Twilight at the Well of Souls

Saga of the Well World #5

by Jack L. Chalker

As the rift in space rapidly approaches the Well World, petty squabbles among the forces on the planet are preventing the inhabitants from protecting Well World from a catastrophe that could destroy the entire universe, unless Nathan Brazil and Mavra Change can bring together the hostile natives by any means necessary--even death. Reprint.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Space Opera, Adventure, Speculative Fiction

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 12, 1980

About the author

Besides being a science fiction author, Jack Laurence Chalker was a Baltimore City Schools history teacher in Maryland for a time, a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association, and was involved in the founding of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Some of his books said that he was born in Norfolk, Virginia although he later claimed that was a mistake.

He attended all but one of the World Science Fiction Conventions from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine).

Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.

His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He had a great interest in ferryboats, and, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull Ferry.

Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award twice and for the Hugo Award twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation on April 9, 2005.

On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he didn't regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland.

Chalker is perhaps best known for his Well World series of novels, the first of which is Midnight at the Well of Souls (Well World, #1).

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This finishes up the second story arc of the Saga of the Well Worlds, but Chalker later added several to the Saga a few decades or so later. The subtitle of this is The Legacy of Nathan Brazil which is apt, as the entire point/plot of this involves trying to get Nathan Brazil to the Well to 'reset' the universe to fix the rent in space the Com opened up in their war with the strange aliens from the last installment. The inhabitants of the Well World are rather mixed about this, however. While they know if the rent is not fixed, it will mean the end of the Well World eventually, they also know that if it is 'reset', then half of them will be the colonists on new worlds, so selfishly, many decide to stop Brazil...

This really follows in the footsteps of prior installments as various strange aliens coalesce into 'pro' and 'anti' Brazil camps, with just about as many trying to help Nathan as those opposing him, so Nathan has to resort to some deep intrigue to slip into the Well World and all kinds of trickery to actually get to the Well itself. Chalker treats us to some rather ham fisted speculations on the meaning of life, human motivations/nature, as well as religion; he has done this in previous volumes, but it really features here because if Nathen does the 'reset', the existing universe will end and all life with it (except for the Well World itself). Mavra plays a prominent role here, but Nathen is largely in the shadows until the denouement. Good pulpy fun, but not great; this series got a little tired as it went on, but I liked the ending so I could put up with a little slog along the way. 2.5 stars, rounding up!

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the books in this series are fairly consistent, I'm not sure the follow-ups really add anything to the original concept. In fact this last installment wipes out any mystery surrounding Nathan Brazil and the Well World. Midnight at the Well of Souls was originally intended as a singular novel, and Chalker only wrote more because of popular demand. I'd recommend just reading that one, and leaving any unanswered questions to your imagination.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating literary universe full of big space opera ideas, that is hurt by some troubling treatment of nearly every woman in the cast and a draggy ending.

Lots of cool aliens and a big epic finale featuring a clash of multiple armies and the fate of the universe, but the pace stumbles all over the place at the last quarter of the book and the damsel-izing of the only prominent woman in the cast, mixed with a lot of questionable hand waving to justify 'forgiving' Nathan Brazil and completely white-washing his relationship with Marva.

Glad I finally am getting around to catching up on this series, but aware that it has aspects that haven't aged well.

[Jacob Guy Segalov · Rating 4 out of 5]

An appropriate ending for this space opera. As always with Chalker, fast pace. A little repetitive (could be deliberate, reflecting on previous books in the series). The last scene is weird, not compiling with the character's arc.
Not the deepest series (although there are attempts at philosophical and religion thoughts), But easy read and great 80's fun.

[Margaret Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had no idea this was a series. Read the first book decades ago and then came across the final book in the series at a funky bookstore containing piles and piles of old books in Vancouver BC. Probably should have read the previous 3 in the series and maybe brushed up on the story’s premise. Still held my interest in the many types of creatures that lived on Well World.

[Brandi Vawter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved this series my whole life. I've read it through several times when I was younger. Now though I realize how Chalker did Mavra dirty. She's dumbed down a bit in this book which doesn't suit her personality as was established earlier in the series. She lost her grittiness. It was alright and was an interesting end to the saga.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book without reading the first 4 books in the series. It was not a good stand alone story. Maybe the author counted on the background books to build drama and anticipation.

Half way through this book I read the summaries of the first four books and decided not to waste my time finishing this book.

[Andy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Drags on and on. This entry into the saga feels like a purposeful attempt to just lengthen book 3 enough to split it into two. It feels like the fourth book is rushed with lots of people added as incremental movement through hexes take place. Disjointed and unpleasant to finish.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good series of books. One of those that really makes you think.

[Serge Fjetland · Rating 3 out of 5]

an interesting piece of Sci-Fi, set in a world where computer can rule all, the storytelling bumps around as the character move through zones...

