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The Last Day of Captain Lincoln
Captain Lincoln's last day is the hardest day of his life. An old, onetime captain of the Ship, Lincoln always knew this day would come. For just as births are carefully planned, so are deaths. Lincoln had lived a long, beautiful life, but after today it ends. And although he must reckon with his fate, this is not just a somber tale. It is a story of love and sacrifice, told in the context of the most advanced civilization ever to exist--a society that has taken to the stars in an effort to save all that is best in humanity. Come follow Lincoln through his internal struggles, his joy in having lived, and his journey towards peace. The End is just the beginning. About the Author EXO Books is the pen name and publishing company of a science fiction writer. He is a man who lives in New York City, USA, Earth. The name EXO Books was inspired from the book of Exodus in the Bible. An exodus is the departure of a people out of slavery, to a promised land. It is a journey punctuated with peaks and valleys of joy and sorrow, through darkness ever towards the light. Inherent to this great journey of ours is the notion that while we continue to search for a better life, this search may not be fruitful in our individual lifetimes. Still, we try. Through it all we are sustained by our love for each other, and by hope. The road is long, my friends. We trek on together. About the Illustrator Kimberly Hazen is a woman whose path in life has been forged based on her undying drive to create something where there was nothing. She currently resides in New Orleans, USA, Earth.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
194 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2017
About the author
EXO Books
3 books34 followersEXO Books is the pen name and publishing company of a science fiction writer. He is a man from NYC, USA, Earth. Find out more at https://www.exobooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 20, 2017
I did not expect much from this book, after all it was a modest 133 pages long and written by someone who calls himself EXO Books. I was however pleasantly surprised. The book grew on me and it left me with plenty of food for thought.
Initially this appears to be just another sci-fi book about interstellar travel but it is far deeper than that. As we follow Captain Lincoln through his final day he reviews his life and considers death, philosophy and to some degree religion. It also describes euthanasia in a world where medical science has ensured perfect health for all with no ageing process.
I felt that the storyline lost its way a little around “lunchtime” but I can assure you that the final two chapters are delightful.
The text is interspersed with snippets of poetry, prose and song lyrics. Although he lives in the 28th century Captain Lincoln has a love of 19th and 20th century literature and 20th century music which is fortunate for us.
The book also has a number of full page illustrations by Kimberley Hazen which are not done justice on a Kindle but I imagine that they are excellent in the hardback version.
I have awarded the book four stars.
Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
Initially this appears to be just another sci-fi book about interstellar travel but it is far deeper than that. As we follow Captain Lincoln through his final day he reviews his life and considers death, philosophy and to some degree religion. It also describes euthanasia in a world where medical science has ensured perfect health for all with no ageing process.
I felt that the storyline lost its way a little around “lunchtime” but I can assure you that the final two chapters are delightful.
The text is interspersed with snippets of poetry, prose and song lyrics. Although he lives in the 28th century Captain Lincoln has a love of 19th and 20th century literature and 20th century music which is fortunate for us.
The book also has a number of full page illustrations by Kimberley Hazen which are not done justice on a Kindle but I imagine that they are excellent in the hardback version.
I have awarded the book four stars.
Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
June 24, 2017
The Last Day of Captain Lincoln by EXO Books
Sometimes when I read books, I don't know what I'm in for, and this book fit that description. You look at the cover and the blurb, think "Hm, will I like this?" and then begin reading. And shockingly, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I like reading all types of books and not sticking to just one particular type because it expands my horizons - and this short, sweet book made me agree with opening myself up to different books.
This book seems like something I would have read in my Grade 12 English Class (that's not a bad thing, I promise!). We read lots of short stories with different meanings, and this seems like it could have fit into that unit. It's well written, and seems like something an English class would yearn for - a different take on a beautiful story.
Life and Death appear to be a big theme (it's in the title, so if you couldn't guess that already...), but this book delves into more than just that. The philosophy and thought process behind this man's last day is what makes it so brilliant. Lots of books discuss death, but this one just had something different about it.
There are pictures in this book, some poetry, some prose, a splash of song lyrics, and some beautiful descriptive scenes. It's a book for those wishing to expand their thought process and delve deep into their own soul. It's not for the weary hearted, that's for sure.
This book definitely has it's slow and boring moments, but it's thought provoking and wonderful at the same time. Since it's not a super long book, these slow moments are bearable for the reader, at least in my point of view. I found it very beautiful and touching.
If you're looking at other reviews, you can clearly see it's a book you either love or hate. Like some of the other books I've reviewed lately, it sits in a niche category. It's not for everyone!
Overall, this book is DEEP. It's a very deep book (with a giant splash of sci-fi!) and will not be for everyone. Yes, it can be very boring for those who want fast action (normally I do, but this book just hit me the right way). Take that in strides - it's not for everyone. This book was not made to make everyone love it, it was made with it's themes in mind. This story doesn't seem to be some giant world building, Star Wars/Star Trek-esque novel that takes you on wild action adventures all over the galaxy! It's a slow moving, thought provoking, deep deep deep novel.
Four out of five stars.
Sometimes when I read books, I don't know what I'm in for, and this book fit that description. You look at the cover and the blurb, think "Hm, will I like this?" and then begin reading. And shockingly, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I like reading all types of books and not sticking to just one particular type because it expands my horizons - and this short, sweet book made me agree with opening myself up to different books.
This book seems like something I would have read in my Grade 12 English Class (that's not a bad thing, I promise!). We read lots of short stories with different meanings, and this seems like it could have fit into that unit. It's well written, and seems like something an English class would yearn for - a different take on a beautiful story.
Life and Death appear to be a big theme (it's in the title, so if you couldn't guess that already...), but this book delves into more than just that. The philosophy and thought process behind this man's last day is what makes it so brilliant. Lots of books discuss death, but this one just had something different about it.
There are pictures in this book, some poetry, some prose, a splash of song lyrics, and some beautiful descriptive scenes. It's a book for those wishing to expand their thought process and delve deep into their own soul. It's not for the weary hearted, that's for sure.
This book definitely has it's slow and boring moments, but it's thought provoking and wonderful at the same time. Since it's not a super long book, these slow moments are bearable for the reader, at least in my point of view. I found it very beautiful and touching.
If you're looking at other reviews, you can clearly see it's a book you either love or hate. Like some of the other books I've reviewed lately, it sits in a niche category. It's not for everyone!
Overall, this book is DEEP. It's a very deep book (with a giant splash of sci-fi!) and will not be for everyone. Yes, it can be very boring for those who want fast action (normally I do, but this book just hit me the right way). Take that in strides - it's not for everyone. This book was not made to make everyone love it, it was made with it's themes in mind. This story doesn't seem to be some giant world building, Star Wars/Star Trek-esque novel that takes you on wild action adventures all over the galaxy! It's a slow moving, thought provoking, deep deep deep novel.
Four out of five stars.
November 5, 2016
*I received a copy of this book directly from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
What a wonderful-wonderful read this was! The concept of a society described was something that made me think, think, think…. Sure, the grass is always greener on the other side and what is described in The Last Day of Captain Lincoln- well, wow. To live up to 80 with no illnesses, look young and be fully able for the ‘horizontal tango’ 4 times a day- where is the dotted line I can drop my signature on?
That idea, that we are the best, the blessed, the chosen ones so lucky to be alive, is all too common across time and history. It is not an answer to anything! Ours is a random moment in eternity—a tiny thread of precious time among uncountable moments, across an incomprehensible large Galaxy.
Even though a rather quick, short read, I found out everything there was to know about everything. The small and big details of the society on the Ship. I found out everything about the Ship. The older, the younger, the workings of an every day ‘normal’ (space) life. Every aspect of the life on the Ship was uncovered and it gave a true meaning to the essence of the space life reality.
It is this rule of the society whereby the old die at 80 to give way to new lives on the Ship which has been hurtling through space towards Earth 2.0 for generations… When you live in an Utopia without illnesses then dying can hardly feel like a welcome relief even at the age of 80.
In order to have peace of mind you need to relinquish the critical facilities of your mind . . . or never have had a chance at a free, thinking mind in the first place! Bury your head deep enough in the sand and it doesn’t matter what’s coming. You can’t see it. You don’t care.
For best part of the story, my heart literally felt heavy. As heavy as Lincoln felt. How would you feel if you knew it was your last day alive? That you’ll leave behind everything and everyone you’ve called home for 80 years… The carefree, organized, comfortable life…
The very organized “circulation” of humans seems like a good idea at a glance… a kind of “sow and harvest” every 5 years. Yet, like Lincoln, living in that scenario and looking “out”, the grass still seems greener on the other side… It’s that one moment, the impending last breath, that seems to discount how good a life was really lived. Fear and denial can undo many good memories and happiness in 2 second flat.
It was a seriously well delivered story and I could feel Lincoln’s stubbornness and unwillingness to ‘leave the party’, the struggle with reality and acceptance. Really-really well described by the author!
It’s natural to fear death, as a conscious, thinking being – it’s the literal end of you. I’m not even afraid of death itself. It’s more of a profound… not wanting to leave the party
So yes, for me it was a heavy read. So heavy, in fact, I had to make use of Kleenex. The heartbreaking moment on Lincoln’s and Helen’s last dance. I sobbed like a bitch. And you know where the beauty of this book really comes in?
It’s in the 8 people of the same generation- how each of them in their own way accept their fate. It’s their time to go and make room for new. The heartbreaking moment of Helen’s goodbye was lessened by the goodbye in between brothers and sister through a different kind of love. And the death? Death on the Ship is definitely not a bad way to go.
Was I who I set out to be? was the very last thing he thought.
My rating: 5 stars! Simple as that… Get this book, read this book!
