Mefisto

Product Description

A work of dazzling imagination, Mefisto, like John Banville's other novels, takes as its theme the price the true scientist or artist must pay for his calling in terms of his own humanity, his ability to live fully. Like his Copernicus, Kepler, and the nameless narrator of The Newton Letter, the central character of Mr. Banville's Mefisto, Gabriel Swan, is caught in the dilemma of the divided man who must choose between life and work, thought and action, experience and creation. The solution he seeks to dissolve the dilemma lies in a perhaps discoverable formula that will reduce the disorder of common things to an equation the application of which will "show up the seemingly random for what it is."

Gabriel is guided in his quest by Felix, the mysterious fixer, and his strange companions: Sophie, the silent girl, and the doomed Mr. Kasperl. At the close of the quest, as the computer-borne pattern seems set to repeat itself endlessly, Gabriel uncovers a solution that fails to bring him the rigor and certainty he had sought but offers up other things entirely. His wages are neofaustian and his fate as chancy as the "seemingly random" he would subside.

Customer Reviews:

Accusatus, iudicatus...salvatus?.......2006-07-25

The story of Faustus (or Faust, as he would become irrevocably better-known after Goethe was done with him) is probably one of the most durable myths of Western culture. The story of a man who makes a deal with the devil that he can never be happy or satisfied despite all the devil's best efforts (with divine permission), and that if he is, he will be immediately damned, seems to be eternally applicable to the present day.

John Banville's take on this legend is set in the author's native Ireland; the main character is a slightly autistic mathematical genius and the Mephisto of the title is a thin young man named Felix who has a genius with sly jokes. The first part of the story is set in the protagonist's native village, while the second part finds him in Dublin (which Banville only ever calls "the city") at the nadir of that city's crack-addicted 1980s.

The Irish are generally supposed to have a way with words, and I don't think there are enough in our shared language to convey the depth of Banville's skill in that department. His language is quite simply amazing: supple, economical, rich, well-chosen and pitch-perfect. Moreover, Banville does a similarly superb job in handling the Faustus legend and remaking it for the present day; his source seems to be Goethe for the most part, but he isn't afraid to reject, adapt or rearrange the elements of the most famous version of the legend to suit his purposes.

Overall "Mefisto" is an amazing book, but for my taste the story seemed at times too much of a coatrack on which Banville hung the trappings of Faustus. Although it is undoubtedly due in part to his temperament, our main character more often seemed secondary to his constructed role as a modern Faust than the primary focus of his own story. In other, plainer words, Banville lets the medieval myth overwhelm his modern Ireland quite a few times. Still, there are far worse crimes which "Mefisto" doesn't commit, and if any country were suited to the mythic modern it probably is Ireland. "Mefisto" will most likely leave you wanting more, but there's plenty more (equally if not more excellent) Banville books to choose from in that case.

Stunner..........2001-08-20

Banville is certainly one of the most exciting writers of the last 30 years, and this is a mesmerising display of his talents. On one level this is a book bristling with symbols, wherein a young man attempts to reconcile the opposing forces of chaos and order in which he finds himself. Working within and alongside this is the puzzle of the book itself. Themes are repeated, mutated and re-presented...the truth (of events and motives, of the world itself)always lying just out of reach for the narrator.

As ever Banville is passionately in love with language. His glittering, post-modern premise is rendered with such a rich landscape of imagery and description that literally every paragraph of the book soars and the reader is left reeling in wonder.

But Banville is also spare and wonderfully witty: "In the midst of wind-shivered foliage a deer would silently materialize - a glossy eye and a glistening tear-track, a stump of a tail, a unicorns dainty hoof" The poetic prose feels pared down, as if he's considered the cleanest, sharpest approach to each detail.

So, in short, if you love language, if you love literature then surrender to Banville!

Another View.......2001-01-31

The partial list of Authors who have put their talents to this tale include giants in literature, J.W. Goethe, Christopher Marlowe, and Thomas Mann. "Mefisto" is John Banville's entry into this legend and into the company of those who have interpreted it. This story of "Faust" can be read in prose form like, "Mefisto", or as a play by Goethe. I enjoyed this version, as the message remains the same, the challenge to the Author is to make it relevant to now, and to make it his or her own. For any who have read another Author's version the changes required to make the tale more contemporary cannot be simple and make the version worthy. This is not about changing period costume and taking the work from The Medieval, to the Renaissance, to the 20th century.

I think this legend is particularly valid today although any contemporary reader of another century would say the same. The difference is the lines we stand at, and the lines we cross because we can, with little regard for whether we should, are very real. Superstition still exists. Recall the recent millennial change and all that was feared and did not happen, all the apocalyptic prophesies that never were.

"Mefisto" is, as it has been, about crossing a line, what bargain must be made, what compromises negotiated, and with consequences vicious in their finality. Two scientists this past weekend were featured in a prominent newspaper saying they are moving forward with cloning a human. Others claim the cloning has taken place already. What deal have they made metaphorically speaking, and with whom?

