Tech-Heaven [Mass Market Paperback]

Linda Nagata (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1995

Against the wishes of her family and the laws banning cryonics, a woman arranges to have her late husband preserved in liquid nitrogen and becomes a fugitive in South America, where she contemplates the price of cheating death.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Katie's husband, Tom, is not expected to survive injuries sustained in a helicopter crash, Katie insists that he be placed in cryonic suspension. Use of this technology is highly controversial, and Katie's decision triggers a series of political upheavals as society adjusts to new concepts of life and death. Nagata (The Bohr Maker) provides vivid characterization to demonstrate the impact of technology on individual lives. The alternating story lines, that of Katie's physical world and that concerning the spiritual netherworld Tom inhabits as he lies in suspended animation, provide added depth of suspense and highlight the couple's struggle to be reunited. At its core, this is a love story, and while the author offers many insightful socioeconomic and technological concepts to ponder, the main theme is the love that tries to outwit separation-even separation by death. In the midst of fast-paced action, Nagata creates characters to worry about, cheer for, sympathize with and despise. The time spent getting to know them and their world is well worth it.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 357 pages
• Publisher: Spectra (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553569260
• ISBN-13: 978-0553569261
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,281,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely food for thought, January 9, 2004

By 

MarvinT (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tech-Heaven (Mass Market Paperback)

I believe that I have all of Linda's available works (except for Memory which is in the mail).

However, I found this book disturbing; _Tech_Heaven_ is my least favorite of hers (but still 4 stars). Mostly it was due to the story that results from when Kate puts Tom in cryonic suspension. The daughters are confused -- Daddy's not dead, but there was a funeral, Grandma is furious at Mommy for not letting Daddy die?

Because I found it disturbing, I think I was less forgiving of the imperfections in the plot & characters. And frankly, the "spiritual netherworld" didn't sit well with me either.

BUT - I would recommend the book, if only as serious food for thought or a precursor to LoV and her (excellent!) NanoTech books.

So the book is good, but it's not a a "feel good" read.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Linda Nagata gets it right., September 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tech-Heaven (Mass Market Paperback)

The book opens in a near-future America more vividly realized than even most contemporary fiction, and sets off from there. It doesn't fall into the easy ruts of "cautionary tale" or escapist "freeze yourself into the future" type fiction, but dares to explore cryonics and futurism in a personal, pragmatic sort of way; like it or not, the future is where we're headed. With action and great characters, too!

2.0 out of 5 stars Meh, February 26, 2011

By 

Samantha Atkins "a seeker" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tech-Heaven (Mass Market Paperback)

Interesting topic idea. Poor writing. I had to start skimming after trudging through one third of it. Rather poor assumptions such as experiences while cryogenically preserved. Poor conclusion including claim of selfishness by the protagonist.