What a wonderful-wonderful read this was! The concept of a society described was something that made me think, think, think…. Sure, the grass is always greener on the other side and what is described in The Last Day of Captain Lincoln- well, wow. To live up to 80 with no illnesses, look young and be fully able for the ‘horizontal tango’ 4 times a day- where is the dotted line I can drop my signature on?
That idea, that we are the best, the blessed, the chosen ones so lucky to be alive, is all too common across time and history. It is not an answer to anything! Ours is a random moment in eternity—a tiny thread of precious time among uncountable moments, across an incomprehensible large Galaxy.
Even though a rather quick, short read, I found out everything there was to know about everything. The small and big details of the society on the Ship. I found out everything about the Ship. The older, the younger, the workings of an every day ‘normal’ (space) life. Every aspect of the life on the Ship was uncovered and it gave a true meaning to the essence of the space life reality.
It is this rule of the society whereby the old die at 80 to give way to new lives on the Ship which has been hurtling through space towards Earth 2.0 for generations… When you live in an Utopia without illnesses then dying can hardly feel like a welcome relief even at the age of 80.
In order to have peace of mind you need to relinquish the critical facilities of your mind . . . or never have had a chance at a free, thinking mind in the first place! Bury your head deep enough in the sand and it doesn’t matter what’s coming. You can’t see it. You don’t care.
For best part of the story, my heart literally felt heavy. As heavy as Lincoln felt. How would you feel if you knew it was your last day alive? That you’ll leave behind everything and everyone you’ve called home for 80 years… The carefree, organized, comfortable life…
The very organized “circulation” of humans seems like a good idea at a glance… a kind of “sow and harvest” every 5 years. Yet, like Lincoln, living in that scenario and looking “out”, the grass still seems greener on the other side… It’s that one moment, the impending last breath, that seems to discount how good a life was really lived. Fear and denial can undo many good memories and happiness in 2 second flat.
It was a seriously well delivered story and I could feel Lincoln’s stubbornness and unwillingness to ‘leave the party’, the struggle with reality and acceptance. Really-really well described by the author!
It’s natural to fear death, as a conscious, thinking being – it’s the literal end of you. I’m not even afraid of death itself. It’s more of a profound… not wanting to leave the party
So yes, for me it was a heavy read. So heavy, in fact, I had to make use of Kleenex. The heartbreaking moment on Lincoln’s and Helen’s last dance. I sobbed like a bitch. And you know where the beauty of this book really comes in?
It’s in the 8 people of the same generation- how each of them in their own way accept their fate. It’s their time to go and make room for new. The heartbreaking moment of Helen’s goodbye was lessened by the goodbye in between brothers and sister through a different kind of love. And the death? Death on the Ship is definitely not a bad way to go.
Was I who I set out to be? was the very last thing he thought.
My rating: 5 stars! Simple as that… Get this book, read this book!
October 10, 2016
As I started to type out the usual details I include in every review, I stopped upon reaching genre. I realized that a part of me felt as if I were selling this story short by simply labeling it. Sure it is fiction. It is definitely science fiction, but it truly is so much more than that. While short in length, The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is monumental in meaning and expression.
Full review here.
Full review here.
February 20, 2018
This philosophical SF tale brings us on board a generation starship, off to colonise a system but discovering too late that the star has turned to a red giant and they are all doomed. This isn't a spoiler; it's the first few pages. Tenses shift in a distracting fashion. I'd advise consistency.
We then go back to follow the senior captain around for this, his last day. Starting with what I considered a gratuitous naked drawing, so adult eyes only, for that and other mature reasons. The rest of the line drawings include some of the other people aboard and various screen displays which somehow mostly show the names of songs.
Points I like include showing the education of the kids aboard - no screens at all until they are four - methinks that's impossible - followed by implants to let them communicate with their lessons. The captain explains the evolution of humans and how they spread and killed off megafauna, then anything else they could eat. How agriculture settled tribes and made them need to defend stocks of food. How they came up with various concepts of creation myths. However, I doubt that anyone reading won't know this lot. I enjoyed the aside into capsicum pepper raising.
Quotes are interspersed, from Longfellow to Yeats; all but one are from white men.
Anyone looking for a quirky tale, who maybe also enjoys musing on the futility of life or the despoliation of the natural planetsphere, is welcome to give this short book a try. It won't suit everyone, not a single ray gun fired, but SF is great in how it suits all tastes.
I was sent an e-ARC by the publisher. This is an unbiased review.
We then go back to follow the senior captain around for this, his last day. Starting with what I considered a gratuitous naked drawing, so adult eyes only, for that and other mature reasons. The rest of the line drawings include some of the other people aboard and various screen displays which somehow mostly show the names of songs.
Points I like include showing the education of the kids aboard - no screens at all until they are four - methinks that's impossible - followed by implants to let them communicate with their lessons. The captain explains the evolution of humans and how they spread and killed off megafauna, then anything else they could eat. How agriculture settled tribes and made them need to defend stocks of food. How they came up with various concepts of creation myths. However, I doubt that anyone reading won't know this lot. I enjoyed the aside into capsicum pepper raising.
Quotes are interspersed, from Longfellow to Yeats; all but one are from white men.
Anyone looking for a quirky tale, who maybe also enjoys musing on the futility of life or the despoliation of the natural planetsphere, is welcome to give this short book a try. It won't suit everyone, not a single ray gun fired, but SF is great in how it suits all tastes.
I was sent an e-ARC by the publisher. This is an unbiased review.
November 6, 2016
The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is the debut novel from EXO Books and is a novella that is intriguing, captivating, exciting and inspirational.
This 133-page book was heart-warming whilst also being a book that made you cry, it was a book that you could take something away from, an important lesson that you could learn. That's why this book was so good.
Captain Lincoln's last day is the hardest day of his life.
An old, one time Captain of the interstellar spaceship USNAS Hope Eternal, Lincoln always knew that this day would come. For just as birthdays are carefully planned, so are deaths. And although he must reckon with his fate, this is not a somber story. It is a tale of love and sacrifice, told in the context of the most advanced civilization ever to exist—a society that has taken to the stars in an effort to save all that is best in humanity.
Follow Lincoln through his internal struggles, his joy in having lived, and his journey to peace.
I'm not going to talk about the first six and a half pages of this book - not because they're irrelevant (because the theme of those six and a half pages fits nicely with the theme of the book - death) - I'm going to talk about the illustrations first.
If you decide to read this novella (please do) you will find some gorgeous illustrations by Kimberly Hazen along the way. They are not illustrations that you would normally expect to find in a book. The pictures remind me of artwork that I saw when I was walking around the Pompidou museum in Paris. It really is artwork. They are ugly drawings but they are beautiful and portray the emotions that are being felt throughout the book.
This is an amazing and inspirational tale following our protagonist, Captain Lincoln as he lives his last day on the USNAS Hope Eternal. Through his eyes, we read a story that is heartbreaking and joyous, warm and cold. It has such a rich narration and with the accompaniment of quotes from various dead people such as Vincent Van Gogh and Ralph Waldo Emerson that appear throughout the novella. The quotes fit right in with the story and add another dimension of understanding to what we are reading. We are reading about death, isn't it fair to include quotes from dead people about loss, beauty, and living? I think so.
The only reason that this book is four stars is because some of the speeches that the characters give are way too long. I was so tempted to skim read and get to the end of the dialogue but I knew that I couldn't. For example, there is a speech that Salk gives about peppers that is five pages long. Five pages. About peppers. It was quite humorous actually.
However, there are many speeches throughout this book that aren't boring (and not about peppers). There is one in particular that Lincoln gives about death to a group of ten-year-olds. The speech sounds like an academic essay one would write for a university. It's philosophical and eye-opening that I was so engrossed whilst reading it.
The characters were beautifully written, the setting of the spaceship was brilliantly described and I absolutely loved hearing about the technology that they had on the USNAS. I'm so glad that I got to read this book and I do urge everyone to give this book a go!
Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review
EXO Books is a publishing company set up by a husband and his wife in New York City. The husband writes under the pen name of EXO Books.
This 133-page book was heart-warming whilst also being a book that made you cry, it was a book that you could take something away from, an important lesson that you could learn. That's why this book was so good.
Captain Lincoln's last day is the hardest day of his life.
An old, one time Captain of the interstellar spaceship USNAS Hope Eternal, Lincoln always knew that this day would come. For just as birthdays are carefully planned, so are deaths. And although he must reckon with his fate, this is not a somber story. It is a tale of love and sacrifice, told in the context of the most advanced civilization ever to exist—a society that has taken to the stars in an effort to save all that is best in humanity.
Follow Lincoln through his internal struggles, his joy in having lived, and his journey to peace.
I'm not going to talk about the first six and a half pages of this book - not because they're irrelevant (because the theme of those six and a half pages fits nicely with the theme of the book - death) - I'm going to talk about the illustrations first.
If you decide to read this novella (please do) you will find some gorgeous illustrations by Kimberly Hazen along the way. They are not illustrations that you would normally expect to find in a book. The pictures remind me of artwork that I saw when I was walking around the Pompidou museum in Paris. It really is artwork. They are ugly drawings but they are beautiful and portray the emotions that are being felt throughout the book.
"It was the first time that he'd cried in a very long time. All of his emotions poured out now, in a great rush of release: it was sadness tinged with bitterness, but mostly an intensely deep feeling of loss."
- EXO Books, The Last Day of Captain Lincoln
This is an amazing and inspirational tale following our protagonist, Captain Lincoln as he lives his last day on the USNAS Hope Eternal. Through his eyes, we read a story that is heartbreaking and joyous, warm and cold. It has such a rich narration and with the accompaniment of quotes from various dead people such as Vincent Van Gogh and Ralph Waldo Emerson that appear throughout the novella. The quotes fit right in with the story and add another dimension of understanding to what we are reading. We are reading about death, isn't it fair to include quotes from dead people about loss, beauty, and living? I think so.
