thomcat's review against another edition
3.0
Starts off as a culture exploration novel, transitions to something like The Man from Earth (a highly recommended movie incidentally). The middle section is a little rough; the hints are all dropped towards the end instead of being sprinkled around. It also feels quite rushed - the first third of the book moves at a pretty slow pace comparatively.
velvie's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
3.0
The cover of the copy I bought is far more epic than this.
Basically this is the tale of the worst scientists ever; they bumble around and end up 'integrating' into a tribe with the magic of massive guns and them grumble about giving out antibiotics because of ethics. The improbably named Grimbardsun goes and shoots a bunch of bears just 'cause. You know. Why not?
There are fist-fights, gun fights, love triangles, amnesia, mammoth hunts, attempted murders and iffy science. It's basically great if you like the kind of writing that details what time a dude woke up and what he ate for breakfast and that he did push ups for half an hour before putting on his thermal tank top.
I've not read much in the way of this kind of paperback sci-fi, but it's entertaining. The characters are either fairly bland or outlandishly awesome. I would have liked Grimbardsun to take more of a backseat, not just so the other characters could be fleshed out, but because it seemed like he was doing all the SCIENCE by himself. But then, ostensibly, this is his story. Whatever- it's a time-travel yarn from 1972. It is what it is.
Basically this is the tale of the worst scientists ever; they bumble around and end up 'integrating' into a tribe with the magic of massive guns and them grumble about giving out antibiotics because of ethics. The improbably named Grimbardsun goes and shoots a bunch of bears just 'cause. You know. Why not?
There are fist-fights, gun fights, love triangles, amnesia, mammoth hunts, attempted murders and iffy science. It's basically great if you like the kind of writing that details what time a dude woke up and what he ate for breakfast and that he did push ups for half an hour before putting on his thermal tank top.
I've not read much in the way of this kind of paperback sci-fi, but it's entertaining. The characters are either fairly bland or outlandishly awesome. I would have liked Grimbardsun to take more of a backseat, not just so the other characters could be fleshed out, but because it seemed like he was doing all the SCIENCE by himself. But then, ostensibly, this is his story. Whatever- it's a time-travel yarn from 1972. It is what it is.
katie_king's review against another edition
1.0
I think this was about a time-travelling anthropologist. I know that I thought the Riverworld series was a whole lot better.
charkinzie's review
4.0
loved this book!First time-travel novel I've read that made sense to me!
My complete review is here!
http://dnmmagazine.com/2012/07/12/times-last-gift-by-philip-jose-farmer-reprinted/
My complete review is here!
http://dnmmagazine.com/2012/07/12/times-last-gift-by-philip-jose-farmer-reprinted/
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