Tad Williams decided to try something epic, yet again. Four volumes of
this time science fiction, but throwing in epic fantasy quest elements
by way of virtual reality environments to keep the rest of his fanbase
somewhat happy, at least.

A disparate group of people set out to find out why a whole lot of
children are getting sick and falling into comas. These people come
from all over the globe, an African student, a native bushman, a young
sick computer game geek, a French researcher, etc.

In the real world, the police also begin to suspect something after an odd series of murders.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2006/12... ( )

This is the first of the four volumes that make up Otherland, which is really one long novel published in four parts, like The Lord of the Rings. Make sure you have plenty of time for reading before you start this one!

Tad Williams has a talent for sucking you into his stories so that you read steadily, never lamenting the length of the books.

Otherland is a slight departure from his previous (and later) fantasies. Primarily science fiction, this story deals with a not so distant future when the Internet can be experienced via virtual reality. When children begin to fall into comas, trapped in VR, our story begins. But it is also the story of a mysterious man who is also trapped within the virtual world of the 'net. With multiple storylines that interweave and tangle, Otherland delivers a fully realized world that is a pleasure to experience.

Review by Ms. DuVall

Pretty good opening, leaves you wanting to read the whole series. But who has the time? ( )

This book was recommended to me by Dr. Richard Bartle, as evidenced by the opening line, "It started in mud, as many things do."

Basically the interwebs if Second Life took the place of Google. Not bad prognostication for 1996. ( )