The only reason that this book is four stars is because some of the speeches that the characters give are way too long. I was so tempted to skim read and get to the end of the dialogue but I knew that I couldn't. For example, there is a speech that Salk gives about peppers that is five pages long. Five pages. About peppers. It was quite humorous actually.
However, there are many speeches throughout this book that aren't boring (and not about peppers). There is one in particular that Lincoln gives about death to a group of ten-year-olds. The speech sounds like an academic essay one would write for a university. It's philosophical and eye-opening that I was so engrossed whilst reading it.
The characters were beautifully written, the setting of the spaceship was brilliantly described and I absolutely loved hearing about the technology that they had on the USNAS. I'm so glad that I got to read this book and I do urge everyone to give this book a go!
Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review
EXO Books is a publishing company set up by a husband and his wife in New York City. The husband writes under the pen name of EXO Books.
August 29, 2016
Knowing the date of your death from the start does not make things easier.
After a long and healthy life aboard the starship, Captain Lincoln has reached the end of his journey. Surrounded by the love of his life, his friends, his brothers and sisters, and every other generation since his birth, he must face the last day of his life.
I am very happy to have been contacted by the author to read and review this story because I could not have picked it myself, and I would have missed a very important day.
Words like interstellar spaceship scare me. The only one I would willingly get on is the Tardis, and only if Ten were inside. Still, I jumped with both feet into the adventure and the narration of a man’s final 24 hours.
Life on the ship is good. You were born, you get very cool technological extra features, a job, and a set numbered of years free of health issues. It is a pretty nice deal. Despite his life being quite different from ours, I had no problem connecting with Lincoln and the other characters. Times have changed, human feelings remain the same. No one wants to go before the end of the movie. Except life is a very long movie (I suspect it to be a Japanese movie: long, weird, and you never make sense of what’s happening) and the ship cannot stand too many people at once.
To make me believe in a life on a spaceship, you need to make it real enough so that I can imagine myself living it. It never happens. I am so skeptical that I find flaws in everything. Except this once I cannot. The author crafted a brilliant starship and gives you enough details to make it real. In my opinion, this is sci-fi at its best.
“It’s all about escape, places where the mind can go to hide from the fear because the alternative – nothing at all – is much worse.”
The author manages to merge a sci-fi novel with a deep observation of the human condition and the fears that come with it. Every feeling is so spot-on and coming at the perfect time you could believe we are talking about a man walking on Earth in 2016, except for small details like the food or the lack of iPod to listen to music (they have a much better way to enjoy music.) I could not stay detached as I read Lincoln’s struggles to go through his fateful day. I was overwhelmed with a wave of emotions I did not know could be triggered by an old man living among the stars. Everything said in this book is bound to resonate with you. No, you are not in for a hundred pages of a maudlin description of a dying man walking to his grave. You’re in for the essence of life: a thousand emotions in one day, a reminder of the importance of friendship and love, parties, games, and memories.
This is a book you take your time reading in order to truly appreciate the weight of every word and the awesomeness of the life created in the story. I will certainly be reading it again. I was moved, I believed in everything I read, and I was close to tears when I finished. Congratulations to Exo Books for setting a new record with me: making me feel for an old man, enjoy life on a spaceship, and cry without me being mad about it (I really hate being sad because of a story!)
This review is my thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
After a long and healthy life aboard the starship, Captain Lincoln has reached the end of his journey. Surrounded by the love of his life, his friends, his brothers and sisters, and every other generation since his birth, he must face the last day of his life.
I am very happy to have been contacted by the author to read and review this story because I could not have picked it myself, and I would have missed a very important day.
Words like interstellar spaceship scare me. The only one I would willingly get on is the Tardis, and only if Ten were inside. Still, I jumped with both feet into the adventure and the narration of a man’s final 24 hours.
Life on the ship is good. You were born, you get very cool technological extra features, a job, and a set numbered of years free of health issues. It is a pretty nice deal. Despite his life being quite different from ours, I had no problem connecting with Lincoln and the other characters. Times have changed, human feelings remain the same. No one wants to go before the end of the movie. Except life is a very long movie (I suspect it to be a Japanese movie: long, weird, and you never make sense of what’s happening) and the ship cannot stand too many people at once.
To make me believe in a life on a spaceship, you need to make it real enough so that I can imagine myself living it. It never happens. I am so skeptical that I find flaws in everything. Except this once I cannot. The author crafted a brilliant starship and gives you enough details to make it real. In my opinion, this is sci-fi at its best.
“It’s all about escape, places where the mind can go to hide from the fear because the alternative – nothing at all – is much worse.”
The author manages to merge a sci-fi novel with a deep observation of the human condition and the fears that come with it. Every feeling is so spot-on and coming at the perfect time you could believe we are talking about a man walking on Earth in 2016, except for small details like the food or the lack of iPod to listen to music (they have a much better way to enjoy music.) I could not stay detached as I read Lincoln’s struggles to go through his fateful day. I was overwhelmed with a wave of emotions I did not know could be triggered by an old man living among the stars. Everything said in this book is bound to resonate with you. No, you are not in for a hundred pages of a maudlin description of a dying man walking to his grave. You’re in for the essence of life: a thousand emotions in one day, a reminder of the importance of friendship and love, parties, games, and memories.
This is a book you take your time reading in order to truly appreciate the weight of every word and the awesomeness of the life created in the story. I will certainly be reading it again. I was moved, I believed in everything I read, and I was close to tears when I finished. Congratulations to Exo Books for setting a new record with me: making me feel for an old man, enjoy life on a spaceship, and cry without me being mad about it (I really hate being sad because of a story!)
This review is my thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
November 1, 2016
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this wasn't what I expected! It was good, but it didn't feel like a novel to me, more like a creative essay on mortality.
The blurb tells you everything you need to know, although I find the last line misleading. The book gives you exactly what the blurb promises, no more, no less - Captain Lincoln wakes up on his last day, and goes through his everyday life one last time.
Captain Lincoln lives aboard a spaceship headed for Earth 2. It's several generations after the ship left Earth, and the people living on it have adapted. In fact, besides the videos and images of our Earth, the people aboard the Hope Eternal don't really know life any other way. Because resources and space are limited, people no longer reproduce the natural way. Eight new babies are born every five years, and to ensure that resources don't run out, the oldest generation dies to make room for the young ones. The technology and sense of community on the ship are well described and intriguing, and exactly why I love sci-fi so much!
My favourite aspect of this book was definitely the reflection on our mortality. Any book that makes me think earns brownie points, and this one delivered! Because it's short I got through it in only a few days, too.
Because it's Captain Lincoln's last day alive, there are no surprises, no cliff hangers at the end of the chapters, and no plot twists. It's just not that kind of book. Because he realises at the beginning of the book that he doesn't want to die, I had hoped for a bit of conflict with him trying to stop it, but nothing of the sort happened. He accepts his fate and that's that.
I said at the beginning that this book felt more like a creative essay to me than a novel, and that's down to several reasons. Every chapters starts with a beautiful quote on death, and throughout the author quotes and paraphrases philosophers, relevant writers and others, and when you get to the end there's a bibliography. Scattered throughout are images which are supposed to show different parts of the book, but they didn't work for me. I don't think they add anything, and Lincoln looked too young for an eighty year old man in them.
So, to summarise: The Last Day of Captain Lincoln was interesting but I feel that more could have been done with it. I love that it makes you think about your mortality, and the technology and society on the ship were intriguing and believable, but because there were no surprises there was also no excitement for me. It's simply an eighty year old man coping with his mortality and his last day alive. (I say that like it's a small, insignificant thing... You know what I mean.)
It's quite different and didn't read like a novel to me, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you enjoy sci-fi and/or books that make you think I'd definitely recommend it!
Well, this wasn't what I expected! It was good, but it didn't feel like a novel to me, more like a creative essay on mortality.
The blurb tells you everything you need to know, although I find the last line misleading. The book gives you exactly what the blurb promises, no more, no less - Captain Lincoln wakes up on his last day, and goes through his everyday life one last time.
Captain Lincoln lives aboard a spaceship headed for Earth 2. It's several generations after the ship left Earth, and the people living on it have adapted. In fact, besides the videos and images of our Earth, the people aboard the Hope Eternal don't really know life any other way. Because resources and space are limited, people no longer reproduce the natural way. Eight new babies are born every five years, and to ensure that resources don't run out, the oldest generation dies to make room for the young ones. The technology and sense of community on the ship are well described and intriguing, and exactly why I love sci-fi so much!
My favourite aspect of this book was definitely the reflection on our mortality. Any book that makes me think earns brownie points, and this one delivered! Because it's short I got through it in only a few days, too.
Because it's Captain Lincoln's last day alive, there are no surprises, no cliff hangers at the end of the chapters, and no plot twists. It's just not that kind of book. Because he realises at the beginning of the book that he doesn't want to die, I had hoped for a bit of conflict with him trying to stop it, but nothing of the sort happened. He accepts his fate and that's that.
I said at the beginning that this book felt more like a creative essay to me than a novel, and that's down to several reasons. Every chapters starts with a beautiful quote on death, and throughout the author quotes and paraphrases philosophers, relevant writers and others, and when you get to the end there's a bibliography. Scattered throughout are images which are supposed to show different parts of the book, but they didn't work for me. I don't think they add anything, and Lincoln looked too young for an eighty year old man in them.
So, to summarise: The Last Day of Captain Lincoln was interesting but I feel that more could have been done with it. I love that it makes you think about your mortality, and the technology and society on the ship were intriguing and believable, but because there were no surprises there was also no excitement for me. It's simply an eighty year old man coping with his mortality and his last day alive. (I say that like it's a small, insignificant thing... You know what I mean.)
It's quite different and didn't read like a novel to me, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you enjoy sci-fi and/or books that make you think I'd definitely recommend it!
