Customer Reviews

Ghost

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

 

 

OK, this is not the best Piers Anthony story in the world, It is reminiscent to the early pulp Science Fiction style (which I enjoy).

However, there is a message in this book which will be found as a more subtle theme in many of his later books. A message of exploring the basis of reality and how our perception of that reality can shape exactly what we define as real.

It is to me an exploration of the mind where Mr. Anthony takes a premise of "what if" and then creates a fictional world in which that premise is real and valid, then as the story develops we learn exactly how valid that premise really is.

I recommend this to hard core fans of Piers Anthony who wish to beter understand him and his writing. You will find this theme again in the Tarot series played out in a much better format.

This was the first of Anthony's books that I read. I found it to be interesting and give the push to read more of his books. It had a little of everything to it, the suspense, the romance, the adventure everything a Sci-Fi book should have.

I'm a big fan of the Xanth series, so I'm no Piers Anthony hater. I read Ghost many years ago when I was a young teenage lad, and found much of it compelling, to be honest. At the time I didn't think too hard about the far-ranging and ultimately silly plot; I naively let it all ride.

I tossed my paperback copy long ago, never really judging it harshly, but cognizant that it was no longer a book I needed on my shelves. I haven't given it another thought up until right now, when I find myself watching the movie Solaris - the original Russian film, which was remade not too long ago, and which is itself based on a novel of the same name. It just occurred to me that there are some definite parallels between the storyline of Solaris and Ghost - glaring ones. I suspect Anthony was exposed to either the movie or the book, and drew on it heavily for his own story. Sadly, I can't see how his work could possibly be considered an improvement, even though I haven't read the original novel. Shame on you, Anthony! Stick to writing fantastical puns!

Anthony took a basically good Niven-ish novella he wrote years ago called "Ghost Galaxy" and larded it with the type of writing he has unfortunately become known for recently: anything goes, no ground rules plots that throw in everything but the kitchen sink.
Interesting experiment- pick up this book and read chapter 2, then flip back and read the last chapter. It's like two entirely different books.
If you'd like to read something by Anthony, try one of the early Incarnations series books.. the one featuring Death is outstanding.

This book is just too complicated to be an enjoyable read. If you really like to think while reading then maybe this is for you. I found the basic story to be slightly interesting but it is far too wordy and overly complicated. Skip this book and try one of his many others. If you are new too him try the Mode Series. They are great and an easier read.