Accidental Time Machine discussion -- Joe Haldemen

[Helen]

Have you read this author before? What do you think of his writing style? Are there other books by this author that you have read and would like to recommend to the rest of the group?

[Jim]

I really liked Haldeman's, "All My Sins Remembered" & "Mind Bridge". "The Forever War" is also fantastic, but best read with "Armor" by Steakly & especially "Starship Troopers" by Heinlein. The 3 different takes on the same plot are fantastic.

The rest of his books have been good, but never really grabbed me. I think the only one of his books I've been impressed with in recent years is "Old Twentieth". "The Hemmingway Hoax", "Worlds/Worlds Apart" & all were well written, but just didn't suck me in.

[Sarah]

I just read his recent book "Marsbound". I like his style -- the science is decent, but the prose is accessible.
That said, I didn't totally buy his attempt at a teenage female narrator. I think I wrote a longer review of it at the time...
I remember liking The Hemingway Hoax a long time ago...I've always meant to read The Forever War.

[Jon]

This is my first Haldeman novel. I bought The Forever War at the same time as this one and plan to read it soon, mostly because it won a Hugo and I've been making an effort to read Hugo winners this year.

[Libby]

This is my first Haldeman as well. I always like to read at least two to three books by an author before forming my opinion of their work. I think you need more than one novel to understand their style.

The Forever War seems highly recommended (and also a Hugo winner - not too shabby) so I'll try that one next.

All that said, based on this book I think his work is entertaining and accessible. Some Sci-Fi is inaccessible without a doctorate in physics – as a literature major lighter SciFi suits me just fine. What I’ve read is certainly not off the charts amazing but I don't think that's his goal - nothing wrong with a well-written, fun and light book.

[Chris]

I really like The Forever War.

I also enjoyed Worlds and Worlds Apart, and The Long Habit of Living.

Some of his short stories are great.

[Danielle]

A few months back I wanted to read Forever War, but it was impossible to get from the library (and I rarely buy books from authors I've never read before). So I ended up reading Accidental Time Machine instead. I really liked it and followed it up with Marsbound (also fun, and I related well to the female protagonist) and Guardian (ok, but it got weird).

So far Haldeman reminds me of the few Heinlein works I've read.

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

I've loved everything I've read of his, beginning with Worlds and The Forever War. But I'm way behind so I haven't even read half of his stuff, I think.

[Lady]

The Forever War was great fun...but as with FM above..years ago. Remember really enjoying it.

Lady Ellen
www.lady-ellen.com

[Sandi]

This was the first Joe Haldeman book I've read.

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

Fantasymagazine wrote: "This book reminded a lot of TFW the way the protagonist is constantly being thrust into futures that he doesn't fit into. "

I forgot about that aspect of TFW. I thought it was a very powerful part of that book. Thanks for the reminder.