A disappointing sequel to a good novel

The Fall of Colossus by D.F. Jones

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The story continues where the first book left off. The computer Colossus has created a Utopia where humans work 23 hour weeks and poverty and war have been eliminated. All is not well, however. A new religion has grown up around Colossus, and the computer is doing sadistic experiments to better understand human emotions. There is a movement forming to overthrow Colossus which has no chance to succeed, but then help comes from an unexpected source which has its own hidden agenda.

For me the most memorable parts of the book are the experiments Colossus performs on humans to better understand love. Unfortunately, "memorable" does not in this case mean "good". These chapters are some of the most misogynistic stuff I've ever read. In the future of this story women have full equality with men, but the author believes that this will not lead to their happiness. Unfortunately, he describes in detail what would.

I really enjoyed the first book, and this second volume is not without interest, but I could have done without the misogyny.



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