Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: In an alternate version of San Francisco and the bay area.
First Sentence: The DIM official had just asked, "Reason for crossing to San Francisco B, citizen - business, family visit, or pleasure?"
Thirty-five years ago something happened which caused the universe to split into two parallel universes. The scientist involved in the split learned how to remain in contact with the alternate universe. Eventually travel between the two universes become possible.
Everyone alive on the day of the split had an alternate version of themselves in the other universe.
As the years went by, each universe became very different places. And the people in one universe often lead vastly different lives than their alternates.
The governments created a strict set of rules which governed travel and the flow of information between the two universes.
Felix Sayers of universe A has recently learned that he was born before the universes split. He has decided to travel to universe B to learn what he can about his alternate, Felix B.
When Felix A arrives in universe B he discovers a group of researchers who are studying the events leading up to the split. To his dismay, he learns that the researchers believe that something Felix did when he was six months old started the causality chain which triggered the creation of the alternate universe.
As Felix A and his friends investigate, the author shows us an alternate version of San Francisco and the bay area. Along the way we learn how small events can lead to huge effects.
Along with the science fiction story, the author treats us to an homage to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, two well known mystery writers.
Will Felix A and his friends discover the prime event which caused the universes to split?
This is a quirky sci fi novel. Not so much action, but lots of philosophical discussion about causes, effects, and causality chains.
In my opinion, a good first novel. I liked it.
Showing posts with label Sports Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports Fiction. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
The Favorite by Franklyn C. Thomas
Genre: Sports Fiction
Setting: New York and Las Vegas
First sentence: The tapping sound of the smooth silver ballpoint pen against the notepad sounded like a metronome gone out of control.
Michael Dane is in the fight of his life. He is a boxer who has been fighting his whole life. His father, once a promising boxer, is dead. His mother is in prison for murder. Michael himself has been in prison. Even after being released, Michael is connected with some unsavory characters.
Now, Michael has a shot at the title. He knows that this is his only chance.
Then Michael is confronted with a dilemma that may destroy his dream. First, he learns that his girlfriend is pregnant with his child. Second, he has been ordered by his unscrupulous friends to take a dive in the championship bout. His friends have threatened harm to his girlfriend and his unborn child if he doesn't go along with their demands.
What will Michael do? Will he take the dive? Is there any way for him keep his self-respect and achieve his dream without harming his girlfriend and their child?
This novel is essentially the story of a single boxing match. Round by round, punch by punch, we see the entire fight.
Between the boxing scenes, we explore Michael's past. We learn about his motivations and discover how he arrived at this dramatic point in his life.
I liked this novel. The boxing scenes were well written and very exciting. The structure of the novel helped move the plot forward without overwhelming the reader with the details of the fight. Although I don't usually read sports novels, I really enjoyed this one.
Setting: New York and Las Vegas
First sentence: The tapping sound of the smooth silver ballpoint pen against the notepad sounded like a metronome gone out of control.
Michael Dane is in the fight of his life. He is a boxer who has been fighting his whole life. His father, once a promising boxer, is dead. His mother is in prison for murder. Michael himself has been in prison. Even after being released, Michael is connected with some unsavory characters.
Now, Michael has a shot at the title. He knows that this is his only chance.
Then Michael is confronted with a dilemma that may destroy his dream. First, he learns that his girlfriend is pregnant with his child. Second, he has been ordered by his unscrupulous friends to take a dive in the championship bout. His friends have threatened harm to his girlfriend and his unborn child if he doesn't go along with their demands.
What will Michael do? Will he take the dive? Is there any way for him keep his self-respect and achieve his dream without harming his girlfriend and their child?
This novel is essentially the story of a single boxing match. Round by round, punch by punch, we see the entire fight.
Between the boxing scenes, we explore Michael's past. We learn about his motivations and discover how he arrived at this dramatic point in his life.
I liked this novel. The boxing scenes were well written and very exciting. The structure of the novel helped move the plot forward without overwhelming the reader with the details of the fight. Although I don't usually read sports novels, I really enjoyed this one.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Sometimes You See It Coming by Kevin Baker
Genre: Sports Fiction
Setting: 20th century America
First Sentence: The only one who was there at the beginning, the only one who is always there in the middle of everything, was the Old Swizzlehead, aka Rapid Ricky Falls, who was the closest thing John Barr ever had to a friend.
A few weeks ago, I was prowling through my local used book store when I spotted Kevin Baker's books. All of them intrigued me, so I picked Sometimes You See It Coming because it is his first novel. And boy, was that a great choice. Normally, I don't read sports stories, but this novel was a page turner from the get go.
John Barr is one of the best players to ever play the game. He can hit for power and average. He is a gold glove in the field. He can throw runners out at home plate from the outfield.
Off the field, he is an enigma. He came out of nowhere. He has no friends. He doesn't drink. He doesn't date. and he lives alone. But no one cares, because with him on the team, they are pennant contenders every year.
Then came the horrible year. A new manager has messed up everyone on the team. Except John Barr. With his steady play, the team has fought its way back to the series.
Then a note found in John's deceased mother's papers throws John into a horrible slump.
It's up to a teammate and a reporter to find a way to get John out of his slump, and rescue the series.
I enjoyed how Baker organized this novel like a sports memoir. He skips from person to person as they relate stories from John Barr's life and career. The mystery of Barr's life is slowly revealed. For me, the last few chapters flew by as I read to discover the solution to the mystery, and the results of the the series.
This novel would make a great movie, and it was an entertaining read.
Sometimes You See It Coming
Setting: 20th century America
First Sentence: The only one who was there at the beginning, the only one who is always there in the middle of everything, was the Old Swizzlehead, aka Rapid Ricky Falls, who was the closest thing John Barr ever had to a friend.
A few weeks ago, I was prowling through my local used book store when I spotted Kevin Baker's books. All of them intrigued me, so I picked Sometimes You See It Coming because it is his first novel. And boy, was that a great choice. Normally, I don't read sports stories, but this novel was a page turner from the get go.
John Barr is one of the best players to ever play the game. He can hit for power and average. He is a gold glove in the field. He can throw runners out at home plate from the outfield.
Off the field, he is an enigma. He came out of nowhere. He has no friends. He doesn't drink. He doesn't date. and he lives alone. But no one cares, because with him on the team, they are pennant contenders every year.
Then came the horrible year. A new manager has messed up everyone on the team. Except John Barr. With his steady play, the team has fought its way back to the series.
Then a note found in John's deceased mother's papers throws John into a horrible slump.
It's up to a teammate and a reporter to find a way to get John out of his slump, and rescue the series.
I enjoyed how Baker organized this novel like a sports memoir. He skips from person to person as they relate stories from John Barr's life and career. The mystery of Barr's life is slowly revealed. For me, the last few chapters flew by as I read to discover the solution to the mystery, and the results of the the series.
This novel would make a great movie, and it was an entertaining read.
Sometimes You See It Coming
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