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Testament Overmana
"Michael had a good memory. He could remember things significant & insignificant. He remembered--if hazily--when he was young enough to be fed milk only. He remembered the odd child who disappeared from playschool & he remembered the other child who fell (or was pushed?) from the high window & lay all smashed & crumpled on the ground, but not bleeding & he remembered how he'd wanted to know about words, how you could keep them, how you could fix them--perhaps like a drawing--forever."
145 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1971
5 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Edmund Cooper
100 books45 followersExcerpted from wikipedia:
Edmund Cooper was born in Marple, near Stockport in Cheshire on April 30, 1926. He served in the Merchant Navy towards the end of the Second World War. After World War II, he trained as a teacher and began to publish short stories. His first novel, Deadly Image
(later republished as The Uncertain Midnight) was completed in 1957 and published in 1958. A 1956 short story, Brain Child, was adapted as the movie The Invisible Boy (1957).
In 1969 The Uncertain Midnight was adapted for Swiss television, in French. At the height of his popularity, in the 1970s, he began to review science fiction for the Sunday Times and continued to do so until his death in 1982.
Apart from the website mentioned above there was another Edmund Cooper website full of information about the author and his publications.
Known Pseudonyms:
Richard Avery
George Kinley
Martin Lester
Broderick Quain
Edmund Cooper was born in Marple, near Stockport in Cheshire on April 30, 1926. He served in the Merchant Navy towards the end of the Second World War. After World War II, he trained as a teacher and began to publish short stories. His first novel, Deadly Image
(later republished as The Uncertain Midnight) was completed in 1957 and published in 1958. A 1956 short story, Brain Child, was adapted as the movie The Invisible Boy (1957).In 1969 The Uncertain Midnight was adapted for Swiss television, in French. At the height of his popularity, in the 1970s, he began to review science fiction for the Sunday Times and continued to do so until his death in 1982.
Apart from the website mentioned above there was another Edmund Cooper website full of information about the author and his publications.
Known Pseudonyms:
Richard Avery
George Kinley
Martin Lester
Broderick Quain
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 20, 2025
The Overman Culture is a very interesting story about some children who begin to question the ambiguities in their world and environment. Regarded as a mystery, it raises some thought-provoking questions about reality and man/machine interactions and artificial intelligence. It seemed very British to me in tone, at a time when I'd read little but American pop culture flavored work, and I remember it fondly as one of the first books I got from the SF book club. I loved the Paul Lehr cover, which could have doubled as a Yes album cover at the time. Recommended for Matrix fans.
July 1, 2024
Another one of those short science fiction paperbacks (under 200 pages) that I have at home and that I enjoy reading or rereading from time to time. And, this one, by Edmund Cooper, published in 1972, was a most pleasant surprise. The story of some children living in an underpopulated London of the future was actually a very good mystery and was even thought-provoking. I became very engaged with the main character, Michael, a boy who decides to explore his world and discover the truth behind his reality.
I have to say I've read very little of Cooper's work but I am intrigued by what I've read of it. Edmund Cooper ( 1926-1982) was an English poet and prolific author, an atheist and an individualist. I'll be looking for more books by him.
I have to say I've read very little of Cooper's work but I am intrigued by what I've read of it. Edmund Cooper ( 1926-1982) was an English poet and prolific author, an atheist and an individualist. I'll be looking for more books by him.
March 8, 2017
4.5 Stars.
A wonderful science fiction story! Complicated thoughts, yet written in an easy language. Great mystery writing, as it slowly unfolds. A small book, yet contains a lot of stuff to think. Good and vivid imagination. The story is more relevant in today's world of massive increase in the usage of AI (Artificial Intelligence), and of making machines to make more machines; speaking of whether humans control machines or vice-versa. The answer could be in its balancing act. Read the book to find out. :)
Highly recommended.
A wonderful science fiction story! Complicated thoughts, yet written in an easy language. Great mystery writing, as it slowly unfolds. A small book, yet contains a lot of stuff to think. Good and vivid imagination. The story is more relevant in today's world of massive increase in the usage of AI (Artificial Intelligence), and of making machines to make more machines; speaking of whether humans control machines or vice-versa. The answer could be in its balancing act. Read the book to find out. :)
Highly recommended.
