Jun

16

Posted by : atcampbell | On : June 16, 1998

How Like a God by Brenda W. Clough

We had five attendees at the discussion of How Like a God. Two regular Reading Group members had also read the book but weren’t able to attend. This book is a contemporary fantasy novel about a thirtiesh yuppie software engineer named Rob who suddenly discovers that he has the ability to read and influence the minds of others. As his powers get stronger and harder to control, he fears for his family’s safety and wanders off to search for an understanding of his powers. He makes friends with Edwin, a medical researcher who helps him explore his condition. Discovering a connection between Rob and the ancient Gilgamesh epic, Edwin and Rob travel to Asia to uncover the truth.

We all found the prose style readable and had no trouble finishing the book. It was a quick reading experience for all. The book differs from most recent fantasy books: its length is under 400 pages, there is no map, and the story concludes

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Jun

02

Posted by : atcampbell | On : June 2, 1998

Endymion by Dan Simmons

Five people attended the discussion of Endymion, the third book in the “Hyperion” series. This novel, which takes places hundreds of years after events in Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion, follows several new characters as they explore the situations introduced in the earlier volumes. The plot is an action-packed race across the galaxy to discover deep truths about the universe, fight mythological monsters, and save a twelve year old girl from the immensely powerful Catholic Church that seeks to destroy her.

Everyone at the meeting (with the exception of one who hadn’t had time to start the novel) had found the prose readable and the story to be quite a page-turner. All who’d started the book had finished it. One regular Reading Group member who wasn’t able to attend the meeting had read the book twice. We felt that the

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