It has been a long time since I read this particular piece. However, what stands out most vividly in my memory is that Darwin continuously rattled off several "work-related anecdotes" throughout the entire book. These anecdotes seemed all too familiar to me, as they bore a striking resemblance to urban legends.

I have seldom been more exasperated with an author. It felt as if these so-called "anecdotes" were not based on real experiences but rather fabricated tales that detracted from the overall credibility of the work.

One would expect an author of Darwin's stature to present well-researched and reliable information. Instead, I found myself constantly questioning the authenticity of these stories.

Perhaps Darwin intended to use these anecdotes to illustrate certain points, but in doing so, he ended up leaving a negative impression on this reader.

Not bad, but I felt like I was reading an episode of "Mythbusters" crossed with something from the Military Channel (yeah, I know it's not called that anymore, but I can't remember the damn name and I don't feel like looking it up).

The story had its moments, but it also had some flaws. Dar, the protagonist, wasn't a bad character, but the whole Larry/Lawrence thing got old really fast. It felt like a forced plot device that didn't add much to the story.

There were also a lot of minor characters to keep track of, which made it a bit confusing at times. And the ending, while it wasn't terrible, was a little disappointing. It felt like it could have been more satisfying if it had been developed a bit more.

One thing that really surprised me was that the scene where the VW got smashed between two semis wasn't included. That would have been a really cool and exciting moment in the story, and I'm not sure why it was left out. Overall, it was an okay read, but it definitely had some room for improvement.

After "Hyperion" by Danu, one can forgive almost anything. But it is by no means necessary to read this.

Actually, I even doubt if he himself wrote it - the English is extremely simple, the only unfamiliar word being a term for road studs, but it's not even in the dictionaries.

The beginning of the book, by the way, is captivating - interesting and entertaining.

Then there is just a hodgepodge of facts (detailed and primitively boring) about everything imaginable - weapons, cars, planets, sniper techniques - but presented in a very tedious way.

And the very unclear relationships between people, about which, in my opinion, the author couldn't be bothered to think (in fact, the two main heroes simply have no characters at all and just take stereotypical actions in various situations).

Cliched, by the numbers pulp “thriller” that feels uninspired, like Simmons lost a bet.

Dan Simmons is one of my favorite authors and I can’t believe he wrote this. It's truly a disappointment. The story seems to follow a tired and predictable formula, lacking the creativity and depth that Simmons is known for. The characters are one-dimensional and the plot fails to engage or surprise. It's as if he was just going through the motions, without any real passion or inspiration. I had high expectations for this book, but it has fallen far short. I hope that Simmons will return to form with his next work and give his fans the kind of brilliant and engaging stories that we have come to expect from him.

This is a rather good thriller with a more or less original story about a million-dollar insurance fraud.

However, there are very long parts that don't contribute much to the plot, such as the flashback to Vietnam or the interminable technical descriptions of the weapons.

Also, the predictable romance with the co-protagonist, which smells like a 90s movie.

Dan Simmons is like that; he writes something brilliant, something quite good, or a complete mess. It's hard to say in advance what we're going to find.

Sometimes his works are truly outstanding, captivating the reader from beginning to end. But other times, he seems to lose focus and include elements that don't really enhance the overall story.

Despite these flaws, this thriller still has its moments of excitement and keeps the reader engaged enough to want to know how it all ends.

Maybe that's the charm of Dan Simmons' writing; it's unpredictable and always keeps you on your toes.

I am truly getting frustrated with Dan Simmons.

While I do appreciate the in-depth research that he undertakes, I can't seem to help but wish that he would incorporate less of it into his stories.

"Darwin's Blade" presents the narrative of an accident recreator who stumbles upon all the accidents from the Darwin Awards. The premise itself is rather stupid, and it only gets more so with a protagonist who is absurdly good at everything - computers, crime, driving, snipering, sexual activities, and math.

It becomes utterly exhausting to follow, and by the end, you simply find yourself no longer caring about what happens.

The overabundance of skills attributed to the protagonist makes the story lack credibility and authenticity, detracting from what could potentially have been an interesting concept.

It seems that Simmons may have sacrificed the quality of the story for the sake of showing off his research and creating an overly talented character.

As a reader, I am left disappointed and longing for a more engaging and believable tale.

Another fantastic read by Dan Simmons!

This was a truly compelling thriller type mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The characters were interesting and well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motives. The main character, Darwin Minor, was particularly engaging, and I found myself really rooting for him throughout the story. I would love to see more of him in future novels.