May 19, 2018
This one really surprised me - I will admit that I have always have a love for the works of Edmund Cooper who for me was a very much under rated author (even if he did have some rather outspoken views in the 70s)
What is more his Chris Foss covers (which usually had NO relevance to the story inside or at least if they did I sure never could make the connection) always captured my imagination and I will admit vainly that it was one of the original reasons that brought his work to my attention.
Anyway what to say about this book - well as usual with the no spoilers rule its limited but what I can say is that it was a very original idea even if it was sort of expected - after all the characters, their location and the world around them all jarred - but that was part of the whole story (or the story Mr Cooper was wanting you to discover).
I will admit that the whole idea of "this world is not right" idea (and yes I am not giving spoilers as trust me reading the cover you immediately get that) is not new and has been used to far greater and lesser extents in other books.
The thing is this a British SF book from 1971 and these ideas were still fresh and yes a little bit Alien after all it was felt that we knew our identity and that around us. To put it to question and why was shocking and i must admit all these years later it was still good fun to find out.
Yes the book was a bit dated but for me vintage SF is better for it - its not trying to be pretentious it just wants to be heard. And if its a little bit quirky so be it and this is for me Cooper through and through and all the better for it.
Now where did I stack the rest of his books!
What is more his Chris Foss covers (which usually had NO relevance to the story inside or at least if they did I sure never could make the connection) always captured my imagination and I will admit vainly that it was one of the original reasons that brought his work to my attention.
Anyway what to say about this book - well as usual with the no spoilers rule its limited but what I can say is that it was a very original idea even if it was sort of expected - after all the characters, their location and the world around them all jarred - but that was part of the whole story (or the story Mr Cooper was wanting you to discover).
I will admit that the whole idea of "this world is not right" idea (and yes I am not giving spoilers as trust me reading the cover you immediately get that) is not new and has been used to far greater and lesser extents in other books.
The thing is this a British SF book from 1971 and these ideas were still fresh and yes a little bit Alien after all it was felt that we knew our identity and that around us. To put it to question and why was shocking and i must admit all these years later it was still good fun to find out.
Yes the book was a bit dated but for me vintage SF is better for it - its not trying to be pretentious it just wants to be heard. And if its a little bit quirky so be it and this is for me Cooper through and through and all the better for it.
Now where did I stack the rest of his books!
August 17, 2017
One of the best science fiction plot I've ever read. Such a shame these kind of books are not that familiar among readers. Extremely grateful to the person who recommended me this book and I'm glad I took it seriously.
"What did you think of the Overman legend, Michael?"
"It was interesting, but it was just a story. And, anyway, it didn't have a proper end"
But it did have a proper beginning...
"What did you think of the Overman legend, Michael?"
"It was interesting, but it was just a story. And, anyway, it didn't have a proper end"
But it did have a proper beginning...
July 3, 2014
If people didn't exist, machines would have to invent them.
November 26, 2011
A fast-paced novel that can best be described as THE STEPFORD WIVES of science fiction. Instead of android women, children are the focus of Cooper's strange vision. A very interesting take on the concept of childhood, knowledge, and the dangers of creativity.
HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION
HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION
March 11, 2013
His books are always easy to read and yet clever. Unpretentious. Dated, but not necessarily in a bad way. Unsettling. But kind of optimistic.
February 24, 2024
3.5 stars.
Thoughtful ideas and entertainingly written. It does seem a little like all of the exposition comes out of nowhere in the last few chapters however.
Thoughtful ideas and entertainingly written. It does seem a little like all of the exposition comes out of nowhere in the last few chapters however.
May 21, 2011
This took a lot longer to read than I ever anticipated. I guess life took over instead of my usual reading times these last few days. Anyway a thoroughly enjoyable read and a very different take on total annihilation of the species.
Almost from the opening paragraph I was hooked and wanted to learn more about the characters, this book could have been twice as long and still not had enough detail for me. For all that it has enough to fill in any gaps that occur.
