Colossus and the Crab: Jones, D. F.: 9780425043271: Amazon.com: Books

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Colossus and the Crab Mass Market Paperback – June 15, 1979

by D. F. Jones (Author)

77 ratings

Book 3 of 3: Colossus Trilogy

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Language

English
Publisher

Berkley
Publication date

June 15, 1979
Dimensions

7 x 1 x 5 inches
ISBN-10

0425043274
ISBN-13

978-0425043271
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D. F. Jones
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D.F. F Jones
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Paperback
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D. F. Jones
96
Audio CD
$34.99
$8.71 shipping
Temporarily out of stock.
D.F. F Jones
230
Paperback
$31.99
$9.16 shipping

Customer reviews

5 star		48%
4 star		22%
3 star		21%
2 star		5%
1 star		4%

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Top reviews from the United States

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effective wrap up but unsatisfying as a story

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2022

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it’s a clever finish, and a resolution by talking it out is refreshing, especially in the current political environment. however, it is still loaded to the gills with deus ex machina, even as the denouement celebrates the human spirit. it was alright.

Clarence Darrow

The Last of a Compelling Trilogy

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2019

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Harper Lee knew better than to offer “Go Set a Watchman” for publication, which was published posthumously, inasmuch as the sequel of “To Kill a Mockingbird” irretrievably damaged the aura and reputation of Atticus Finch, civil rights icon and lion of the courtroom, who is portrayed as an aging and disillusioned racist. Similarly, the larger-than-life character of Charles Forbin, developed and polished in Colossus, is tarnished in “The Fall of Colossus”, and further damaged in “Colossus and the Crab”, in which he is depicted as an irretrievable sexist and philanderer, as well as a pitiable and unreformed alcoholic. Only at the very end of the trilogy is Forbin’s reputation salvaged (pun intended). The treatment of female characters, particularly Cleo Forbin in “The Fall of Colossus”, but also Angela and Joan in “Colossus and the Crab”, is abusive, demeaning, and ultimately, preposterous. To this extent (as well as with regard to the repeated references to cassette and recording tapes in the 22nd century), D.F. Jones was very much of his time. Sadly, Cleo Forbin’s fate is hardly addressed and there is no satisfying resolution of her status in the final book. Furthermore, there is barely passing reference and no recognition by Charles Forbin of the misery and torment suffered by his wife, He seems, instead -quite remarkably- just to move on to other conquests. All of this offends the sensibilities of most modern readers, detracting from the works’ merits.

The introduction of alien influence in both the demise and limited resurrection of Colossus is strange, but workable. All in all, had Jones kept the latter two books of the trilogy locked up as nothing more than manuscripts in a safe deposit box (as Lee did with “Go Set a Watchman”), there would likely be a more solidly unified cult fan club of Colossus (and the tragic hero, Charles Forbin).

Ended too quickly

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2016

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The third book in the trilogy was fairly predictable although it see ed to end abruptly. You are not made aware of the results between the Martians and Colossus only that the negotiations started. How Joan survives and Forbin does not is a mystery. You never know if Cleo appreciated Forbin's actions or not.

Like most trilogies, the second and third books should probably have been never written since they overshadow the initial book so much. They declined in interest very quickly. Given these were written in the 1970s, very little forethought went into the books and research was at a minimum. There were just too many things in the 22nd century that just did not fit ... Teletypes, radios, these things lacked imagination.

All in all, it was strange reading these books having seen the movie which stands on its own as the first book should have.

Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2017

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A fitting ending for the Collosus trilogy. Where few narratives have ventured to produce a new vision of the ascent and merging of man and machine to the very brink of our mutual demise. It is insightful and appropriately intense in its vision of what our own immediate present could become. Read all three in the trilogy. You will not be disappointed.

Mark A. Stevens

Forbin & Colossus

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2016

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In the form of the Golden Age of Science fiction, hard science meets the human condition. This book and its predecessors, Colossus, and The Fall of Colossus follow frail humans in their attempt to fashion science to meet the needs of the many.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2016

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This was a nice way to bring this tale to an end. I loved the plot and the message. (spoiler here) No we are not yet all grown up and not ready to make grown up decisions. Great job bringing us from the initial machine threat through to the realization that we need to play in a bigger field. Bravo!

One person found this helpful

Amazon Customer

The return of Colossus

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2017

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Colossus was made and became a dictator. In the end it was Forbin that was the hero, by showing the human spirit would not be put down and his love of humanity controlled his actions. It's was more a story of human emotions and desires to be human.

One person found this helpful

Old school values

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2017

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The conclusion of the Colossus trilogy is a taut, surprising unpredictable tour de force.

If you can get your hands on other D F Jones works, it's worth the trip to dusty old see book stores. Or hopefully digital copies.

Top reviews from other countries

Norma Miles

"He was a man; take him for all in all."

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 19, 2016

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Definitely the weakest of the Colossus Trilogy but still a rattling good thriller. This one does have a slightly more futuristic feel to it than the two preceding books, both of which were firmly rooted in the twentieth century even if, theoretically, set in the twenty second.
Colossus is lost but the world is in crisis - and the Martians are here. Only Colossus would have had the power to stop them. Once again mankind had proved to be it's own worst enemy. Will professor Forbin, with his friend and colleague, Blake, come to terms with what they have done and, somehow, restore the world?
Old? yes. Good? not so much as the earlier books but for overall action and excitement, definitely. And for some interesting ideas about what goes on inside a woman's head? Absolutely priceless.

Dan Stepnens

Doesn't fix any of the problems from 2, and is full of bad science to boot.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2017

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So short review of series as a whole:
Colossus is a Sci-Fi classic, a little rough around the edges but a legitimately good book on its own merits.
The sequels:
Best of just pretending they don't exist.
But they do, and they are very bad and now I've read them I wish I hadn't.

sandra k chung

Book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2021

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Love the dvd. Great books

Lynchey

bearing in mind when it was written not too bad but the ending is a little disappointing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2017

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I watched the film based on the first book as a kid, bearing in mind when it was written not too bad but the ending is a little disappointing.

PDHCentral

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2015

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A fantastic ending to a great trilogy.

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