Scan barcode
larkken's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
agatt27's review against another edition
3.0
Book Review
Waystation by Clifford D. Simak
Rating – 7.5/10
Overview – Born in 1840 Enoch Wallace is a Civil War Veteran whose fought at Gettysburg. Nearly a hundred years have passed, and he doesn’t look a day over thirty. Why? BECAUSE ALIENS, THAT’S WHY. After receiving an unexpected invitation from an alien he named “Ulysses” shortly after the war, Enoch’s childhood home is converted into a waystation for aliens. For the last hundred years he’s lived in a peaceful solitude, exposed to knowledge predicated on sciences and philosophies far beyond human progress, but at the expense of living a life tethered to the boundaries of the Wisconsin wilderness his property is built upon. His secrets are his alone, as far as humans are concerned. But try as he may to keep to himself, his existence becomes a keen interest for agent Claude Lewis of CIA, whose been surveying him for the past few years. With the threat of nuclear World War on the horizon, the CIA’s prying eyes, and some neighborly drama from the Fisher family not far over, Enoch finds himself thrust into a situation that leaves his loyalties torn between Earth and the rest of the galaxy.
Themes – Anti War / Universal Kindness / Mysticism
Characters - This tight cast of characters shines. From an ageless civil war veteran, to polite aliens with more diplomacy than modern humans can hope for, to a mute-deaf girl whose hinderances provides unparalleled insight to many overlooked and underappreciated wonders life provides. Waystation’s cast of characters feel unique and tight. Each character serves their purpose without bloated expositions that turn your attention away from where they fit into the bigger picture.
Prose – The prose I considered somewhat of a shortcoming to the body of work. Due to the time of its conception, 1963, the prose can feel a bit “lumpy”. Many of the sentences are run-ons that with a few added periods and less commas could’ve helped certain passages breathe a bit more. There are several instances in which “and” is used excessively in a single sentence, or an unnecessary “perhaps” jars the flow of reading. That being said, it isn’t all bad or unreadable by any means. There are some beautiful descriptions that thrust you into story such as the opening passage. Other descriptions accurately capture Enoch’s inner struggles, and the themes are communicated well.
Analysis – The book is good. Would I reread it? Maybe in a few years. But for now, I’m satisfied with a single read. The story is original, the plot was entertaining and organic save for what I felt was a somewhat contrived plot device towards the climax of the story, but it was one I could live with. The main bulk of the ending felt satisfying, save for the very tail end of it that felt a little out of place for me.
Its greatest strengths are its heartfelt themes about empathy and anti-war that land on solid footing throughout the story. Regardless of everything that makes sentient beings differ from one another, kindness is a universal language all are capable of sharing the benefits of. Goals such a peace and existential curiosity should be driving forces that unite Humanity, not divide it. Perhaps humility in the face of something so grand and ever present in all beings, we may very well be able to attain such prosperity.
Waystation by Clifford D. Simak
Rating – 7.5/10
Overview – Born in 1840 Enoch Wallace is a Civil War Veteran whose fought at Gettysburg. Nearly a hundred years have passed, and he doesn’t look a day over thirty. Why? BECAUSE ALIENS, THAT’S WHY. After receiving an unexpected invitation from an alien he named “Ulysses” shortly after the war, Enoch’s childhood home is converted into a waystation for aliens. For the last hundred years he’s lived in a peaceful solitude, exposed to knowledge predicated on sciences and philosophies far beyond human progress, but at the expense of living a life tethered to the boundaries of the Wisconsin wilderness his property is built upon. His secrets are his alone, as far as humans are concerned. But try as he may to keep to himself, his existence becomes a keen interest for agent Claude Lewis of CIA, whose been surveying him for the past few years. With the threat of nuclear World War on the horizon, the CIA’s prying eyes, and some neighborly drama from the Fisher family not far over, Enoch finds himself thrust into a situation that leaves his loyalties torn between Earth and the rest of the galaxy.
Themes – Anti War / Universal Kindness / Mysticism
Characters - This tight cast of characters shines. From an ageless civil war veteran, to polite aliens with more diplomacy than modern humans can hope for, to a mute-deaf girl whose hinderances provides unparalleled insight to many overlooked and underappreciated wonders life provides. Waystation’s cast of characters feel unique and tight. Each character serves their purpose without bloated expositions that turn your attention away from where they fit into the bigger picture.
Prose – The prose I considered somewhat of a shortcoming to the body of work. Due to the time of its conception, 1963, the prose can feel a bit “lumpy”. Many of the sentences are run-ons that with a few added periods and less commas could’ve helped certain passages breathe a bit more. There are several instances in which “and” is used excessively in a single sentence, or an unnecessary “perhaps” jars the flow of reading. That being said, it isn’t all bad or unreadable by any means. There are some beautiful descriptions that thrust you into story such as the opening passage. Other descriptions accurately capture Enoch’s inner struggles, and the themes are communicated well.
Analysis – The book is good. Would I reread it? Maybe in a few years. But for now, I’m satisfied with a single read. The story is original, the plot was entertaining and organic save for what I felt was a somewhat contrived plot device towards the climax of the story, but it was one I could live with. The main bulk of the ending felt satisfying, save for the very tail end of it that felt a little out of place for me.
Its greatest strengths are its heartfelt themes about empathy and anti-war that land on solid footing throughout the story. Regardless of everything that makes sentient beings differ from one another, kindness is a universal language all are capable of sharing the benefits of. Goals such a peace and existential curiosity should be driving forces that unite Humanity, not divide it. Perhaps humility in the face of something so grand and ever present in all beings, we may very well be able to attain such prosperity.
mossflower's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
christmas42's review against another edition
Not the right time. Busy week, beginning didn’t grab me, and it’s due tomorrow! Hope to try again sometime.
sam_murray's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
patesa's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Pretty inoffensive in terms of sexism, unlike a lot of classic sci-fi.
anexcessofebooks's review against another edition
Can’t stand the constant use of mid-sentence inversion: putting a statement in the middle of the sentence that could/should be at the beginning. It’s fine on occasion to change the tone/tempo of the prose, but this is just excessive to the point of distraction.
“He’d put it, he decided, either on the mantelpiece or, perhaps better yet, on the coffee table that stood beside his favorite chair in the corner by the desk. He wanted it, he admitted to himself, with some quiet embarrassment, where it was close at hand,”
“Enoch looked, unable to conceal surprise, and could see the end of an envelope peeping from between the journals.”
“The Fishers were, for a fact, Enoch told himself, a truly shiftless outfit.”
“Enoch, as he reached the mailbox, sighted the dust raised by his old jalopy as it galloped along the ridge.”
“They had become friends, he recalled, only after a long time”
All of those quotes were within like 18 pages of each other and those were just a couple examples I skimmed across.
Beyond that, the book just isn’t very interesting at this point. The concept appealed to me, but it’s too slow.
misanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Powerful and essential. Transcends genre. I will read everything from this author.
jboh's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75