The whole premise of annihilation is one that seems to uppermost in everyone’s mind this week so I guess it was a fortuitous read for me.
At least the outcome of this book gives us all hope that something better will arrive for humanity one of these days.
Almost from the opening paragraph I was hooked and wanted to learn more about the characters, this book could have been twice as long and still not had enough detail for me. For all that it has enough to fill in any gaps that occur.
The whole premise of annihilation is one that seems to uppermost in everyone’s mind this week so I guess it was a fortuitous read for me.
At least the outcome of this book gives us all hope that something better will arrive for humanity one of these days.
February 7, 2024
I finished reading this in a day, I couldn't put it down. You can tell where certain inspirations for films such as The Truman Show and The Matrix come from.
November 10, 2024
1.5/5
It baffles me that there are so many positive reviews for this forgotten book online. People talk about the 'mystery' involved, the simple but effective writing, how unpretentious and clever the writer is. Yes, the plot itself is at least lucid, but I think that's where my praise stops. In The Overman Culture a young boy called Micheal Faraday grows more confused about his world by the day, a world where many of the children around him don't bleed, a world where London is under a force field as German bomber fly the skies and Queen Victoria rules with Winston Churchill. He is especially concerned that he is dissuaded from reading and exploring the city by his parents and teacher, but finds comfort that a select few of his friends, among them Jane Austen and Emily Bronte, do in fact bleed, get tired when they exert themselves, and
It was obvious where this plot was headed from the start, at least for the most part. Yes, the kids are living amongst robots who function as caretakers. The damning part of this is that it takes over 80 percent of the book for the characters to reach that conclusion, which leaves but 20 pages for Cooper to try and make that fact interesting (which he fails to imo). It's just so transparent the entire time, that it feels like this book was intended for children, and I don't mean YA, I mean like the 5-10 range, at least if it weren't for a few rather out of place and cringey sex scenes accompanied by the tried and true objectification of the main female character.
Yet all of this is but a minor complaint to the real issue: the prose itself. The closest equivalent I can draw is if you inhaled sand or ate cardboard. What should be lively, interesting, engaging, is just the opposite. It's dry, wooden, and basic. Sentence structure is repetitive the dialogue is so formal that it feels as though Cooper doesn't understand how friends, family, and romantic partners actually talk to one another. It's as if all of the characters are always meeting each other for the first time after recently learning English. Not to mention that Cooper has a bad habit of characterizing through telling you how people feel, rather than showing you through actions and words. You know, how someone who actually knows how to write does it.
There's a little bit of discussion towards the end about the relationship between humans and machines, how humans give machines purpose. Maybe this conversation could've been interesting, if it wasn't just explored for 10 pages.
I'm pretty overly salty about a book that I really just don't care that much about, and will certainly fade from memory before too much longer. I think the positive reviews online really got to me, and made me scrutinize how wrong I think they are.
It baffles me that there are so many positive reviews for this forgotten book online. People talk about the 'mystery' involved, the simple but effective writing, how unpretentious and clever the writer is. Yes, the plot itself is at least lucid, but I think that's where my praise stops. In The Overman Culture a young boy called Micheal Faraday grows more confused about his world by the day, a world where many of the children around him don't bleed, a world where London is under a force field as German bomber fly the skies and Queen Victoria rules with Winston Churchill. He is especially concerned that he is dissuaded from reading and exploring the city by his parents and teacher, but finds comfort that a select few of his friends, among them Jane Austen and Emily Bronte, do in fact bleed, get tired when they exert themselves, and
It was obvious where this plot was headed from the start, at least for the most part. Yes, the kids are living amongst robots who function as caretakers. The damning part of this is that it takes over 80 percent of the book for the characters to reach that conclusion, which leaves but 20 pages for Cooper to try and make that fact interesting (which he fails to imo). It's just so transparent the entire time, that it feels like this book was intended for children, and I don't mean YA, I mean like the 5-10 range, at least if it weren't for a few rather out of place and cringey sex scenes accompanied by the tried and true objectification of the main female character.
