EDEN: The Novel [Paperback]

Ken Wisman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2004

EDENis two stories: one fictional, one fact.The fiction: CalifDe'Alsace, a man devoted to the dissemination of life across the galaxy, hastaken a group of one hundred artists and scientists to a sterile world named Edenfor the purpose of bioengineering living works of art. Calif,an Ankh idealist, has decreed that no weapons be brought and that the groupcreate a 'paradise of peace where beauty...not the law of tooth andclaw...reigns.' Unknown to the Edengroup, Calif was forced by a powerfulman to include an artist, Iamoendi, who has secretly been using drugs toenhance his imaging abilities. Iamoendi, who is descended from Fundamentalistfactions that fought in the Religionist Wars, slowly goes insane. Believinghimself an instrument of god, Iamoendi turns against Project Eden. He obtainsthe genome libraries (programmed instructions for bioengineering plants andanimals) for insects and arachnids. Subsequently, he creates an army of hugeinsect warriors, and launches a secret attack against Project Eden.Thirteen survive Iamoendi's attack. Weaponless, they are forced to createliving weapons in defense. With the battle lines drawn, the war begins. Thesurvivors create a surprise defense of giganticized ant lions, trapdoorspiders, and carnivorous plants. They defeat Iamoendi's army, but Iamoendiescapes. Two more battles ensue in which Iamoendi's attacking monstrositiesbecome increasingly bizarre and surreal. More and more survivors die with eachbattle leading to an ending both poignant and transcendent.The fact: In thespirit of Coleridge and Poe who used an opiate to enhance their poetic imagery,in the spirit of Huxley whose use of peyote awakened his awareness to thecreative use of mind-altering substances, I have set down my own experienceswith altered states as they relate to my creation of EDEN.My intent is to share my insights into the creative process as well as thesource and derivation of both the philosophy underlying EDENand the hallucinatory visions used in the tell

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ken Wisman'scredits include the publication of 72 short stories in a variety of genremagazines including Fantasy & Science Fiction, Interzone, andTomorrow. His work has been included in anthologies such as Shadows,Whispers, and PULPHOUSE. A dozen of his stories have been pickedup by TOR; Playboy Press; Jove (Berkley Pub Group); and Little, Brown and Co.Four of his stories have been translated into German, Polish, and Russian. Hehas had four short story collections printed, three for Dark Regions Press, (WeirdFamily Tales I, II and III; Fourteen Tales from a Shop CalledImagination available on Amazon) and one for PULPHOUSE Press (Frost onthe Window). A fifteen thousand word novelette called EDEN,upon which the present work bases, was his next to last publication.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418427411
• ISBN-13: 978-1418427412
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,475,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thought-provoking and a great read, July 28, 2004

By 

Beverly Salerno (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: EDEN: The Novel (Paperback)

Eden is an inspired book which explores Consciousness and Imagination as forces in life. What is consciousness without imagination? Can we imagine, and then construct, perfect harmony? Are we gods, or do we need gods? These are a few of the intriguing questions posed and developed throughout this extraordinary Sci Fi novel. But this isn't just a book of theoretical clap-trap. It's a fast-paced fantasy full of weird beings, strange happenings, and tense human drama. A competition of creation! A frightening army of bioengineered insects! What happens to a futuristic idea gone bad? As a complement to the fictional story, the author provides a look inside his own mind and his experiments with hallucinogenic drugs, which led him to a kind of philosophical epiphany. You will enjoy reading Eden and won't be able to put it down.

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and Engaging, September 8, 2004

By 

David (queens, ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: EDEN: The Novel (Paperback)

Part philosophical treatise and part science fiction adventure, neither of which disappoints. It is a study of the roll of both science and the creative process in the human condition. The ideas Mr. Wisman puts forth in his personal recollections would be enough to recommend this book on their own. But it is the story of Eden itself that is the real gem here. Mr. Wisman is not afraid to let a story build, to detail the landscape of the planet or study the relationships of its inhabitants. He allows the reader to settle into the world of Eden then takes them to its exciting and devastating climax. The final confrontation is better then any Hollywood epic you'll see this year.

"Eden: The Novel" is a treat. A thought provoking book, to be sure, but also a hell of a fun read. Highly recommended!

4.0 out of 5 stars Original Work, August 7, 2004

By 

Patricia A. Romano "T. Romano" (new jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: EDEN: The Novel (Paperback)

Ken Wiseman has written one of the most original novels I have read in a very long time. Any science fiction fan will love this book as will anyone interested in the nature of our existence. Ken questions our belief in a divine being in a thought provoking manner while entertaining us with a great story. The book is so timely, touching on the divisions in our country over such diverse issues as evolution, stem cell research, the religious right, Isalm and so much more. I can't wait to read more from this author!