Customer Reviews

Days of Cain

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Some day someone someplace will "re-discover" this book and it will takes its proper place in literature as a truly remarkable work. The juxtaposition of the Holocaust in the context of a sci-fi novel is unique, and what some see as Dunn's failing to provide satisfying answers to history's most horrific and mystifying event (why and how could this happen?) is actually deeply satisfying, because it evokes the unanswerables that are intrinsic to human life. The scenes of concentration camp life are painful to the point that one is tempted to skip ahead, but one never does. And the shadowy Moiety with its futuristic aliens whose purposes and plans are unknowable, yet who are not without a sense of deep and everlasting pain, are perfect evocations of our lack of understanding. I disagree with others that Christian theology is a major driving force; there are plenty of Jewish concepts (perhaps universal?) here as well. A book for the ages that all should read, if only for its depiction of the Holocaust.

Days of Cain by J.R. Dunn: In the future, there is a group that is committed to "preserving the integrity of past events." However, there is one among them who has decided to alter the events at Auschwitz by going there as a prisoner. I won't lie to you, this one is a rough read --- not due to the prose, but due to the subject matter. Usually I avoid horror and sci-fi books about The Holocaust, because I feel that they belittle it by just using it as a convenient setting that is so horrific on its own that the author feels they do not have to expend much effort, and as a Jew it kind of pisses me off that they seem to find The Holocaust as little more than that. This book is an exception, however. The Holocaust is used as a backdrop for a story about ethics, a "what would you do if you had the chance" question.

Deeply moving, highly involving and tense, this book is far more complex than it might appear at first glance. While appearing to be merely a science fiction novel, it deals with the impact of an obscene period of history on the souls of those who participated, as well as those whom time travel has gifted with the ability prevent it from ever happening. Despite the SF trappings, this is a very human novel, illustrating the terrible madness that overcame Germany during the war, as well as its lasting effect on humanity.

One reviewer has claimed Dunn "insults" through his use of "Christian trappings", betraying a lack of familiarity with the subject matter. Dunn makes use of Frank Tipler's "Omega Theory" to provide a platform for forgiveness and divinity that fits with the technological aspect of the future in the novel.

Dunn displays an astonishing grasp of emotion in "Days of Cain", moving the reader to tears at one moment, then despair, then rage, and finally joy and wonder. I've bought several copies of this book for friends (two of them Jewish), all of whom have later enthused about it.

A remarkable work by a truly gifted author.

I was quite thoroughly impressed by _Days of Cain_. Author Dunn has brought a hard-edged but thoughtful sensibility to the old, old SF concept of time-travel. He doesn't flinch away from the essentially tragic nature of history, especially a history that cannot be allowed to change. I was reminded of Poul Anderson's old "Time Patrol" stories, but updated and, frankly, improved. The ending is appropriate and satisfying -- kudos to Dunn for realizing that a truly ultimate intelligence would have to find an answer to the metaphysical problems of pain, injustice, and evil. I have a few minor quibbles -- readers who are no old SF hands may have some trouble recognizing concepts like "tweaking" and "shorting" -- but overall I found this to be one of the most mature and satisfying SF reads in a long time.

N.B. The concentration camp scenes are not for the squeamish.

Mr. Dunn ties the dilemma of time travel decisions to the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. Both of these are mature themes, i.e. they have been dealt with repeatedly in novels. The author's task is to present them to us with a fresh perspective. I feel that he was only modestly successful.

First he deals with the subject of changing history. What is his view? It's a no no. Anything new here, then? Not really. Literally hundreds of books, both fiction and non fiction have dealt with the concentration camps. Dunn paints a good picture of its life and its horrors. He develops both courageous and evil characters. This is the successful part of the book.

The weakest parts of the book are the interruptions to bring us up to date on the folks involved in the time travel mission. We are presented with a pile of names attached to some hazy, vague characters that I sometimes wished would be sent off to their own concentration camp somewhere out of the story. I really wish the protagonists could have been limited to James, the "enforcer", and Alma, the "rescuer." Dunn was obviously intrigued by the concept of time travel throughout all history, presumably from the big bang to the end of time. This is an interesting concept to deal with, but he didn't really develop it satisfactorily.

In summary, the camp scenes were excellent; the rest was boring.

This book was a great read. However, as I said above, it doesn't skimp on the truth, and it's set in the Holocaust. I literally could not eat anything after reading it for at least 2 hours. I disagree with the review below that says this is an excellent book for ADULTS, because I am a 14 year old and still enjoyed the read. But, I don't recommend this for anyone who doesn't think they want to come face-to-face with the horrific events that occured during the Holocaust. People my age who are interested in the subject matter might find it enjoyable. I loaned it to a friend who absolutely hates sci-fi, and now she has her own copy. So, once again, it was a good book, but not a very happy one. Don't read it unless you're sure you can stomach the facts.

Don't expect a Martian cliffhanger by Edgar Rice Burroughs when you read _Days_ _of_ _Cain_, or, for that matter, any of Jeff Dunn's novels. Not that he can't give us great action when he wishes. The shoot-out finale in _This_ _Side_ _of_ _Judgment_ and the attempted attack on the death camp by heliocopters from the future in _Days_ _of_ _Cain_ are as rivetting as any thriller I've read. But Dunn doesn't operate primarily on that level. He's more cerebral. His angst-ridden heroes and heroines grapple with world-class ethical and philosophical dilemmas, a sign of SF's growing maturity in the last decade or so. _Days_ _of_ _Cain_ is a fine "read," well-paced and gripping.

The universe Dunn creates in _Days of Cain_ is wonderfully rendered and its denizens well crafted, but the novel is anti-climatic. James Gaspar, Moiety agent, must travel back in time to prevent a renegade time traveler and his former student, Alma Lewin, from liberating inmates of Auschwitz. Dunn's training as a military historian shows as he gives the reader slices of time from the Roman sack of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 to the far future. He peoples those eras with finely-crafted characters, from Gaspar and Lewin, to Rebekah, a Jewish inmate, and Reber, a Nazi clerk at Auschwitz. Unfortunately, these characters don't seem to do much in Dunn's settings. He seems more concerend with the morality of the Moiety's operatives than with action. He certainly puts the ideas in what is a genre of ideas, but considering an unaswerable question is difficult for an author of even Dunn's obvious talent, and the novel's philosphical considerations overshadow, unfortunately, a wonderful premise. _Days of Cain_ is good read, and it both entertains and enlightens, but its conclusion remains unsatisfying.

An intriguing premise. Given the chance to alter one of the most horrific events in human history,would you? That is the quandary faced by the characters in this powerful book. Time travelers have a chance to minimize or eliminate the Holocaust? Should they? This book will really get you thinking. The camp scenes are powerful and are the meat of the novel.They are vivid and thought-provoking.The characters are fully fleshed-out. There is even a Nazi with remorse!The time travel scenes are not as good as the war scenes but that does not matter!Read this book for an enjoyable intellectual exercise.

Having given up on science fiction years ago, I ventured into the field once again after seeing an ad for "Days of Cain" in the New Yorker. I was extremely impressed with this novel. Although it was not an easy read (the detailed descriptions of the atrocities brought upon these women who were in Auschwitz is not at all pleasant). The concept, however, is fabulous, and the ultimate outcome is without question one of the most moving in any science fiction (or any general fiction) novel that I have read. Some of the "science fiction" details can get a bit tedious, but overall a wonderful read.