Yet all of this is but a minor complaint to the real issue: the prose itself. The closest equivalent I can draw is if you inhaled sand or ate cardboard. What should be lively, interesting, engaging, is just the opposite. It's dry, wooden, and basic. Sentence structure is repetitive the dialogue is so formal that it feels as though Cooper doesn't understand how friends, family, and romantic partners actually talk to one another. It's as if all of the characters are always meeting each other for the first time after recently learning English. Not to mention that Cooper has a bad habit of characterizing through telling you how people feel, rather than showing you through actions and words. You know, how someone who actually knows how to write does it.
There's a little bit of discussion towards the end about the relationship between humans and machines, how humans give machines purpose. Maybe this conversation could've been interesting, if it wasn't just explored for 10 pages.
I'm pretty overly salty about a book that I really just don't care that much about, and will certainly fade from memory before too much longer. I think the positive reviews online really got to me, and made me scrutinize how wrong I think they are.
August 1, 2011
This was one of the very first SF books I bought back in the early eighties. Back then every bookshop carried a row of Edmund Cooper books, they sold in their millions and it's surprising that none of his books are currently in print.
The Overman Culture was very different to the space operas that got me interested in SF, but the surreal combination of anachronisms - jet fighters shooting down Zeppelins, Queen Victoria attending film premières - combined with the mysterious 'drybones' hooked me.
When I moved away from home, 'The Overman Culture' came with me and I still reread it every couple of years.
The Overman Culture was very different to the space operas that got me interested in SF, but the surreal combination of anachronisms - jet fighters shooting down Zeppelins, Queen Victoria attending film premières - combined with the mysterious 'drybones' hooked me.
When I moved away from home, 'The Overman Culture' came with me and I still reread it every couple of years.
March 4, 2017
A great concept which I have read several times over the years.
The idea of someone growing up unaware they are in an artificial environment has of course been done since by The Truman Show but not as well as this.
The idea of someone growing up unaware they are in an artificial environment has of course been done since by The Truman Show but not as well as this.
December 27, 2008
Forgettable science fiction, alternative history, novel intended perhaps as juvenile fiction.
November 8, 2014
1978 grade A
1996 grade A-
1996 grade A-
June 25, 2023
There was a commercial break for cigarettes in the middle of this book and that was the best part.
September 15, 2024
I'm sort of conflicted by this book. In many ways, I think it would have made a better short story then a full length novel. Granted it's only 190 pages.
Basically, the first 170 pages are a build up to the mystery of the book, and the last 20 pages are the explanation. Then it ends. So I guess either a short story, or expand the novel once the mystery has been explained.
Now, I do feel like the reveal was worth it. Though it had oddly religious trappings that kind of surprised me. But the reveal wasn't honestly what I expected, though I could see people guessing it before the end of the novel. And it is a very "Cold War" explanation. Me, I was guessing aliens, to be honest.
The book wasn't horrible, but whereas the majority of the book was lead-up, the majority of the book wasn't all that interesting, to be honest. It just seemed to exist as lead-up to the big reveal. I kept reading it, waiting for the mystery to be solved. Other than to kill time before the reveal, the plot itself wasn't all that interesting to read.
I guess an analogy would be the movie "The Sixth Sense." Even without the big reveal at the end, it is a great movie. Or "The Witch." A lot of people I know complain that "The Witch" could have been a half hour, and still would have been a great TB episode of some anthology series. But I disagree, I think it did a good job of ratcheting up the suspense, the characters were engaging, etc., and the reveal at the end wouldn't have been as impactful if you didn't have the journey toward the reveal.
Not with this book, however. The journey to the reveal wasn't all that interesting. The characters were all pretty much interchangeable, not really a lot happens. You just inch closer and closer to the inevitable reveal.
The book introduces some high concepts (He sort of reminds of Stanislaw Lem in that aspects), and I would be interested in reading some more by Cooper, despite my being a little lukewarm on the book.
Basically, the first 170 pages are a build up to the mystery of the book, and the last 20 pages are the explanation. Then it ends. So I guess either a short story, or expand the novel once the mystery has been explained.
