August 2012 Random Read-To Your Scattered Bodies Go

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

Wow, It's August already! and time for our Random read, To Your Scattered Bodies Go!

I am only about 10 % in right now, but seeing a lot of moralistic conversing going on! Given, the set-up, this seems natural at least for now, but I am hoping it doesn't continue through out the whole book.

What are your first impressions????

[Kevin]

I read the book about two years ago when I bought the first three books, wow what an interesting idea.

[Banner]

I'm planning on reading this before the end of the month.

[Jenny]

I REALLY hope to get to it this month because I've been wanting to read it for a long time... OK, I just ordered it from Barnes and Noble. I had a 20% coupon from my new membership, so I have to use it right? ;)

[Jackie]

I read this a few years ago. Such an interesting concept, really, who could resist the allure of this book? Surely not I. End of book spoiler here >>> (view spoiler)[ It had all the right ingredients for a perfect fantasy, too bad it never fully realized it's awesome potential. (hide spoiler)]

[Richard]

I finally got around to reading this a couple of years ago, it seemed to be a seminal book that I'd missed for some reason or other.

The concept was intriguing and the first few chapters were very enjoyable. Unfortunately it was downhill all the way for me from there. I'm not usually one for demanding top notch characterisation, but i just couldn't engage with them here, and the story just seemed to degenerate as we went on. I'm afraid the impression that was left with me was that the whole thing was vaguely ridiculous.

Maybe I was missing something, but I never did get around to picking up anymore in the series.

Doubt I'll be doing a reread this time.

[Jackie]

Richard, (view spoiler)[ (just so I don't ruin anyone else's experience) I felt the same way. Unfortunate for me, I bought the first 5 books all at once, I managed the first three, hoping it'd get better and get to the point, but it didn't. The other two have been sitting on my shelf for years and will probably stay there or get thrown out (hide spoiler)]

[Jessie J]

It's keeping my attention so far. Is this the same book that the TV mini-series was based on? Because it doesn't seem even vaguely familiar, except for the river. (I didn't actually watch the series--just the previews.)

[Jessie J]

Finished last night. There seemed to be several layers that you had to "consider:" when it was published (1971), when the main characters lived, what has happened between now and 1971.

To start with the end: (view spoiler)[The ending, while abrupt, was also very theatrical. I could "visualize" a cheesy ending with appropriately groovy music, a freeze-frame, etc. It worked for me. (hide spoiler)]

Characters: (view spoiler)[Because it jumped around so much, you really weren't allowed to become invested in anyone except Burton. It seemed to drag along at first, so I expected to stay with the same characters, and then it sped up too much at the end, which I found disconcerting. (hide spoiler)]

It felt dated: (view spoiler)[Obviously, because so many things were supposed to have happened between 2002 and 2008, it felt dated, and a little preachy. Not really the author's fault. (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Yes, the miniseries was based on the book.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

Here is the thing, I am finding this read to be awkward to me just because Burton and Alice (at least these two, maybe more of them) were real life people.
It seems off to me, as if it the story was revolving around these characters...did it seem that way to anyone else???

[Jim]

I picked up a 1971 edition paperback from the used book store down the street and will be joining in this month. I've always meant to get around to this one.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

the concept here is fabulous I have to say

[Ruth]

I read this in the 70's (Yeah I'm that old lol.) I really liked it at the time. I was hoping to be able to reread it this month but so far I haven't had the time. Hopefully, next week on my day off I'll be able to get to it.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

I finished it up, and I have to say I was happier by the end of the novel.

[Jim]

I've finished it up, but was pretty disappointed overall. This is one I've been meaning to read for a long time, but it just didn't seem to do much for me.

(view spoiler)[I was a bit surprised by how dated the entire book feels. The combination of assuming a global overpopulation crisis by the 1990's, the casual acceptance of the "psychedelic gum," and pretty blatant sexism just screams late 60's, early 70's to me.

The characterization is very flat as well. I can't say I really felt I cared about any of the characters. By the end of the book, it seems we were intended to feel at least a degree of sympathy for Goering. I don't know - just didn't do it for me. (hide spoiler)]

I'd be curious to know if the other books in the series are any better, but I'm not inclined to pick up any of them.

[Jessie J]

Maggie wrote: "Here is the thing, I am finding this read to be awkward to me just because Burton and Alice (at least these two, maybe more of them) were real life people.
It seems off to me, as if it the story ..."

In the past, I've found the historical Burton an annoying character, but now that I'm older, I'm inclined to rethink that position. However, I don't think that I was bothered by the fact that the characters were historical figures. There were many others, as well. A matter of taste? Experience? I don't know.

[Jessie J]

Jim wrote: "I've finished it up, but was pretty disappointed overall. This is one I've been meaning to read for a long time, but it just didn't seem to do much for me.

I was a bit surprised by how dated the ..."

Do you read a lot of period sci-fi? I'm always curious to see what other people read. This is not a publishing time period that I am fond of, normally. I prefer older works if I'm reading period sci-fi, which are also sexist, but I can be forgiving.

[Megan]

It's been a long time since I've read this book, but I don't remember reading the sexism as particularly coming from Farmer, but rather as a commentary on how much of human history has been set up, and the social and sexual mores all the resurrected would have brought with them.

[Jim]

Do you read a lot of period sci-fi? I'm always curious to see what other people read. This is not a publishing time period that I am fond of, normally. I prefer older works if I'm reading period sci-fi, which are also sexist, but I can be forgiving. "

I've read a fair bit of older sci-fi, from all eras. I think maybe my reaction to this book is just due to inflated expectations. The book is usually spoken of with such high praise, I guess I was expecting something different. The concept is certainly interesting, but the overall style just did nothing for me.

[Ruth]

Megan wrote: "It's been a long time since I've read this book, but I don't remember reading the sexism as particularly coming from Farmer, but rather as a commentary on how much of human history has been set up,..."

I agree with you Megan. That's the way I interpreted it too.

[Zuzana]

It took me much longer than I thought or hoped it would to read this relatively short book. Like many responders here, I found the idea mesmerizing but the story itself stilted, awkward, even ridiculous at times, and it really dragged. Whenever I'd put it down, I did not await with excitement the next time I'd pick it up -- an that's something I look for in the books I read! I love fascinating sci-fi concepts, and it certainly was thought-provoking on many levels, but I felt as though not many of the thoughts it provoked were actually brought into the story. Does that make sense? I guess I was really disappointed in how the concept was carried out. And like Gump, that's all I have to say about that. :)

[Phil]

Well, it is "vaguely ridiculous" as one reviewer mentioned, but I love it. Farmer is a huge Edgar Rice Burroughs fan, and it shows in his approach to "science." Hilariously, the sequel, The Fabulous Riverboat, starts off with an author's blurb about how the worms on Riverworld are affecting the nitrogen cycle or something. As if that's the only thing that makes no sense.

I love this book because it's about historical characters having adventures together. I love it for that weird post-apocalypse/Garden of Eden starting over vibe. I love it for the cool reincarnation aspect. Sure, it's a classic, but classics don't have to be serious, do they?

[C. John]

I read this one years ago and enjoyed it then but I really don't recall that much about it. Unfortunately a couple of moves have meant I only have one of the last books in the series due to it being the only one in hardcover. Farmer is an interesting writer to say the least but you can tell his influences on this one. Still it isn't a bad book but not too everyone's tastes. I would love to have seen a review of it by Alter Ego (the reviewer not the fanzine).