Pursuing his dream to extend life--perhaps indefinitely--through the use of artificial intelligence, computer genius Jack Messenger teams up with scientist Juliet Spring, until a series of macabre accidents befalls his family. 30,000 first printing.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In his first techno-thriller, James tackles the issue of life after death, just as he did in his horror novels Twilight and Possession. This time, though, the author's fervid imagination?which here mixes the cryonic preservation of human life, the downloading of human personalities into a computer and a Fatal Attraction-style love affair?creates only a muddle. Neuroscientist Joe Messenger, of England's Isaac Newton University, has inherited his father's belief in, and passion for, cryonic preservation; he has also constructed a computer dubbed ARCHIVE, designed to eventually store the contents of an adult human brain. This goal seems far beyond reach until Joe meets the seductive Juliet Spring, who shows him how it can be done. But Juliet has an ulterior motive?she has six months to live, and wants her own personality digitized before she dies. When she does die, and ARCHIVE takes on her chillingly psychotic characteristics, the reader will be miles ahead of most of the characters in figuring out what's going on. The only real surprise involves the cryonics subplot, which is a needless complication, giving the impression that this novel consists of two books forced between the same covers. In addition, by pacing revelations slowly to accommodate his well-drawn but amazingly obtuse characters, James risks losing readers' interest. Despite an intriguing premise and some genuine scares, this is yet another novel in which less would have been more.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Computer professor Joe Messenger is carrying on the work of his late father in attempting to extend the human lifespan through cryonics and artificial intelligence. He agrees to advise a brilliant, terminally ill student, Juliet Spring, who seems obsessed with both eternal life and Joe himself. After a highly charged affair, Juliet dies. However, she has loaded her consciousness into ARCHIVE, a computer that seems almost eerily human. James (Twilight, LJ 2/15/93) has produced a fascinating technothriller that explores the downside of scientific breakthrough. An appealing protagonist up against some very unsettling events propels this cautionary tale for the millennium that will appeal to a wide audience. Definitely recommended for most fiction collections.?Eric W. Johnson, Teikyo Post Univ. Lib., Waterbury, Ct.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very believeable... it's sacry!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Host (Hardcover)
It seems to me that many fictional computer books are written as if the computers were actually alive... the exact thing the main character in Host, Joe Messenger, is trying to achieve. The subject Peter James writes about is very thought provoking in an age where medical medical sciences are advancing quickly, and maybe this book isn't as outragous as one would typically be inclined to think. The elements of this novel do exist, and computer scientists in the field on AI are advancing... maybe someday this will happen... but chances are not in my lifetime. Off of the subject matter of this book- the way Peter James creates his characters is remarkable. Throughout the story I felt I had connected in some way with these characters through nothing more than Peter James' writing style. I'm going to look into more books by this author.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating novel - you won't put this one down!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Host (Hardcover)
HOST is an incredible novel for the intelligent reader. Peter James writes clearly and comfortably about computer science, artificial intelligence, and the so-called 'smart' drugs; and has created an exceptional thought-provoking thriller. What is Man willing to risk to advance the technology of tomorrow, especially if Life can be extended? You will contemplate this novel for a long time.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Host (Hardcover)
This book is a great examination of the next 25 years of technology in our lives. The ideas are fascinating, and the novel is well written.Also look up Eric Harry's books.
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