Although this book was published in 2000, the chances of another Darwin Minor novel seem slim. However, that doesn't take away from the enjoyment I got from reading this one. Overall, it was a great start to my 2015 reading year, and I'm looking forward to diving into the next Dan Simmons novel on my list. Only 3 more to go before I can say I have read them all!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery thriller with plenty of action and intrigue. It's a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end.

This is a really good story that has piqued my interest.

It makes me realize that I need to read more works by Simmons.

His writing style seems to have a unique charm that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from beginning to end.

I'm curious to explore other stories and novels he has written to see what other wonderful worlds and characters he has created.

Maybe there are more hidden gems waiting for me to discover in his body of work.

I'm looking forward to delving deeper into Simmons' literary universe and experiencing the full range of his creative talent.

Who knows what amazing adventures and emotions I'll encounter along the way?

It's going to be an exciting journey of exploration and discovery.

The details regarding accident reconstruction investigations were truly fascinating.

One could not help but be intrigued by the complex process and the meticulous analysis involved.

However, despite this interesting aspect, it was simply not sufficient to salvage this rather odd thriller.

Dan Simmons, who has penned some truly great books in the past, unfortunately, this particular work fails to measure up.

The story seems to lack the coherence and the engaging narrative that his other works are known for.

It is a disappointment for fans who were expecting another masterpiece from this talented author.

Perhaps with some further refinement and a stronger plot, this could have been a more successful thriller.

As it stands, it remains an example of a book that had potential but ultimately fell short.

I am writing this in English, even though I read the book in Dutch as it was the only version I could find at the time.

The original title is "Darwin's Blade" and it was written in 2000.

When I started reading this book, I really had no idea what to expect. I have read a number of Dan Simmons' later works and I thoroughly enjoy his skillful writing and attention to detail and fact.

Darwin's Blade (called "Moedwil" in Dutch) is a different kettle of fish. It is a fairly straightforward thriller with a good dose of detective and espionage thrown in.

It is a solid story with an interesting plot. It is basically about insurance fraud. Ah! I hear you, boring right? Well, maybe and then again maybe not. Even though the story line itself is simple with the good guys on one end and the bad guys on the other, the cases described are truly interesting. I don't know where the author got the ideas from, but they are highly entertaining.

Even though I found it hard to identify with Dar, the main character in this novel, it is enjoyable enough to stick with it. Mind you, it is nothing like his later works that have so much more depth and can be truly engrossing and thought provoking.

If, for some reason, you fail to get past the first couple of chapters and decide to skip this book altogether, then do yourself a favor and read the last chapter. What a way to go... right?

Overall, "Darwin's Blade" is an okay read. It may not be Simmons' best work, but it still has its moments. It's a good choice for those who are looking for a quick and easy thriller to pass the time. However, if you're a fan of Simmons' later works and are expecting something similar in terms of depth and complexity, you may be disappointed.

Despite its flaws, I'm glad I read "Darwin's Blade". It gave me a chance to see the early work of a talented author and how his writing has evolved over the years. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading Dan Simmons' work or who enjoys a good thriller.

3.5 stars.

This is one of my least favorite books by Simmons. However, it was still enjoyable due to the fact that he is an outstanding storyteller. He has an in-depth knowledge of his topics. I assigned it a slightly higher ranking merely because of his expertise in several subjects, which he weaves into a highly convincing detective story.

I appreciated the way he crafted this story, despite the inclusion of a significant amount of gun history - a topic about which I have no knowledge or interest.

Simmons always manages to surprise. He is an A+ writer.

I am looking forward to completing the remainder of his books in 2020. I believe that each one will offer a unique and engaging reading experience, as Simmons has a talent for creating complex and captivating narratives. His ability to bring different topics together and make them come alive on the page is truly remarkable. I can't wait to see what else he has in store for his readers.

It's as if he had lost a bet.

I can envision Dan Simmons sitting in the company of his literary comrades, and they taunt him into penning an action thriller. The basis for this thriller? Tired email forwards that we were all bombarded with too many times back in the early nineties.

They compel him to integrate an incredibly hackneyed love story. It has to feature a misunderstood protagonist who is nursing the wounds of a recent tragedy. There must be a car chase that concludes with a supercar hurtling off a cliff, and let's not forget the Russian spies. Clearly, it must have been a high-stakes loss for him.

In the end, despite the flaws, the book sells reasonably well, perhaps due to his other, more intellectually stimulating works. However, his fans are left with a sense of being slightly deceived.

At least in my case, for once, I wasn't left with the impression that I wasn't intelligent enough or didn't possess an exhaustive knowledge of Shakespeare or Dickens to truly appreciate his work.

Most of the time, it appears that he is writing for word enthusiasts, die-hard conservatives, or those with a passion for history or literature. But this time around, it seems as if he was aiming for the lowest common denominator.