Artificial intelligence has been developed to a point where human intelligence can be uploaded into a computer, achieving a sort of hybrid immortality. Astronaut Christian Brannock welcomes this technology, technology that will make it possible for him to achieve his dream and explore the stars.
A billion years later, Brannock is dispatched to Earth to check on some strange anomalies. While there, he meets Laurinda Ashcroft, another hybrid upload. Brannock and Ashcroft join forces and investigate Gaia, the supermind dominating the planet, and learn the truth of her terrifying secret plans for Earth.
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“[A] brilliantly conceived novel…By humanizing the inhuman, Anderson comes breathtakingly close to speaking the unspeakable, the meaning of human existence. Deftly moving from one utterly convincing vignette of future human society to another, blending them into one profoundly moving fictional entity with reverence for the undying human thirst for knowledge and the pain that must accompany human achievement, Anderson’s narrative soars, as unfettered as an exalting dream.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“[A] brilliantly conceived novel…By humanizing the inhuman, Anderson comes breathtakingly close to speaking the unspeakable, the meaning of human existence. Deftly moving from one utterly convincing vignette of future human society to another, blending them into one profoundly moving fictional entity with reverence for the undying human thirst for knowledge and the pain that must accompany human achievement, Anderson’s narrative soars, as unfettered as an exalting dream.”
“A miniature exploration of themes…concerned with individuals isolated from humanity by immortality or long voyages…Certainly provides much fine entertainment.”
“After nearly forty years in the business, Poul Anderson still cranks out the imaginative sci fi like a champ.”
“The lyrical approach of this SF master to the meaning of human existence gives his latest effort a surreal, allegorical feel.”
" Poul Anderson is a master of Fantasy and Sci-Fi. Expected more than I got. Great premise which gave me much to think about nut ultimately was just that.... a great idea for a story but no true story line. "
" just started...so far has his typical attention to technical detail combined with a profound overarching social question. Not sure that this is at the level of "Brainwave" but, we'll see. "
Poul Anderson (1926–2001) was one of the most prolific and popular writers in science fiction. He won the Hugo Award seven times and the Nebula Award three times, as well as many other awards, including the Grand Master Award of the Science Fiction Writers of America for a lifetime of distinguished achievement. With a degree in physics and a wide knowledge of other fields of science, he was noted for building stories on a solid foundation of real science, as well as for being one of the most skilled creators of fast-paced adventure stories. He was author of over one hundred novels and story collections, several hundred short stories, and several mysteries and nonfiction books.
Tom Weiner, a dialogue director and voice artist best known for his roles in video games and television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Transformers, is the winner of eight Earphones Awards and is an Audie Award finalist. He is a former member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
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