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L'Échiquier du mal

dan simmons

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Mêlant horreur, polar, thriller et espionnage, L'Échiquier du mal parle, selon l'auteur, du « besoin des victimes de... s'opposer à la violence qui leur est faite au nom de la religion, de la raison d'État, de la race, du sexe, de l'autorité ou de la perversité pure et simple ». Les personnages positifs du roman sont d'ailleurs un Juif rescapé des camps de concentration et une jeune Noire qui recherche les assassins de son père. Les méchants, milliardaires, producteurs de cinéma, ex-nazis et chefs du FBI, mènent une partie d'échecs planétaire, partie dont les pions humains sont incapables de résister au viol mental qui les pousse aux pires actes de violence.

1008 pages, Paperback

First published August 6,2003

This edition

Format
1008 pages, Paperback
Published
August 6, 2003 by DENO�L (�DITIONS)
ISBN
9782207254417
ASIN
2207254410
Language
French

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About the author

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dan simmons

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Dan Simmons is an American science fiction and horror writer. He is the author of the Hyperion Cantos and the Ilium/Olympos cycles, among other works that span the science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres, sometimes within a single novel. Simmons's genre-intermingling Song of Kali (1985) won the World Fantasy Award. He also writes mysteries and thrillers, some of which feature the continuing character Joe Kurtz.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 11 votes)
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11 reviews All reviews
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VoydVoyd
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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By far one of the best science-fiction novels I've ever read is truly a remarkable piece of literature.

It takes the reader on an extraordinary journey through a world filled with imagination and innovation. The story is filled with captivating characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The author's vivid descriptions bring the settings and technologies to life, making it easy to envision the futuristic landscapes and advanced gadgets.

This science-fiction novel not only entertains but also makes you think about the possibilities of the future and the impact of science and technology on our lives.

It is a must-read for any fan of the genre and a great example of the power of science-fiction to inspire and engage.
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Rarity
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A group of people endowed with a specific power are behind most of the crimes (including, of course, against humanity) in the twentieth century.

Here is the starting point. Not outrageously original but not badly fabricated either. Presenting a succession of chapters based on different viewpoints (some in the first person, others not), the construction is now classic.

However, the fact of not respecting the chronological order disturbs the understanding. With this exception, the novel is well-written and constructed. Its biggest flaw being that it is needlessly long.

Perhaps the author could have trimmed some of the excess fat to make the story more concise and engaging. Nevertheless, it still manages to hold the reader's attention with its interesting premise and diverse range of perspectives.

Overall, it is a decent work that could have been even better with a bit more refinement.
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red_888
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Carrion Comfort is a remarkable book that I devoured in almost 3 weeks, and I have no regrets. The synopsis initially led me to believe it was a modern American take on Dracula, but I was completely mistaken. Instead, it's a scathing critique of our society, where "psychic vampires" embody the worst of humanity. I was enthralled by following the various protagonists, both good and bad, through their trials and tribulations. Certain chapters had me reacting强烈, and I even wanted to kill some characters (Tony, I'm looking at you). The novel is meticulously crafted from start to finish, and Simmons' talent is truly captivating. Additionally, it delves into many aspects of the post-war period, and I especially adored Saul, the therapist who endured the horrors of concentration camps. However, it's important to note that the book contains graphic rape scenes, racism, sexism, and violent deaths. "All of our lives are governed by a certain degree of faith in bullshit." This thought-provoking statement adds another layer to the complex themes explored in Carrion Comfort.

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TunyVuny
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Oh my goodness! This book was extremely long!


It started in 1992 and ended in 2018. It took a whopping 26 years to read!


Frankly, Mr. Simmons, you're really overdoing it!


Jokes aside, the reason I had such a hard time is that the novel mixes very serious scenes with others that are clearly in the B-movie category. Moreover, it overuses extremely long action scenes, which I'm not a fan of. Sadly, the scenes worthy of a B-movie stain the dignity of the serious scenes.


★★★½☆

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gbenz
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The main story of this book is truly excellent, filled with great ideas.

However, it is far too long considering its content.

The events seem to repeat themselves as the point of view changes.

Moreover, the 'evil' characters constantly remembering their past lives becomes extremely annoying.

As a result, I ended up skimming through those parts.

Overall, I think it's a good idea, but in my opinion, it wasn't well executed.

The book could have been more concise and engaging if the repetitive elements had been removed and the pacing had been better managed.

Perhaps a more focused approach to the story and a reduction in the length would have made it a more enjoyable read.

Nevertheless, the good ideas within the book still hold some potential, and with some improvements, it could have been a great piece of literature.

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DNSS-FLY
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A monument of science fiction and horror (and on the horror side, the author doesn't hold back anything). Nothing is left to chance in the narrative: it is so to speak, written with a scalpel... Or simply like a game of chess between very good players.


The suspense is everywhere from the first to the last line of the book and honestly, putting down the novel to do something else was terrible (and yet it's a thick book of over a thousand pages!).


We find reflections on racism, the value of a life, but especially on power: class power, mental power, money power. How to obtain it, keep it, defend against it. Is it always corrupting?


Already I have just said all good things about this book and I haven't even talked about the best part: The main characters. Whether they are good or bad, they are well-developed, we end up getting to know them and Simmons manages to surprise us with their actions and reactions while always making them act in accordance with their respective characters: it's masterful! Saul, Gentry, Harod, Chen, the Oberst are all unforgettable characters.


Special mention for Melanie: the 100% survival, 0% empathy character: the worst psychopath in the history of literature, next to her Hannibal Lecter is a kitten! The "little extra"?: The passages of Melanie are the only ones written in the first person singular.


Wow: Super reading!!
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reaper2020
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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L’Échiquier du mal is a book about my PAL that I have had for at least a very long time! After Hypérion, I felt obliged to continue my exploration of Simmons' polymorphous work. With this novel, the reader gets their money's worth: thriller, espionage, history, horror, vampire, war, psychology, it's all there.

Simmons' take on vampirism is no laughing matter. The author has chosen psychic vampirism, which is more insidious, more vicious, and paradoxically more conducive to scenes of horror. Simmons' vampire doesn't get his hands dirty. He exercises his Talent with distinction and spreads abominations, tragedies, and other horrors. His complete lack of compassion, empathy, and humanity makes him as terrifying as he is fascinating. He explores the psyche of his victims with a scientific curiosity and transforms them into zombified beings devoid of will. Having no moral limits, the misdeeds of this filthy brood are twisted and unexpected. Involved in events that have marked history and even caused some of them, these vampires are sometimes highly placed, which gives the novel an air of conspiracy theory.

[La suite sur mon blog, merci :)]
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