leeper@mtgzz.UUCP (m.r.leeper) (09/17/85)
THE CODE OF THE LIFEMAKER by James P. Hogan
Del Rey, 1983, $2.95.
A book review by Mark R. Leeper
Capsule review: This is generally a good science
fiction novel that does some interesting things to make a
fantasy tale hard science fiction. Unfortunately, the
trappings of this novel are much more enjoyable than the
actual fantasy story itself. It is exquisite frosting on a
rather bland cake.
Generally, if fantasy and science fiction are combined in a story, I
would call the net result fantasy. You cannot put ghosts or werewolves into
a science fiction story and have science fiction when you are done. I do
make the exception that if you can give a reasonable scientific explanation
for the fantasy elements it will make them science fiction. THE CODE OF THE
LIFEMAKER is apparently James P. Hogan's effort to write a WARLOCK IN SPITE
OF HIMSELF-style fantasy and make it science fiction. Like WARLOCK, it is
about humans coming to a medieval society gone bad and fixing it up--STAR
TREK's prime directive be damned.
Hogan's set-up for creating a new race at the medieval stage is to
describe how the robotics equivalent of genetics and evolution could come
about unintentionally. It's not the easiest way to create an alien race in
a story, but it is the novel's finest hour. It is really intriguing reading
and, frankly, the kind of idea I read science fiction for and all too rarely
actually find.
Also interesting is the main character. By profession he is a mass-
media-psychic and charleton of the Uri Geller variety. In the early parts
of the novel you see how Zambendorf is able to hoodwink audiences in
creative ways. That also makes for intriguing reading but what is even more
intriguing is the question: if we discovered intelligent robotic aliens in
our solar system, why would anyone want to use devious means to get a Uri
Geller to the first contact? Particularly if those people are convinced
that the psychic is a fraud. When you do find out, it does make sense, but
that puzzle certainly kept me anxious.
So Hogan creates an interesting character and an intriguing mystery
surrounding the character. And his background description for how the robot
race came into existence is first-class science fiction writing.
Unfortunately they all go together to make a sort of second-rate fantasy
story reminiscent of some of the cute plot tricks pulled in certain third
season STAR TREK episodes. I'd give this novel a +2 (on the -4 to +4
scale), but much more for the first 200 pages than for the last.
Mark R. Leeper
...ihnp4!mtgzz!leeperix469@sdcc6.UUCP (david smith) (10/04/85)
In article <1178@mtgzz.UUCP> leeper@mtgzz.UUCP (m.r.leeper) writes: > > THE CODE OF THE LIFEMAKER by James P. Hogan > Del Rey, 1983, $2.95. > A book review by Mark R. Leeper > > Also interesting is the main character. By profession he is a mass- >media-psychic and charleton of the Uri Geller variety. In the early parts >of the novel you see how Zambendorf is able to hoodwink audiences in >creative ways. That also makes for intriguing reading but what is even more >intriguing is the question: if we discovered intelligent robotic aliens in >our solar system, why would anyone want to use devious means to get a Uri >Geller to the first contact? Particularly if those people are convinced >that the psychic is a fraud. When you do find out, it does make sense, but >that puzzle certainly kept me anxious. If I read you right, I think you missed the point of why Zambendorf was there. He was there *not* to make first contact, but to send back reports on the Taloids (the mechanical inhabitants) which would have credibility with the masses due to his mass popularity. His making first contact was completely unforseen. ================== David L. Smith UC Sandy Eggo {ucbvax, ihnp4}!sdcsvax!sdcc6!ix469 All opinions expressed herein are strictly the products of my automated posting facility and have no affiliation with myself, my employers or my cat.