This legend like a select few of others of its kind is always valid, always worth reading. Even if you read the oldest written version it is possible to substitute a situation that exists today. And this is how it should be as this is about the human condition and one of its fundamental flaws. Always has been with us, always will be.

The enjoyment here devolves from an extremely talented man of thought who can then place on paper the wicked and wickedly funny players like Felix that entertain, teach, and horrify. Mr. Banville gets inside your head if you let him, and, "Mefisto", is a carnivorous guest.

So enter his world where nighttime becomes downtime, and bandages are made from aluminum foil. And here it is not just the red or blue pill, but how you receive it, tablet, powder, liquid, or perhaps with a syringe assist?

some stunning description.......2000-04-25

Really nice book with some deeply evocative language. Banville says so much with such economy of phrase. Great stuff.

mefisto.......2000-03-10

I found mefisto to be an excellent book,i particularly enjoyed the relationships between the folks at the Ashburn mansion. Felix who remains enigmatic thruought the novel is one of the most extrordinary characters ever to be woven by banville although you might already be familiar with him (ghosts) this book holds new insights into his peculiar psyche.if you are already a fan of banvilles or if you are looking for a truly excellent novel I would highly recomend this literary piece.

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Klub Mefisto
T. Gerritsen
Manufacturer: Knizhnyj klub 36.6,M
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WJGZC6

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Liszt Mefisto Valse Orig.

Manufacturer: Warner Bros Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0769240275

Book Description

Advanced piano solo by Franz Liszt.

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Mefisto
Klaus Mann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Ellison at the top of his game
He may not read your mind, but he can sure warp it.
Who is Harlan Ellison's biggest fan?
An outstanding achievement.
I expect more from Ellison

Mefisto in Onyx
Harlan Ellison
Manufacturer: Mark V. Ziesing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0929480317

Customer Reviews:

Ellison at the top of his game.......2007-04-06

This novella relates the story of two men, Rudy Pairis and Henry Lake Spanning. Rudy is a classic underachiever, even in spite of his astounding talent for reading minds; Spanning is a serial killer. Rudy is manipulated by an old lover into entering Spanning's mind (it seems the woman has fallen in love with the killer and wants Rudy to prove his innocence). What Rudy finds there is just the beginning of the plentiful surprises Ellison has in store for his lucky readers.

He may not read your mind, but he can sure warp it........2006-01-31

This story is as punchy and disturbing as Harlan Ellison gets without becoming (as he sometimes is) completely incoherent. (Would anyone care to explain to me "The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World"?)

For those of you not familiar with Ellison's writing, think Chuck Pahluniak, with slightly better manners.

Ellison creates a compelling voice with Rudy Pairis, a black man blessed with the ability to read minds. Well, in a slightly saner world he would be blessed. As it is, he has yet to find one person whose mindscape doesn't make him want to vomit.

When Rudy's truest friend asks him to take a look inside the mind of a convicted mass murderer, the worst he fears is not half as bad as what he actually gets.

It kept me up till two AM the second time I read it. Most definitely worth your time.

Who is Harlan Ellison's biggest fan?.......2005-09-21

Harlan Ellison, of course. Mefisto is a beautifully made small press book with cover art and an introduction by Frank Miller of Sin City, an insult to Tor Book's refusal to publish this story, as well as two pages listing the autor's other works, and an opening blurb that says "What is this book about? Well, it's Bester's The Demolished Man as if it had been written by Jim Thompson or James M. Cain...Go ahead. Try for one potato chip. This sucker is relentlessly readable."

You put yourself with some fine company there, Mr. Ellison. And of course, it's readable. It's not a book. It's a short story. It took less than an hour to read. There were paragraphs one just wanted to quote to friends, but there were also painfully uneven characterizations. It was also a predictable story with a truly enjoyable ending. However, Mr. Ellison, you have always been a pony with one good trick.

And it's not to say that your one trick isn't very good, Pony Boy: you can describe characters in a way that makes them individuals, but also ties them into the rest of all humanity. This doesn't count your hostile self promotion techniques or your goofy titles (which reminds me, now I have to read Faust, `cuz I didn't get the reference).

But there are many writers who are equal or better. Including Alfred Bester.

An outstanding achievement........2002-10-01

Exceptionally well-written by one of our generation's best science-fiction authors, this book is both disturbing and thought-provoking. Though it is short, I cannot remember being so affected by a science-fiction story for years.

The premise is simple. A black man named Rudy has the ability to read minds. A dear female friend of his, a lawyer, asks him to read the mind of a murderer she has recently sent to Death Row, to find out if he's really guilty. Rudy goes to see this murderer, and is astonished by some information he learns. There are many twists and turns to this tale.

