Cryptozoic!

Rating:
Summary: An Age
Review: I refer to the Sphere edition of this novel, published under the title of 'An Age', which I have just re-read. Firstly, about the publication - it desparately needed a good proofreading, there are just SO many typographical errors! I re-read this novel because it made a big impression when I read it first - at least ten years ago. I still like the novel, but perhaps not as much as I originally did. There is a bit too much of philosophising and pseudo science for my liking. But it does have a very original idea that is explored well. Unfortunately 'when all is revealed' and the explanations and speculations start at the end I suddenly saw a lot of what Philip Dick did in 'Counter-Clock World' come back to haunt me. To be honest, I don't know which of these novels came first. They are both well worth reading although, for me, the Dick is stronger and more inventive. In the Aldiss, I was also put off by all the male characters being known by their family names and the main female character being called Ann - it seemed a bit coy and cute to me, too unbalanced from a sexist point of view. Something I thought a good editor may have advised against.

Rating:
Summary: An Age
Review: I refer to the Sphere edition of this novel, published under the title of 'An Age', which I have just re-read. Firstly, about the publication - it desparately needed a good proofreading, there are just SO many typographical errors! I re-read this novel because it made a big impression when I read it first - at least ten years ago. I still like the novel, but perhaps not as much as I originally did. There is a bit too much of philosophising and pseudo science for my liking. But it does have a very original idea that is explored well. Unfortunately 'when all is revealed' and the explanations and speculations start at the end I suddenly saw a lot of what Philip Dick did in 'Counter-Clock World' come back to haunt me. To be honest, I don't know which of these novels came first. They are both well worth reading although, for me, the Dick is stronger and more inventive. In the Aldiss, I was also put off by all the male characters being known by their family names and the main female character being called Ann - it seemed a bit coy and cute to me, too unbalanced from a sexist point of view. Something I thought a good editor may have advised against.

Rating:
Summary: 3.5 star rating
Review: Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: People are able to time travel via a method calld mind-travel. This fad has led to the economic breakdown of the future and martial law initiated. For one man, he is tasked to track down a outlaw of the state in order to save the word from further chaos.

MY FEEDBACK:
Pro: Book is a very fast read (read all 190pgs in a day). That also means the author doesn't waste time getting to the point
Pro: Very different take on the time travel idea. Believable and well delivered
Pro: In very few pages we really get into the character of the main protagonist. Regardless if you like the protagonist or not, Aldiss does some good character development here.
Con: Towards the end he goes on for about 40+ pages trying to explain some theories. It was just a little long for me especially when you consider that is 20% of the entire book
Pro: Leaves you thinking in the end

OVERALL: I liked it and it kept my interest. I thought it would have been great if it didn't get so overly complex towards the end and give me a headache. Great classic sci-fi otherwise.