November 15, 2016
I received a free ecopy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Captain Lincoln has always known his last day, his eightieth birthday, was coming, but it's still the hardest day of his life. Lincoln was a much-loved captain of the generation ship, the USNAS Hope Eternal. On the ship, births and deaths are very strictly planned out - every five years a small group composing the new generation is born and on the same day the group turning 80 dies to make way for the younger generations. Lincoln has had a good life on the Hope Eternal, the best life anyone could have on a ship that's trying to preserve the best that humanity has to offer. Now he just has to come to terms with his ending.
When I was approached by EXO Books, the pen name of the author and their publishing company, I was intrigued right away by premise of the story. It's a sci-fi novella about focusing on the life and death of the main character. It features plenty of science fiction elements primarily dealing with the ship itself, but its focus is much more toward the cast of characters and the relationships as they have built. It's a celebration of life and love while at the same time dealing with the subject of death and facing your time with dignity. The author does a fantastic job of creating and developing the cast of characters. They feel real and come to life right off the page, particularly Lincoln himself. It's an emotional read and you may even want to have a tissue handy. In the end, the only reason I ended up giving this novella four stars instead of five is because of the illustrations. They didn't really add much to the story for me - both the music and the character illustrations. Plus, I didn't particularly like the style of them all that much either.
Overall, if you'd like to try a personal sci-fi novella that prefers to focus on the human condition, you can't go wrong here. Plus, The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is a quick read that can easily be devoured in a day or two. I'm definitely interested to see what EXO Books releases next.
Captain Lincoln has always known his last day, his eightieth birthday, was coming, but it's still the hardest day of his life. Lincoln was a much-loved captain of the generation ship, the USNAS Hope Eternal. On the ship, births and deaths are very strictly planned out - every five years a small group composing the new generation is born and on the same day the group turning 80 dies to make way for the younger generations. Lincoln has had a good life on the Hope Eternal, the best life anyone could have on a ship that's trying to preserve the best that humanity has to offer. Now he just has to come to terms with his ending.
When I was approached by EXO Books, the pen name of the author and their publishing company, I was intrigued right away by premise of the story. It's a sci-fi novella about focusing on the life and death of the main character. It features plenty of science fiction elements primarily dealing with the ship itself, but its focus is much more toward the cast of characters and the relationships as they have built. It's a celebration of life and love while at the same time dealing with the subject of death and facing your time with dignity. The author does a fantastic job of creating and developing the cast of characters. They feel real and come to life right off the page, particularly Lincoln himself. It's an emotional read and you may even want to have a tissue handy. In the end, the only reason I ended up giving this novella four stars instead of five is because of the illustrations. They didn't really add much to the story for me - both the music and the character illustrations. Plus, I didn't particularly like the style of them all that much either.
Overall, if you'd like to try a personal sci-fi novella that prefers to focus on the human condition, you can't go wrong here. Plus, The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is a quick read that can easily be devoured in a day or two. I'm definitely interested to see what EXO Books releases next.
February 17, 2017
The books start with the most amazingly beautifully sad quotes I read in a while. Those quotes set high expectations for the book. Will the book itself will be nearly as beautifully sad as the quotes? It was. The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is a beautiful work of fiction.
The story uses a true sci-fi setting - a spaceship that is traveling to Earth 2.0 and tells us a story that is at its core - musing about life and death. It is a story of Lincoln's last day, we know that it is last day, and he knows that too. Lincoln lives on a spaceship that has a strict population regulations -eight new babies are born every five years. Every five years, n the day when new life begins, old life ends. Every newborn is given eighty years of life in a perfect health. No less no more. Would you be interested in striking such a deal - you will live for eighty years in perfect health. There is no place for a chance there, your day of death is decided on the day of your birth. And you know that. You have to live with the knowledge that you can count days to your death, to a day when you turn eighty and you go to sleep to never wake up.
I'm impressed by the world-building in the book. It's such a short book, that tells a story of one day only. And still we learn so much about the world, it's politics and regulations. We even have a glimpse of how our modern history may look like to people thousand days from now.
The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is a beautiful novel that makes you feel and think. Think about the meaning of life, and death. About death especially. The futuristic setting perfectly amplifies the message of the story and gives us a unique perspective on the notion of death.
*I received the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
The story uses a true sci-fi setting - a spaceship that is traveling to Earth 2.0 and tells us a story that is at its core - musing about life and death. It is a story of Lincoln's last day, we know that it is last day, and he knows that too. Lincoln lives on a spaceship that has a strict population regulations -eight new babies are born every five years. Every five years, n the day when new life begins, old life ends. Every newborn is given eighty years of life in a perfect health. No less no more. Would you be interested in striking such a deal - you will live for eighty years in perfect health. There is no place for a chance there, your day of death is decided on the day of your birth. And you know that. You have to live with the knowledge that you can count days to your death, to a day when you turn eighty and you go to sleep to never wake up.
I'm impressed by the world-building in the book. It's such a short book, that tells a story of one day only. And still we learn so much about the world, it's politics and regulations. We even have a glimpse of how our modern history may look like to people thousand days from now.
The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is a beautiful novel that makes you feel and think. Think about the meaning of life, and death. About death especially. The futuristic setting perfectly amplifies the message of the story and gives us a unique perspective on the notion of death.
*I received the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
November 14, 2016
Where do I start with this one.. wow.
This is a tough read..not in a bad way.. It’s tough read as I couldn’t help but feel sad reading the moving tale of of Captain Lincoln and his last day alive. I can honestly say I didn’t want to finish this one.. I didn’t want to him to go.
In the future a spaceship sets out to save humanity from society itself. Everyone aboard this ship has a role and plays their part. Everyone has some worth and respect.
It was decided some time ago that the ship just isn’t able to support ever increasing amounts of people.. so in the ultimate sacrifice when the oldest people on the ship turn eighty they make way for a new batch of children.
Everything is advanced compared to today but you can see the links. These people have access to the ships database just like we have access to the internet but they use it much more efficiently than we do.
It’s an emotional tale as we follow Lincoln as he goes through the motions of his last day. Sharing his thoughts with loved ones and also trying to explain death to the younger generation.
What really got me thinking with this book is simply how much we take for granted our lives. We just live day to day never knowing when it will end. How would you act if you knew exactly when you would die? It certainly makes you reflect on life.
The most moving bit has to be the fact he has a partner on board who is younger than him so he goes into his final sleep knowing she will be left behind and there’s an emotional scene between them towards the end of the book which really does bring a lump to the throat.
As we near the end of the tale my heart was heavy. I couldn’t help but wonder how I would say goodbye if I knew the end was coming and it really helped me connect with Lincoln.
I must say I loved the book but also the illustrations by Kimberley Hazen.
Definitely one to read but be warned you’ll want to give your nearest and dearest a hug afterwards.
A wonderful, thought provoking read that leaves you with a heavy heart. Beautiful.
This is a tough read..not in a bad way.. It’s tough read as I couldn’t help but feel sad reading the moving tale of of Captain Lincoln and his last day alive. I can honestly say I didn’t want to finish this one.. I didn’t want to him to go.
In the future a spaceship sets out to save humanity from society itself. Everyone aboard this ship has a role and plays their part. Everyone has some worth and respect.
It was decided some time ago that the ship just isn’t able to support ever increasing amounts of people.. so in the ultimate sacrifice when the oldest people on the ship turn eighty they make way for a new batch of children.
Everything is advanced compared to today but you can see the links. These people have access to the ships database just like we have access to the internet but they use it much more efficiently than we do.
It’s an emotional tale as we follow Lincoln as he goes through the motions of his last day. Sharing his thoughts with loved ones and also trying to explain death to the younger generation.
What really got me thinking with this book is simply how much we take for granted our lives. We just live day to day never knowing when it will end. How would you act if you knew exactly when you would die? It certainly makes you reflect on life.
The most moving bit has to be the fact he has a partner on board who is younger than him so he goes into his final sleep knowing she will be left behind and there’s an emotional scene between them towards the end of the book which really does bring a lump to the throat.
As we near the end of the tale my heart was heavy. I couldn’t help but wonder how I would say goodbye if I knew the end was coming and it really helped me connect with Lincoln.
I must say I loved the book but also the illustrations by Kimberley Hazen.
Definitely one to read but be warned you’ll want to give your nearest and dearest a hug afterwards.
A wonderful, thought provoking read that leaves you with a heavy heart. Beautiful.
October 11, 2016
This excellent little book is not to be missed. While it has many really innovative and creative bits of science fiction, such as it’s description of a living space ship, and humans who are technologically quite advanced, the meat of the book is really about living and dying.
The arc of the story follows Captain Lincoln on his last day alive. In this society of future survivors, heading to a new home in the Universe on a journey that will take them hundreds of years, the rules dictate that in order to create space for new generations, the oldest amongst them must die when they reach their eightieth birthday.
To engage us the author takes us carefully and imaginatively through the different events, rituals and celebrations which precede the death of Lincoln and seven of his “brothers and sisters”. It is of course also a chance for him to take us on a journey through Lincoln’s mind, as he slowly and painfully comes to terms with the inevitability of his own death.
I couldn’t put this book down because it so imaginatively and creatively examines the science of the future and the state of current affairs on Earth. At the same time the author infuses every chapter with the pathos of what it means to live under the sentence of death, and to consciously let go of everything we have known and loved in our lives.
A must read for anyone interested in philosopy and science. Beautiful story telling, inspiring and most importantly thought-provoking.
The arc of the story follows Captain Lincoln on his last day alive. In this society of future survivors, heading to a new home in the Universe on a journey that will take them hundreds of years, the rules dictate that in order to create space for new generations, the oldest amongst them must die when they reach their eightieth birthday.