The actual tale isn't what makes this story, however. As barebone plots go, this one isn't the most original I've ever seen. It has to be the actual storytelling. Ellison has a way of writing that reads almost like the breathless banter of a conman. It is engaging, engrossing, and, dangit, fun to read. Every page has some new gem to discover on it. Ellison is right: This is one of his finest works, perhaps even the best he CAN write. Don't miss it. (Don't miss his acknowledgments page, either. It's one of the funniest ones I've ever seen.)

I expect more from Ellison.......2002-09-28

Harlan Ellison, "Mefisto in Onyx"
[OMNI, sometime 1993]

It's nice to see Ellison returning to stories with plot and character, after the indefinable "Eidolon" and "The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore." Ellison states that this story took ten years to write, and it shows an affinity with that Ellison of ten years ago--passionate, filled with rightous anger, and burning up the pages with his rage. "Mefisto" is the story of a serial killer, who may or may not be the person we think he is, and of the District Attorney who prosecuted him, then fell in love with him and believes him to be innocent now, and, most importantly, with Rudy, who can jaunt (shades of Alfie Bester) into people's minds (i.e., read them). A love triangle made in hell, made even more unholy by the amount of killing gone before, and the possible miscarriage of justice. Hey, let's face it, this story has everything--so why aren't I wild about it? Can it be that Ellison's jocular, biting, ironic style has staled? Maybe it's just dated, more a product of the radical sixties than the disturbed '90s. Ellison has updated his references, but the manner is still the same as can be found in "The Whimper of Whipped Dogs." And he's damned clever, but unsurprising, since we expect something of a twist from him. With Ellison, I have so many expectations, and am easily critical. Under the by-line of any other author, I might be raving; from Ellison, I expect so much more.

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Mefisto: Alberto Iriarte
German Rubiano Caballero , and Maria Elvira Iriarte
Manufacturer: Villegas Editores
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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No-Ficción | Libros en español | Formats | Books | Automotriz | Ciencias Sociales | Crimen y Criminales | Educación | Estudios de la Mujer | Feriados | Filosofía | Gobierno | Hechos Verídicos | Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo | Política | Sucesos de Actualidad | Transportación
ASIN: 9588160804

Book Description

The exquisite still lifes of Alberto Iriarte, known as Mefisto, have remained Colombia's best kept artistic secret of the 20th century, despite having been exhibited in Paris, Barranquilla, and Bogotá. This book displays the complete selection of his strange and beautiful still life paintings, collected together for the first time.

Mephisto Waltz - Mefisto Valzer - Mephisto Valse - Mefisto Vals - Per Pianoforte - for Piano - Pour Piano - Para Piano

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Mephisto Waltz - Mefisto Valzer - Mephisto Valse - Mefisto Vals - Per Pianoforte - for Piano - Pour Piano - Para Piano
Franz (1811-1886) ; Tagliapietra, Gino Liszt
Manufacturer: Ricordi
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ILGJKG

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Tex contro Mefisto
Gianluigi Bonelli
Manufacturer: Panini/La Repubblica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: B000P8XUPY

Vals de Mefisto (Compactos Anagrama) (Compactos Anagrama)

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Vals de Mefisto (Compactos Anagrama) (Compactos Anagrama)
Sergio Pitol
Manufacturer: Editorial Anagrama
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Product Description

Este libro reune cuatro relatos inquietantes y perfectos. El autor situa a sus personajes en escenarios imposibles que de pronto se vuelven cotidianos. O en escenarios perfectamente familiares que, de repente, a saber por que clase de iluminacion interior, se convierten en remotos e inasibles.

Vals De Mefisto/the Mephisto Waltz (Narrativas hispanicas)

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Vals De Mefisto/the Mephisto Waltz (Narrativas hispanicas)
Sergio Pitol
Manufacturer: Editorial Anagrama
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Book Description.......2005-07-27

From the award-winning mistress of sizzling historical romance comes a long-out-of-print reader favorite, Sweet Love, Survive, the conclusion to the bestselling Kuzan Dynasty series begun in Seized by Love and Love Storm, both bestsellers. A tale of forbidden love, this is the tale of fierce loyalties and a nation on the brink of devastating war.

Really enjoyable!.......2004-09-22

I read this book out of the order of the Kuzan series, but I'm not sorry I did; I looked at each book individually; happily, Susan Johnson makes it possible to do so. What I mean is, you don't have to read the first book (Seized by Love) to understand the second (Love Storm) or read the second to understand the third (Sweet Love, Survive). I was impressed by the author's placing the story in post-Tsarist, revolutionary Russia -- I've never yet read another historical romance author who used this setting (except Dr. Zhivago, but that's another kind of book!) Kind of nice, to get away from Regency England; the 19th century and medieval settings. I wish more romance authors would take a crack at a setting like this.

