A good book, one of the kind that I like: science fiction with a touch of nostalgia.

In that sense, and although they are different, it reminds me of other classics such as Solaris, The Lords of the Instrumentality, The End of Childhood or Maker of Stars.

It is very entertaining and combines diverse ideas: biological and geological evolution, immortality, genetics, cloning, even nanomachines.

I didn't know it before reading it, but Jack Williamson is a Great Master, and with good reason.

His writing style is engaging, and he manages to bring these complex scientific concepts to life in a way that is accessible to the average reader.

The story is full of twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

Overall, this is a must-read for any science fiction fan.

My initial entry point into the world of Williamson was through the collection titled "The Worlds of Jack Williamson (which includes "Darker Than You Think"). Subsequently, I delved into "Legion of Space." Both of these works were absolute 5-star reads for me, captivating my imagination and leaving a lasting impression.

I also read the one under discussion here. While I did enjoy it, it didn't quite reach the same heights as the other two. What I truly liked about it was its unique premise. It was refreshingly not at all predictable, which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. However, I must admit that I found the first half of the story more enjoyable than the second half.

There were certain characters who never left the moon, and I desired to see more development of them. Their potential was palpable, and I felt that a bit more exploration of their arcs could have added even more depth to the narrative. Additionally, I couldn't help but wonder about the concept of clones retaining the memories of their predecessors. Although this supposition may strain plausibility, it undeniably reflects the author's rich and vivid imagination.

Overall, I firmly believe that this work was worth reading. It offers a unique and engaging story that is sure to appeal to fans of science fiction. If someone is new to Williamson's works and is looking to embark on this literary journey for the first time, I would highly recommend starting with "Darker Than You Think." It is an incredible and unforgettable piece of literature that will undoubtedly leave a profound impact on the reader.

This book exudes a very old school science fiction charm.

Some scientists establish a base on the moon as a contingency plan for humanity, fearing that an asteroid impact could obliterate life on Earth.

Subsequently, the scientists contribute their DNA to be cloned by the moon base when the need arises.

Consequently, pretty much the same individuals are cloned repeatedly.

As thousands, or perhaps even millions, of years pass, they rebuild the earth more than once.

It's not really a particularly cheerful narrative, but it is definitely interesting.

The concept of a moon base serving as a safeguard for humanity and the idea of cloning the same people over and over again to rebuild the earth after disasters add an element of intrigue and speculation.

It makes one wonder about the possibilities and consequences of such a scenario.

Overall, this book offers a unique and thought-provoking take on science fiction.

I truly relished this. The story lines were simply outstanding. Each one was filled with excitement, mystery, and unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It was like being on a thrilling adventure, constantly eager to see what would happen next. The characters were also well-developed, with their own unique personalities and motives. I found myself easily able to connect with them and root for their success. Overall, this was an amazing experience that I will not soon forget. I can't wait to see what other great stories are in store for me.

It is true that it is a bit slow when repeating the pattern of restarting the characters quite a few times.

However, I have found it to be very imaginative.

The last part and the ending have left me with a very good taste in my mouth.

The story seems to have a unique charm that keeps pulling me in.

Although the repetition might make some people impatient, I think it also adds a certain rhythm and depth to the narrative.

It makes me wonder about the significance and purpose behind each restart.

Perhaps it is a way for the author to explore different possibilities and perspectives.

Overall, despite its minor flaw, I really enjoyed this work and look forward to seeing more from the author in the future.

This book was recommended to me from a Barnes and Noble article discussing the new Neal Stephenson book that was coming out.

Fortunately, I was able to borrow it through the inter-library loan program at the public library.

There are numerous layers to this book, and it's difficult for me to rate it as just a 3-star when there were other aspects that made me inclined to give it a 4-star.

The pacing is fast, which maintained my interest throughout. However, I believe one drawback of the fast pacing is that there were several chapters where I desired more information, to linger on the story a bit more.

This story is a very dry and hard science-fiction based. I couldn't determine if this aided my reading of the story since the premise is that we are following clones, reborn multiple times, to attempt to repopulate the Earth.

Earth goes through numerous stages of human extinction. It's rather sad to contemplate. Therefore, during most of the chapters, it's challenging to tell if Mr. Williamson is commenting on the emotional level of the clones.

One of them becomes extremely paranoid, and it's sort of left unresolved. Or perhaps someone could argue that the clones resembled humans so perfectly that there was no reason to think they were different. Hmm. An interesting debate.

