A work of Science Fiction that stands the test of time

Originally published some 45+ years ago this is still a powerful book and is best described as a novel about theology and time travel. It ponders the age old question, what importance is our existence? and looks at the nature of the human condition and our need to have a belief and to hope that our short time here has some meaning. Karl Glogauer lives a life of futile lonliness until a chance encounter offers him the opportunity to travel back in time to AD 28, and there he meets John the Baptist who in turn is awaiting the arrival of a stranger.....Glogauer it would appear has taken the role of Jesus and the story leads to the inevitable conclusion. Did Jesus really exist or was the myth invented to feed the minds and hearts of ancient world residents at that time? The need to have a belief it would appear is as important today as it has always been, we as travellers on this earth need to feel that our time here has some meaning, and when we depart these hallowed shores we do so with much contentment.

A form of worship

Lets get one thing straight...I am a runner...there i've said it and I have been running for a long time over 25 years so I am no spring chicken :)) In fact as I write this I have just returned from running the Stroud Half Marathon in a time of 1 hr 38mins...and I am a little disappointed with this...that follows on from the Bristol Half Marathon some 3 weeks ago where I was tripped at the 3 mile stage...had to spend 20 mins with the local St Johns Ambulance receiving treatment...but still as all true runners would do...I finished...so I understand the obsession that Robin Harvie has and I can acknowledge his achievements and his need to run. I did enjoy his book and his preparation for the seemingly impossible Spartathlon ( and indeed it did prove elusive )I understand the pain, the obsession and the general feeling of euphoria that goes with each run good or bad ( I suspect I have completed in access of 200 races, mostly half marathons )I understand the loneliness and the need to find one's space in a world addicted to self. I enjoyed his little side trips into the world of Turner, the first Nike Bowerman running shoe, the acknowledgement of running guru James Fixx, and his meeting with the great Rory Coleman who turned his life around simply by running. If I was to take a quote for my running experience I would however  refer to a book which in some ways is a running bible  "Holistic Running" by the renowned Joel Henning "It is indeed a form of worship, an attempt to find God,a means to the transcendent...I have power, power that propels me cross country,puts me intimately in touch with nature, strengthens me....I own the day!....

Disturbing

It is not often I do not finish a book but 60% into this particular read there was a scene I found so disturbing and ugly that I did not wish to read on. From a literary point of view the story is well structured and written if a little confusing and I can understand those who did enjoy...reading is a personal experience and what some readers find abhorrent others may find acceptable...so be it....

Rich prose poetic language not to my liking....

Maybe it is just that this book it's style, it's prose did not translate well for me here in the UK but I cannot understand the fascination with something I do not understand. It's a coming of age novel but the language is too rich and poetic for my liking " They ran in urine smell of shadow, they ran in clean ice smell of moon. The calliope steam-throb whispered, tatted, trilled."...."in flight, in heat-spell river of wind and blaze of metal, in jog of July and August horses whose hoofs thudded the air like thrown fruit, his eyes blazed"

I thought Boy's Life by Robert McCammon truly inspiringly brilliant (in fact I find anything by McCammon brilliant) but Something Wicked This Way Comes for me had few redeeming features the richness of language made a truly boring experience and I struggled to finish...I admire those of you who found inspiration from Bradbury's words but sadly not me :((

Not so much a story about war but...

This is an amazing poignant read, it is not so much about the war in Afghanistan but rather the effect such a conflict has on the human mind and spirit. Kenny Meighan always wanted to be an infantryman, just like his dad John and his dad before him. John was an infantryman in Northern Ireland and the death of a close soldier/friend was one of the many scenes that were to haunt him when he left the services. One day on civi street a firework celebration sent him over the edge and he spiralled  into depression and alcoholism attempting to take his life on no more than 9 occasions. Kenny loved his dad and knew that he could cope with war but as a Point Man in Helmand province, the pressure was to prove too much and when he finally returned back to England..his life also went out of control. As a Point Man he lead his men from the front, seeking out all hazards and assessing them before the patrol continued, and as Point Man he would naturally be the first man to be shot at by the waiting Taliban. There were two real turning points for Kenny whilst on active service; the first enemy he shot, had in his sights was nothing but a young man like him fighting for a cause, and the death of a close friend who stepped on a improvised explosive device (ied)  his remains being collected in a body bag by Kenny....how can you return home to a normal life following exposure to war on this scale..the answer is you cannot and remain sane. Kenny returned to the love of his life,his girlfriend, and life spiralled downwards...how could he cope with no job (although finally getting a job as a bus driver)and a world that just did not understand the type of sacrifice an infantryman gave, people only concerned with their own paltry and greedy existence. In essence this book is a story about the human spirit and the failure of a system/government/people who cannot understand or have any idea of the effect on war on that spirit. It is a humbling but hugely important read and a memory that will stay with me for a very long time...to people like Kenny Meighan we all owe a great deal....

Brilliant touching horror/crime story...

I loved it! Not often do I read a horror/crime (I suppose it cuts across the two genres) story that is emotionally powerful and uplifting yet with an ultimately sad conclusion.Mark Sieber's world is turned upside down when he is seemingly captured by a group of kids ranging in age from 12-19. As the story unfolds Mark has a mission to deliver the kids back to their parents and kill the perpetrator "Grendel" who should inflict such horror pain and mutilation on those so innocent. The reader is with Mark all the way from the emotional reunion of those longs lost kids with their parents...to the killing of Grendel..and the destiny that falls the scarred and emotionally injured Christopher. The writing is very powerful and one scene in particular had me on the edge of my seat...Christopher and Mark are travelling in the van and Christopher is explaining to Mark how Grendel has managed to destroy all their lives...as he talks the speed of the van increases from 50...to...60...up to 100 miles per hour. At this point I could feel the tension as if lifted off the pages of the book and entered my mind it was one stand out moment amongst many in this tour de force story. This is my first Gary Braunbeck book and most certainly not my last, it has been a great introduction into the mind of a first class author, and I look forward to reading many more of his books in the weeks to come..I highly recommend!

A very enjoyable horror crime story

Ken who? that was my first thought when I happened upon this little gem on a kindle ebook download site. I do love good horror and am also a great crime fan so if you can combine the two and throw in a smidgen of eroticism then you must have the perfect recipe for a good fast read (and that is what the kindle is there for good fast reading)The book description says it all but in addition Jim Monday is receiving telepathic messages from a woman in New Zealand who he can also communicate with telepathically...now here we have a perfect example of what makes a good book adding a "quirky" little sub story all wrapped up in an ancient Maori curse. Needless to say this book moves at a relentless pace, it's just a fun read that does not take itself too seriously but is there simply to entertain. It's also great to see that Jim, a man in his mid 50's,has great sexual prowess with the ladies and being a reader in my mid 50's I am most heartened by this news :)) Simply put read this little gem and enjoy!