[Lijadora del Prado · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excelently readable guilty pleasure SF.
The universe is rebooted. In six days. At the seventh day Nathan Brazil and Mavra Chang rest

[Jay DeVine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed re-reading this whole series. Held up very well over 40 years.

[Debra Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of the storyline about Nathan Brazil and the well World. There are 2 more books in the series that take place after brazil "refreshes" the universe. This is an excellent series!

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good conclusion to the arc begun the book prior, though bogged down a little by a lot of exposition and preachy philosophy towards the end.

[Tom Getzinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best one in the series so far. Many questions answered, and with better answers than before.

[Andrew Nebergall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic finish!

Stellar writing all throughout. Even though the end was right there, it was still fresh and wonderful. What a great way to end a series.

[John Cottingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twilight

The fitting end of the greatest science fiction series ever! This is at least my fourth reading, it will not be my last.

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the resolution

[Jim Razinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

[2024] Had to finish this arc so I can get back to my other readings (and a new ARC). xth time through and I'm only just noticing (or remembering that I noticed this time) that Chalker gave his Hakazits five fingers, but only three with one long opposable thumb in Return. And, what was he thinking when he threw in nonsense about a "universal religion"? He's dead, so I can't ask him.

[2020] Yeah, I have to finish a bunch of other books, but I couldn't leave the second half of Nathan Brazil's Return hanging! Boosting it a star, because my system has evolved in the past eight years. Now, to those other books before I stumble into another Well Gate!

[2012]The storytelling is excellent. Still scratching the head as to how he made mistakes in his own series...especially a planned sequel (the descriptions of a main character at the end of Nathan Brazil and the start of this one differ).

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this pretty satisfying. I think I'm probably done with this series, though--apparently there are two more Well World books, and then a spin-off trilogy with Nathan Brazil and Mavra Chang far in the future, but I'm just not interested. This book wrapped it up well enough for me, although I was disappointed that, as soon as Brazil and Mavra got into the control room, we didn't hear anything more about the other characters. We spent a lot of time getting attached to Ortega, Marquoz, and Gypsy, and with the big reveal of Gypsy's true identity, I would have liked some closure as to what ultimately happened to them before Brazil and Mavra headed off into the cosmos. Still, a solid book.

[Neelyc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like another reviewer here on GoodReads, I initially read this series out of order. The title "The Return of Nathan Brazil" grabbed my attention one day in my first year of college. Luckily, all but the last two books in the series can be read independently of the rest. Once I had gobbled up "Return", I quickly tracked down the rest of the five. I've been rereading them ever since.

This is one of few examples of an author who can sustain an interesting storyline over five titles. Most lose steam as they attempt to complete a basic trilogy. Although I eventually began to find Chalker's themes repetitive in his other series, these five books will always rank as one my top favorites in Science Fiction storytelling.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the well of souls books explores the strong social problems of our own world in a tale of science fiction. Social injustice, prejudice, close-mindedness - all are some of the common problems that plauge the inhabitants of the strange worlds and cause their problems and lead to the wars between species. Its just like our own world, except instead of different species we have different races or nationalites. Chaulker, like Clarke, explores terrestrial human issues thru extrterrestrial worlds.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rift in the fabric of space was fast approaching the Well World, and time was running out. Troops all over the planet were gathering for the final battle.
Nathan Brazil and Mavra Chang somehow had to reach the Well of Souls in time to save the universe and before any of the hostile natives managed to kill them.

At best, a difficult mission. At worst, impossible -- especially since there was a price on Brazil's head and many would-be claimants! For Brazil, the difficult was but the work of a moment -- the impossible would take a little longer!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic conclusion to the Well World series. Mysteries that have lingered since the first book are revealed, and the whole thing is brought to an emotionally resonant conclusion. The Well World combines epic scope with believable character study. I would recommend this to anyone who likes their sci-fi strange and wonderful.

[Kevin Driskill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the series by Chalker that everyone asked me about. I had read his work extensively before trying it and I understand why they asked. It is an amazing adventure that brings together the stories everyone has heard. It explain almost everything you believe. It is glaringly iconoclastic but an entertaining fiction for sure.

[James Hein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This completes the two book set started with the Return of Nathan Brazil and this one is set on the Well world. Marva Chang features along with Nathan Brazil and like an earlier book it involves a chase but with a lot less focus on the various races this time.

It is an interesting story with some interesting though experiments on how or what creation was.

[Mark Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although I felt the ending was a bit over the top. I also thought that some elements of the story were not adequately explained (this is consistent with a few other series by Chalker).

[Allison]

great so far.

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shows that social injustice and prejudice are pretty universal.

[Aaron Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

See Midnight At The Well of Souls, for my discussion of this series.