KILLING TIME by Caleb Carr

Random House, 2000

In the near-future, psychiatrist Gideon Wolfe discovers evidence that much of what the world 'knows' to be true is the result of a systematic and deliberate sabotage. Even a recent presidential assassination was covered up, with the true killer's identity veiled to prevent a conflict with a U.S. trading partner. When he investigates, his friend is killed and Gideon flees for his life, finding a group that is battling the destructive forces of the Internet and internationalization.

Author Caleb Carr (see more BooksForABuck.com reviews of novels by Carr) has created a horrible vision of the future. The world's ecology has been destroyed, entire oceans are vast toxic dumps, and United Nations forces battle with insurgents to protect the last vestiges of the great tropical rain-forests from their owners. The people, traumatized by economic upheaval, seem sedated by the information overload provided by the Internet. The group Gideon joins attempts to prove the dangers of the Internet by foisting huge hoaxes on the credulous world but, to their dismay, only seem to make things worse.

At times, KILLING TIME is more reminiscent of Jules Verne (our Free Science Fiction page contains links to several public domain Verne novels) than of more modern dystopian futuristic novels. Gideon and his associates travel in a huge vehicle that can convert from hovering craft to ultrasonic flyer to submarine at a moment's notice. Carr's choice of having most of the novel told as a reminiscence adds to the archaic tone.

KILLING TIME represents a strong cry against the Internet, internationalization, and commerce in general. Gideon is an effectively drawn character, torn between his love for a young assassin and his growing realization that his own group is doing more harm than good. Carr is an effective writer and presents a compelling and dangerous future. Except for Gideon, however, few of his characters develop beyond superficial character tags. In KILLING TIME, the plot and message, rather than the characters, are the story.

Two Stars

Ready to buy it? Click the button:

• See more BooksForABuck.com reviews of near future SF
• SF Review Central
• Check out the BooksForABuck.com line of affordable electronic fiction. Novel-length eFantasy and eScience Fiction at unbeatable prices.
• See our latest SF and Fantasy Reviews
• Return to Home
• Have a web site? Check out these free services.

  Too generous? Too stingy. Or did I miss the whole point? Send your comments to publisher@booksforabuck.com. I'll publish the best letters I get so let me know if I can use your name.

  
  MyStarship.com Banner Exchange