Plasm

Aton #3

by Charles Platt

# AE5015. Platt's engaging sequel to Piers Anthony's novels Cthon and Pthor. "Trapped by his possible pasts and futures, could Aton free himself - and the Universe - from Cthon?" 284 pages.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1987

About the author

From wikipedia:

Charles Platt (born in London, England, 1945) is the author of 41 fiction and nonfiction books, including science-fiction novels such as The Silicon Man and Protektor (published in paperback by Avon Books). He has also written non-fiction, particularly on the subjects of computer technology and cryonics, as well as teaching and working in these fields. Platt relocated from England to the United States in 1970 and is a naturalized U. S. citizen.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

See:

Charles Platt, born 1869

Reviews

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

How odd that this book should exist. I recently reread Chthon and Phthor, and the novels are two of Piers Anthony's most unusual books. The first was published in the 60s when many SF writers, e.g. Zelazny and Delany, played with mythological themes in their writings and so does Anthony with Chthon. The book can be distinctly unpleasant because of the sadomasochistic relationship at the core of the book. Phthor continued these themes, but read more like an SF adventure. Years later, Platt writes a sequel that essentially retells Chthon but on an alternate timeline. This book is more strongly plotted than the originals, so it is a more compelling read. I actually think it is a bit better than Phthor but not as interesting as Chthon. If you liked Anthony's original novels, you will likely enjoy this.

[Des · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy continuation of the Chthon saga. Darker, but perhaps a little easier to follow than Piers Anthony's original two novels (but read them first, anyway).

[Andrew Brooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

The beginning books of this series by Piers Anthony alone were good creative stuff, though with a core plot considered shocking in the time it was published.
This is an attempt by Platt to extend the series written by Anthony. It fails, as he seems primarily interested in further exploring the shocking core concepts of the paradigm, but the creative side of the previous novels isn't there to carry it along