Customer Reviews

The Architect of Sleep

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first read _The Architect of Sleep_ in the mid-80s, when it first came out, and I was a college underclassman. I was also a serious sci-fi/fantasy addict. Even back then, I knew Boyett's style -- not to mention his originality -- was something special (the same thing applies to his first novel, _Ariel_, which, even though it has a few flaws, is an extremely well-narrated book that has obviously had a deep impact on many of Boyett's fans).

Now that I'm getting close to my mid-30s, I've lost interest in most fantasy literature, because most of it is pulp. Ninety percent of it is franchised, soap-opera tripe. The David Eddings, Robert Jordans, and Dragonlance authors of the world (not to mention a whole lot of others I won't bother to list) have destroyed the field. True originality of the Tolkien or C.S. Lewis type got choked out of the field a long time ago.

Except for rare deviations from the norm like Boyett. Probably everyone reading this review knows about Boyett's quarrel with his publishers. As a published author myself (in a totally different field), I can attest to the frustration that any author feels when he/she has to bow to the almighty dollar. To revive fantasy/sci-fi literature, buy back copies of Boyett, see what _real_ writing is like, then send letters to the corporate stooges who run the publishing houses to tell them that we'd like to see some _real_ authors on the bookshelves for a change. And if you're reading this, Mr. Boyett, don't give up hope -- and do your best to provide a sequel to a book that many people love and admire!

This book has haunted me since the day I finished it. I am compelled to read it every 3 years or so and long for the day when a sequel appears. Boyett's characters are proper human and their trials are realistic and they suffer and triumph (sometimes)like real people. In supernatural situations they react not with super powers and spells, but with the fortitude and ethos that we wish we had in real life.

I first read this wonderful piece over 10 years ago. I have since read it several times over. Recently I have read it to my children who enjoyed it greatly. I have waited for the sequel, checking book stores web sites to no avail.

For more information on Boyett and this book, check http://www.msen.com/~yorick/srb_taos.ht

It was a pleasant a read because it combined two of my favorite things in life: sign language and animals. I take a stern eye to anything written about them, usually. Does it ring true depsite being creative? Well...

Though the author has a very crude if not totally clueless experience with sign language it was still an interesting read once I got over the way the author refered to sign language (the annoyances are numerous, I won't bother listing them).

The racoons and people I was happy with, being a writer myself who writes about bipedal and talking animals. He got their behaviors, I felt, right on. I could relate to them and see them.

I'm entering these words not so much as a review, but as a prayor that some way, some how Mr. Boyett sees enough of these pleas and decides he has deprived the world of a masterpiece that must be finished.

I have long awaited a sequel to this, one of the best alternative world science fiction books. A wonderful world of intelligent raccoons, an author with a rare gift for letting the reader into a world of "alien" communication. Viewing through another's eyes is not often an eye opening experience, but it was in this case. Highly recommended reading

It's too bad that Boyett was never able to publish any sequels to this work. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, he manages to make an alternative world of intelligent, evolved raccoons seem both plausible and interesting. I suggest we all call Ace up and insist that they dig out the next volumes and rush them into print. I read this book when it was just out eleven years ago and have been yearning for follow-ups ever since. It's just a damned shame

I was so pleased to see others enjoyed this book as much as I did! If you are on the fence about buying this book,hesitate no more! Buy it now! The ideas in this book are original, yet the writing is so smooth that you are 40 pages into the book before you know it.The main charactor, Jim, is someone with whom everyone can relate.Unlike some books charactors, Jim does not suddenly evolve from a guy working at a 7-11 into a major political force or brilliant military strategist.He reacts in a way that is realistic and understandable,yet not boring. In a strange world with limited communication skills, he makes mistakes, cries, and sometimes sulks,but never totally loses hope - the same way many of us feel about our own lives.

If you do not yet have this book for your collection,consider your collection incomplete.

I must agree with everyone that this IS a wonderful, wonderful book, but sadly there will be no sequel, as there was a sadfully huge argument between author and publisher.. In leiu of this, Mr. Boyett refused to authorize the publishing of the books sequel. If/when he can find another publisher, or if it is released in another format, I know it too will be a bang-up read.