The Walls of the Universe - Paul Melko
This is a novel based on a novella of the same name, which seems to be the first 100 pages or so.
It's a fairly quick read concerning multiple timelines and parallel universes. The naive protagonist is fooled by one of his alternates who appears in his world and convinces him to visit another universe - which he does, but then finds he can't get back, and his place there has been assumed by his doppelganger. Much hopping onwards through differing alternates takes place (you can't go home again!) until he settles in one to try to learn to understand the apparently damaged 'transition' device. Meanwhile, back in his original world, his replacement tries to make money using ideas from other timelines which have never been invented in this particular time line... Our hero finds himself reluctantly also trying to do the same to fund his studies...
Eventually 'forces of evil' appear and the pressure is on to understand just what's going on...An almost satisfactory conclusion, with ample room left for a sequel.
It read, especially in the opening novella section, like a book by Steven Gould - smart, young hero, with a universe-bending talent/secret overthinking all the possibilities in a clear, accessible style.
Very enjoyable.
edit: comments on the sequel!
www.flickr.com/photos/17270214@N05/7466572264/in/set-7215...
The Walls of the Universe - Paul Melko
This is a novel based on a novella of the same name, which seems to be the first 100 pages or so.
It's a fairly quick read concerning multiple timelines and parallel universes. The naive protagonist is fooled by one of his alternates who appears in his world and convinces him to visit another universe - which he does, but then finds he can't get back, and his place there has been assumed by his doppelganger. Much hopping onwards through differing alternates takes place (you can't go home again!) until he settles in one to try to learn to understand the apparently damaged 'transition' device. Meanwhile, back in his original world, his replacement tries to make money using ideas from other timelines which have never been invented in this particular time line... Our hero finds himself reluctantly also trying to do the same to fund his studies...
Eventually 'forces of evil' appear and the pressure is on to understand just what's going on...An almost satisfactory conclusion, with ample room left for a sequel.
It read, especially in the opening novella section, like a book by Steven Gould - smart, young hero, with a universe-bending talent/secret overthinking all the possibilities in a clear, accessible style.
Very enjoyable.
edit: comments on the sequel!
www.flickr.com/photos/17270214@N05/7466572264/in/set-7215...