Now, I do feel like the reveal was worth it. Though it had oddly religious trappings that kind of surprised me. But the reveal wasn't honestly what I expected, though I could see people guessing it before the end of the novel. And it is a very "Cold War" explanation. Me, I was guessing aliens, to be honest.
The book wasn't horrible, but whereas the majority of the book was lead-up, the majority of the book wasn't all that interesting, to be honest. It just seemed to exist as lead-up to the big reveal. I kept reading it, waiting for the mystery to be solved. Other than to kill time before the reveal, the plot itself wasn't all that interesting to read.
I guess an analogy would be the movie "The Sixth Sense." Even without the big reveal at the end, it is a great movie. Or "The Witch." A lot of people I know complain that "The Witch" could have been a half hour, and still would have been a great TB episode of some anthology series. But I disagree, I think it did a good job of ratcheting up the suspense, the characters were engaging, etc., and the reveal at the end wouldn't have been as impactful if you didn't have the journey toward the reveal.
Not with this book, however. The journey to the reveal wasn't all that interesting. The characters were all pretty much interchangeable, not really a lot happens. You just inch closer and closer to the inevitable reveal.
The book introduces some high concepts (He sort of reminds of Stanislaw Lem in that aspects), and I would be interested in reading some more by Cooper, despite my being a little lukewarm on the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2023
I've been reading sci fi since the mid 1960s so I'm not sure how I missed this one from 1971. Especially as I've enjoyed other books by the same author. Back in 1971, I would have found it quite innovative but, of course, this theme has been explored in other works since. This does have the distinction of being uniquely British. It starts with a group of school children in London who start to notice a number of odd things about their environment. It tracks them from infant school until their 20th year as they gradually try to make sense of the anachronisms and other oddities which surround them. Including the fact that their class seems to encompass the total number of live humans in London!
Although the British bias is appealing at first, my 21st century sensibilities do balk at the thought of a world populated only by white Brits.
The book reminded me very strongly of an early Star Trek episode 'For the world is hollow and I have touched the sky'. This does pre-date the novel by a couple of years, but, would Edmund Cooper have seen it? I can't remember exactly when we first had Star Trek in the UK.
Although the British bias is appealing at first, my 21st century sensibilities do balk at the thought of a world populated only by white Brits.
The book reminded me very strongly of an early Star Trek episode 'For the world is hollow and I have touched the sky'. This does pre-date the novel by a couple of years, but, would Edmund Cooper have seen it? I can't remember exactly when we first had Star Trek in the UK.
May 31, 2023
I stumbled into the rabbit hole of classic science fiction when the pandemic inadvertently introduced me to the late great Harlan Ellison... and this is one more side effect of that extensive chain of exploration. I'm exceedingly pleased to have found this, not less because it was such an immersive story, and I'm a known sucker for a good dystopia, but also because of the striking similarities- and differences- between this and a certain very well known story of Harlan's.
Will machines rule man, or will man rule machines? How can one remain sane in a world where one is confined, isolated, and lied to at every turn? How do you know what is real, when the facts are so few and the questions beyond any hope of answer? What is meant by the title of the story?
It's deeply interesting, fast paced, and written in language so plain an eight year old should have no difficulty following along, so it's a very, very quick read. No excuses. This one is just plain fun, well worth the time.
Will machines rule man, or will man rule machines? How can one remain sane in a world where one is confined, isolated, and lied to at every turn? How do you know what is real, when the facts are so few and the questions beyond any hope of answer? What is meant by the title of the story?
It's deeply interesting, fast paced, and written in language so plain an eight year old should have no difficulty following along, so it's a very, very quick read. No excuses. This one is just plain fun, well worth the time.