Just an aside, I thought I would laugh through the book about a hero named Apollo (for Pete's sake, Apollo!), and kept thinking if only his name were Alexei or something suitably Russian... but Ms. Johnson is so skillful I forgot about the non-Russian sounding name & thought it suited him perfectly...couldn't imagine him being called anything else, after getting along in the story.

I just really enjoyed this story: it moved right along, it had a strong plot & I loved the characters...it had everything I want in a romance-read, basically. It's NOT a "gentle, romantic" read, but if you're in the mood for swiftly-paced action, this is a good choice. It's a very good choice for "escapist" lit. I found myself really intrigued & had to keep reading, even when I had other things to do!

Apollo and Kitty-SPOILERS.......2004-04-29

Favorite scene with Kitty-
Killing the guard on the train.

Favorite scene with Apollo-
The final showdown with the General who dishonored Kitty.

Together-
Giving birth.

What did you like about Kitty-
Her love for Apollo and her baby.

What didn't you like about Kitty-
I didn't think her that strong of a female. She seemed to depend a lot on Apollo to protect her.

What did you like about Apollo-
His immediate love for Kitty. And giving up his work for Kitty at the end. He wasn't like all other SJ heroes I've read. He had his moments, but not like the other heroes.

What didn't you like about Apollo-
Although he did redeem himself by the end, he was a typical hero who was selfish. And he didn't believe Kitty when she said the baby was his.

fantastic.......2003-07-24

This book in the series is as steamy as the last two. I liked it better as it Apollo differed a bit from the previous two generations of Kuzan men, while still retaining the characteristics that made all of the Kuzan men so irresistible.

Standard Susan Johnson.......2002-11-27

This was actually my least favorite of the Kuzan series (Seized by Love, Love Storm). I skimmed through much of the war description because I really didn't find such depth of description pertinent to the story. I also thought Apollo and Kitty were both a little flaky and trite. But I did like the fact that Apollo was immediately able to admit his love for Kitty. Occasionally I don't mind, but usually I get tired of the typical romance theme of: I don't want to love her so I'll treat her like [dirt].
Don't skip this book, but read the other two first. It's always best to read in order!

Seduction in Mind, Temporary Mistress, Sweet Love, Survive

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Seduction in Mind, Temporary Mistress, Sweet Love, Survive
Susan Johnson
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PTACXQ

Product Description

good reading for those who like the historical romance

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Sweet Love, Survive

Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GSB07S

21 - SUSAN JOHNSON - GOLDEN PARADISE - SWEET LOVE SURVIVE - A TOUCH OF SIN - LEGENDARY LOVER - BRAZEN - HOT PINK - SEDUCTION IN MIND - WICKED - SILVER FLAME - BLONDE HEAT - TEMPORARY MISTRESS - SEIZED BY LOVE - OUTLAW - TABOO ++

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21 - SUSAN JOHNSON - GOLDEN PARADISE - SWEET LOVE SURVIVE - A TOUCH OF SIN - LEGENDARY LOVER - BRAZEN - HOT PINK - SEDUCTION IN MIND - WICKED - SILVER FLAME - BLONDE HEAT - TEMPORARY MISTRESS - SEIZED BY LOVE - OUTLAW - TABOO ++
SUSAN JOHNSON
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RKVH64

Product Description

**** $3.99 USA POSTAGE FOR ALL 21 BOOKS, WHICH WILL BE MAILED AT THE MEDIA - BOOK RATE WHICH IS SLOW SURFACE MAIL AND FREQUENTLY HAS A SLOW DELIVERY TIME BY THE USA POST OFFICE.

6 - SUSAN JOHNSON - SILVER FLAME - SEDUCTION IN MIND - SWEET LOVE, SURVIVE - FRENCH KISS - HOT SPOT - TEMPORARY MISTRESS

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6 - SUSAN JOHNSON - SILVER FLAME - SEDUCTION IN MIND - SWEET LOVE, SURVIVE - FRENCH KISS - HOT SPOT - TEMPORARY MISTRESS
SUSAN JOHNSON
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QD5IQM

Product Description

**** ($3.99 USA POSTAGE FOR ALL 6 BOOKS, WHICH WILL BE MAILED AT THE MEDIA - BOOK RATE WHICH IS SLOW SURFACE MAIL, 14- 21+ DAYS DELIVERY TIME).6 - USED SUSAN JOHNSON PAPERBACK BOOKS, 1) SILVER FLAME, 2) SEDUCTION IN MIND 3) SWEET LOVE, SURVIVE 4) FRENCH KISS 5) HOT SPOT, 6) TEMPORARY MISTRESS.

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SWEET LOVE SURVIVE

Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GTF0NC

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Sweet Love, Survive

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HXNEB2

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Sweet Love, Survive
Susan Johnson
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000V9JHNQ

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A wild ride

Superb, best one yet

Real people

I presume you'll have read some of the earlier books . . .