To engage us the author takes us carefully and imaginatively through the different events, rituals and celebrations which precede the death of Lincoln and seven of his “brothers and sisters”. It is of course also a chance for him to take us on a journey through Lincoln’s mind, as he slowly and painfully comes to terms with the inevitability of his own death.
I couldn’t put this book down because it so imaginatively and creatively examines the science of the future and the state of current affairs on Earth. At the same time the author infuses every chapter with the pathos of what it means to live under the sentence of death, and to consciously let go of everything we have known and loved in our lives.
A must read for anyone interested in philosopy and science. Beautiful story telling, inspiring and most importantly thought-provoking.
August 17, 2016
***I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review***
Actually 3.5/5
This was an interesting read for me because I generally read science fiction that involves some sort of adventure that provides commentary rather than science fiction that focuses one moment in time. While I did like the commentary on death and how you can never truly be prepared for it, I thought there were a couple of moments that were tangential to Lincoln's story and while it did add to the building of the world I didn't think it served a purpose in the larger scheme of this novella. The characters and the world were interesting and I enjoyed the concept immensely. For a more complete review check out my blog, Rachael Reads!
Actually 3.5/5
This was an interesting read for me because I generally read science fiction that involves some sort of adventure that provides commentary rather than science fiction that focuses one moment in time. While I did like the commentary on death and how you can never truly be prepared for it, I thought there were a couple of moments that were tangential to Lincoln's story and while it did add to the building of the world I didn't think it served a purpose in the larger scheme of this novella. The characters and the world were interesting and I enjoyed the concept immensely. For a more complete review check out my blog, Rachael Reads!
September 3, 2022
This is a great sci-fi read. I found it so unique that the entire book is based on the last day of the former captain's death... And that he (and the reader) both know it is his last day!
The futuristic elements, such as the moving hallways, were creative. I found the illustrations if the music did not add to the story though, which is why I don't give it five stars.
The futuristic elements, such as the moving hallways, were creative. I found the illustrations if the music did not add to the story though, which is why I don't give it five stars.
January 13, 2017
See the original review on Gaming for Justice: https://gamingforjustice.com/2017/01/...
I received a free e-book copy in exchange for an open and honest review.
This novella is unique. One that has made me think more philosophically about life and death than any other book I have read this year. The Last Day of Captain Lincoln chronicles the final day that the main character, Captain Lincoln, is alive. The story is set way way in the future, on a space shuttle orbiting a far off star. The colony consists of 132 people. Exactly. Eight new babies are born every 5 years and live for exactly 80 years. On a ‘cohort’s’ 80th birthday, they all die, giving space and resources for the 8 newborns. This story follows Captain Lincoln as he celebrates his 80th birthday, his last day alive.
Now the premise in itself is interesting and I will talk about it in a bit. But the reason this came to my attention was from the author themselves. They talked about a social justice component to their book (different from diverse representation), which I found super interesting while reading. To start off, I cannot really comment on the racial or ethnic identities on the characters because they were never stated, but I assumed they were White based on the pop cultural references in the book (music, quotes, etc.). There is a sparse commentary on love and sexual orientation, which shows the ship as an accepting environment. However, I did not find the representation all that compelling when it comes to diverse representation of main characters. The compelling commentary and underlying narrative was one of social justice.
The first piece that peeked my interest in the book was in the class that Captain Lincoln was asked to teach on his last day. Before Captain Lincoln takes over the class to talk about death (oh the joy oh talking about death right before you know it will happen), the instructors are talking a little bit about the history on earth and challenging students to think about why life on earth did not work. While not detailed, the scene is constructed in a way where students are allowed to respond and fall into the usual traps that rationalize privilege and oppression. I hoped this chapter would have gone on longer, because I thought the critique of our modern society was a much needed one to give. I also thought it went well with the story line as we were just recently introduced to the idea of a set 80 year lifespan. This chapter got the ball rolling on what I thought was the overarching theme of spaceship society.
The whole book imagines a society of near complete equality. Part of the reason there was not a lot of commentary on diverse representation may have been purposeful in showing this type of utopia – where identity truly does not matter. Every person born in the society has the same lifespan, the same access to health care, the same opportunities for employment, the same access to food, and no system of wealth. So it sparks the age old question… how do we achieve equity in our own society? This book is quite an extreme example and at the same time the ship society is highly regulated (birth rates, etc.) and unregulated (jobs, wealth, access to benefits, etc.). And it asks the question of which is better: knowing your lifespan and knowing you will live exactly 80 years… or the variability of lifespan and not knowing the exact date of death. The average lifespan on earth currently is less than 80 years (~70). Not everyone has the access to resources that would allow them to even hit the average lifespan. This is a huge equalizer and as someone who lives in a place where my average lifespan is higher than the average, I could easily argue against the 80 year lifespan. But for folks in places with limited health care, high child mortality rates, and other conditions that shorten average lifespans, the 80 year guarantee seems pretty good.
I did not know what to expect from this book, but I was surprised at the commentary about how our modern society works (or doesn’t). The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is a short read, but full of big questions that will make you think after you finish. Beyond social justice commentary, this book is about love, loss, and how does one live a fulfilling life. Death is sad and full of grief. And in western culture it is seen as one of the worst things imaginable. I think death will remain sad, but what is death after one lives a full life?
Final Rating 3.8/5
July 25, 2019
Reading beneath the surface
In some ways this is the most boring book I have ever read. I agree with all the sentiments expressed. It is all uplifting. Everyone is beautifully and properly behaved. There is hope and happiness and love. The children are all wonderfully expressed in their beauty and their earnest love of life. The adults are good and wise, kind and loving. Nobody hurts anybody. Everything that happens is good and even the finale, or especially the finale, is inspiring and exemplifies the best that humans can be.
So what is wrong here? Or perhaps what is profoundly right here but in a deeply disturbing sense, in way that can hit the reader (depending on the reader’s discernment) somewhere in the beginning of the story or perhaps in the middle or at the end or maybe sometime after finishing the book.
First a bit of description for those who have not read the book: it is labeled “a work of fiction” but it is not a novella or a novel or a short story. There is no rising action or tension in the narrative. There are no bad guys or obstacles to overcome. There is nothing to fear and no conflict except the inevitability of death.
The story takes place in the distant future far away from earth aboard a spaceship headed for another planet in another solar system. It is realistic in the sense that the people aboard who behave so wondrously well for generation after generation have been (we can surmise) chosen (or engineered) genetically to behave beautifully. When spaceship earth becomes literally a spaceship with relatively close quarters there is no room for outlaws and revolutionaries, no room for discontents or those who would make others unhappy. And so such genes are engineered out.
Furthermore it would not be wise to create the entire enterprise--people, ship, ship’s computers, etc.—in a way that would allow for change. The environment aboard ship must be stable in the extreme otherwise there is no way of knowing what might happen before the ship reaches its destination. Indeed there have been science fiction stories in which the people aboard decide to turn back or to otherwise override ship’s directives, or indeed to destroy the mission.
Consequently from a reader’s point of view the unrelenting love, goodness, faith and conformity are entirely realistic if boring. And that is perhaps the nameless author’s point. In a way his characters are dead, at least as long as they are aboard ship. They cannot change. They can only go from one form of satisfaction to another, whether it is gastronomic, artistic, intellectual, even spiritual, but they cannot fundamentally change. We have what appears to be the end of change, the end of biological evolution—at least for the time being.
So in the story there is a deep undercurrent of something close to the most subtle and most brutal satire.
What might finally hit the reader as it did me is the idea that these beautifully realized people might be like H.G. Wells’s Eloi who are cared for not by the Morlocks who eat them but by the spaceship itself. And like the Eloi these beautiful people may, when they reach their destination, become like sheep to the slaughter of other beings or to put it more generally and less colorfully, they may find they have no ability to deal with anything untoward or, shall we say, evil.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
In some ways this is the most boring book I have ever read. I agree with all the sentiments expressed. It is all uplifting. Everyone is beautifully and properly behaved. There is hope and happiness and love. The children are all wonderfully expressed in their beauty and their earnest love of life. The adults are good and wise, kind and loving. Nobody hurts anybody. Everything that happens is good and even the finale, or especially the finale, is inspiring and exemplifies the best that humans can be.
So what is wrong here? Or perhaps what is profoundly right here but in a deeply disturbing sense, in way that can hit the reader (depending on the reader’s discernment) somewhere in the beginning of the story or perhaps in the middle or at the end or maybe sometime after finishing the book.
First a bit of description for those who have not read the book: it is labeled “a work of fiction” but it is not a novella or a novel or a short story. There is no rising action or tension in the narrative. There are no bad guys or obstacles to overcome. There is nothing to fear and no conflict except the inevitability of death.
The story takes place in the distant future far away from earth aboard a spaceship headed for another planet in another solar system. It is realistic in the sense that the people aboard who behave so wondrously well for generation after generation have been (we can surmise) chosen (or engineered) genetically to behave beautifully. When spaceship earth becomes literally a spaceship with relatively close quarters there is no room for outlaws and revolutionaries, no room for discontents or those who would make others unhappy. And so such genes are engineered out.
Furthermore it would not be wise to create the entire enterprise--people, ship, ship’s computers, etc.—in a way that would allow for change. The environment aboard ship must be stable in the extreme otherwise there is no way of knowing what might happen before the ship reaches its destination. Indeed there have been science fiction stories in which the people aboard decide to turn back or to otherwise override ship’s directives, or indeed to destroy the mission.
Consequently from a reader’s point of view the unrelenting love, goodness, faith and conformity are entirely realistic if boring. And that is perhaps the nameless author’s point. In a way his characters are dead, at least as long as they are aboard ship. They cannot change. They can only go from one form of satisfaction to another, whether it is gastronomic, artistic, intellectual, even spiritual, but they cannot fundamentally change. We have what appears to be the end of change, the end of biological evolution—at least for the time being.
