What do you think?
Rate this book
Subjected #1
Parallax
SUBJECTED: Parallax
Amidst the burgeoning political and environmental chaos of the mid-21st century Dr. Levi Tolliver discovers the very substance that has held humanity back since the beginning; the key that unlocks the secrets of matter, energy, and time, and perhaps…the ancient reason for our being.
Following the discovery, a mysterious individual from another dimension takes Dr. Tolliver off-planet giving him instructions to seek out metaphysical author, Daniel J. Sayer. Once together, the two find themselves being led to seemingly obscure points in history, trying to stop a madman who, through a limited, yet disturbing application of the doctor’s discovery, can now send his mind back in time. And who, through mental coercion and oppression—bordering on the edges of possession—is consequently changing history for his own ends, by changing the people who will make it.
This discovery portends a paradigm shift of unparalleled proportions. Leading the two to question: “Is the discovery intended to advance humanity, or destroy it? Are we truly meant to be more…than human?”
Amidst the burgeoning political and environmental chaos of the mid-21st century Dr. Levi Tolliver discovers the very substance that has held humanity back since the beginning; the key that unlocks the secrets of matter, energy, and time, and perhaps…the ancient reason for our being.
Following the discovery, a mysterious individual from another dimension takes Dr. Tolliver off-planet giving him instructions to seek out metaphysical author, Daniel J. Sayer. Once together, the two find themselves being led to seemingly obscure points in history, trying to stop a madman who, through a limited, yet disturbing application of the doctor’s discovery, can now send his mind back in time. And who, through mental coercion and oppression—bordering on the edges of possession—is consequently changing history for his own ends, by changing the people who will make it.
This discovery portends a paradigm shift of unparalleled proportions. Leading the two to question: “Is the discovery intended to advance humanity, or destroy it? Are we truly meant to be more…than human?”
- GenresScience Fiction
371 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2012
2 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
About the author
G.F. Smith
8 books18 followersG. F. Smith:
BACKGROUND
By his own proudly stated admission, G. F. Smith has a fantastic family: a wonderful wife of 35+ years who cares to great measure (a Director of a not-for-profit corporation in charge of a large staff overseeing Supported Living Programs for people with disabilities). They have four remarkable and talented grown children, and several awesome grandchildren (up to five at present), which are all a huge part of their lives.
G. F. Smith has always been a DYI type of guy; he understands physics, engineering, and mechanics, is technologically privy and knows his way around computers and computer controlled equipment. He is handy around the house, having been a tradesman in multiple fields, and a general contractor in his younger years. He has made a living in the management and continuous improvement of people, projects, and processes over the last several decades.
His writing skills have developed from working in the business world--entrepreneurial to corporate--writing copy, correspondence, training modules, along with consuming thousands of stories, books, and movies over a multitude of years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management along with other business certifications.
Though a private person, he enjoys people and welcomes public speaking and social interaction when there is something important to learn, as well as to share. He does not seek in any form or fashion to be a celebrity or public figure. However, he does believe it is immensely important that we ‘give back to life’ through our gifts, talents, and humble contributions.
VALUES & INTERESTS
G. F. Smith’s personal interests, as well as the main themes in his writing include: science, metaphysics, cosmology, psychology, history, and adventure; also at the top are environmental concerns, faith and purpose and causality, the future of humanity, inspiration and encouragement, and the discovery—and sharing—of the best in all of us.
He has loved many forms of adventure along the course of his life: motorcycles, spelunking, fishing, rafting, skydiving, and the sort. He also enjoys museums, reading, writing, movie and documentary watching, hiking, campfires, and family get-togethers. He is also a talented guitarist, enjoys singing, and is an awesome play-doh sculptor (at least according to his grandkids).
DRIVING FOCUS & THEMES
G. F. Smith believes, whether we want to admit it or not, that we all ask some of those deep, big-universe questions at certain times in our lives; and that just maybe we are part of something larger than ourselves—call it what you will. We are also all highly fallible, and as a result, all have our own particular sufferings and frustrations to learn from. That is if we can embrace the frustration and choose to ‘make good out of it.’
G. F. Smith is also a deeply spiritual person, though admittedly not dogmatic, or proselytizing. He espouses—as do most of us—the fact that he doesn’t know what’s going on down here on this little planet, any more than the rest of us do. However, he fully believes that our ignorance doesn’t necessarily mean that it is all just random, make-it-up-as-we-go-along BS, therefore justifying all sorts of abhorrent behaviors.
On the contrary, G. F. Smith believes that we all have great potential and purpose, and that by choosing to be humble, genuine, honest, respectful, forgiving and giving, we can help generate like behavior, and by doing so…make the world a better place for everyone to live in.
www.gfsmithbooks.com
Thanks for Reading…
BACKGROUND
By his own proudly stated admission, G. F. Smith has a fantastic family: a wonderful wife of 35+ years who cares to great measure (a Director of a not-for-profit corporation in charge of a large staff overseeing Supported Living Programs for people with disabilities). They have four remarkable and talented grown children, and several awesome grandchildren (up to five at present), which are all a huge part of their lives.
