Xen [Unabridged] [Paperback]

D J Solomon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0976066009 | ISBN-13: 978-0976066002 | Publication Date: November 1, 2004 | Edition: 1st

Xen is the tale of misanthropic scientist, Pawkey Seneschal, his struggle to overcome his--and all of mankind's--innate xenophobia. With eugenics in paradox, this is a story to be embraced by humanitarians, pacifists, libertarians, feminists, utopians, anti-racists, animal rights activists, and the counter culture science fiction community. Because of the advanced vocabulary and uncensored nature of the characters' thoughts, this novel is not recommended for children under the age of 16. "An allegory where the battle of the sexes has been settled for good."--Wilmington Star-News.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A satirical science fiction allegory, where the weather's mastered and the battle of the sexes has been settled for good." -- Wilmington Star-News, March 20, 2005, Ben Steelman

"A triumph expressing a crucial message for counter-culture and would-be world-transformers of all walks of life." -- Midwest Book Review, June 2007, Michael Dunford

"Crafted with genius symbolism. Can be read over and over again and is perfect for book club conversation." -- Pageonelit.com, April 11, 2007, John Weaver

From the Publisher

Because of the advanced vocabulary and uncensored nature of the characters' thoughts, this novel is not recommended for readers under the age of 16.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Avar Press; 1st edition (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976066009
• ISBN-13: 978-0976066002
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What a bunch of babble, December 22, 2010

By 

Keith Pinster - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Xen (Paperback)

I bought this book to enter an essay contest for a college scholarship. I managed to get through "book 2" (which is actually chapter 2). This book is so poorly written it made my head spin. It wasn't "offensive", as "xian mom" seems to think it was, it was just a bunch of babble. I saw absolutely no thread or story line through the material. And the writing was so hard to follow I just couldn't go any farther. The first "book" was complete nonsense. The rest, as far as I could tell, were just "days in the life of". I have no idea what other people are talking about when they say they had to "solve the mystery". Maybe this is "literature", and if it is, I am SO glad I'm not studying literature in college! I can't say how glad I am that I bought this book used. I'd hate to think the author got a single penny from my purchase.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Douglas Adams meets Jon Stewart..., February 14, 2005

By 

Lisa Richey "piergazer" (right here) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Xen (Paperback)

This is NOT your typical, lazy Saturday afternoon novel, although that's when I chose to read it - the first time. My pledge to myself is to read it on as many free Saturday afternoons I have until I solve that puzzle. I do love a great mystery.

So I thank the author for shifting my Saturdays & some of my perspectives; for giving me cause to rejoin the "look it up club"; and for my renewed respect for Water (and Wind).

I hope Tim Burton discovers this book!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One to make you think, laugh, cry, and hope., March 22, 2005

By 

robert de vaugondy (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Xen (Paperback)

Xen is a stunner! A friend, female, recommended it to me. I will never be able to think about women the same way, after pouring through this work, which was probably her intention. I have already read it twice from cover to cover and continue to glance through it. There are parts that continue to crack me up, each and every time. I have laughed until I thought I was going to cry. Other parts are so ghoulish that I am haunted by the visual imagery.

The vocabulary is intense and I have had to look up many words, like another reviewer noted. But I could have glossed over them and still gotten the point overall. I wonder, how could anyone with such an active imagination be so politically incorrect these days?

This novel will make a lot of people mad. There is something to offend everyone. For example, Solomon's definition of religion is bound to ruffle the feathers of a certain Hollywood producer and those of his faithful, particularly at this time of year. But not just religion is lampooned. So are politics of either and any persuasion, the media, commercialism, and anyone who is closed minded.

Others, and I would like to count myself among them, will get past the anger that caused me to initially throw it down a bunch of times. So much of what he says is so true, although I certainly can't agree with everything.

Still others will be thumping their chests (? breasts) and saying, 'see, we told you so!'

This book has just about everything...the vocabulary, food for thought, a puzzle for which I remain clueless despite multiple cryptographic computer trials (and I am a computer analyst by trade), and it even provides for good causes. The author, sorry 'translator', states that 10% of all proceeds will go to charities!!

If you like to sink your teeth into a good read that can be finished in a couple evenings, buy Xen. You won't be disappointed.