managed to establish a more civilzed society.

But "Neverness" is pretty dark and gritty. There's a lot of empasis on the darker sides of human nature, a relationship dominated by hate between a father and his son ect. At the same time the book has lots of perspective. It's very far-future and the human race has spread throughout the galaxy in great diversity, some changed so much that they don't resemble
humans very much.

I remember the text on the back of the book saying something about "mathematics described like poetry" or some such. And it's kind of true, although it's mostly a dark poetry. The book also deals a lot with the destiny of the human race, the meaning of life and such themes.

It's hard really to describe the book in more detail without giving too much away. It's not really hard science fiction, the story is too psychological for that, I think. But it's thoughful and rather "deep."

Overall I thought that the book was very good, yet a bit too dark for me really to appreciate it.

Regards

Nicolai

[Gilliam]

Thanks Nicolai for the review of Neverness. It looks I will have to add another title to my "Books to Buy" list .

[toriphile]

Zindell writes lovely science fiction. As nicba says his works are not typical sci-fi though they sometimes remind me of Robert Silverberg's writings.
I've read Neverness and The Broken God which is the first book in the Requiem for Homo Sapiens trilogy. The Broken God is somewhat 'deeper' than Neverness, it's slower in pace and there's not much action in it. But that doesn't mean that it is not a superb novel.
Fro those who are interested in Zindell, his short story Shanidar (which takes place in the same universe as the Neverness novels) can be found on www.infinityplus.co.uk

[Aik Haw]

David Zindell is indeed an excellent writer, especially the way he views mathematics and the potential for biology. I have read all his Requiem to Homo Sapiens Series and I love it, and I have to admit his biological view and biotech scope seizes my breath. However, I was informed that it is nothing compared to when mathematicians read the books. Apparently, they found a twin soul who can truly appreciate mathematics and better still, can express it in the elusive concept of words!!