A poor effort

Chaos and Order: The Gap Into Madness (Gap)
Stephen R. Donaldson
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Donaldson, Stephen R. | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

This Day All Gods Die (Gap)

A Dark and Hungry God Arises

Forbidden Knowledge: The Gap Into Vision (Forbidden Knowledge)

The Real Story: The Gap into Conflict (Gap)

The Runes of the Earth (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1)

ASIN: 0553572539
Release Date: 1995-06-01

Amazon.com

Punisher is on the run from Billingate Space Station, as well as other predators that follow: UMCP Enforcement Division director Min Donner aboard a crippled Punisher, Nick's archenemy (and slave to the aliens) Sorus Chatelaine aboard Soar, and the mysterious hired gun, Free Lunch. Corrupt cyborg Angus Thermopyle and ruthless Nick Succorso battle for control of the ship and the situation. Their trail leads to Valdor Industrial, where geneticist/engineer Vector Shaheed seeks to redeem himself by manufacturing an antidote to the mutagen used by the alien Amnioni to mutate human beings against their will. Brutalized yet resilient Morn Hyland, her clone/son Davies, tough officer Mikki, Pup, Sib, and the rest continue their suffering and sacrificing.

Meanwhile, back in Earth space, police and politicians battle for power as UMCP director Dios continues his grim revolution against the Dragon. Assassin kazes, political fears, and provocative bills threaten to paralyze the Governing Council for Earth and Space.

Ships battling in space? Laboratory space stations developing antimutagen antidotes against the aliens who seek to conquer humankind by mutation? Outrage, brutality, betrayal, and secrets? Donaldson lays it all out with sharp dialogue, tense scenes, and zippy action.

Book Description

As the planetoid Thanatos Minor explodes into atoms, a specially-fitted cruiser escapes the mass destruction and hurtles into space only a step ahead of hostile pursuit. On board Trumpet are a handful of bedraggled fugitives from an outlaw world - old enemies suddenly and violently thrown together in a desperate bid for survival. Among this unlikely crew of allies are Morn Hyland, once a UMC cop, now a prisoner to the electrodes implanted in her brain; her son, Davies, "force-grown" to adulthood by the alien Amnion and struggling to understand his true identity; the amoral space buccaneer Nick Succorso, whose most daring act of piracy could be his last; and Angus Thermopyle, unstoppable cyborg struggling to wrest control of his own mind from his UMC programmers.

Customer Reviews:

A wild ride.......2004-10-20

Yet again there is action, counter-action, plot twists, side stories..it's almost dizzying in its MTVish momentary presentation. Maybe that's why it was either widely acclaimed or panned to the skies. For some time, humans have been working on an anti-alien (mutagen) drug that prevents them from converting to something not human.

Thantos, that hell of a place, explodes and Nick manages to rescue several people including Nick (downgraded from hero to simple pirate with illusions of grandeur), Morn, Davies, her son who was aged rapidy by the evil aliens, the sadist Angus, etc. We have lovers, family, enemies -the whole gambit, from good and bad and they are all on the same small vessel. One undercurrent is the struggle against the evil mining company that has control of their brain.

Superb, best one yet.......2004-09-14

I felt bad giving A Dark and Hungry God Arises four stars--it was sooo close to five. I'm glad to say that this book is even better than the last. Actually, I see why some people are liking the third one more, as there are differences.

Many people, including myself, raved about the complex political intrigues in the previous book. So many new characters were introduced and fully developed with simultaneous plot development. Sometimes it was a sensory overload...a good sensory overload, but an overload nonetheless.

Chaos and Order sticks with the same characters as in the third one. Consequently, readers are better prepared to deal with the lightning pace of the plot, as they are now familiar with the characters orchestrating it.

The bulk of the story takes place aboard the Trumpet, Angus' ship. Morn, Nick, Angus, Davies, Mikka, Vector, and Ciro agree to head toward the Massif 5 (pardon the potentially incorrect spelling) system in order to concoct a counter to the Amnion biological threat. On their tail, however, are three dangerous ships: the Amnion controlled battleship Calm Horizons, the rogue Free Lunch, and Sorus' Punisher.

This is a great addition to the series with a smattering of unique ideas introduced. I like the singularity gun, with ammunition that upon detonation creates a black hole. I hope This Day All Gods Die can maintain the momentum with which the series has coasted for the past three parts.

Real people.......2004-02-28

One of the reasons that I liked the gap series and other novels by Donaldson are that his main characters aren't always good. In most other novels written in this era the main characters are always battling depression and other "bad" feelings but in the gap series the main characters are tough vicious and would eat you alive if you didn't beat them to the punch. The simple fact is that "good" people just wouldn't survive in the worlds that science fiction and fantasy authors create. Most authors depict the main character as someone who at their core is honorable and the simple fact of the matter is honorable people don't stand a chance of a snowball in hell in the situations that they are usually painted in. The concept of you have to use fire to fight fire is hundreds if not thousands of years old and I always find it refreshing to see authors use this concept when depicting characters that have to challenge each other.

