David Simpson (8) (1977–)
Author of Post-Human Series Books 1-4
For other authors named David Simpson, see the disambiguation page.
Series
Works by David Simpson
Associated Works
The Robot Chronicles (The Future Chronicles) (2014) — Foreword, some editions — 43 copies, 2 reviews
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1977
- Gender
- male
- Education
- University of British Columbia (MA|English litrature)
- Nationality
- Canada
- Birthplace
- Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK
- Places of residence
- West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Associated Place (for map)
- Canada
Members
Reviews
Post-Human by David Simpson is a solid, engaging sci-fi novel. It’s not flashy or groundbreaking, but it has a nice subtle touch that blends the futuristic elements effortlessly with the more human aspects of the narrative.
Post-Human is set some time in the future, in the world of James Keats. Humans have shaped machines to their own ends, making great advancements, becoming themselves partly machine, with nanobots streaming through their bodies. Earth seems flawless, until a worldwide show more catastrophe terminates their idyllic existence. James and his friends must deal with the aftermath, and the shocking truth of what happened.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the matter-of-fact way the author handled the science aspects of the plot. There were no long-winded, technical explanations; he plunked you right in the middle of the society and whipped you along for the ride. It was artfully done, creating a complete science fiction backdrop for the novel’s authentic characters. The book also has some excellent character interactions and nicely written, restrained commentaries on tolerance, humanity and the nature of religion. The author lets these observations flow naturally from the plot and dialogue and does not thump the reader over the head with his opinions.
I was hoping for a slightly darker ending; things were wrapped up a bit too happily ever after for my tastes, but that is simply a personal quibble. Post-Human is a great sci-fi novel and a very satisfying read; I definitely recommend it. show less
Post-Human is set some time in the future, in the world of James Keats. Humans have shaped machines to their own ends, making great advancements, becoming themselves partly machine, with nanobots streaming through their bodies. Earth seems flawless, until a worldwide show more catastrophe terminates their idyllic existence. James and his friends must deal with the aftermath, and the shocking truth of what happened.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the matter-of-fact way the author handled the science aspects of the plot. There were no long-winded, technical explanations; he plunked you right in the middle of the society and whipped you along for the ride. It was artfully done, creating a complete science fiction backdrop for the novel’s authentic characters. The book also has some excellent character interactions and nicely written, restrained commentaries on tolerance, humanity and the nature of religion. The author lets these observations flow naturally from the plot and dialogue and does not thump the reader over the head with his opinions.
I was hoping for a slightly darker ending; things were wrapped up a bit too happily ever after for my tastes, but that is simply a personal quibble. Post-Human is a great sci-fi novel and a very satisfying read; I definitely recommend it. show less
Based on the glowing reviews I'd seen, I bought an ebook omnibus containing the four novels that make up David Simpson's "Post-Human" series, which explores what happens when AI becomes real.
I didn't make it through the first book, "Sub-Human".
"Sub-Human" is packed with informed ideas about AI and its consequences. It has action on every page. The plot is very fast paced. It would make a great comic (Graphic Novel if that makes you feel more grown-up) or a TV series.
As a novel, it is so show more under-written that it would make the average TV script for "Agents of Shield" seem like densely-written literature.
There is no characterisation, no empathy for the people and their situation, just a dash through action scenes that act as vehicles to test out AI concepts.
The level of insight into what makes people tick was so low that, if there was a Turing Test for novels, this book would fail it. show less
I didn't make it through the first book, "Sub-Human".
"Sub-Human" is packed with informed ideas about AI and its consequences. It has action on every page. The plot is very fast paced. It would make a great comic (Graphic Novel if that makes you feel more grown-up) or a TV series.
As a novel, it is so show more under-written that it would make the average TV script for "Agents of Shield" seem like densely-written literature.
There is no characterisation, no empathy for the people and their situation, just a dash through action scenes that act as vehicles to test out AI concepts.
The level of insight into what makes people tick was so low that, if there was a Turing Test for novels, this book would fail it. show less
OK... Here's the thing. I was asked to review this book, and I agreed, thinking that it was an interesting premise. And it DOES have an interesting premise, one that I was very curious about, but anything interesting about it was buried under the writing.
This book is in desperate need of an editor. I think that with a good editor, this book could be quite good, but as it is, it was just... not. I tried, but I just could not finish this book. I could barely make it the 30% I read. And that show more was a struggle.
I don't think I'm an overly critical reader... But I do have certain expectations. For instance, I expect physics to be realistic. If it's fictional world physics, I expect them to be well-explained and consistent. If they are real world Earth physics, I expect them to act like it. A bullet cannot make a 90 degree turn to enter through the temple on the side of the head and then exit through the back of the head. It just doesn't happen. Gravity always pulls down and never sideways. Normal people cannot jump onto speeding cars, bounce off the windshield, over the roof, and then miraculously snag that little gap between the back window and the car's trunk and then have a fight on top of the car as though it's not moving. This character had more trouble maneuvering on the moving car alone than he had when fighting 6 ghosts off at once.
