Mammoth
by John Varley
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The discovery of a perfectly preserved frozen mammoth in the Canadian wilderness gives wealthy visionary Howard Christian the opportunity of a lifetime: to clone it. But what really piques Christian's curiosity is what he finds next to the mammoth: a metal box-and the mummified body of a man wearing a watch. Working to discover the box's purpose and clone the mammoth, a top physicist and an elephant veterinarian will be flung thousands of years into the past and back again-bringing a baby show more mammoth along for the ride. show lessTags
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Multi-billionaire Howard has a “thing” for elephants and mammoths. When he gets his hands on a frozen excavated mammoth, he hires elephant trainer Susan to help impregnate an elephant to create an elephant-mammoth hybrid. Also with that frozen excavated mammoth was found a Stone Age man – with a wristwatch! And a box. Howard figures the box is a time machine and he hires genius mathematician Matt to figure it out.
I really liked this. It started off fast paced, and there were plenty of other fast-paced events in the book to keep things really going. And a few surprising events. I also really liked the way the book ended. I wasn’t sure how it was going to wrap up, but I thought it was done quite well.
I really liked this. It started off fast paced, and there were plenty of other fast-paced events in the book to keep things really going. And a few surprising events. I also really liked the way the book ended. I wasn’t sure how it was going to wrap up, but I thought it was done quite well.
Sad to see that John Varley has passed on. Mammoth is a time travel book my wife picked up about 20 years ago. In the late 70's and into the mid 80's Varley was a favorite author of mine because of his short stories. I didn't enjoy his novels. This book had a lot of potential but I disliked the storytelling. The early part of the book is quite tedious and an odd manner of presenting the story was distracting for quite a while. The characters are mostly unlikeable and though there is some redemption at the end, it felt hollow. 3 stars at best.
Now THIS is well-written time-travel fiction! PLUS amazing action scenes that leave your heart pounding.
What if a frozen mammoth were found up north -- with a frozen man huddled up against him, sitting on a BRIEFCASE? This sci-fi thriller combines time travel and cloning with plot twists and love. The only reason I don't give it five stars is that the relationships develop a bit too quickly -- but they have to, to keep up with the plot. A great read from a master of action sci-fi, John Varley.
What if a frozen mammoth were found up north -- with a frozen man huddled up against him, sitting on a BRIEFCASE? This sci-fi thriller combines time travel and cloning with plot twists and love. The only reason I don't give it five stars is that the relationships develop a bit too quickly -- but they have to, to keep up with the plot. A great read from a master of action sci-fi, John Varley.
Multi-billionaire Howard Christian is an eccentric sort who likes to actually play with his toys. His latest obsession is to clone a woolly mammoth. During an expedition in northern Canada, an intact, but mummified mammoth is found. Huddled in the mammoth's fur is a Stone Age man approximately 12,000 years old...wearing a wristwatch.
Matthew Wright, science prodigy, is brought in to figure out what is in the metal suitcase clutched in the Stone Age man's arms. It's some sort of time machine, involving what look like many glass marbles. One day, Matt gets it to work, and takes himself, Susan Wright, who is taking care of a herd of elephants involved in the cloning plan, the elephants, and a Santa Monica warehouse, about 12,000 years in show more the past. After several days in the past, Matt gets the time machine to work again, and brings himself and Susan back to the present, along with a herd of half a dozen mastodons that happened to be nearby at the time. A baby mastodon, nicknamed Little Fuzzy, and Big Mama, his mother, are the only survivors when they appear in the middle of L.A. traffic.
Five years later, Little Fuzzy is the star of a multi-media extravaganza of a circus in Oregon. Susan is still his handler, because Little Fuzzy won't work with anyone else. She comes up with the idea of kidnapping Fuzzy, and freeing him in the wilds of northern Canada, where he could have something resembling a normal life. But Howard Christian is not about to let that happen.
Does any circus, no matter how progressive, automatically equal mistreating of animals? That's one of the questions explored in this fine piece of storytelling. It is more than just a really good time travel story, and it's well worth reading. show less
Matthew Wright, science prodigy, is brought in to figure out what is in the metal suitcase clutched in the Stone Age man's arms. It's some sort of time machine, involving what look like many glass marbles. One day, Matt gets it to work, and takes himself, Susan Wright, who is taking care of a herd of elephants involved in the cloning plan, the elephants, and a Santa Monica warehouse, about 12,000 years in show more the past. After several days in the past, Matt gets the time machine to work again, and brings himself and Susan back to the present, along with a herd of half a dozen mastodons that happened to be nearby at the time. A baby mastodon, nicknamed Little Fuzzy, and Big Mama, his mother, are the only survivors when they appear in the middle of L.A. traffic.