G. F. Smith has always been a DYI type of guy; he understands physics, engineering, and mechanics, is technologically privy and knows his way around computers and computer controlled equipment. He is handy around the house, having been a tradesman in multiple fields, and a general contractor in his younger years. He has made a living in the management and continuous improvement of people, projects, and processes over the last several decades.
His writing skills have developed from working in the business world--entrepreneurial to corporate--writing copy, correspondence, training modules, along with consuming thousands of stories, books, and movies over a multitude of years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management along with other business certifications.
Though a private person, he enjoys people and welcomes public speaking and social interaction when there is something important to learn, as well as to share. He does not seek in any form or fashion to be a celebrity or public figure. However, he does believe it is immensely important that we ‘give back to life’ through our gifts, talents, and humble contributions.
VALUES & INTERESTS
G. F. Smith’s personal interests, as well as the main themes in his writing include: science, metaphysics, cosmology, psychology, history, and adventure; also at the top are environmental concerns, faith and purpose and causality, the future of humanity, inspiration and encouragement, and the discovery—and sharing—of the best in all of us.
He has loved many forms of adventure along the course of his life: motorcycles, spelunking, fishing, rafting, skydiving, and the sort. He also enjoys museums, reading, writing, movie and documentary watching, hiking, campfires, and family get-togethers. He is also a talented guitarist, enjoys singing, and is an awesome play-doh sculptor (at least according to his grandkids).
DRIVING FOCUS & THEMES
G. F. Smith believes, whether we want to admit it or not, that we all ask some of those deep, big-universe questions at certain times in our lives; and that just maybe we are part of something larger than ourselves—call it what you will. We are also all highly fallible, and as a result, all have our own particular sufferings and frustrations to learn from. That is if we can embrace the frustration and choose to ‘make good out of it.’
G. F. Smith is also a deeply spiritual person, though admittedly not dogmatic, or proselytizing. He espouses—as do most of us—the fact that he doesn’t know what’s going on down here on this little planet, any more than the rest of us do. However, he fully believes that our ignorance doesn’t necessarily mean that it is all just random, make-it-up-as-we-go-along BS, therefore justifying all sorts of abhorrent behaviors.
On the contrary, G. F. Smith believes that we all have great potential and purpose, and that by choosing to be humble, genuine, honest, respectful, forgiving and giving, we can help generate like behavior, and by doing so…make the world a better place for everyone to live in.
www.gfsmithbooks.com
Thanks for Reading…
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 22, 2013
"Time is a river, and books are the boats" is both a wonderful quote and a thought-provoking concept. But what if you didn't need the books and instead could travel that river--time--at will, merely by thinking about a particular time and place in the past, present, or future? That's the basic premise of G.F. Smith's intriguing novel, Parallax--Subjected #1, the first book of his science fiction trilogy.
While I'm not a regular reader of science fiction, I count myself among the die-hard fans of the original Star-Trek TV series that aired regularly in my earlier days. Smith's Parallax reminded me in some ways of those episodes--seemingly impossible circumstances and alien worlds made real by the story teller's art. Smith's two main characters, Dr. Tolliver--the discoverer of man's previously unknown innate ability to travel in time--and metaphysical author Daniel Sayer, are at this point the only two people who have the ability to travel at will in time. But a madman with dreams of controlling the world wants that power as well. He's partway there. He has learned how to use his mind to influence people in the past to suit his evil plans. He's altering the currents of history, as it were, to change the reality of the present to his advantage. Tolliver and Sayer, of course, must undo those evil plans by going back in time to counsel the people the madman has influenced, and put history to rights.
Smith tells his complex and thoroughly imaginative story in clear and engaging prose that draws you in. Then he prods us, the readers, to confront imponderable questions about our existence while Tolliver and Sayer are wrestling with them: "Why are we here," "Why is there evil in the world," "Should we use our powers to change the future?" There is also good advice for us non-time traveling mortals. I'm thinking in particular about one scene in which Sayer declares, "Life is going on, and you're a part of it...no matter what you believe, or don't believe, or know for sure. What you do is what counts. Doing right, doing good, choosing your position in life, instead of letting life choose it for you, is not beside the point...it is the point! Sometimes it takes a long time to learn that!"
In Parallax, Smith has taken his own advice and done something good by writing a book that makes us think about such questions. I give it five stars.
