Jeremy and Gail are a couple united by a great ability: they are both telepaths. Alone, this ability hurts and destroys them, while together they are able to create a mental shield that protects them from the thoughts of the outside world. However, when Gail is killed by cancer, it is the beginning of a nightmare for Jeremy.

The plot promised an interesting book. Also, the fame of the writer promised a good read. Unfortunately, it was not so. Finishing it was a suffering.

It is heavy, especially the "flashback" parts between the protagonist and his wife Gail, full of notions of pure mathematics and physics that make it difficult to maintain concentration. Then Jeremy I don't like. He is dull and a bit selfish (just a bit?). Finally, the plot is chaotic, the things that happen to Jeremy are not connected, it seems that they lead nowhere. They just happen to him, passively. What a pity.

Damn, and this one started sooo good.

So how exactly do you manage to mess up a story that has such great potential? It's about a telepath who is grieving the loss of his wife and is trying to find his place in the world again, all while being bombarded by the thoughts and secrets of others.

(Well, perhaps "screw up" is a bit of an overstatement as this wasn't completely terrible, but it truly could have been so much better...)

First of all, the character arc is disjointed. The character growth isn't entirely believable, which makes some of his later decisions seem to come out of nowhere. Then there's the plot, which consists of what appears to be random elements. There's alcoholism, the mafia (not just once but twice), and even penis-eating women with metal teeth. And to top it off, the telepathy aspect is barely utilized.

Ok, I'll admit I'm being a bit unfair. The characters did seem quite good, especially Gail, the deceased wife. The parts that revolved around maths were surprisingly entertaining, and the ending was quite nice and emotional.

But still, it could have been soooo much better.

This is the first time I have encountered the exploration of Karl Pribram's holonomic model of the brain in fiction. In simplified terms, it poses the question: what if the human mind is both a collection of holograms and an instrument for interpreting the holograms of the vaster reality around us? The result is quite inspiring. The story delves into some very dark areas but ultimately reaches for the light. The main characters display a surprising amount of emotion (I admit that watching K-dramas has set the bar a bit too high; after those, being moved by a book always surprises me) . After all, this is Dan Simmons, who later gave us Aenea and Raul Endymion.

I deduct one star for the gratuitous violence and body horror in the second third of the story. Until the very end, I hoped for some justification for the arc with Miz Morgan, but I found none.

There are three moments that I would like to hold onto for as long as possible.

~ A moment of passion and sharing: Jeremy kisses the gentle curve of Gail's lower belly. The rain starts again, gentle but insistent on the nylon above, driving away the insects, the noise, and the smells of cooking. They have made love before, but this night, in the tent in the rain, they truly lose themselves. Their flow of thoughts becomes as joined and intermingled as the flow of their bodies.

~ A moment of compassion and caring: The children with various illnesses surge forward to hug Bremen. Bremen embraces them all and sends a message of well-being, hope, and love to each of them. He whispers secret and personal things in their ears, reassuring them and giving them comfort.

~ A triumph of empowerment: The discussion about ultimate perceptives and paradigm shifts. The idea that a great mind can conceive of a major shift in reality and literally change the universe is both fascinating and empowering. It makes us think about the power of our own minds and the potential for us to make a difference in the world.

I truly desired to have a greater affinity for this book than I actually did.

It boasts a captivating cover, and the paperback edition I acquired exudes that enchanting old book aroma. On numerous occasions while reading, I would fan the pages in front of my face and inhale deeply, which filled me with unadulterated joy (no exaggeration).

However, I simply couldn't fully immerse myself in the story. This was my initial encounter with Dan Simmons, and since Stephen King had a penchant for it, that was a persuasive factor. Moreover, I had been coming across an abundance of positive reviews about Simmons, which had piqued my interest in reading his work for some time. This particular book was the first one that was within my reach.

Nevertheless, it didn't have a profound impact on me. I liked "the hook" and relished the beginning as the protagonist grapples with the loss of his wife and endeavors to find solitude but fails to hold onto it. The suspense in those early pages was captivating, and I took pleasure in learning about his past, how he discovered his skill, and his attempts to cope with it.

But then the story veered off course a little. His travels across America seemed so directionless and ultimately without purpose. Initially, I thought it was going to evolve into a vigilante story, which I believed might be fascinating. But when I realized that there was no other significance to those travels apart from depicting his gradual descent into despair and that they served no greater objective, I somewhat lost interest. And that incident with the farm owner? That was just, ugh.

The book did have its tender moments, and there were sections where I appreciated and recognized Simmons's prowess with words. But overall, I found this one to be rather underwhelming.

Mr. Simmons's works are typically filled with terrifying happenings, and this particular one is no different.

However, it is the gentle essence of the characters in this book that made me develop a liking for it. In this novel, he presents his main character, a telepathic individual, who discovers a woman just like him, only to unfortunately lose her to cancer.

Their times together are recalled through flashbacks, while in real-time, he gets entangled in some sort of criminal mess. It is a somewhat perplexing book, especially considering the presence of a mathematical equation for human thought within its pages.

Nonetheless, it manages to remain interesting and builds up to a rather strange conclusion. I gave some of Mr. Simmons's other works a try, but was deterred by the gory details they contained.

Overall, this book has its own unique charm and吸引力, despite its flaws and peculiarities.

