Customer Reviews

Colossus

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Colossus is a quick, interesting read and Jones does a good job of making Colossus a chilling antagonist. The idea that man's super-driven defense systems will one day enslave him is a timeless metaphor that is extrapolated and described with finesse and some depth. Jones shows his strengths as a storyteller once Colossus begins speaking regularly with Forbin. He has thought out in some detail the problems and solutions a man-machine conflict would contain and the believability factor here is very high.

The problems with the novel are the glaring sexist portrayal of women and hokey characterizations. The character of Cleo is basically a dumb blonde who makes it into the project because of her body and because Forbin likes her. By having Forbin dress down the President repeatedly while cooly receiving the adoring love of Cleo, Jones falls back into Buck Rogers land. The hero-scientists outshines all with his good looks, daring courage, and superior brain.

Ho Hum.

The prose is journeyman at best with grad-school cliches littering the pages but this is primarily a Crichton-esque plot-driven novel and for that it suceeds with an idea that has not dated since the book's publication in the early 70's, an achievement in itself. Just don't expect a well rounded piece of work.

This short novel, by D.F.Jones, and the first in a series of three, is enjoyable and deals with man's futile attempt to bring peace and co-operation between the Cold War adversaries by the use of super-computers. I found the auther writes in a similar style to the short adventure/sci-fi novels of Isaac Asimov and it is very easy to finish the novel in a short period.

The most frustrating part I have found is my inability to find the remaining two novels in the series, being "Colossus and the Crab" and "The Fall of Colossus"

Most people find this book through the absorbing film. The book is also the beginning of a trilogy of df jones and this is certainly the strongest of the three. If you must know how colossus is brought down and then raised up again, you need to read all three books. This one on its own, leaves a senses of frustration and bewilderment. However, it is probaly best to stick to this one alone as the next two are very weak.