Five years later, Little Fuzzy is the star of a multi-media extravaganza of a circus in Oregon. Susan is still his handler, because Little Fuzzy won't work with anyone else. She comes up with the idea of kidnapping Fuzzy, and freeing him in the wilds of northern Canada, where he could have something resembling a normal life. But Howard Christian is not about to let that happen.
Does any circus, no matter how progressive, automatically equal mistreating of animals? That's one of the questions explored in this fine piece of storytelling. It is more than just a really good time travel story, and it's well worth reading. show less
John Varley has taken some time off from his Eight Worlds series of late. It's been rumored by Mr. Varley's fans that the wonderful Steel Beach and it's sequel The Golden Globe will have a sequel called Iron Town Blues. But this book will have to wait.
This time-travel tale brings a mammoth child into the 21st century. Due in part to the efforts of a physicist, Matt Wright, who is continually plagued by being unable to articulate his theories (conveniently for technobabble-worn readers), and an elephant trainer, Susan Morgan, Fuzzy ends up performing in the circus of wealthy businessman and collector, Howard Christian.
The scenes of theme park extravaganza are the most appealing and memorable in the book. Christian is the most interesting show more character, and the others, particularly Matt, are somewhat weak. The character of Fuzzy is a pleasant surprise, and there are plot twists in abundance. It's easy to forget that the story happens within the framework of a typical time-travel plot. When the mammoth is brought into the present... I'll not spoil that for you. But it's a delightful scene.
Even a very weak John Varley's novel (which this is not) would be quite good. Mammoth, while not Mr. Varley's masterful best, is a credible, thoughtful novel that does not disappoint. show less
This time-travel tale brings a mammoth child into the 21st century. Due in part to the efforts of a physicist, Matt Wright, who is continually plagued by being unable to articulate his theories (conveniently for technobabble-worn readers), and an elephant trainer, Susan Morgan, Fuzzy ends up performing in the circus of wealthy businessman and collector, Howard Christian.
The scenes of theme park extravaganza are the most appealing and memorable in the book. Christian is the most interesting show more character, and the others, particularly Matt, are somewhat weak. The character of Fuzzy is a pleasant surprise, and there are plot twists in abundance. It's easy to forget that the story happens within the framework of a typical time-travel plot. When the mammoth is brought into the present... I'll not spoil that for you. But it's a delightful scene.
Even a very weak John Varley's novel (which this is not) would be quite good. Mammoth, while not Mr. Varley's masterful best, is a credible, thoughtful novel that does not disappoint. show less
I like time travel stories and have read many. This one is pretty good though the method of travel is never satisfactorily explained. I did feel the exploitation of the results of the travel was cheesy. A rich guy getting richer and not seeing the problem. There is a twist at the end which is a little predictable if you're paying attention. A good read for time travel fans.
A couple of people mysteriously go back in time and then mysteriously come back to the present...with Mammoths in tow! Sounds weird? It is. But that's what makes good sci-fi.
Must admit, the first half of the novel did have some tedious reading but the plot made it interesting enough for me to keep reading. Must say, I was not disappointed. Good, unexpected ending!
Must admit, the first half of the novel did have some tedious reading but the plot made it interesting enough for me to keep reading. Must say, I was not disappointed. Good, unexpected ending!
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- Canonical title
- Mammoth
- Original publication date
- 2005
- People/Characters
- Howard Christian; Warburton; Dr. Rostov; Prof Matthew Wright; Leland; Roger (show all 7); Susan Morgan
- Important events
- Successful Cloning and birth of a Mammoth
- Dedication
- This book is dedicated to John and Doris Varley
My father, John E Varley, died on Jan 13, 2005, at the age of 79, in Big Spring, Tx
He was a very good man who led a good life adn raised two good daug... (show all)hters and me.
He hated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the New York Yankees, adn the Texas A&M Aggies
And loved most other Texas teams.
He lived to see the Red Sox humiliate the Yankees, and a lot of people didn't. - First words
- Once upon a time in what would one day come to be known as the month of August, many, many years ago, in a place that would one day be known as Manitoba, a herd of mammoths came over the low hills to the south and into a gent... (show all)le green valley rich with the scent of water.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)He began to scratch a message on the bottom of the battered aluminum case.
- Blurbers
- Clancy, Tom
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