Customer Reviews

God Game

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

 

 

For some, the name of Fr. Andrew Greeley instantly suggests a "liberal" Catholic priest seeking to be a gadfly in the Church. For some, the name conjures up some fairly steamy sex scenes in some of his novels. For some, a competent, if media-hungry sociologist. Readers of "God Game" will add "imaginative Science Fiction writer" to this eclectic mix.

In "God Game" Fr. Greeley presents us with the unusual scenario of a priest (not unlike the author) spending an evening playing a compter adventure game. His home is struck by lightening, something is scrambled, and suddenly the images on his screen are real -- and the real characters think that he is God.

Yes, this might seem a little philosophical for many sci-fi fans -- but for those readers who expect depth in their books (regardless of genre) will want to read and re-read this one.

I still find myself in sharp philosophical and theological disagreement with Fr. Greeley -- and probably always will. But in this book, the Irish storyteller comes to the fore in a wonderful way.

I read this book several years ago and found it a fascinating look at what it would be like to be God. A man is playing one of those fantasy-type computer games -- dungeons, lords, ladies, armies, etc., where he controls the action. Then lightning hits his computer and suddenly all these people become real. The fighting is brutal and bloody. The lives of the people are dependent on his ability to control their actions. Which is not an easy task, because of that little thing called free-will. He tries to convince them to stop fighting and behave nicely to each other, but because they are human they do not always follow advice. So our hero learns a great deal more of what God's role in our lives could really be. Good story, with lots of room for theosophical discussion.

This is such a wonderful book. Once you adjust yourself to the eighties computer technology that the narrator has to put up with, you will be as captivated with the book as the narrator was with his characters. And indeed, who wouldn't be captivated with this particular group. First there are the duke and duchess of neighboring kingdoms who have been feuding for generations but who are compelled by the narrator (who everyone thinks is God)to make peace. The duchess is a passionate, quick tempered, but vulnerable warrior with a talent for painting thunderstorms, and the duke is a gentle dreamer who doesn't enjoy war but has become so used to it that on rare occasions his warriors instincts become out of control. Then there is the bitter matron who is tired of being a minor character in a minor subplot and metamorphoses into a graceful, passionate woman, loved by all, including the author. And then there is a perky little ilel . . .but you'll have to find out about her yourself. If you are longing for a book with characters you can care about, even love, then I strongly urge you to read this delightful book.

I've read, written and edited a lot of science fiction, and this is still one of the few books I'd save from a burning house. (I have a small shelf of irreplaceable books. Needless to say, this one is on it.)
Yes, the tech is dated (80286 PCs, floppy disks, old modems) but I was selling that tech when it was brand new which only adds to the charm for me. Computer games, SF and sex. What could be better?
By the way, the cover on my edition (mass market) is far better than the one in this amazon listing. 'Never judge a book by its cover' is particularly apt in this case.

I've been reading Greeley for around 15 years. He's never disappointed me. God Game is a fun story about what might happen if one found one's self in a situation similar to God's. What would happen if a whole bunch of people depended on you for guidance and comfort? Must read for Greeley readers. Even more for those that love both Greeley and fantasy. The Magic Cup is good too tho harder to find.

God bless <><

I'm so incredibly glad this novel has been reprinted. I admit I'm not one to particular care for computer games or religion, but this novel, written with such deft skill, won me over whole-heartedly. Perhaps the best of all the "computer-game comes to life" novels, Greeley gives all the reader characters that can actually be cared about; further more all the characters have quirks and weakness which one can easily see in the "real-life" people around oneself. This book is definately a must read.

I started this book with high hopes. Almost immediately they were shattered as the story line moved from slow and jerky to boring and jerky. The concepts for the virtual world and the computer game the priest is testing for his friend are way out of date. The game is one step above "Zork" in complexity and a lightning strike sets up the whole fiasco. It would make a poor Disney movie screenplay for the 80's. One or more of the Mouseketeers would have been key actors in the plot line.

I achingly finished the story just to be done with it. It would make a good read "maybe" for early teens. And that would have been for the female teen set. There's enough sexuality in it though that it would be rated PG13 though. But I can't imagine anyone's parents being able to finish the book.