I presume you'll have read some of the earlier books . . ........2003-07-05

While "Chaos and Order" isn't as tightly plotted and intricate as "A Dark and Hungry God Arises", it is still rippingly good. The tale is a rollercoaster from following-on beginning to incomplete end, unlike the previous book, which more amounted to an examination of shifting alliances and intrigue amid the profound psychology of its characters, all concentrating and shifting onto one place, accruing to a kind of psychological "critical mass", at which point Thanatos Minor explodes. One of the core themes of Chaos and Order - running about through a maelstrom of rock, the hurtling debris of shattered plans, shattering and coalescing into new forms - follows on from the diametrically opposing theme of the previous story brilliantly.

As the web of intrigue and murder in and around Earth is expanded to a fully-fledged political thriller, we have the important characters from the previous story - Nick, Morn, Angus, Davies, Vector, Mikka, and with them the rather incidental Sib and Pup - all saved from the storm of Thanatos Minor's ruin and flung off just ahead of half a dozen people who want them alive; or, if they can't have them alive, then blown to atoms like Billingate. Everyone else - from *Captain's Fancy* - is dead. While this may seem like a bit of a *deus ex machina* (subtle nod towards Angus, I'm sure), in practice it works out fine.

They are now on the run, the most explosive body of information in Human Space, and seeking to make themselves even more explosive by letting Vector Shaheed, the geneticist, complete the anti-mutagen drug which the United Mining Companies Police suppressed, which will give humankind a defence against alien absorption, however temporary. Everyone - the cops, the aliens, people working for the cops and people working for the aliens - are after them, and the scene is set for ever-tenuous alliances and furious desperation to lead to a lot of shooting and bloodshed, and even greater extremity by the survivors.

This is an intermediate tale. As with all the others except "The Real Story", it is successfully diametric and harmonious in its many balancing qualities. It is a masterpiece, in a way opposite to how the previous book in the story is - and again this is an intentional contrast. I swear again, this series will significantly improve your life. I'm normally so damn analytical, and it has me ranting!

The marking of four out of five and not five is rather a personal opinion. I preferred the rigid and less scattered nature of the plot in and around Billingate, and this made me like the fourth book somewhat less than the third. The horror of the first, second and somewhat the third books as gone, or at least vastly reduced and changed in character. It is no longer an issue. The squeamish will have been well and truly left behind by now, anyway.

Each book in the Gap Series up to this one expands on the author's complex mind-game universe by a power of two. It is this story which opens Donaldson's future to its fullest extent. The final book is an examination of that universe, now that the previous four books have detailed it in full and lavish detail, bringing the story to an ultimate conclusion. This fourth book is the last time you will see the fun "Ancillary Documentation" - but Donalson's story-advancing characters will have captivated you utterly by now, if you've got this far, so you won't mind that in the slightest as you rapidly and nervously go out for the fifth book, hand shaking as you hand the money over and wonder whether it can possibly live up to what's gone before.

A poor effort.......2001-12-20

This book pales in comparison to the first two books of the series, and is about as bad as the third. Gone are the fascinating character developments- in their place you get hack writing, bad science, and literary drudgery. Go ahead and read it if you are a Donaldson devotee, otherwise don't waste your time.

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Chaos and Order : The Gap into Madness
Stephen R. Donaldson
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Chaos & Order :Gap Into Madness 4
Stephen R Donaldson
Manufacturer: BANTAM BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QB7WKE

CHAOS AND ORDER: THE GAP INTO MADNESS (GAP, NO 4)

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CHAOS AND ORDER: THE GAP INTO MADNESS (GAP, NO 4)
STEPHEN R. DONALDSON
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P8LB96

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Chaos and Order: The Gap into Madness
Stephen R. Donaldson
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXSPHY

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Chaos and Order: The Gap into Madness
Stephen R. Donaldson
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000O86KTI

The Gap Saga, Book 2 thru 5: The Gap Into Vision : Forbidden Knowledge; The Gap Into Power: A Dark and Hungry God Arises; The Gap Into Ruin: This Day All Gods Die; The Gap Into Madness: Chaos and Order

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The Gap Saga, Book 2 thru 5: The Gap Into Vision : Forbidden Knowledge; The Gap Into Power: A Dark and Hungry God Arises; The Gap Into Ruin: This Day All Gods Die; The Gap Into Madness: Chaos and Order
Stephen R. Donaldson
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000V5GEVS

GAP SEEQUENCE: 1: The Gap Into Conflict: The Real Story; 2: The Gap Into Vision: Forbidden Knowledge; 3: The Gap Into Power: A Dark and Hungry God Arises; 4: The Gap Into Madness: Chaos and Order; 5: The Gap Into Ruin: This Day All Gods Die

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GAP SEEQUENCE: 1: The Gap Into Conflict: The Real Story; 2: The Gap Into Vision: Forbidden Knowledge; 3: The Gap Into Power: A Dark and Hungry God Arises; 4: The Gap Into Madness: Chaos and Order; 5: The Gap Into Ruin: This Day All Gods Die
Stephen R. Donaldson
Manufacturer: Bantam Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NRTSNK

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Great book!

