By: Greg Bear Publisher: Del Rey Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Del Rey Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 496 Publication Date: August 05, 2008 Release Date: August 05, 2008
Product Description: Multiple Hugo and Nebula award-winning author, Greg Bear is one of science fiction’s most accomplished writers. Bold scientific speculation, riveting plots, and a fierce humanism reflected in characters who dare to dream of better worlds distinguish his work. Now Bear has written a mind-bendingly epic novel that may well be his masterpiece.
Do you dream of a city at the end of time?
In a time like the present, in a world that may or may not be our own, three young people–Ginny, Jack, and Daniel–dream of a doomed, decadent city of the distant future: the Kalpa. Ginny’s and Jack’s dreams overtake them without warning, leaving their bodies behind while carrying their consciousnesses forward, into the minds of two inhabitants of the Kalpa–a would-be warrior, Jebrassy, and an inquisitive explorer, Tiadba–who have been genetically retro-engineered to possess qualities of ancient humanity. As for Daniel: He dreams of an empty darkness–all that his future holds.
But more than dreams link Ginny, Jack, and Daniel. They are fate-shifters, born with the ability to skip like stones across the surface of the fifth dimension, inhabiting alternate versions of themselves. And each guards an object whose origin and purpose are unknown: gnarled, stony artifacts called sum-runners that persist unchanged through all versions of time.
Hunted by others with similar powers who seek the sum-runners on behalf of a terrifying, goddess-like entity known as the Chalk Princess, Ginny, Jack, and Daniel are drawn, despite themselves, into an all but hopeless mission to rescue the future–and complete the greatest achievement in human history.
I describe myself This is one of those books where every chapter jumps to a different character, in a different setting - at least in the first 10 chapters. I can't tell you how good the book is, because it's not my type of book. I don't like lots of jumping around. That's about me. And, jumping from character to character may be the best way to tell this tale. So, it's not a tale for me.
Also, Bear writes each chapter with the knowledge and terminology that the characters in that different setting would be familiar with. So, he talks about a lot of things, and uses a lot of terms that the reader must gain an understanding of from the context. Again, not really for me.
I've read many of Bear's works, and really liked most of them quite a lot. This one just isn't for me. I see things about it that draw me in, that make me interested in what's going on, and like the characters. But, overall, I'm struggling too much to piece it together and understand it. I just don't want to work that hard. I expect that it's worth it to those with better attention spans and more tolerance for not having much clue about what's going on. I'm simpler than that.
Unreadable It is extremely rare for me to give up on a book but I found this title by Greg Bear to be pretty much completely unreadable. I've liked most of his past work but this has no developed characters, a confusing, un-intelligible plot, and boring imagery. Two thumbs down.
Excruciating. Un-finishable I tried very hard to get through this, but I couldn't. By 100 pages in, you're tracking at least four separate threads, and numerous central characters, but no compelling narrative's emerged. It's too far on the fantasy side of SF for me, and not nearly enough science. This one went back to the library unfinished.
A most enjoyable read Sometimes a little hard to follow the plot, but some excellent writing. Well worth reading if you enjoy fantasy and science fiction
Incredible Ideas I am a huge GB fan and always read his new stuff as soon as it comes out so I pre-ordered CIty. As usual with Bear really interesting ideas wrapped inside a somewhat difficult story to follow. I usually read GB with the thoughts that I will at least get one new, way out idea about time/space/ evolution etc. CatEoT doesn't disappoint in this regard but if your looking for a fun, easy read with a great plot and engaging characters - look some place else.
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