The Spartacus File

by Lawrence Watt-Evans, Carl Parlagreco

Casper Beech is a corporate drone. One day his boss sends him in for neural imprinting but a computer glitch loads the wrong file, and Casper is programmed with something that has nothing to do with his job. Instead of learning a new software package, he learns a new way of thinking -- a mindset designed by a secret government agency for use in enemy nations, and never meant to be unleashed in the United States. Lethal government agents seek to correct the error in a steadily-escalating conflict, while Casper struggles to survive and to find out just what was in the Spartacus File.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Also publishes as Nathan Archer

Reviews

[Procrastinador Diletante · Rating 4 out of 5]

A princípio dei 3 estrelas a este livro, mas na verdade é um 3.5, portanto resolvi arredondar para cima, porque até merece.

Sabendo o título e lendo o resumo da história, fica-se com uma ideia do que vai acontecer, mas mesmo assim tinha curiosidade em conhecer este Spartacus do futuro - acima de tudo, queria saber como é que o autor ia dar a volta ao final histórico, da vida do líder da revolta dos escravos na Roma Antiga.

O conceito do enredo, embora previsível, está bem conseguido, e a acção decorre a um bom ritmo, embora de vez em quando pareça um pouco a despachar - gostava que o livro tivesse mais páginas, com um desenvolvimento mais lento e detalhado.

No entanto, acho que para cerca de 160 páginas (ebook), o autor atalhou nos momentos certos, sem nunca deixar os leitores perderem o interesse - aliás, um homem tornado líder rebelde, pelo próprio governo corrupto e controlado pelas grandes corporações, é sempre aliciante, principalmente nos dias que correm.

Em relação ao final, confesso que foi uma agradável surpresa, tornando-o um bom livro de sci-fi, de leitura rápida.

[K. Axel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is nothing like any other book I've ever read by Lawrence Watt-Evans, and with good reason, since he didn't write it on his own. In fact, the whole idea behind this book came from Carl Parlagreco, the co-author.

Its about a quite ordinary man named Casper Beech, a real nobody with no real future. Then one day, something happens...

This is a science fiction novel, but set in a future not far from our time. We are somewhere in the States, Philadelphia, I think, in a time when its possible to imprint humans with certain skills electronically. That way, people can learn new skills rather fast. This seems like a good idea, but with machines, you never know whats going to happen...

The government have developed a group of secret imprinting files tat gives people special talents. These are not necessarily good talents, but perhaps they are...

I won't spoil any of the fun for you, just to say that this is a small book with a large story, one that you wont regret reading.

[Mf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice concept: NeuroTech implants skills directly into your head. Well done and well paced, for what is really a novella not a novel in length. A quick, interesting read.

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something about this title really appealed to me, and although the ending was predictably unsatisfying, the general idea behind the book was good and actually kept my interest.

[Howard Brazee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book - but my digital copy didn't indicate when there were scene breaks.