January 29, 2022
3.5 To była dobra książka fantastyczno-naukowa.
Osobiście uważam, że historia ma pewne braki. Co się dzieje gdy dzieci z czystej ciekawości zadają nam pytania na które nie chcemy udzielić odpowiedzi? "A dlaczego niebo jest niebieskie?" "A skąd się biorą dzieci?" Otrzymują odpowiedź, że są jeszcze za młode, że dowiedzą się tego w swoim czasie i po etapie dziecięcej frustracji, bo przecież one chcą wiedzieć teraz i już następuje akceptacja. Dzieci już nie zadają kejnych pytań, czekają na zajęcia biologii i fizyki, by poznać prawdy wrzechświata, a w między czasie uczą się w systemie szkolnictwa zabija swoją naturalną ciekawość. Dlatego taki miałam zgrzyt podczas czytania tej książki, że zachowania głównych bohaterów były w moim odczuciu nieludzkie, na siłę tylko po to, żeby nadać książce sens istnienia.
Przyjemnie napisana, piękne opisy przeżyć bohaterów.
Zakończenie dosyć przewidywalne, ale wciąż ciekawe i podsuwające bardzo intrygujące konkluzje.
Osobiście uważam, że historia ma pewne braki. Co się dzieje gdy dzieci z czystej ciekawości zadają nam pytania na które nie chcemy udzielić odpowiedzi? "A dlaczego niebo jest niebieskie?" "A skąd się biorą dzieci?" Otrzymują odpowiedź, że są jeszcze za młode, że dowiedzą się tego w swoim czasie i po etapie dziecięcej frustracji, bo przecież one chcą wiedzieć teraz i już następuje akceptacja. Dzieci już nie zadają kejnych pytań, czekają na zajęcia biologii i fizyki, by poznać prawdy wrzechświata, a w między czasie uczą się w systemie szkolnictwa zabija swoją naturalną ciekawość. Dlatego taki miałam zgrzyt podczas czytania tej książki, że zachowania głównych bohaterów były w moim odczuciu nieludzkie, na siłę tylko po to, żeby nadać książce sens istnienia.
Przyjemnie napisana, piękne opisy przeżyć bohaterów.
Zakończenie dosyć przewidywalne, ale wciąż ciekawe i podsuwające bardzo intrygujące konkluzje.
May 12, 2024
"In the country of the mad, the sane man is crazy."
Bought this for 3 euro at a vintage bookshop and I didn't have high expectations, even though I was excited to pick it up since it is my first sci-fi book! I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised (and totally hooked) and I think that proof of that is the fact that I spent my entire evening devouring this book instead of getting any work done.
While the subject is highly complex, the writing is very simple which makes it accessible to everyone. I also believe that this book was waaaay ahead of its time, since it centers around advanced technology and some form of AI and it was written in the 70s!! I was intrigued by the group of main characters and I thought they were great representatives of humankind in a world full of, essentially, robots. The amazing wordplay with the characters' names is also worth mentioning and it honestly made me so happy, because it wasn't essential to the plot, but it just made it more lively and connected to the characters.
I don't want to give too much away, but I simply want to say that this is a book I would recommend to anyone who wants to get into sci-fi and books with a post-apocalyptic setting, but I also can't be an excellent judge since I haven't read anything like this before!
Bought this for 3 euro at a vintage bookshop and I didn't have high expectations, even though I was excited to pick it up since it is my first sci-fi book! I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised (and totally hooked) and I think that proof of that is the fact that I spent my entire evening devouring this book instead of getting any work done.
While the subject is highly complex, the writing is very simple which makes it accessible to everyone. I also believe that this book was waaaay ahead of its time, since it centers around advanced technology and some form of AI and it was written in the 70s!! I was intrigued by the group of main characters and I thought they were great representatives of humankind in a world full of, essentially, robots. The amazing wordplay with the characters' names is also worth mentioning and it honestly made me so happy, because it wasn't essential to the plot, but it just made it more lively and connected to the characters.
I don't want to give too much away, but I simply want to say that this is a book I would recommend to anyone who wants to get into sci-fi and books with a post-apocalyptic setting, but I also can't be an excellent judge since I haven't read anything like this before!
August 5, 2024
Classic SF
I first read this story as a library book some four decades ago and promptly forgot the title as I moved on to the next book. Even so this story stuck with me because it was just different enough to leave a strong impression. Then one day a year or so ago Amazon recommended it based on the reading so I put the sample in my library for a day with nothing else planned.
