Version Control

Version Control by Dexter Palmer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Phillip is a scientist who is working on something that he does not like to call a time machine. At home, Rebecca Wright is trying to pick up the pieces of their lives after the tragic death of their son, Sean. Phillip is so immersed in his work that it is hard to see the pain that his wife is in. Until one day, when Rebecca enters Phillips causality violation device and it all flips into a world where Phillip is gone and their son is still alive…

Somewhere in this ponderous 495 page Sci-fi novel are some great insights about science, the nature of modern technology, and an interesting view of the future and the world we live in now. I never really thought about the scientific career, how it can stall out when the idea one is working on turns into a failure. But this is a reality...how can one reconcile the overall pursuit of science with the need to make one’s own career? The causality violation device is perceived as a failure, and it consumes and destroys Phillip Wright’s career. But it is not a failure, and the science is valid. But it is costly and dangerous.

And the bits about on-line dating and using avatars to interact with customers and even the President are a very clever and prescient view of the future. There were great points about views of race and expectations we all have of other people. There was a lot here.

But I have to admit, it was tough to get through at times. At some point in a book this long, which goes off into many tangents and contains very many ideas, I just want it to get to the point faster. Maybe that’s just me. But on the other hand, it did cause me to stop and think on any number of occasions.

Version Control is overall a good book, if for no other reason than the fact that it inspires thought in the reader.




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