| Product: |
Greybeard - Brian W. Aldiss |
| Date: |
07.05.08 (89 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: SLOW GOING.
Disadvantages: Ends Suddenly.
Greybeard.
Author - Brian W Aldiss.
I had seen this book around for a while but had never gotten round to reading it.
I wondered how to write this review without spoiling it for others so I decided to put my dislikes first, then to go on to the story itself.
The book starts off well enough but the flash backs to earlier days are distracting and can go on for 20 or more pages. At the 2nd flashback I skipped through 30 pages and thought about reading something else.
So if you don't mind a book half set in the future and half in the past then you just might enjoy this book.
The world has tested atomic weapons in space producing sterility in mankind. A childless civilisation crumbles into decay as mother nature reclaims her land. However, there are some small enclaves of humanity eking out a pathetic existence.
Greybeard is so named simply because he has a greybeard to his waist. He is early fifties and one of the youngest people left alive!
He lives with his wife Martha in an enclave full of old people, well, older than himself. One day they fear they will be attacked by the huge packs of stoats which now feed on human flesh so the village flees to the other side of the river. But greybeard is sick of simply existing and decides to strike out for the wilderness along with his wife. However a few other wrinklies go along with him.
The aged travellers arrive at a small town, Swifford fair, where they meet 'Doctor' Bunny Jingadangelow. He mentions the eternity drug but they get their possessions stolen and then move down river to Oxford, the drug item is left unresolved.
In Oxford the find work and even see some, not to badly deformed, children. After two years in oxford Greybeard and his wife decide to move on again. Charlie, Greybeards closest friend, also comes along and later another friend catches up with them as they all head to London.
But on the way they meet up with Jingadangelow and he expounds a few theories of his.
The book ends with the revelations in the last 2 pages where it is found that some normal children have been born and are living as wild animals in the woodlands and forests.
My Opinions:
Ends very suddenly.
The characters do have depth and are believable.
A survivalist novel with a sci-fi twist that YOU might enjoy.
Greg.
Summary: Read something else.
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