Friday 11 October 2013

Unison (The Spheral #1), Eleni Papanou - The Review



The importance of Damon's purpose on Earth is such that even time must wait on him. Time seems to reset itself for him whenever he fails to fulfill any one of his life missions. But how many chances will he have? How soon before Earth and its inhabitants have to contend with the full implications of his failures?

The  Concept
Imagine if you could explain the idea of Reincarnation to make some type of scientific sense. Wouldn't that be so cool?

What if you could journey through several lifetimes with a person whose success in life is crucial to the survival of Earth and its galaxy.

The Writing
It at first seems as though Miss or Mrs. Eleni Papanou doesn't know what she's doing, and a big brained fellow is forced to wonder how she can be so confused and yet keep writing in such a linear and logical manner. But as you get deeper into the book, you are forced to recognize that she had  a well thought out plan all along.

So yeah it is not genius writing but it's far better than it seems.

The Story
At around year nine Damon bumps his head and realizes there's a channel in his head that allows him to tune in to the future (and maybe, the past too) sometimes. Along with this special gift comes an improved intellect which allows him to cross the normally uncrossable class boundaries, as well as making him slightly less susceptible to the dogma that keeps the colour-coded classes separate.

The coming to pass of one or two of his unpleasant visions makes him review the fast track lane to success he his on. Forcing him into direct confrontation with the leaders, principles and ideals of his society.

He sort of runs away and seems to enjoy a full life.

On his death however, he is sent back to relive his 'failed' life. Again and again until either time runs out on Earth (an actual possibility) or he gets it right.

The Critique
I am the first person to berate a fellow for claiming the personality traits, or choices, or character of a main character should influence the readability or essential-ness of his life story, but even I have to admit a little empathy for the main character is good for the enjoyment of a book story. And by the time I come to find out the reasons (some of them you have to describe as deeply subconscious-embedded for them to make any sense) for some of Damon's more out-there actions, I'd already written him off as some type of bad guy with a bunch of excuses.

In the end, Eleni does a great job of bringing together a story, that as early as page 100 and for long periods after, I'd already dismissed as impossible. But she leaves herself so much work to do that, it must have either overwhelmed her or she overwhelmed my mind. Either way, there're quite a few things that I frankly still don't believe can happen or could have happened. My mind quite simply just refuses to accept them.

The Resolution
In the end the The Six have to break the rules just so they can save not only the Earth, but its entire galaxy.

The Verdict
It's great mindfuckery, but it is not tight enough to make a mind say; that's the best I ever had.

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