So in the story there is a deep undercurrent of something close to the most subtle and most brutal satire.
What might finally hit the reader as it did me is the idea that these beautifully realized people might be like H.G. Wells’s Eloi who are cared for not by the Morlocks who eat them but by the spaceship itself. And like the Eloi these beautiful people may, when they reach their destination, become like sheep to the slaughter of other beings or to put it more generally and less colorfully, they may find they have no ability to deal with anything untoward or, shall we say, evil.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
May 2, 2016
The Last Day of Captain Lincoln
By Exo Books (Author)
Science Fiction/Fantasy
A friend recommended this book to me. I was looking for something in the “fantasy” category. I guess I was thinking of a ‘rainbows and unicorns’ kind of story. This book wasn’t that…not exactly. Even still, I liked it a lot.
Captain Lincoln is an 80-year-old retired (space) ship captain, descendant of the last humans of earth, part of a Utopian society of people still searching—after many, many generations—for a new planet to call home. Every person living aboard “the ship” is guaranteed a HEALTHY, productive, satisfying 80-year life…but that’s it.
It is Captain Lincoln’s 80th birthday, his last day.
This story is very reminiscent of the 1976 film (starring Michael York) called Logan’s Run. Do you remember it? Also set in a Utopian/Dystopian society, each person is given a certain life span—in that case just 30 years—and then are asked to voluntarily allow themselves to be terminated so that resources can be shared with those still living without the probability of over-population. The problem is, in Logan’s run, many choose to… well, run.
In The Last Day of Captain Lincoln this isn’t the case. The last day of each person’s life is celebrated. On the last day of life for those people, “siblings”, all born on the same day (in groups of 8 born through scientific method every five years) are lauded and hailed for their accomplishments and thanked for their contributions. We follow Captain Lincoln as he lives his last day; he visits with friends, says goodbye to the kids in the different classrooms and spends time with his loved ones.
I don’t think I’m spoiling anything for other readers when I say that Captain Lincoln does indeed die at the end. After all the title is THE Last Day of Captain Lincoln. But, the story isn’t morose or gloomy—not that Captain Lincoln doesn’t fear his death, he does as any sane person would. The end of self is a daunting condition to face. But—the story isn’t depressive. I actually found myself thinking, “Wish it could be like that for me one day… a long, long …long time in the future.
I only had one…criticism (for lack of a better word) and it was this: The author does not denote his/her authorship with a name. Instead, his/her work is “signed”—by EXO Books. Which is fine by me. Except, in a move that can only be called “quirky”, every word in the book containing the letters exo, like EXObiology or EXOdus, is written in bold letters (only the EXO). I found that distracting; especially in the beginning before I started looking for a reason why this was so and discovered the author’s “name”.
This is a quick read, only 10 chapters, that I finished in about an hour and a half (with lots of interruptions from the grandkids). And, I really liked it. I would recommend it to anyone who likes sci-fi, fantasy or utopian societies stories!
By Exo Books (Author)
Science Fiction/Fantasy
A friend recommended this book to me. I was looking for something in the “fantasy” category. I guess I was thinking of a ‘rainbows and unicorns’ kind of story. This book wasn’t that…not exactly. Even still, I liked it a lot.
Captain Lincoln is an 80-year-old retired (space) ship captain, descendant of the last humans of earth, part of a Utopian society of people still searching—after many, many generations—for a new planet to call home. Every person living aboard “the ship” is guaranteed a HEALTHY, productive, satisfying 80-year life…but that’s it.
It is Captain Lincoln’s 80th birthday, his last day.
This story is very reminiscent of the 1976 film (starring Michael York) called Logan’s Run. Do you remember it? Also set in a Utopian/Dystopian society, each person is given a certain life span—in that case just 30 years—and then are asked to voluntarily allow themselves to be terminated so that resources can be shared with those still living without the probability of over-population. The problem is, in Logan’s run, many choose to… well, run.
In The Last Day of Captain Lincoln this isn’t the case. The last day of each person’s life is celebrated. On the last day of life for those people, “siblings”, all born on the same day (in groups of 8 born through scientific method every five years) are lauded and hailed for their accomplishments and thanked for their contributions. We follow Captain Lincoln as he lives his last day; he visits with friends, says goodbye to the kids in the different classrooms and spends time with his loved ones.
I don’t think I’m spoiling anything for other readers when I say that Captain Lincoln does indeed die at the end. After all the title is THE Last Day of Captain Lincoln. But, the story isn’t morose or gloomy—not that Captain Lincoln doesn’t fear his death, he does as any sane person would. The end of self is a daunting condition to face. But—the story isn’t depressive. I actually found myself thinking, “Wish it could be like that for me one day… a long, long …long time in the future.
I only had one…criticism (for lack of a better word) and it was this: The author does not denote his/her authorship with a name. Instead, his/her work is “signed”—by EXO Books. Which is fine by me. Except, in a move that can only be called “quirky”, every word in the book containing the letters exo, like EXObiology or EXOdus, is written in bold letters (only the EXO). I found that distracting; especially in the beginning before I started looking for a reason why this was so and discovered the author’s “name”.
This is a quick read, only 10 chapters, that I finished in about an hour and a half (with lots of interruptions from the grandkids). And, I really liked it. I would recommend it to anyone who likes sci-fi, fantasy or utopian societies stories!
August 15, 2016
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
A word of warning to those who read The Last Day of Captain Lincoln, this is not a book with a terrific amount of story to it. It instead explores a distant time in our future and the subject of death. Also to be understood this is just the beginning, which is why I hope a few pages were spent discussing peppers.
The metaphors in the introduction to this are glorious. I like especially ‘barren ashtray of cinder and dust’ I also sense humorous undertones, or that may only be me as I imagine the characters as the cast of Star Trek or Doctor Who, with the lines spoken in the same solemn fashion.
There are a trail of clues in the opening pages, of the crew on the spaceship hope eternal having ‘beautiful features’ and Captain Lincoln himself with naked feet. They all give a film reel type flicker to the images taken whilst reading this.
Of course, there is a twist and reality is different to the crew and Captain Lincoln on the ship that is about to be blown to bits.
I like the pop culture references, mentions of John Wayne westerns and The Rolling Stones. It is fascinating to think what will remain of our society today for future generations to keep.
The relationship of Lincoln and Helen is a wonderfully captured one. To read about a happy and loving couple. They have survived the test of time, despite an age gap.
They climax at ‘their’ song Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers. This made me chuckle at the appropriate choice.
Also of note that The last Day of Captain Lincoln has pictures, visual as well as textual, and it is great to see all mediums explored. The illustrations are done by Kimberly Hazen.
This is smart, as well as with its wit, and sister and brother Dorothy and Oz did not escape my notice.
The scene where Captain Lincoln attempts to explain death to a group of five year olds had me teary eyed. Death is hardly a subject many can comprehend for a long time.
My one complaint would be that this does become too factual when explaining this imagined future but for a theory it is compelling stuff.
I would like to know more of the rebels in this society, as on page ninety two it is written ‘twenty year olds happily volunteering for duty’ and I cannot picture many young adults doing anything happily, willingly for money maybe.
With dry wit and sparks of brilliance, EXO books is a new publishers and, if The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is anything to gauge quality by, I look forward to what they publish next.
February 10, 2017
If you could live until your 80 with a healthy life and no illnesses would you? You will die on midnight of your 80th birthday. Would you take the deal??
I will be honest as usual with my review. When I chose to read this book my first thought was Sci fi, may be ok, will give it a try, may enjoy something out of my usual genre. Basically, I didn't have high expectations. One thing I will say before anything else is that this book is very powerful and really does make you think. The poems, sayings and illustrations in this book went very well and I enjoyed them. The descriptions for such a short book were fantastic and nothing was left out with no questions unanswered. Very emotional and powerful subject which has been extremely well written. It gives a true meaning to the saying the grass is greener on the other side. Very well done to the writer for creating such a powerful story. I gave it 4/5 stars as I didn't quite feel I could give 5 but nonetheless a very strong, powerfyand emotional read which I would recommend to anyone, even if you are not interested in Sci fi xx
I will be honest as usual with my review. When I chose to read this book my first thought was Sci fi, may be ok, will give it a try, may enjoy something out of my usual genre. Basically, I didn't have high expectations. One thing I will say before anything else is that this book is very powerful and really does make you think. The poems, sayings and illustrations in this book went very well and I enjoyed them. The descriptions for such a short book were fantastic and nothing was left out with no questions unanswered. Very emotional and powerful subject which has been extremely well written. It gives a true meaning to the saying the grass is greener on the other side. Very well done to the writer for creating such a powerful story. I gave it 4/5 stars as I didn't quite feel I could give 5 but nonetheless a very strong, powerfyand emotional read which I would recommend to anyone, even if you are not interested in Sci fi xx
January 25, 2017
I have received the book for a fair review. The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is a short read, because it is really the last day. Within 24 hours, Captain Lincoln has to tie up his loose ends before his life ends.
Set in a space ship, the birth and death of its residents are planned, so that people can survive long enough until they find a place to live.
It does not have a lot of action, or a fight to the end. This is a good bye and a contemplation of life. This book makes you rethink what your life should be. Captain Lincoln was lucky enough to be told his time of death, most of us don't know that. He can say that he has spent his time alive well, I do wonder how many of us can say that?
The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is for someone who has been wasting life away, it is a great wake up call for all.
Set in a space ship, the birth and death of its residents are planned, so that people can survive long enough until they find a place to live.
It does not have a lot of action, or a fight to the end. This is a good bye and a contemplation of life. This book makes you rethink what your life should be. Captain Lincoln was lucky enough to be told his time of death, most of us don't know that. He can say that he has spent his time alive well, I do wonder how many of us can say that?
The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is for someone who has been wasting life away, it is a great wake up call for all.
