Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Portal: A dataspace retrieval
 
See larger image
 
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Portal: A dataspace retrieval [Hardcover]

Rob Swigart (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Hardcover --  
Print on Demand (Paperback), Import --  

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After 100 years in space, an astronaut returns to Earth in the 22nd century to discover a planet empty of human life. A single flickering light signals one computer terminal left functioning to tell the story. This program, portentously named Homer, recalls a globe with no poverty, disease or crime, in which every person is watched over by the paternalistic worldnet computer system. Violence still erupts in the form of genetic weaponry that leads to the Mind Wars and stirs teenage genius Peter Devore to build a new science of psychic control, freeing the mind from the body. Formatted to look like computer printout, this novel was, in fact, previously released as computer software. That dubious novelty doesn't explain why it is so dull and lifeless, substituting neologisms and technological double talk for absent ideas, story and characters.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

An astronaut returns to an Earth devoid of human life. With a still-functioning computer network as his only ally and a namePeter Devoreas his only clue, the last man on Earth slowly pieces together an astonishing story that only he can bring to conclusion. The author's novelization of the computer game of the same name succeeds on its own as a gripping tale of one man's search for another man's secret. For large sf collections. JC
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Hardcover
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (1988)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312014945
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312014940
  • Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,544,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Portal, the book of the story of the game., August 28, 2001
This review is from: Portal: A dataspace retrieval (Hardcover)
I played the game, Portal, when I was in gradeschool. I had a Commodore 64 and the game was 3 disks, 5 sides total. Wonderful depth and imagery, the book is told from the perspective on a space traveller sent off at near light speed who returns to find Earth deserted; about an AI computer program named Homer who desparately wants to remember what happened and about how all of it ties together with the expansion of human experience. I would highly recommend this book as a good read for everyone from 8 to 80 who likes sci-fi. Larger libraries should have this, including the DownTown Fort Worth library.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, this is the GOOD stuff., December 7, 1999
This review is from: Portal: A dataspace retrieval (Hardcover)
Not much to say, other then Portal was one of the first Interactive Fiction game, that REALY succeeded telling a story. This is the Novel that came of the Game. Highly recommendable. A truly great read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent storytelling, June 28, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Portal: A dataspace retrieval (Hardcover)
It does not matter how long ago this book came out. When I noticed that there was no review I thought I had to correct this terrible injustice and write one myself. The book is certainly not perfect by sci-fi standards, but there are few books that I've read which got me enchanted like this one. A little like reading Peter Pan when I was ten years old. It transports you into its imaginative world, making it so real that when you close the book you actually ask yourself if the real world might not actually be inside the book. Did I read "out of print"? What a shame. But don't give up so easily. ASK for it. With luck they'll get the press rolling again.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews


Only search this product's reviews



Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 

Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   


Listmania!


Create a Listmania! list

So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category