Customer Reviews

Operation Chaos

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you've never read anything in the unusual genre of science fantasy that blends science fiction and magic, this is the place to start. It`s one of the classics of the unique genre.

This book consists of four connected novellas published between 1956 and 1969 in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction: "Operation Afreet," "Operation Salamander," "Operation Incubus," and the three-part "Operation Changeling." Anderson added linking material for book publication in the 70s.

Heroes Steve (a werewolf) and Virginia (his witch wife) fight against a demon being used as a superweapon in World War II, stop an elemental college prank gone amok, confront a succubus/incubus on their romantic getaway, and enter the hell dimension to save their daughter. The tone changes between the different segments: the college story is riotously funny and played almost strictly for laughs, while the lengthy final novella emphasizes heavy science, a deadly-serious quest, and thought-provoking satire on religious zeal gone wrong. But ultimately, I'm not complaining: this is top-notch science-fantasy and an example of what an incredible talen the late Poul Anderson was. His logical approach to fantasy makes magic and the supernatural into scientific forces that operate in his fictional universe the same way that modern technology operates in ours. The world of _Operation Chaos_ is recognizable as 20th-century America, except that magic is this world's science, and is treated in the same way that scientific theories and inventions are in our own. Anderson handles this difficult conceit to near perfection, writing fantasy with the techniques of science fiction.

Come on, take the ride into chaos!

There are infinite number of time streams in the universe including one in which a large segment of the earth populace uses magic. In the first century BC, the physical rules governing magic were discovered. Two millenniums later, magic is considered a combination science and religion that centers on spells that harness supernatural energies.

In this modern world reside two individuals who will impact the future of civilization, which is why the Adversary keeps close watch over them. Werewolf Steve Matuchek and witch Ginny Greylock meet just outside Trollsberg, Oregon. They are in a battle with the Saracen Caliphrate, an extremist Morlen sect. The duo must retake the town if they are to drive the sect out of the United States. Ginny and Steve succeed in their endeavor, and fall in love with one another during their encounters. They marry and beget a baby. However, a few years later that infant is kidnapped and taken to Hell. Steve and Ginny follow in hot pursuit of their beloved child.

The reprinting of the 1970's OPERATION CHAOS shows the highly regarded novel passes the time test required of being labeled a classic. Science Fiction giant Poul Anderson paved the way for many of the next two decades' great writers such as Huff, Hamilton, and Lisle with works like this one where an alternate earth seems physically real. The engrossing story line focuses on Steve and Ginny, who appear to be real persona in spite of their supernatural tendencies. Mr. Anderson's novels retain their freshness and that make him a hall of fame level of story teller.

This one is a true classic of the fantasy genre. The premise, however, is straightforward: the novel takes place in an alternate universe much like our own except for one thing: here, magic exists as a practical means of doing things, and various human beings are adepts at various types of magic. The protagonist is a true werewolf, his co-protagonist girlfriend/wife is a witch.

There is a plot and a conflict, and this one is great fun and quite interesting. The prose is also superb, which makes this fantasy novel an enjoyable page-turner, very unlike most fantasy novels, at least in my opinion. Here Anderson proves that he was very capable of writing either "hard" SF (for which he is probably best known) or Grade-A fantasy. Not many authors can do that, and perhaps none as well as Anderson. This one is a true pleasure to read and to recommend.

In 1971, Poul Anderson combined a number of his stories of Steve (the werewolf husband) and Virginia (a witch of great strength and beauty) into a novel which is unique in that it is as powerful and relevant today as it was 30 years ago. In fact, isnt there a similar team on Buffy, The Vampire Slayer?

The adventures of this dynamic duo are exciting and fun, while Poul Anderson expounds wonderfully humorous parodies of modern society in the alternate reality in which the novel is set. The Orb edition is a wonderful way to keep this book around and share with your friends. Highly recommended.

If you read the copyright page of Anderson's "Operation Chaos," you'll find that this novel has parts from four separate short stories: "Operation Afreet," "Operation Salamander," "Operation Incubus," and "Operation Changeling." Unfortunately, the whole is NOT better than the sum of its parts. All Anderson appears to have done is to have stuck a bit of a soliloquy between the pieces in the hope that they'll flow together. Well, they don't. The book reads exactly like what it is: a collection of four short stories that have nothing to do with each other except for the fact that the two main characters are the same. As a matter of fact, by putting these stories in such close proximity, all the book does is accentuate the lack of consistency in the main characters' behavior over time. Now, if the stories were better written, it might have been possible to enjoy the book as merely a collection (assuming you like short stories). But, the characters are so stilted that the whole thing comes across as just plain corny. Thus, I'm rating this book as a Not So Good 2 stars out of 5: don't bother.