I wanted to like this book. Like I said before, I thought the concept of an evil, hungry God was intriguing, and Near Death Experiences being used as a method of fighting him is even more so. But in the end, I just couldn't get past the writing, the over-descriptiveness, the unreality of the things that should have been constant laws of nature. I have no problem suspending my disbelief to allow for the NDEs and ghosts and hellish angels and demonic bureaucrats. Well... the last bit doesn't require much suspension, but I digress. I could go along with all of that, if it weren't for the writing making it so hard to actually READ. Here's an example:
I think that the raw potential is there... but it needs honing and to make it into something worth keeping. show less
This book is in desperate need of an editor. I think that with a good editor, this book could be quite good, but as it is, it was just... not. I tried, but I just could not finish this book. I could barely make it the 30% I read. And that show more was a struggle.
I don't think I'm an overly critical reader... But I do have certain expectations. For instance, I expect physics to be realistic. If it's fictional world physics, I expect them to be well-explained and consistent. If they are real world Earth physics, I expect them to act like it. A bullet cannot make a 90 degree turn to enter through the temple on the side of the head and then exit through the back of the head. It just doesn't happen. Gravity always pulls down and never sideways. Normal people cannot jump onto speeding cars, bounce off the windshield, over the roof, and then miraculously snag that little gap between the back window and the car's trunk and then have a fight on top of the car as though it's not moving. This character had more trouble maneuvering on the moving car alone than he had when fighting 6 ghosts off at once.
I wanted to like this book. Like I said before, I thought the concept of an evil, hungry God was intriguing, and Near Death Experiences being used as a method of fighting him is even more so. But in the end, I just couldn't get past the writing, the over-descriptiveness, the unreality of the things that should have been constant laws of nature. I have no problem suspending my disbelief to allow for the NDEs and ghosts and hellish angels and demonic bureaucrats. Well... the last bit doesn't require much suspension, but I digress. I could go along with all of that, if it weren't for the writing making it so hard to actually READ. Here's an example:
"He stepped lightly, careful to avoid the dampest areas of the floor, and pulled out his durable, double-ply, English-style handkerchief, making the regrettable but graceful decision to sacrifice it in the name of saving his sleek, flat-front burberry cotton trousers, placing it on the decaying, splintered bench of the booth where Officer Roche's ample frame was docked.
Roche barely looked up from the red sauce coating the chicken wings clutched between his meaty paws and blubberous opposable digits."
I think that the raw potential is there... but it needs honing and to make it into something worth keeping. show less
The Post-Human book series of 4 books is really a (at this time) a four book set. I am choosing to offer my review on the first 4 book set since I think that better serves the reader.
The first book in the series was really written as the third book. It is a prequel which introduces the characters, primarily the old-timer. I found this book pretty essential in understanding the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and give it a 5 star rating.
The second and third books are much different show more from the first. In a prologue from the author, the reader is told that they will need to release any conceptions they have of the future as it is impacted by technology. A very accurate statement as these books are what can happen if Moore's Law is fully accurate. I found the story in these books to take a bit of thought and acceptance. After all, this is a somewhat cerebral science fiction series. What I can tell you is that David Simpson can write and challenge the reader. I surmise that he is a very bright individual that has the ability to speak to the masses. I give these two books 4.5 stars.
The third book is absolutely amazing. The same character set is still involved but you will not know it for some time. There are some very interesting plot changes in this book that should get to you and have you mumbling to yourself that the author has constructed a believable roller coaster of a ride that you could never see coming. I rate this book 5+ stars and look forward to reading his other books.
Highly recommend to science fiction readers that are looking for something other than alien attacks. show less
The first book in the series was really written as the third book. It is a prequel which introduces the characters, primarily the old-timer. I found this book pretty essential in understanding the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and give it a 5 star rating.
The second and third books are much different show more from the first. In a prologue from the author, the reader is told that they will need to release any conceptions they have of the future as it is impacted by technology. A very accurate statement as these books are what can happen if Moore's Law is fully accurate. I found the story in these books to take a bit of thought and acceptance. After all, this is a somewhat cerebral science fiction series. What I can tell you is that David Simpson can write and challenge the reader. I surmise that he is a very bright individual that has the ability to speak to the masses. I give these two books 4.5 stars.
The third book is absolutely amazing. The same character set is still involved but you will not know it for some time. There are some very interesting plot changes in this book that should get to you and have you mumbling to yourself that the author has constructed a believable roller coaster of a ride that you could never see coming. I rate this book 5+ stars and look forward to reading his other books.
Highly recommend to science fiction readers that are looking for something other than alien attacks. show less
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- Rating
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