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Julian May - Intervention - Review

Discussion in 'Booktalk' started by Aikanaro, Jun 18, 2005.

  1. Aikanaro Gems: 31/31
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    Rating: * * * * * (5 out of 5)


    For some reason this book and the spectacular series that follows it (and the one that precedes it...) seem to get ignored. Well, here I am to tell you that they're some of the best books in existence, and that you should run out and buy them all right now.

    Intervention is the middle of two series - The Saga of the Exiles and The Galactic Milieu Trilogy. Personally I would advise starting with here, though the structure of the series is circular, so it really doesn't matter if you start with The Saga of the Exiles or Intervention. Intervention is necessary for understanding The Galactic Milieu Trilogy, even if it's not counted as part of it.

    Intervention is sci-fi/alternate (modern) history - with it splintering away and creating its own timetime from around the 1950's and telling the story of the world until 2013. The reason that it branches from RL is because of the outbreak of metapsychic operancy, which gives rise to the study of 'metapsychology' and a good deal of problems that surround its use and misuse.

    Now - I have heard Intervention called (in some places) boring - but I suppose it's just that style of book - giving a recounting of a long period of time. The plot is rather slow to unfold, and without The Galactic Milieu Trilogy much of it can't be fully appreciated - the same is true in reverse. Personally I love that sort of stuff, but I can see how others may see this as a downside.

    The characters are brilliant. The protagonist (in the first person memoir style chapters) is Rogatian Remillard - Uncle Rogi, who you see grow from childhood, as well as his nephew Denis. They are flawed, deeply flawed, even - but overall likeable and human. Hell - the whole book is very human - with people managing to be xenophobic and generally destructive to their world - and you can understand why they're doing it.

    Characters, plot, and setting are all perfectly integrated - you could not change or drop one and still have the same story - which I'm thinking is important.

    So basically - this is a really good place to start in one of the best series that I, at any rate, have read. Invest.
     
    Aikanaro, Jun 18, 2005
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  2. joacqin

    joacqin Confused Jerk Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I just think I might, it sounds very interesting.
     
    joacqin, Jun 19, 2005
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  3. The Kilted Crusader

    The Kilted Crusader The Famous Last words "Hey guys, watch THIS!" Veteran

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    It sounds like a good series to get into. I'll have a look around for it after I've finished with the two other books I'm in the middle of :p
     
    The Kilted Crusader, Jun 24, 2005
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