And I think that's why I had to give it a 3-star review: there were so many opportunities for Mr. Williamson to explore the humanity side of this story, but instead, it seemed like the story was simply intended to be fast-paced and hard science fiction.

“An interesting book and a good science fiction read.” This statement accurately describes the initial impression of the book. It hooks the reader from the start with its engaging storyline and imaginative concepts. The science fiction elements are well-developed, taking the reader on a thrilling journey through a fictional world.

However, “although I think it lost the plot in the final quarter.” This is a valid criticism. As the story progresses, it seems to deviate from its original path and becomes somewhat disjointed. The pacing slows down, and the clear direction that was present in the beginning starts to fade.

Despite this flaw, the book still has its merits. The characters are well-written and relatable, and the overall world-building is impressive. It offers a unique perspective on science fiction and contains many thought-provoking ideas. Overall, it is a book that is worth reading, although it could have been even better if the plot had been more tightly maintained throughout.

This wasn't what I expected, but it was an interesting read.

Just imagine the fascinating concept of being able to witness what occurs when the world is obliterated and then reborn with life multiple times over an incredibly vast number of years.

Jack Williamson's imagination was truly remarkable as he meticulously developed each and every one of these incarnations of the earth.

He had the ability to make us deeply care for the people who were continuously born again and again to observe these extraordinary events.

His detailed descriptions and creative storytelling brought these different eras and their inhabitants to life in a vivid and engaging way.

It was as if we were transported through time and space, experiencing the ebb and flow of life on a planet that was constantly evolving and changing.

Overall, it was a captivating and thought-provoking read that left a lasting impression on me.

5/10 en 2008.

This novel won Hugo, Nebula, and Campbell awards for this gentleman who was also a Grand Master of Science Fiction (take that!).

Well, for me, I was as bored as a mushroom. Among the works of this author that I have read, I will stick with La legión del espacio.

Here we have an apocalyptic future with a base on the moon attended by robots to "sow" the destroyed Earth by the method of sending waves of children... who are dying. The idea is good, but the development, for me, is boring.

In this story, the concept of an apocalyptic future and the use of robots on the moon to attempt to revive the devastated Earth is quite interesting. However, the way the author presents the plot and develops the story fails to engage me. The idea of sending waves of children to a doomed planet is a bold one, but it could have been executed in a more exciting and engaging way. Maybe more details about the children's experiences, the challenges they face, and the ultimate outcome of their mission could have made the story more captivating. As it stands, I found myself losing interest halfway through the book.

This was a truly nice return to traditional science fiction for me.

Mr. Williamson is indeed a highly respected and much lauded author in the genre, and there is a very good reason for it.

The book commences with a simple premise - the earth is in desperate need of being rebuilt in the post-apocalypse. However, as the story unfolds, it quickly gains depth and complexity.

The complexity branches out in many different directions and ultimately culminates (spoiler alert) in a metaphysical resolution.

This book, which was written in the twilight of his career, for me, holds a profound respect for the diversity and complexity of all life. It seems to point towards a greater and ultimate path for all of us.

In conclusion, this was a really good read and was masterfully crafted, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

I got to page 161 and then gave up.

At the beginning, it was actually pretty good. The story seemed interesting and engaging.

However, as I continued reading, it started to get really boring.

There was a group of young adults who were constantly trying to do the same thing over and over again.

This was because things just kept going wrong for them.

By the time I decided to stop reading, I think it was their 5th attempt.

To be honest, I had kind of lost track.

The repetition made it feel like the story wasn't progressing and it just became tiresome.

I was hoping for more excitement and variety, but unfortunately, that's not what I got.

Maybe if the author had changed up the plot a bit or added some new elements, I would have been more inclined to keep reading.

As it stands, I'm disappointed and won't be picking up this book again.

I like it a lot.

There is something truly special about it that makes me have a deep affection for it.

I see why he and Pohl had such a great connection.

Perhaps it was their shared interests, similar personalities, or maybe it was just a natural chemistry that developed between them.

Whatever the reason, it is clear that their connection was strong and meaningful.

It makes me wonder what kind of experiences they had together and how their relationship influenced their lives.

I can only imagine the conversations they had, the laughter they shared, and the support they gave each other.

It is truly wonderful to see such a great connection between two people.

I hope that I can also have a connection like that with someone in my life.