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Rating: 
Summary: One of the most meaningful books I've read.
Review: "Alice in wonderland meets Timothy Leary as they explore the Kama Sutra at Finnegan's wake." -Associated Press. This is the blerb from the front page of the paperback edition I own. This understates the human element of this coming of age book. The ideas developed should be a lesson in what kind of society we want to be. From the planet of Edoku where 'reality itself is no more than a local style', with it's gray Public Service Stations offering gray showers, gray clothing, and gray complete-nutrition fressen bars that taste like wet paper, washed down with bland distilled water.(ALL YOU WANT! ALL FREE!)Complete with it's own counter-culture, the Gypsy Jokers, led by the colorful character Pater Pan. Through the psychedelic jungle Bloomenveld, this book delivers. I've read this book twice 15 years apart. The first time I saw myself, the second I remembered friends that got 'lost along the way'.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most meaningful books I've read.
Review: "Alice in wonderland meets Timothy Leary as they explore the Kama Sutra at Finnegan's wake." -Associated Press. This is the blerb from the front page of the paperback edition I own. This understates the human element of this coming of age book. The ideas developed should be a lesson in what kind of society we want to be. From the planet of Edoku where 'reality itself is no more than a local style', with it's gray Public Service Stations offering gray showers, gray clothing, and gray complete-nutrition fressen bars that taste like wet paper, washed down with bland distilled water.(ALL YOU WANT! ALL FREE!)Complete with it's own counter-culture, the Gypsy Jokers, led by the colorful character Pater Pan. Through the psychedelic jungle Bloomenveld, this book delivers. I've read this book twice 15 years apart. The first time I saw myself, the second I remembered friends that got 'lost along the way'.
Rating:
Summary: Spinrad's Space Stairs to Paradise!
Review: Child of Fortune was one of my few satisfying excursions into Sci-Fi. Though the story; a hefty space opera, is set in the far future it is very accessible.Reading the book was like being in the best "dark ride" in the best theme park ever built. Spinrad takes the reader into incredible worlds and civilizations; most are wonderful utopias. The charactors are developed and believable. This book will appeal to old hippies and the new Bohemians. For those who loved Brave New World, the explorations of the McKenna Brothers, Electric Kool Aid Acid Test -- u ain't read nothin YET! So, my advice -- "take a walk on the wild side" and read this book before it gets burned!
Rating:
Summary: Growing up in the Spacefaring Age
Review: I first read CHILD OF FORTUNE as a teenager. It blew my mind and set me on the path of continuously seeking enlightenment. Spinrad's tale of a girl seeking her fame, fortune, and most importantly, herself amongst the stars is titillating, profound, funny, and eye-opening. The universe of the Second Spacefaring Age is fun, stylistically well-crafted, and ultimately one of hope and universal enlightenment. Over the years I've reread CHILD OF FORTUNE to help keep that enthusiastic childlike part of me alive. Everyone should pursue the Wanderjahr!
Rating:
Summary: Growing up in the Spacefaring Age
Review: I first read CHILD OF FORTUNE as a teenager. It blew my mind and set me on the path of continuously seeking enlightenment. Spinrad's tale of a girl seeking her fame, fortune, and most importantly, herself amongst the stars is titillating, profound, funny, and eye-opening. The universe of the Second Spacefaring Age is fun, stylistically well-crafted, and ultimately one of hope and universal enlightenment. Over the years I've reread CHILD OF FORTUNE to help keep that enthusiastic childlike part of me alive. Everyone should pursue the Wanderjahr!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely astonishing
Review: I first tried to read this book when I was a teen. I wasn't ready for it. I recently happened across it, and decided to give it a go. How can I explain this? I've read literally thousands of books. (None of them Norman's until recently). The story is a brilliantly told tale of a young girl growing into herself through a space-style walkabout; but it's more than just that. There are ideas and correlations and connections that are both familiar and alien, none of which left me untouched. I know, you hear "this will change you" from movie critics and the like, but I urge you to find this book, and sit down and really read it. It's not a difficult read; the story flows smoothly and the humor is delightful. Don't let this one get away. Trust me.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely astonishing
Review: I first tried to read this book when I was a teen. I wasn't ready for it. I recently happened across it, and decided to give it a go. How can I explain this? I've read literally thousands of books. (None of them Norman's until recently). The story is a brilliantly told tale of a young girl growing into herself through a space-style walkabout; but it's more than just that. There are ideas and correlations and connections that are both familiar and alien, none of which left me untouched. I know, you hear "this will change you" from movie critics and the like, but I urge you to find this book, and sit down and really read it. It's not a difficult read; the story flows smoothly and the humor is delightful. Don't let this one get away. Trust me.
Rating:
Summary: brilliantly written and thought-provoking
Review: This has long been one of my favorite books. It is a serious, no-simple-answers coming-of-age tale, yet at the same time it manages to imaginative and entertaining, with plenty of laughs and vivid imagery. Thus the story is enjoyable whether the reader is in a contemplative mood or simply craving a good science fiction yarn. Most of all, I admire the author's use of language and dialect. He creates a form of modified English by incorporating words from several different languages throughout the text, as well as some made-up slang and terminology. (The novel is written in first-person, thus the use of dialect is constant through the text.) This can be daunting at first, but by the time you're a few chapters in you'll have 'picked up' the language to a remarkable degree. Years after my last reading, I still remember it. Again, one of my favorites. I'm going to buy another copy soon, before my old, often-reviewed copy falls apart completely.
Rating:
Summary: brilliantly written and thought-provoking
Review: This has long been one of my favorite books. It is a serious, no-simple-answers coming-of-age tale, yet at the same time it manages to imaginative and entertaining, with plenty of laughs and vivid imagery. Thus the story is enjoyable whether the reader is in a contemplative mood or simply craving a good science fiction yarn. Most of all, I admire the author's use of language and dialect. He creates a form of modified English by incorporating words from several different languages throughout the text, as well as some made-up slang and terminology. (The novel is written in first-person, thus the use of dialect is constant through the text.) This can be daunting at first, but by the time you're a few chapters in you'll have 'picked up' the language to a remarkable degree. Years after my last reading, I still remember it. Again, one of my favorites. I'm going to buy another copy soon, before my old, often-reviewed copy falls apart completely.
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