The most important line in book 4, to me, was "I had been a committed humanist my whole life. Was I now going to be forced to accept the existence of the soul?" From Bob 1. This really showcases that Dennis, the author, is grappling with his old beliefs outside the series, as spoken through the voice of his self-insert.
The author really seems to be having a hard time with the way the world has changed over the last 20 years. It's fascinating to watch him grapple with those changes while also enjoying silly science fiction.
It's definitely a book series that I would quantify as "fun" over substance. The fact that there's meaningful substance buried in it is unique for as this type of fiction.
The series is fun enough. The author is clearly not a sociologist, however he doesn't hide from sociology.
Like most cultural content these days, noticers will notice that it is a product of our time, and enjoyment often requires overlooking a few things. What I appreciate about the book is how Bob, over the course of the series, transitions from a hardline atheist to a man confronted by hard evidence of the metaphysical. This was both the consequence of the author writing himself into a trap by setting up a series that forces questions of identity and humanity, and I believe that Dennis E. Taylor likewise has found himself gently moving away from his older convictions.
It's legitimately the most fun I've had reading science fiction out of any book series I've read. Especially if you have a decent background in physics or engineering, it's a even more fun. Characters/pacing are a little fast in the first half of book 1 (because that's not the fun part, it's just the prologue you have to get through) but once the author hits his stride it's a very enjoyable experience.
The most important line in book 4, to me, was "I had been a committed humanist my whole life. Was I now going to be forced to accept the existence of the soul?" From Bob 1. This really showcases that Dennis, the author, is grappling with his old beliefs outside the series, as spoken through the voice of his self-insert.
The author really seems to be having a hard time with the way the world has changed over the last 20 years. It's fascinating to watch him grapple with those changes while also enjoying silly science fiction.
I love that series.
I was actually thinking of reading this .... I had heard about the premise, that's all. Might hold off now.
It's definitely a book series that I would quantify as "fun" over substance. The fact that there's meaningful substance buried in it is unique for as this type of fiction.
The series is fun enough. The author is clearly not a sociologist, however he doesn't hide from sociology.
Like most cultural content these days, noticers will notice that it is a product of our time, and enjoyment often requires overlooking a few things. What I appreciate about the book is how Bob, over the course of the series, transitions from a hardline atheist to a man confronted by hard evidence of the metaphysical. This was both the consequence of the author writing himself into a trap by setting up a series that forces questions of identity and humanity, and I believe that Dennis E. Taylor likewise has found himself gently moving away from his older convictions.
Fair enough. How is it technically? Story/characters/pacing?
It's legitimately the most fun I've had reading science fiction out of any book series I've read. Especially if you have a decent background in physics or engineering, it's a even more fun. Characters/pacing are a little fast in the first half of book 1 (because that's not the fun part, it's just the prologue you have to get through) but once the author hits his stride it's a very enjoyable experience.
Awesome - I'll give the first book a crack then.
I recommend all the books, even if the "prologue" is kind of silly.