Simply Wonderful

Take on vacation to relax and reflect

Stillness Speaks

A wonderful spiritual book

Stillness Speaks
Eckhart Tolle
Manufacturer: New World Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Personal Transformation | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Spiritual | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from The Power of Now

Through the Open Door to the Vastness of Your True Being

Living a Life of Inner Peace

ASIN: 157731400X
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Amazon.com

Expanding on his mantra—Get out of your head and into the moment—Eckhart Tolle offers this new book on living in the now. Here Tolle emphasizes the art of "inner stillness"--the place where thoughts, ego and attachments fall always and we are left only with what the moment has to offer: "When you lose touch with inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world." Don't expect this to be a quick skim or even a straight-through read. Like his previous bestselling book The Power of Now, Tolle uses brief entries and numerous white spaces to give readers easy in-and-out access into enticing spiritual insights that expound on inner stillness, such as learning the difference between surrender and resignation, overcoming the fear death, and how to end suffering. In fact, this is designed to be an ongoing conversation. Pick it up any time or any place, but be sure to allow for plenty of breaks for serious contemplation. Even as you occasionally abandon the book, don't abandon the teachings, pleads Tolle. Embracing and practicing inner stillness is no longer a luxury, he writes, "but a necessity if humankind is not to destroy itself. At the present time the dysfunction of the old consciousness and the arising of the new are both accelerating. Paradoxically things are getting worse and bett! er at the same time, although 'the worse' is more apparent because it makes so much noise." Devotees who have read all of Tolle's books and audio tapes probably won't find new ideas or information here. But they may appreciate the refresher course --revisiting familiar concepts in a slightly different package. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

In Stillness Speaks, best-selling author Eckhart Tolle illuminates the fundamental elements of his teaching, addressing the needs of the modern seeker by drawing from all spiritual traditions. At the core of the book is what the author calls “the state of presence,” a living in the “now” that is both intensely inspirational and practical. When the pressures of future and past thinking disappear, fear and frustration also vanish, conquered by the moment. Stillness Speaks takes the form of 200 individual entries, organized into 10 topic clusters that range from "Beyond the Thinking Mind" to "Suffering and the End of Suffering." The entries are concise and complete in themselves, but, read together, take on a transformative power.

Customer Reviews:

Great book!.......2007-02-19

Timely delivery! Amazon lost the first book but promptly replaced it at no charge. Would use them again!

Simply Wonderful.......2007-02-13

There are countless sources available for daily meditation and life skills coaching. Eckhart Tolle's STILLNESS SPEAKS is one of the most eloquent, impressive and engagingly simple that I have used. I found that it was a wonderful addition to my existing daily reflection. Reading one or two paragraphs at a sitting, like a brief prayer, can have a deep impact on one's outlook and attitude. I have "practiced the presence" for most of my life, and Tolle's writings in this little volume have become a valued contribution to my spiritual life. I had read THE POWER OF NOW prior to this, and it was the source of my admiration for Tolle's insights and contributions to living a life on purpose. I highly recommend his writings.

Take on vacation to relax and reflect.......2006-12-09

1. This is a small book that easily stows into your carry-on bag. It is meant to be read in small sections at a time, which is compatible with traveling or relaxing around the pool, fireplace, etc. It is great for finding true relaxation and hopefully inner peace.

2. This book also makes a nice gift if you want to introduce someone to Tolle's writings. It does not contain some of the more controversial things (like women's pain bodies) that the "Power of Now" incuded.

3. If you've already read Toole's books and are ready to move on, I highly recommend "Insight Meditation, The Practice of Freedom" by Joseph Goldstein.

Stillness Speaks.......2006-11-02

The spiritual quest made understandable. Tolle is able to communicate new ways of thinking that are life changing, and are not so esoteric to make you say "huh?". I would read "The Power of Now" first.

A wonderful spiritual book.......2006-07-29

This is a great follow up to the Power of Now. Eckhart takes universal spiritual truths that have been known to mystics for years and shares them with the general population. This book is written in the same form as Buddhist Sutras. The book is short and to the point.
Examples from the book:
Whatever you accept completely will take you to peace.

Sometimes surrender means giving up trying to understand and becoming comfortable with not knowing.

Through "you" formless consciousness has become aware of itself through you.

Spiritual awakening is awakening from the dream of thought.