December 4, 2016
Innovative and thoughtful science fiction, The Last Day of Captain Lincoln gives the reader an in depth look into the possibilities of existence in a near future, - where the interesting premises see the characters life and death established since birth.
The path of Captain Lincoln has come to an end, it's his eightieth birthday and he knows what that means.
Humanity has managed to survive so far, thanks to its ultimate, strict, rule.
How would you live knowing that you can count down the days to your death.
Provocative philosophy behind - Way more than you could expect from a sci-fi book.
Definitely enjoyed the ride.
The path of Captain Lincoln has come to an end, it's his eightieth birthday and he knows what that means.
Humanity has managed to survive so far, thanks to its ultimate, strict, rule.
How would you live knowing that you can count down the days to your death.
Provocative philosophy behind - Way more than you could expect from a sci-fi book.
Definitely enjoyed the ride.
November 25, 2016
I really liked this read. In a short amount of time the author develops a pretty vivid universe where I actually had a lot of questions about how things developed and worked; but also keeps the focus on the central character's inner questions and turmoil. Most sci fi books lose readers with their focus on the sci fi, but this kept my interest as it kept the focus on the human struggles dogging the narrator. At the end, I wanted to know more, about almost everything and that's the litmus test for a good book for me. I would strongly recommend.
October 12, 2016
This book was a little out there for me. But I think that is why I liked it because it was odd and weird and unusual. Captain Lincoln is very old and a descendant of last humans of earth but in this book you only live to be 80. Crazy right? this book has got a little crazy in it too. I think it is a hoot and you should check it is out and see what you think. * I received this book from the author and this is my honest review*
May 11, 2016
*I received an ARC of this book.*
I enjoyed the take on death this book presented. The introduction was a bit confusing but it became a little easier to follow after that. I don't envy the captain for having to face death down for the entirety of the book. All in all, I find The Last Day of Captain Lincoln to be a very good rainy day read and an intriguing take on the post-apocalypse genre.
I enjoyed the take on death this book presented. The introduction was a bit confusing but it became a little easier to follow after that. I don't envy the captain for having to face death down for the entirety of the book. All in all, I find The Last Day of Captain Lincoln to be a very good rainy day read and an intriguing take on the post-apocalypse genre.
December 27, 2016
Captain Lincoln is on a star ship traveling through space toward a distant star that allegedly possesses a Goldilocks planet capable of colonization. The trip takes many generations. In order to deal with limited space and resources on the ship, lives in each generation are limited to eighty years; at mid-night on the eightieth birthday each life is terminated. Lincoln is now eighty and must face termination. This book is about his good-byes and his message to the upcoming generation; but his messages are overshadowed with foreboding.
I tried very hard to find a point to this book, but the point I kept feeling was pointlessness itself. I felt that the limited lives of the people on the ship who could only create and produce the necessities to sustain their own lives were pointless. Captain Lincoln’s life was pointless as well having produced nothing but an example for younger generations for an eighty-year lifetime. Finally, continual understated allusions to a supernova may foreshadow the pointlessness of the entire mission. In any event, the colonists are doomed to a pointless existence either on the ship or burned to a crisp by an exploding star…it’s unclear which will eventually consume them.
The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is a book for die-hard science fiction readers and, possibly, philosophers. Personally, I found it to be…pointless.
I tried very hard to find a point to this book, but the point I kept feeling was pointlessness itself. I felt that the limited lives of the people on the ship who could only create and produce the necessities to sustain their own lives were pointless. Captain Lincoln’s life was pointless as well having produced nothing but an example for younger generations for an eighty-year lifetime. Finally, continual understated allusions to a supernova may foreshadow the pointlessness of the entire mission. In any event, the colonists are doomed to a pointless existence either on the ship or burned to a crisp by an exploding star…it’s unclear which will eventually consume them.
The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is a book for die-hard science fiction readers and, possibly, philosophers. Personally, I found it to be…pointless.
February 23, 2017
I was sent this kindle version in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows Captain Lincoln on the last day of his life. He talks with the youngest generation and spends his last day going through the "stages of grief" somewhat.
Now this story was honestly slightly depressing because this is the last day of Lincoln's life along with 8 of his friends. However this story was also really well written in my opinion. The author talks about things and describe them so that you can visualize the item like hot peppers.
The art is also really good and then incorporating music, I liked that too.
I don't really know if this book is for everyone because it talks about death and not many people like to talk about death or read about it. That's why I gave this book a 3.
This story follows Captain Lincoln on the last day of his life. He talks with the youngest generation and spends his last day going through the "stages of grief" somewhat.
Now this story was honestly slightly depressing because this is the last day of Lincoln's life along with 8 of his friends. However this story was also really well written in my opinion. The author talks about things and describe them so that you can visualize the item like hot peppers.
The art is also really good and then incorporating music, I liked that too.
I don't really know if this book is for everyone because it talks about death and not many people like to talk about death or read about it. That's why I gave this book a 3.
December 29, 2016
Also published on my blog here.
The title of this novel is a good summary of its content, if not its purpose. Captain Lincoln is a retired captain of a generation ship, on which a carefully designed and controlled society keeps the population exactly stable: each five years, a new generation is born, each older generation moves on to a new phase of their life, and those who are 80 die to make room for the new children. What the book is not about is the social and emotional ramifications of this idea, making me wonder how the society actually works - there are no rebels, no dissidents, no calls for changes to allow a greater population. Very little is explained or used to power a plot (readers don't even get to know the precise reason for the space flight, though its aim is to colonise another world).
The sociological ramifications of the idea are not in any sense important to EXO Books (a pseudonym which I unfortunately find irritating, for no particular reason). The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is not really a novel at all; the scenario is a framing device for a series of short essays about society and death. These main part of this consists of transcripts of lectures given to younger inhabitants of the ship - a distinct oddity in a novel set in the future, to use a communication method which has been criticised as ineffective for years in universities.
Because of this structure, the reader's response to The Last Day of Captain Lincoln will be determined by what they think of the ideas presented in the essay-like sections.I was actually surprised by the lack of profundity - the general message is that life is good, the afterlife is unknown, and the transition is difficult for the people facing it and those who care about them. Other than that, it seems to me that giving lectures (while convenient for the book) is an odd thing to do when you know it's your last day of life. Is this the best idea for helping with the transition that this carefully designed future society could come up with?
It is possible that I'm not doing the book justice. If science fiction novels have a serious intent, their message is not usually about the future but about the present. The Last Day of Captain Lincoln may be intended as a commentary on the attitude to death in today's Western culture, and this possibility is made more likely by the use of the names of assassinated US presidents Kennedy and Lincoln for current and former captains of the ship.
The most interesting parts of The Last Day of Captain Lincoln, for me, were the quotations heading each section; EXO Books has collected some profound thoughts about death from a wide range of authors. One of these in particular, the somewhat unexpected Isaac Asimov, provides a summary of the book in his aphorism about life and death, and I found myself looking forward to these thoughts far more than the content they frame.
It is perhaps superfluous to add that I didn't like the illustrations - this is mainly a question of the style not appealing to me than anything else.
This is a missed opportunity - the basic idea could have been used to say something more profound, more involving and more affecting. As one of the major aspects of death in any human culture is its effect on those continuing to live, not making the reader care about the characters is a major flaw. (Writing this at the end of 2016, with its litany of celebrity deaths and the reactions of fans constantly seen on social media, this side of death has been rammed home to me more forcefully than it might have been to EXO Books writing The Last Day of Captain Lincoln last year.)
The title of this novel is a good summary of its content, if not its purpose. Captain Lincoln is a retired captain of a generation ship, on which a carefully designed and controlled society keeps the population exactly stable: each five years, a new generation is born, each older generation moves on to a new phase of their life, and those who are 80 die to make room for the new children. What the book is not about is the social and emotional ramifications of this idea, making me wonder how the society actually works - there are no rebels, no dissidents, no calls for changes to allow a greater population. Very little is explained or used to power a plot (readers don't even get to know the precise reason for the space flight, though its aim is to colonise another world).
The sociological ramifications of the idea are not in any sense important to EXO Books (a pseudonym which I unfortunately find irritating, for no particular reason). The Last Day of Captain Lincoln is not really a novel at all; the scenario is a framing device for a series of short essays about society and death. These main part of this consists of transcripts of lectures given to younger inhabitants of the ship - a distinct oddity in a novel set in the future, to use a communication method which has been criticised as ineffective for years in universities.
Because of this structure, the reader's response to The Last Day of Captain Lincoln will be determined by what they think of the ideas presented in the essay-like sections.I was actually surprised by the lack of profundity - the general message is that life is good, the afterlife is unknown, and the transition is difficult for the people facing it and those who care about them. Other than that, it seems to me that giving lectures (while convenient for the book) is an odd thing to do when you know it's your last day of life. Is this the best idea for helping with the transition that this carefully designed future society could come up with?
It is possible that I'm not doing the book justice. If science fiction novels have a serious intent, their message is not usually about the future but about the present. The Last Day of Captain Lincoln may be intended as a commentary on the attitude to death in today's Western culture, and this possibility is made more likely by the use of the names of assassinated US presidents Kennedy and Lincoln for current and former captains of the ship.
The most interesting parts of The Last Day of Captain Lincoln, for me, were the quotations heading each section; EXO Books has collected some profound thoughts about death from a wide range of authors. One of these in particular, the somewhat unexpected Isaac Asimov, provides a summary of the book in his aphorism about life and death, and I found myself looking forward to these thoughts far more than the content they frame.
It is perhaps superfluous to add that I didn't like the illustrations - this is mainly a question of the style not appealing to me than anything else.
