Flashforward

ISBN: 0-312-58034-6 Order from: Amazon.com

This speculative science fiction novel explores the social implications of a scientific breakthrough, but is light on sympathetic characters or conflicts.

Reviewed by David on October 01, 2000

Genre: Science Fiction (Near Future, Time Travel)

Synopsis: In the near future, an experiment intended to recreate an elusive particle goes wrong, and the world gets a glimpse of another time. Profoundly affecting every human being, both the glimpse, the "flashforward" of the title, and the implications for philosophy, religion, science and politics, change the world.

Full Review: The novel focuses on a group of physicists involved in the world-changing experiment. From the tragedy of the initial effects, to the desperate search for explanation, to the hope and despair of those who glipsed a future far better or worse than they expected, the phycisists and their friends experience the effects of the flashforward.

While skillful in its mostly optimistic description of the world, and showing glimpses of human emotion, the multiple shifting viewpoints, and the lack of real conflict or involvement in the characters' lives, rob the book of suspense. The occasional flash of passion or fear seems grafted on a mostly dry exploration of wonder. There is also a barely explored and very artificial-seeming invention in the last part of the book which adds little except a vehicle to expore more of the future.

This is a traditional science fiction novel, written with significant scientific skill, but lacking in sympathetic characters or emotion. While likely to appeal to some hard science fiction fans, this book suffers by comparison to the best modern SF novels.

Overall: 4.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 4; Style: 5; World-building: 5; Originality: 7;

ISBN: 0-312-58034-6 Order from: Amazon.com