[NF4]≫ PDF Free Gameplayers of Zan M A Foster 9780879979935 Books

Gameplayers of Zan M A Foster 9780879979935 Books

Download As PDF : Gameplayers of Zan M A Foster 9780879979935 Books

Gameplayers of Zan M A Foster 9780879979935 Books

I'm not much of a reviewer, but I figure this book is worth taking a minute to talk about. My father was always a big reader as a younger man. From Michigan, to Los Angeles (where I was born), to a crappy little racist town in Maryland (currently residing, age 22), he picked up some great books that eventually made their way into boxes in the attic. Being a hardy if bookish kid, I naturally spent many long hours poring through them. I tried my hand at Dune and Gravity's Rainbow by the age of 12; of course I had to put them down before picking them up again a decade later. I ended up reading a lot of Asimov, re-reading a lot of William Gibson, and countless other great works of science fiction that have been largely sidelined in the face of such tripe as "Harry Potter."

So there was that. And then, this book. I read it as a kid, then read it again a few times these last few years - and wow. Now that I'm finally able to appreciate the full spectrum of skill and nuance involved in this book (and to a somewhat lesser degree, it's sequels), I've come to realize that this is quite simply one of the best science fiction novels ever written. Like a previous reviewer said, it is a crime that this is out of print. My advice? Either order one of these cheap copies, or go browse your local used book store for a copy. I found 6 first editions just gathering dust at the local Wonder Book & Video. Read it a few times, then either sell it back or pass it on to a friend. You'll walk away a better person.


Tags : Gameplayers of Zan [M. A. Foster] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Book by Foster, M. A.,M. A. Foster,Gameplayers of Zan,DAW,0879979933,General,Fiction,Fiction General

Gameplayers of Zan M A Foster 9780879979935 Books Reviews

This is one of the most complex, compelling sagas of the far future I have ever read, and I've read a LOT of science fiction, including most of the "classic age" authors like Heinlein, Asimov, Clement, and Clarke. The characters are so realistic it's hard to return to "reality" after finishing any of Foster's books, and this is no exception. Read it!

Now here's some good news for those fans who have been trying to find a copy of this book since it went out of print a couple of decades ago it's back, and as part of a one-volume edition of the three "Ler" books, called "The Book of The Ler", available right here on . Enjoy!
There is so much to this novel, it's hard to decide what to talk about. I must summarize up front by saying this is Foster's best work, and as a writer, he is right up there with the best of the rest.
In "Gameplayers," centuries have passed since the experimentation with human genetics produced the Ler, and the Earth is now shared between the densely-populated humans and their highly-intelligent but less fecund offspring. The Ler have built a complex, and largely incomprehensible society, but all this is in jeopardy, as the humans covet most of what space the Ler have.
The Ler, impeccably described by Foster in a most entertaining way, are, in secret, in the process of creating an interstellar ship that will take many of them off-earth. This ship is like nothing you've ever heard of evolving as the Ler tend it. And when it unexpectedly comes to life during the watch of a young and unprepared cadet, she must bend her mind in order to save the project. Something breaks in the process, and only a former lover (our hero) can save her, the ship, and the Ler race.
The climax is astonshing, but getting there is even more fun. This is a "must get".
I know I'm the lone dissenter here, but I guess I just don't see what the other 5-star reviews are raving about. Is this book interesting? Yes...once you get far enough into it. But it's not what I would call a masterpiece.

Remember those philosophy course you took in college? The ones that - no matter how interesting they were, no matter how engaging the professor was - despite your best efforts, you STILL fell asleep? That's what this book is like. While the premise of the book - a world with two humanoid civilizations living side-by-side - was extremely interesting, unfortunately you have to wade through a LOT of rambling prose just to follow the story. I agree that the world is richly detailed, but the author just drones on and on...in very tiny print...with introspection and philosophical musings.

Maybe if I had read this 20 years ago when I was in college, I might have thought it was mind-blowing. It has that feel to it - like it was written by someone extremely wise, and so you just *know* that it will be profound. Maybe my middle-aged eyes just don't see it anymore, I don't know. But all I really got out of this book was a serious lack of editing. The first 32 pages alone are endless stream consciousness from a girl locked in a sensory deprivation tank. By the time I got to the end of it, I had a serious hatred of this book. It was only sheer will power that kept me going.

I know the nay-sayers are going to thumb me down, call me an idiot, and tell me to go back to Harry Potter books. And yup - I do like Harry Potter. But I also loved Tolkein's books - even the obscure ones. I grew up reading everything from the Pern books to Asimov & Heinlen. Thick, dense science fiction books aren't a bad thing. If they were, I never would have made it through Dune (which I liked). I'm not an expert in the science fiction genre, but I would say I have a good foundation, and that I appreciate both classics and modern books.

My point is that, IMO, a masterpiece needs to be BOTH well imagined AND well written. Foster does create a richly detailed, very interesting fantasy world. Unfortunately, it just wasn't executed very well. I had to get a full third of the way into the book before I stopped feeling tortured. I kept going, but I never began to actually like this book. The only thing I felt when I finished it was relief that it was finally over. Reading this book felt EXACTLY like I was taking a nature walk though gorgeous countryside on a beautiful day - but I was wearing muck boots and had to wade though a foot of mud the whole time. It was so tedious to get through that I couldn't stop and appreciate the beauty around me.

It's worth reading if you have the time, patience, and an extraordinary amount of will-power. It was worth it for the storyline (which I liked), but I know I'll never read this one again.
A rare book in any style,....especially science fiction. Few books have both the scientific depth and human-alien development with credibility. A joy to read...follow up with the other 2 books in the trilogy.
I'm not much of a reviewer, but I figure this book is worth taking a minute to talk about. My father was always a big reader as a younger man. From Michigan, to Los Angeles (where I was born), to a crappy little racist town in Maryland (currently residing, age 22), he picked up some great books that eventually made their way into boxes in the attic. Being a hardy if bookish kid, I naturally spent many long hours poring through them. I tried my hand at Dune and Gravity's Rainbow by the age of 12; of course I had to put them down before picking them up again a decade later. I ended up reading a lot of Asimov, re-reading a lot of William Gibson, and countless other great works of science fiction that have been largely sidelined in the face of such tripe as "Harry Potter."

So there was that. And then, this book. I read it as a kid, then read it again a few times these last few years - and wow. Now that I'm finally able to appreciate the full spectrum of skill and nuance involved in this book (and to a somewhat lesser degree, it's sequels), I've come to realize that this is quite simply one of the best science fiction novels ever written. Like a previous reviewer said, it is a crime that this is out of print. My advice? Either order one of these cheap copies, or go browse your local used book store for a copy. I found 6 first editions just gathering dust at the local Wonder Book & Video. Read it a few times, then either sell it back or pass it on to a friend. You'll walk away a better person.