He recommended Sundiver by David Brin. He liked the themes of rebellion and adaptability and acceptance.
When I recently flew to California, I took along the Northfield Library's copy of Sundiver.
I tried reading it on the flight to Denver, during my layover there, and on the flight to Oakland. So many characters, such confusion, so few events. I got some good naps on those flights.
While not playing with granddaughters in California, I tried reading the book before sleep. It did put me to sleep.
After I got home, I struggled to read the rest of the book. Somewhere around page 150 of a 340-page book some things began happening. By then I'd skimmed enough to be confused and unable to distinguish one character from another, except for a couple. I had trouble making sense of descriptions of settings and events. Besides, I no longer cared about any of the characters -- even the protagonist.
Interesting ideas, yes. Well written, no. Interesting technologies, yes. Enthralling plot, no.
Of course, that's just one guy's opinions. A guy who got suckered by a century-old dead guy.
- Tomorrow Happens, David Brin's website
- Eoghann Irving's review of Sundiver in Solar Flare
- Reviews at BookLore
- Aristeidis' review at Fantasy Report Universe
