To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip José Farmer ★★★★

[John]

This inaugural novel in the Riverworld series is a blending of science fiction and philosophical inquiry. His magnum opus consists primarily of five works. Themes include religion, sexuality, and the pursuit of knowledge. Farmer wrote this in 1971, which may be why mind-altering drugs and uncommitted sex plays a major role in this novel.

The book's protagonist is Richard Burton, the 19th century erudite scholar, explorer, and soldier, who finds himself, along with almost everyone that has ever lived, finds himself resurrected up and down the banks of a 200 million long river that encircles in twists and turns a large unknown planet. All are "born" naked, hairless, and sterile. All adults are rejuvinated at 25 year. The only animal life appear to be fish. Although the initial concerns are food and shelter, the inhabitants discover that each individual is paired with devices called grails, which regular generate food and fabric, the latter suitable for clothing. The rest of this first book focuses on Burton trying to discover how they were resurrection, by whom, and for what reason.

The stength of this series is that it populated by historcial figures. In addition to Richard Burton, it also includes such notables as Hermann Göring and Alice Liddell. These individuals along with the fictional characters provide a unique perspective to the afterlife.

I originally read this book in college shortly after it was published. Although somewhat dated, it still reads well. I enjoyed catching up with an old friend.

[Robin P]

I started this book but got turned off when it was so much a men's wish fulfillment fantasy - the guys get women (with no danger of conception), cigarettes, alcohol, and I think marijuana or similar drugs. I didn't continue to see what they used this paradise for so maybe I gave up too soon.