This is a missed opportunity - the basic idea could have been used to say something more profound, more involving and more affecting. As one of the major aspects of death in any human culture is its effect on those continuing to live, not making the reader care about the characters is a major flaw. (Writing this at the end of 2016, with its litany of celebrity deaths and the reactions of fans constantly seen on social media, this side of death has been rammed home to me more forcefully than it might have been to EXO Books writing The Last Day of Captain Lincoln last year.)
February 7, 2018
Good world building and interesting premise. If you like old sci-fi books, you'll like this!
May 20, 2016
Captain Lincoln is the retired commander of a highly advanced space ship slowly making its way towards a new planet. It’s a journey which will take generations, and the crew are custodians for the vessel and the advanced AI which runs it.
There is a problem, however. The ship has a fixed population and a finite amount of resources. Every five years a new batch of eight babies are born and as a consequence, the eight oldest members of the ship have to die. Today is everyone’s birthday, and the last day of Captain Lincoln’s life.
As far as the plot goes, that's pretty much it. Those just wanting a thrill-a-minute ride may want to look elsewhere, but if you are willing to give it a chance, Captain Lincoln is well worth reading. Here, the focus is about emotion, memories and the realisation about one's own mortality. Lincoln is not battling an alien race or enemy within; here the antagonist, and thus the source of conflict, is time.
Life aboard the ship is a utopian one; the crew want for nothing, everyone gets on with everyone else, and everyone has a generous and healthy lifespan of eighty years. There is no disease, injury (not sure if anyone has ever died due to an accident as this isn't mentioned) and no jealously over sexual partners. People still fall in love, of course, and the relationship between Lincoln and his partner Helen helps form the central spine of the story.
The workings of the ship, crew and society are used as a backdrop to the central drama and are explored as Lincoln goes on one last tour, each chapter centring on a particular location and theme. One example of this is the ship’s school. The children are taught by interacting only with other humans until they are five, after which point they are gradually introduced to the ship's network through computer implants (an observation on today's children being plugged into iPads etc as soon as they can crawl) and begin to work when they are ten. Life and death are rationalised and considered part of the natural path of molecules in the Universe. This reminded me somewhat of a speech Delenn gives Sheridan in Babylon 5, and anything that reminds me of Babylon 5 is always more than welcome!
The tour Lincoln takes offers the opportunity to explore his thoughts and emotions as he progresses towards the inevitable. In addition to dealing with the concepts of depression and philosophical musings of what it is to die, there are also the practical concerns like how do you explain death to a young child and get them to understand? All of these concepts come to a head as the story progresses. There is a very moving scene where the reality of the situation for Lincoln really hits home, which is followed by an equally heart-breaking one at a leaving party as the story moves to its poignant conclusion.
Captain Lincoln is a novella rather than a full novel so doesn't stretch the premise out for too long or outstay its welcome. That said, there is one scene with a long speech about the history of peppers I could have personally lived without, as it took away the focus of the central character. That's just a minor quibble though. The only other negative is that I found the opening scene’s use of changing tense very confusing. This is deliberate and makes perfect sense by the end of the scene, but I would hate for anyone to instantly give up on the book because of it.
The themes of the story have stuck with me since finishing it and writing this review a few days later, as it offers plenty to think about. For this reason alone, I'd definitely recommend The last day of Captain Lincoln.
There is a problem, however. The ship has a fixed population and a finite amount of resources. Every five years a new batch of eight babies are born and as a consequence, the eight oldest members of the ship have to die. Today is everyone’s birthday, and the last day of Captain Lincoln’s life.
As far as the plot goes, that's pretty much it. Those just wanting a thrill-a-minute ride may want to look elsewhere, but if you are willing to give it a chance, Captain Lincoln is well worth reading. Here, the focus is about emotion, memories and the realisation about one's own mortality. Lincoln is not battling an alien race or enemy within; here the antagonist, and thus the source of conflict, is time.
Life aboard the ship is a utopian one; the crew want for nothing, everyone gets on with everyone else, and everyone has a generous and healthy lifespan of eighty years. There is no disease, injury (not sure if anyone has ever died due to an accident as this isn't mentioned) and no jealously over sexual partners. People still fall in love, of course, and the relationship between Lincoln and his partner Helen helps form the central spine of the story.
The workings of the ship, crew and society are used as a backdrop to the central drama and are explored as Lincoln goes on one last tour, each chapter centring on a particular location and theme. One example of this is the ship’s school. The children are taught by interacting only with other humans until they are five, after which point they are gradually introduced to the ship's network through computer implants (an observation on today's children being plugged into iPads etc as soon as they can crawl) and begin to work when they are ten. Life and death are rationalised and considered part of the natural path of molecules in the Universe. This reminded me somewhat of a speech Delenn gives Sheridan in Babylon 5, and anything that reminds me of Babylon 5 is always more than welcome!
The tour Lincoln takes offers the opportunity to explore his thoughts and emotions as he progresses towards the inevitable. In addition to dealing with the concepts of depression and philosophical musings of what it is to die, there are also the practical concerns like how do you explain death to a young child and get them to understand? All of these concepts come to a head as the story progresses. There is a very moving scene where the reality of the situation for Lincoln really hits home, which is followed by an equally heart-breaking one at a leaving party as the story moves to its poignant conclusion.
Captain Lincoln is a novella rather than a full novel so doesn't stretch the premise out for too long or outstay its welcome. That said, there is one scene with a long speech about the history of peppers I could have personally lived without, as it took away the focus of the central character. That's just a minor quibble though. The only other negative is that I found the opening scene’s use of changing tense very confusing. This is deliberate and makes perfect sense by the end of the scene, but I would hate for anyone to instantly give up on the book because of it.
The themes of the story have stuck with me since finishing it and writing this review a few days later, as it offers plenty to think about. For this reason alone, I'd definitely recommend The last day of Captain Lincoln.
February 4, 2017
Characters
There were an array of characters but the two that are the most important are Captain Lincoln and his lover Helen. Although they are the main stars, really Helen is just secondary to Captain Lincoln. He is a very noble character with a heavy burden on his soul.
Plot
The reason I didn't say more in characters is because honestly there wasn't anything more to say. Actually I thought it was going to go like the Dylan Thomas poem (Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light...) Instead the story is exactly what the summary presents, which in my eyes was severely disappointing.
In all fairness I was warned it was about people and relationships (most of all love), being more of a focus. It actually felt too perfect. Almost too rehearsed or contrived and that made the authenticity of the novel fall through for me. The beginning, middle, and end plot wise were all flat and steady. No blip on the radar, no fight. That just didn't feel human. It did have emotional and one 'breakdown' moment but that wasn't quite enough. I understand it was their way of life, but not one person tried to go against the grain? Not one person fought with every grain of their being to live? I'm not buying it.
Overall
Although set in a futuristic time this was not a science fiction. More like the science fiction aspect was a subset of the analysis of humanity's strengths and weaknesses. It touched on cultural issues, the idea of individuality, the struggle of morality, and the creativity of a species constantly in conflict. I thought it interesting the author consistently reference Earth's history and music but never added any 'imagined' ones to level the list. Absolutely fascinating and interesting! This aspect was well worth the read if only there more conflict.
Without the conflict in the characters and a physical manifestation of that conflict, it just didn't sing true. For all of its fascinating points (that were basically an highly detailed and thoroughly researched opinion piece). I can accept that we adapt, and change and perhaps get better but the novel never touches on one person fighting back and trying to find another way. Not one person just saying 'I want to live!' Even if it ends poorly. The novel never touches on this nor does the character consider fighting against the system. In fact I can't recall where anything like that happening on 'The Ship' (Hope Eternal) and that is utterly shocking to me.
Rating
3 stars
This book has so much going for it, but I can't believe in the history of humanity and all its conflict that not one person said no in this isolated society. It speaks to the human condition and for a novel that touches on humanity's makeup, this is one that is needed to improve its authenticity.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. More reviews can be found at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com.
There were an array of characters but the two that are the most important are Captain Lincoln and his lover Helen. Although they are the main stars, really Helen is just secondary to Captain Lincoln. He is a very noble character with a heavy burden on his soul.
Plot
The reason I didn't say more in characters is because honestly there wasn't anything more to say. Actually I thought it was going to go like the Dylan Thomas poem (Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light...) Instead the story is exactly what the summary presents, which in my eyes was severely disappointing.
In all fairness I was warned it was about people and relationships (most of all love), being more of a focus. It actually felt too perfect. Almost too rehearsed or contrived and that made the authenticity of the novel fall through for me. The beginning, middle, and end plot wise were all flat and steady. No blip on the radar, no fight. That just didn't feel human. It did have emotional and one 'breakdown' moment but that wasn't quite enough. I understand it was their way of life, but not one person tried to go against the grain? Not one person fought with every grain of their being to live? I'm not buying it.
Overall
Although set in a futuristic time this was not a science fiction. More like the science fiction aspect was a subset of the analysis of humanity's strengths and weaknesses. It touched on cultural issues, the idea of individuality, the struggle of morality, and the creativity of a species constantly in conflict. I thought it interesting the author consistently reference Earth's history and music but never added any 'imagined' ones to level the list. Absolutely fascinating and interesting! This aspect was well worth the read if only there more conflict.
Without the conflict in the characters and a physical manifestation of that conflict, it just didn't sing true. For all of its fascinating points (that were basically an highly detailed and thoroughly researched opinion piece). I can accept that we adapt, and change and perhaps get better but the novel never touches on one person fighting back and trying to find another way. Not one person just saying 'I want to live!' Even if it ends poorly. The novel never touches on this nor does the character consider fighting against the system. In fact I can't recall where anything like that happening on 'The Ship' (Hope Eternal) and that is utterly shocking to me.
Rating
3 stars
This book has so much going for it, but I can't believe in the history of humanity and all its conflict that not one person said no in this isolated society. It speaks to the human condition and for a novel that touches on humanity's makeup, this is one that is needed to improve its authenticity.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. More reviews can be found at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com.
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