Eckhart uses Zen teachings and quotes Jesus and Buddha several times in his book. Of all the books I have read I believe Eckhart Tolle is the most enlightened. I detect no Ego in his writings and he seems to write from a higher level of consciousness than most of us live at. He teaches that the ego is not us, we are the witnessing awareness, we need to quit getting lost in our stream of thought and stay aware of the present moment. We also need to stop falling under the delusion of our conditioned mind (pain body)and see life as it really is. The main teaching is to quit resisting life and embrace what is. 5 star book read it until you get it.

La Quietud Habla: Stillness Speaks, Spanish-Language Edition

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La Quietud Habla: Stillness Speaks, Spanish-Language Edition
Eckhart Tolle
Manufacturer: New World Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Personal Transformation | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1577314476

Book Description

Stillness Speaks, written by bestselling author Eckhart Tolle, conveys a timely and transformational message. Taking the form of 200 individual entries, it is organized into ten topic clusters that range from “Who You Truly Are” to “Acceptance and Surrender” and “Relationships.” The entries vary from a few sentences to nearly a page. Each one is concise and complete in itself, and serves as a valuable pointer to the truth while standing as its own teaching or meditation.

Stillness Speaks Inspiration Deck: 50 Inspiration Cards

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Find the Place of Stillness

Stillness Speaks Inspiration Deck: 50 Inspiration Cards
Eckhart Tolle
Manufacturer: New World Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Cards

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Personal Transformation | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1577314662

Book Description

Developed for both spiritual students and mainstream seekers by Eckhart Tolle, world-renowned spiritual teacher, this handsome collection of four-color cards makes a thoughtful present that provides insights into living with grace and ease. It is both intensely inspirational and practical. Excerpted from Tolle's powerful lessons in Stillness Speaks, the deck divides into topics such as "Beyond The Thinking Mind" and "Suffering the End of Suffering" and features key topics on the front and short quotations on the back. Guidance to living in the now has never been more accessible.

Customer Reviews:

Find the Place of Stillness.......2005-08-26

"Unhappiness ultimately arises not from the circumstances of your life but from the conditioning of your mind." - Eckhart Tolle

Through his book Stillness Speaks, author Eckhart Tolle shows us how to find tranquility and our own true nature in stillness. According to Tolle, when we connect to the stillness within, we move beyond our active minds and tumultuous emotions to discover great depths of lasting peace, contentment, and serenity.

The Stillness Speaks cards features 50 quotations from the book. The deck comes in an attractive, sturdy flip-top box with a magnetic lid. The top of the box doubles as a frame which can be propped open to display your favorite inspiration cards for ongoing reflection. Beautiful shades of purple grace both the box and the cards themselves.

One side of the card is printed with a quotation from Stillness Speaks, while the other depicts one of nine themes:

* Acceptance and Surrender
* Freedom from the Egoic Self
* Who You Truly Are
* Silence and Stillness
* The Stillness of Nature
* Relationships and Stillness
* Beyond the Thinking Mind
* The End of Suffering
* The Stillness of Eternity

Some of the quotes you'll find in the Stillness Speaks deck include:

"Suffering begins when you mentally label a situation as bad. That causes an emotional contraction. When you let it be, without naming it, enormous power is available to you. The contraction cuts you off from that power, the power of life itself."

"Sometimes surrender means giving up trying to understand and being comfortable with not knowing."

"When you live through the ego, you reduce the present moment to a means to an end. You live for the future, and when you achieve your goals, they don't satisfy you, at least, not for long."

"Bring awareness to the many subtle sounds of nature, the rustling of leaves in the wind, the falling of raindrops, the humming of an insect, the first birdsong at dawn. Give yourself completely to the act of listening. Beyond the sounds there is something greater: a sacredness that cannot be understood through thought."

"Envy is a by-product of the ego, which feels diminished if something good happens to someone or if someone has more or knows more than you. The ego's identity depends on comparison and feeds on *more*. It will grasp at anything."

"If you can learn to accept and even welcome the endings in your life, you may find that the feeling of emptiness that initially felt uncomfortable turns into a sense of inner spaciousness that is deeply peaceful."

If you enjoy the book Stillness Speaks, you'll appreciate having these inspirational quotes in a handy format. The attractive box with built-in frame is a nice touch and would make a lovely gift for those who enjoy contemplative and meditative quotes. For those unfamiliar with the book, you needn't have read it to benefit from the Stillness Speaks Inspiration Cards. Personally, I enjoy the Power of Now Cards more than the Stillness Speaks deck (even though the latter is prettier), but even so, there is great wisdom about stillness and surrender contained in these cards.

(To see 3 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at www.JanetBoyer.com )

El Silencio Habla/ Stillness Speaks (Perenne)

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El Silencio Habla/ Stillness Speaks (Perenne)
Eckhart Tolle
Manufacturer: GAIA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Spiritual | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Mental & Spiritual Healing | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Stillness Speaks

Manufacturer: yogi
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 8188479020

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Stillness Speaks
Eckhart Tolle
Manufacturer: NEW WORLD LIBRARY @
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N78IMW

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