LeVar Burton

Many of the reviews here call out this book’s vulnerabilities and weaknesses, and I think those criticisms are fair. However, I think it would be unfair to ignore that this book tells a story with a wonderfully powerful vision that is even more prescient today than the day it was published in 1997. Simply, I think there’s a lot of value here that the star rating isn’t indicating, and I think if you’re willing to forgive some plot holes, MacGuffins, and purple prose, you’ll find a show more worthwhile book that excels on Burton’s sheer natural storytelling prowess. show less

Although written in the late 90's and the main story set in 2019, the premise is remarkably believable and holds up well. The characters also seem interesting as they are introduced. Unfortunately, that's where the good bits end, as the book just isn't that good.

Despite the excellent recent audiobook reading by the author, the story is not well written, and no amount of creative narration can save it. I gave up 1/3 of the way through because it really wasn't doing it for me, and I realized show more that I simply didn't care about any of the characters or what happened to them.

It's worth checking out of the library and listening to the excellent introduction and first couple of chapters that present the alternate future [history], then return it without listening to the actual story. show less

Leon Cane lifted the lid of the metal dumpster and peered inside. He wasn't looking for food; he still had a few cans of tuna stashed away in the wooden crate he called home. Instead, he was searching for reading material-books, magazines, newspapers-something to relieve the boredom that came with being homeless. On a good day he might come across a discarded newspaper or a dog-eared novel. Once he had found a copy of Scientific American, but he had thrown it away, the bitter memories too show more much to endure. Luck wasn't with him, for the dumpster was empty. show less

Another book I heard about in Dark Matter, this takes place in a dystopian near-future when we have elected the first African-American president only to have him assassinated nearly immediately, on top of that riots all over the country, on top of that an earthquake on the New Madrid fault taking out cities from Chicago to New Orleans. Rene Reynolds, is a scientist has developed a cure for all diseases, only to be kidnapped and have her device stolen from her. Leon, a former NASA scientist, show more Amy a 9 year old orphan and Jacob a Sioux Medicine Man rescue her. Described this way it sounds stupid, it didn’t read stupid, it was fun. show less