If we throw out the standard horror-thriller trash from the book, what comes out is a very good sci-fi.

This statement implies that within the pages of a particular book, there may be elements that are typical of the horror-thriller genre but are perhaps not of the highest quality. By removing these less desirable aspects, what remains has the potential to be an excellent piece of science fiction.

It could suggest that the underlying concepts or ideas in the book have more value when presented in a different context or without the distractions of the clichéd horror-thriller tropes.

This also highlights the importance of discerning what is truly valuable and interesting in a literary work, and being able to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Overall, it makes us think about how a book can be transformed and improved by a careful selection and reworking of its elements.

Stephen King recommended this book. His blurb on the book states that it is an "un-put downable book."

There is a significant amount of math and chaos theory in this work, dear readers. At times, it may be rather difficult to follow due to this aspect. I myself had some struggles in a few places. However, despite these challenges, it is otherwise a truly fascinating read.

The combination of complex mathematical concepts and the engaging narrative makes this book a unique and interesting experience. It forces the reader to think deeply and grapple with ideas that may be outside of their comfort zone.

Even though there are moments when the going gets tough, the overall story and the exploration of chaos theory make it well worth the effort. It's a book that will leave you with a new perspective on the world and a greater appreciation for the power of mathematics and its connection to the chaos that exists all around us.

So, if you're looking for a challenging and thought-provoking read, this book comes highly recommended by Stephen King and is definitely worth checking out.

"The Cuckoo Man" is a very powerful and emotional book.

Dane Simmons has created a touching and melancholy story that truly deserves to be read!

The main heroes in it are two lovers who possess unique telepathic abilities. However, telepathy turns out to be not so much a gift as a heavy burden, because in the mind of a person with such a talent, foreign thoughts and emotions constantly rush in... After his beloved Gail dies, Jeremy is left alone and desperate in this world. Seeking solitude and escape from the overwhelming tides of thoughts, he gets involved in great and terrifying dangers...

This book not only tells a story of love and loss but also explores the complex nature of telepathy and its impact on the lives of those who possess it. The vivid descriptions and engaging plot make it a captivating read from start to finish.

Whether you are a fan of science fiction or simply enjoy a good story, "The Cuckoo Man" is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

Psychic lovers, a concept that seems to blend the mysterious realm of the supernatural with the intensity of human connection.

Quantum physics, the scientific field that delves into the tiniest particles and their mind-boggling behaviors.

Mob goons, those menacing figures associated with organized crime and its shadowy underworld.

And a female serial killer who is so terrifying that she could even give the infamous Hannibal Lecter a run for his money.

The writing in this story is indeed strong, with vivid descriptions and a palpable sense of tension. However, I can't help but wish that the author had chosen a more coherent plotline.

It feels as if these various elements are just floating around, not quite coming together in a way that makes complete sense.

Perhaps with a more focused narrative, the story could have reached even greater heights, captivating readers and keeping them on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

As it stands, it's a collection of interesting ideas that just need a bit more organization and direction to truly shine.

In many ways, the novel is as disjointed as its subject matter, thought, and memory.

It pinballs between being brilliant and inconsistent, emotional and erratic, understated and profound, crude and everything in between.

This makes it a complex and somewhat chaotic read.

However, it is important to note that it is still a far cry from some of his other masterworks.

Perhaps this is because the author was exploring new territory or trying out different writing techniques.

Nonetheless, the novel does have its moments of brilliance and offers some interesting insights into the human condition.

Overall, it is a work that is worth reading, if only to see the author's evolution as a writer.

Despite its flaws, it has the potential to engage and inspire readers, making it a valuable addition to the literary canon.

Kvantová mechanika, a fascinating theory that delves into the mysterious world of the very small. The theory of chaos, which explores the unpredictable nature of complex systems. Mathematica, the language of the universe that helps us understand and describe these phenomena.

But that's not all. There's also philosophical musings that make you question the nature of reality and our place in it. A passionate love story that tugs at your heartstrings. A thrilling adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat. And a horror story that sends shivers down your spine.

Parallel worlds and the blurring of minds add an extra layer of complexity and intrigue. So, what will you choose? If any of these sound appealing to you, then reach for "Pusté duši" by Dana Simmons. It contains all of the above and perhaps even more. All you have to do is read and discover. Sometimes you may understand everything, and sometimes you may be left scratching your head. But that's okay. It's all part of the journey.

Sometimes you'll be so engrossed that you'll race through the pages as fast as you can, and other times you'll want to slow down and savor every word. You may even find yourself holding your breath at times, feeling the sadness and longing that the characters experience. But then you'll take a deep breath and look to the future, where a glimmer of hope shines through. And at the end? At the end, you'll know that you won't forget this unique book.

A well-written story with a certain originality.

However, the main problem is that it sounds like an old B-series story and doesn't seem very relevant to the present.

I am more interested in the current part than when it recalls its past with his wife. But since the chapters are well-interspersed and not too long, it works well.

The final part of Robby's mind becomes very tedious and ethereal.

Nor did I fully empathize with the protagonist.

Perhaps the author could have added more contemporary elements to make the story more engaging and relatable. Also, the development of the protagonist's character could have been more in-depth to create a stronger connection with the reader. Overall, while there are some good aspects to the story, there is also room for improvement to make it a truly great piece of work.