The Stone Within : A Chung Kuo Novel: Book Four

Rating:
Summary: "There'll always be a Kennedy family"...
Review: ...to paraphrase that old song "There'll Always Be an England". In this volume, two more forces of defiance against the Seven (a regionalized monarchy) add their efforts to that of the terrorist sector in previous volumes. There are the Triads of organized crime (which, like the Mob, got their start as a political underground--I hadn't known that) and a new semi-insurgent political party in America led by (would you believe?) a descendant of the Kennedys. Part of that movement consists of certain scions of corporate bigwigs, a Generation Gap scenario which makes this century's version add up to chump change by comparison. Plus, the disunity among the Seven grows worse, with some particularly ugly three-versus-four backstabbing which threatens to break into open conflict. And if you think a falling out among kings necessarily benefits the masses, think again! I don't agree in the least with other reviwers who compare this series to "Dune" or the "Foundation" saga--it might be future-oriented, but it's not nearly other-worldly enough for those comparisons. This is more about human nature as it exists on this world--you could set it in any era and it would work. Which makes any comparisons between Wingrove and Asimov or Herbert well wide of the mark. Try imagining Harry Turtledove's "alternate history" stuff and moving it a couple of centuries into the future.

Rating:
Summary: "There'll always be a Kennedy family"...
Review: ...to paraphrase that old song "There'll Always Be an England". In this volume, two more forces of defiance against the Seven (a regionalized monarchy) add their efforts to that of the terrorist sector in previous volumes. There are the Triads of organized crime (which, like the Mob, got their start as a political underground--I hadn't known that) and a new semi-insurgent political party in America led by (would you believe?) a descendant of the Kennedys. Part of that movement consists of certain scions of corporate bigwigs, a Generation Gap scenario which makes this century's version add up to chump change by comparison. Plus, the disunity among the Seven grows worse, with some particularly ugly three-versus-four backstabbing which threatens to break into open conflict. And if you think a falling out among kings necessarily benefits the masses, think again! I don't agree in the least with other reviwers who compare this series to "Dune" or the "Foundation" saga--it might be future-oriented, but it's not nearly other-worldly enough for those comparisons. This is more about human nature as it exists on this world--you could set it in any era and it would work. Which makes any comparisons between Wingrove and Asimov or Herbert well wide of the mark. Try imagining Harry Turtledove's "alternate history" stuff and moving it a couple of centuries into the future.

Rating:
Summary: This is one of the best series I've ever read
Review: Take the chance and embark on a long journey with David Wingrove. You will not be let down. Problem is, you will see nothing of your friends or family for the next three months.

But that is what you want from a book, isn't it...

Rating:
Summary: A must have
Review: Take the chance and embark on a long journey with David Wingrove. You will not be let down. Problem is, you will see nothing of your friends or family for the next three months.

But, that is what you are looking for in a book, isn't it?

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Unlike the reviewer from Kirkus, I found this to be an incredible disappointment after the taut and entertaining events of the previous novel. I had enjoyed all three novels to this point, but from here it seems to me that the impetus of the original idea was lost, leaving Wingrove to fulfill a contract that he had little heart to do. I could, of course, be completely wrong (it wouldn't be the first time) but from here on in the series Wingrove seems to lose all idea of character development - they all seem to do things on whims that fulfill the author's purpose (whatever that is) rather than operating as believable (albeit archetypal) individuals.

Rating:
Summary: The fall of the seven
Review: While I still finished the book, the stereotypical characterisations and lack of coherant editing makes me question bothering to continue reading the series.

Rating:
Summary: Dynamic, engrossing, extraordinary.
Review: Wingrove continues to weave his web of struggle, greed, power and humanity in this fourth book of his thrilling saga "Chung Kuo." I would highly recommend this to any reader who enjoys sci-fi.