As soon as I started reading the sample after a long delay I recognized it within the first two pages and bought it to read again. Highly recommended. I have long wondered if the actions of the space probe in the movie Star Trek the Motion Picture might have been inspired by this story concept.
I don't want to spoil things for new readers, the book is low price and makes a great summer read. Read it yourself and enjoy it.
I first read this story as a library book some four decades ago and promptly forgot the title as I moved on to the next book. Even so this story stuck with me because it was just different enough to leave a strong impression. Then one day a year or so ago Amazon recommended it based on the reading so I put the sample in my library for a day with nothing else planned.
As soon as I started reading the sample after a long delay I recognized it within the first two pages and bought it to read again. Highly recommended. I have long wondered if the actions of the space probe in the movie Star Trek the Motion Picture might have been inspired by this story concept.
I don't want to spoil things for new readers, the book is low price and makes a great summer read. Read it yourself and enjoy it.
August 10, 2017
The children growing up in a wartime London that is protected by a dome shaped force field-covered London don't know that history is askew and that Winston Churchill was not actually prime minister during Queen Victoria's reign. But they do gradually come to realise that their parents, teachers and most of their classmates do not bleed when they are cut and that they can only trust 'fragiles' like themselves.
I hadn't heard of the author before picking this book from a book table at a BookCrossing Unconvention, but I found the characters growing suspicions and attempts to evade the "drybones" and explore the city very readable. It reminded me of "Idlewild" by Nick Sagan, although this book was written a lot earlier so the solution to the mystery was different.
I hadn't heard of the author before picking this book from a book table at a BookCrossing Unconvention, but I found the characters growing suspicions and attempts to evade the "drybones" and explore the city very readable. It reminded me of "Idlewild" by Nick Sagan, although this book was written a lot earlier so the solution to the mystery was different.
November 15, 2018
This is a really cool story. I had never heard of it before, so I would say that it is rather underrated in the world of classic sci-fi. It tells the story of Michael and his other "fragile" comrades that live in a world that isn't quite right. They grow up in London, but are never able to venture out past the center of the city until they start exploring on their own. Their parents and other civilians are not like them, it that they don't bleed and never answer their questions fully. They always keep them in the dark about the world around them. Eventually Michael grows up and starts learning about his world, and he discovers far more than he imagined.
Overall a really fun and easy read. It's not overly complicated, but still well written and enjoyable.
Overall a really fun and easy read. It's not overly complicated, but still well written and enjoyable.
January 12, 2025
I first read this book when I was 16 or so and found it fascinating. Time has not been kind to it, though some elements still surprise with their presience. (e.g. The idea that computers of different networks would combine to form a worldwide web... Though the Internet has not yet become self-aware... I hope.) There is an ingrained mysogyny which does not sit well to my mind and the story development is rushed. Nevertheless this book hearkens back to when SF dealt with bigger, and more philosophical issues.
June 23, 2021
The main character, Michael, and several other young people in this novel, are special because they bleed, they get tired, have to eat, etc. whereas most others don't. World War II is still going on, and there is a protective force field over London as a defense against air raids. Winston Churchill is still alive, but so is Queen Victoria. What is going on? Read this intriguing novel and find out!
July 16, 2022
Published in 1971 this short novel is so impressive. A simple yet profound tale about man and machine, awareness and second chances, regret and purpose. Almost poetical in nature, as relevant now as then, if not more so. My first Edmund Cooper. Definitely not my last.
August 17, 2023
There are aspects of this story that are 4-star and aspects of 1-star. So much of it I loved and so much of it was clichéd.
SPOILER ALERT. Stop reading until you've finished the book.
The denouement was extremely disappointing in its racial factors and religious impositions.
SPOILER ALERT. Stop reading until you've finished the book.
The denouement was extremely disappointing in its racial factors and religious impositions.
January 13, 2024
The beginning of a book is important for hooking you in. Cooper is a master at this. This opens with Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill strolling together. You have to know what happens. It's well worth finding out.
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