Michael answers “Is this book as racist as Flashback? That...”

Christopher asked this question about The Fifth Heart:

Is this book as racist as Flashback? That made me question my Dan Simmons love and wonder if I would ever buy a book from him again. I try to separate people's kooky politics from their writing, but it was so overwhelming and hideous in Flashback.

Michael This book sounds like it will be very similar to Drood in regards to the storytelling where it will interweave historical facts with fiction. The prem…moreThis book sounds like it will be very similar to Drood in regards to the storytelling where it will interweave historical facts with fiction. The premise sounds even odder actually considering Sherlock Holmes is in it and he's questioning his own existence.

As far as Flashback goes I'm pretty confused. I don't recall any racism in the book as you describe and I read it thinking I would hate it due to the politics involved (because I read user reviews) and I ended the book rather confused. Yes, there are political themes in the book but it's all very much a "this could happen" scenario that has been used in thousands upon thousands of other works. It was simply a work of fiction with a unique take on a dystopian future. I never felt like I was being browbeat by any of it which is what I expected.

So what racism are you talking about? And what hideous political elements were there in your opinion?(less)

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