Among the many short stories penned by award-winning author Poul Anderson (1926-2001) are a series of stories about Steven Matuchek (a werewolf), and Virginia Graylock (a witch), who inhabit an Earth where magic is studied and employed just like any other technology. In 1971, these four short stories were combined into one book - Operation Chaos.

In Operation Afreet (first published in 1956), Steven and Virginia meet during the great war against the Saracen Caliphate, when they are sent on a commando operation to stop the enemy's use of a powerful monster.

In Operation Salamander (1957), Steven and Virginia must team up to stop a rampaging fire creature, before it can burn down the whole town.

Operation Incubus (1959) pits newlyweds Steven and Virginia against a demon that is determined to put a stop to them...permanently.

And finally, in Operation Changeling (1969), when Steven and Virginia return home after foiling the machinations of an evil new political movement, they find Virginia's familiar nearly killed and their child exchanged for a simulacrum. It seems that a demon has stolen their daughter, and if they want it back they must be prepared to storm the gates of Hell itself!

Overall, I found these to be well-written and very entertaining stories. Indeed, the absolute crown jewel of the book is the final story. Written in the 1960s (which Mr. Anderson described as "that low dishonest decade"), the opposing "Johannine Church" is filled with "long-haired men and short-haired women, bathless bodies and raggedy clothes" carrying signs about peace, love and harmony, and bringing only chaos, hatred and violence. And worse, these simple souls on the frontlines don't even realize that they are foot soldiers for the forces of evil. The social commentary is absolutely delicious!

So, if you want to read some superior science fiction/fantasy written by one of the giants of the industry, then get this book. Indeed, I must say that this is one of the best works of fiction that I have read all year, and I hereby proclaim it my pick of the year!

Poul Anderson creates an alternative world where magic is found to work around the time of WW1, and feature a husband-and-wife team of a werewolf and witch. A framing sequence works around several short stories, but it focuses on the end on their child...which has been kidnapped into Hell, literally...and how they invaded Hell itself to get their child back. As usual, Poul does a complete world and thinks out the ramifications of such magic wonderfully. Unfortunately, also as usual, oftentimes his language isn't natural, but expository. But don't let that stop you...this is still an EXCELLENT read, proving even Hell itself is not proof against fierce parental love

A friend recommended this book to me because I like werewolves. The book isn't solely all about werewolves but its a wonderful universe where science melds with magic. The setting is dynamic and as realistic feeling a science-fiction fantasy can get. The characters are unique with personalities and likable. I don't want to give away too much about the book itself and ruin it for future readers, so I'll just have to say I love this book and it's sequel. They're definitely books I will read again and again.

In a world where fantasy is as real as our own science, Steve is a werewolf and Ginny is a highly-skilled witch. Drawn together by need and love, this husband/wife team battle elementals and demons--but a darker threat may hide behind their enemies. A series of short stories drawn together in one volume, Operation Chaos has an unusual and promising take on science-fantasy, but it's altogether unconvincing and plagued by uneven pacing. As other reviews indicate, my response is not the majority opinion--but I found this novel unconvincing and more than a little frustrating, and I don't recommend it.

The first three-quarters of the book is the escapades of the husband/wife team's fantastic battles. This section starts out well--the scientific look at fantasy tropes is unusual and interesting, and the various battles are fast-paced and high energy. But it has a tongue-in-cheek humor which I detest and which makes the science-fantasy too comically cliché to be realistic; furthermore, the episodic format become repetitive and the overarching narrative of the couple's relationship is unconvincing. The final quarter of the book, by contrast, is a frenzied journey into hell--one which deviates wildly from the hitherto glib fantasy elements, one which is so fast-paced that it feels like it's been plucked from a different novel. As Operation Chaos is a gathering of short stories, the episodic style and uneven pacing make sense--but that explanation doesn't make these faults any more enjoyable to read.

Operation Chaos has its good points--the science-fantasy is promising, and hell in particular is artfully rendered and at once unique and convincing. But for a variety of reasons, the novel just didn't work for me: I found the humor grating, the love story and science-fantasy unconvincing, and I believe the uneven pacing degrades the quality of the book and makes for a weak resolution. Perhaps some of this is an issue of personal taste (in particular my sense of humor and my unease with the arbitrary fantasy elements), but still I don't recommend Operation Chaos. A different reader may enjoy it more, and the original short story format explains many of its problems, but in all I found this book more frustrating than enjoyable.

This book has stuck in my head forever I found it to be extremly intreging and action packed. If you like fantasy and science fiction this is the book for you. I could not put it down and want to read it again.