Port Eternity
3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 2 by laevina at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (9/16/2009 UTC) at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
off into the wild . . .
into the sci-fi fantasy bookbox it goes
see forum entry here - http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/6445090
off into the wild . . .
into the sci-fi fantasy bookbox it goes
see forum entry here - http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/6445090
I'm taking this hardcover from Laevina's Fantasy/SF/Horror book box, in part because the hardcover-without-a-dust-jacket made me nostalgic for the science-fiction shelves of my local library when I was a kid {grin}. And when the story opens with a spaceship named for a character from Arthurian legend, what could I do?
Odd, bittersweet story here: a spoiled, wealthy woman has acquired a customized spaceship and staffed it with creatures that seem to be something in between androids and artificially-engineered humans. And she's had these creations crafted into the likenesses - and, to some degree, the personalities - of different characters from Arthurian legend, including Lancelot, Percival, and Elaine (who acts as narrator). [There's even a Modred, which seems odd, given his role in the myths!]
Dela, the owner, and her new - and non-manufactured, biological human lover, Griffin - take pleasure with these creations, and allow them to do the same with each other, at least to the extent that their "psych-sets" permit. But only Elaine has been permitted to see/experience the special tapes [more like virtual-reality experiences] illustrating the Arthurian legends themselves, so she's more aware of the pre-set traits and limitations of her fellow crew members - as well as her own doomed affection for Lancelot.
This state of affairs gets shaken up when the ship falls into some kind of between-space, an eddy in space-time, where other ships and structures seem to have landed over time. There's a long stretch of growing unease and confusion as everyone tries to blockade themselves away from whatever's outside, and the stress causes changes in the relationships. And when the rest of the crew eventually comes across the Arthur-legend tapes, it adds more stress - along with expanded self-awareness for some, and brooding depression for others.
Near the end of the book a crisis occurs, and the isolated Camelot-crew is forced to face their new surroundings. I found the conclusion bittersweet, yet oddly satisfying - at least given what's gone before. As to whether any of the constructs are able to rise above the fates of their programmed natures, I'll leave that for the reader to discover...
Dela, the owner, and her new - and non-manufactured, biological human lover, Griffin - take pleasure with these creations, and allow them to do the same with each other, at least to the extent that their "psych-sets" permit. But only Elaine has been permitted to see/experience the special tapes [more like virtual-reality experiences] illustrating the Arthurian legends themselves, so she's more aware of the pre-set traits and limitations of her fellow crew members - as well as her own doomed affection for Lancelot.
This state of affairs gets shaken up when the ship falls into some kind of between-space, an eddy in space-time, where other ships and structures seem to have landed over time. There's a long stretch of growing unease and confusion as everyone tries to blockade themselves away from whatever's outside, and the stress causes changes in the relationships. And when the rest of the crew eventually comes across the Arthur-legend tapes, it adds more stress - along with expanded self-awareness for some, and brooding depression for others.
Near the end of the book a crisis occurs, and the isolated Camelot-crew is forced to face their new surroundings. I found the conclusion bittersweet, yet oddly satisfying - at least given what's gone before. As to whether any of the constructs are able to rise above the fates of their programmed natures, I'll leave that for the reader to discover...
Journal Entry 5 by 
GoryDetails
at Panera Bread - 8 Spit Brook Rd. Near DW Highway in Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, October 8, 2009
GoryDetails at Panera Bread - 8 Spit Brook Rd. Near DW Highway in Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, October 8, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (10/8/2009 UTC) at Panera Bread - 8 Spit Brook Rd. Near DW Highway in Nashua, New Hampshire USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I plan to leave the book in the free-newsletter rack in the entrance of Panera Bread at about 4:15 or so. Hope the finder enjoys it!
*** Released for Jare's Chills and Spills 2009 Challenge; October's theme is "anything goes", and this book features monsters and aliens...
I plan to leave the book in the free-newsletter rack in the entrance of Panera Bread at about 4:15 or so. Hope the finder enjoys it!
*** Released for Jare's Chills and Spills 2009 Challenge; October's theme is "anything goes", and this book features monsters and aliens...
Although I love to read, I don't have time to read books right now because I am taking a boatload of graduate classes. My dad actually found this book at Panera as we were walking out, and he handed it to me. I'm going to hang on to it and drop it off across the country when I travel next!
CAUGHT IN NASHUA NH USA
CAUGHT IN NASHUA NH USA