--Bruce Wetterau, author of Lost Treasure, Clay Cantrell Mystery-Adventure #1
www.brucewetterau.com
While I'm not a regular reader of science fiction, I count myself among the die-hard fans of the original Star-Trek TV series that aired regularly in my earlier days. Smith's Parallax reminded me in some ways of those episodes--seemingly impossible circumstances and alien worlds made real by the story teller's art. Smith's two main characters, Dr. Tolliver--the discoverer of man's previously unknown innate ability to travel in time--and metaphysical author Daniel Sayer, are at this point the only two people who have the ability to travel at will in time. But a madman with dreams of controlling the world wants that power as well. He's partway there. He has learned how to use his mind to influence people in the past to suit his evil plans. He's altering the currents of history, as it were, to change the reality of the present to his advantage. Tolliver and Sayer, of course, must undo those evil plans by going back in time to counsel the people the madman has influenced, and put history to rights.
Smith tells his complex and thoroughly imaginative story in clear and engaging prose that draws you in. Then he prods us, the readers, to confront imponderable questions about our existence while Tolliver and Sayer are wrestling with them: "Why are we here," "Why is there evil in the world," "Should we use our powers to change the future?" There is also good advice for us non-time traveling mortals. I'm thinking in particular about one scene in which Sayer declares, "Life is going on, and you're a part of it...no matter what you believe, or don't believe, or know for sure. What you do is what counts. Doing right, doing good, choosing your position in life, instead of letting life choose it for you, is not beside the point...it is the point! Sometimes it takes a long time to learn that!"
In Parallax, Smith has taken his own advice and done something good by writing a book that makes us think about such questions. I give it five stars.
--Bruce Wetterau, author of Lost Treasure, Clay Cantrell Mystery-Adventure #1
www.brucewetterau.com
January 16, 2013
Overall Feedback : I was completely mesmerized by this book. As a reader you always hope to find a story that you can fall into and this one does not fail. It is absolutely unbelievable and intrigues the reader throughout the book all the way to the last page.
Point of View : You are being told the story from the author’s point of view through the main character.
Voice: An author’s voice in their work is sometimes hard to pinpoint but in this one I felt the author is trying to convey the message that all things have a reason and that “accidents” are just reasons we have not explained yet.
Character Development : Spot on and complete. You are a part of the characters from the first chapter.
Plot: The author was able to take many strings from the bigger picture and tie them together without a single problem.
Dialogue: At times the dialogue made me feel as if I were part of the story instead of reading the story.
Pacing: The story started out a bit slow but the pace picked up rather fast at which point there is no looking back.
Setting : This author was able to utilize his skills and paint such a perfect world that I was able to see, touch and taste the world he created.
Continuity: I could not find any issues here.
Point of View : You are being told the story from the author’s point of view through the main character.
Voice: An author’s voice in their work is sometimes hard to pinpoint but in this one I felt the author is trying to convey the message that all things have a reason and that “accidents” are just reasons we have not explained yet.
Character Development : Spot on and complete. You are a part of the characters from the first chapter.
Plot: The author was able to take many strings from the bigger picture and tie them together without a single problem.
Dialogue: At times the dialogue made me feel as if I were part of the story instead of reading the story.
Pacing: The story started out a bit slow but the pace picked up rather fast at which point there is no looking back.
Setting : This author was able to utilize his skills and paint such a perfect world that I was able to see, touch and taste the world he created.
Continuity: I could not find any issues here.
February 28, 2014
Parallax is an interesting amalgamation of a book. On the one hand, it is a metaphysical meditation of right vs wrong, responsibility vs self aggrandizement, perception vs reality, the reason for our being, and, on the other hand, it is straightforward story of two men trying to stop a megalomaniac from gaining power through the manipulation of the past.
The blurb on the rear cover asks the question if we are destined to be more than human. Yes, we are more than human - the various powers of time travel, mind reading, etc, are shown to be part of human nature. They are only constrained by a chemical inhibitor, and it is the discovery of how to eliminate the inhibitor that provides the springboard for the plot.
The writing is very straightforward, the dialogue being very natural, and much in the manner that you or I would use in the same situation. The only place I was a bit confused was with the characters Al and Tom.
Given that much of the plot revolves around influencing people who will make history, I am guessing that Al is a young Al Gore, but, Tom, I'm afraid, doesn't leave me with anything but a question mark. Also, by the time I was halfway through the novel, I was given the mental image of a growing pile of scrunched eyebrows (lots of scrunching by our heroes).
But, all in all, one I can recommend. It asks some pretty good questions.
The blurb on the rear cover asks the question if we are destined to be more than human. Yes, we are more than human - the various powers of time travel, mind reading, etc, are shown to be part of human nature. They are only constrained by a chemical inhibitor, and it is the discovery of how to eliminate the inhibitor that provides the springboard for the plot.
The writing is very straightforward, the dialogue being very natural, and much in the manner that you or I would use in the same situation. The only place I was a bit confused was with the characters Al and Tom.
Given that much of the plot revolves around influencing people who will make history, I am guessing that Al is a young Al Gore, but, Tom, I'm afraid, doesn't leave me with anything but a question mark. Also, by the time I was halfway through the novel, I was given the mental image of a growing pile of scrunched eyebrows (lots of scrunching by our heroes).
But, all in all, one I can recommend. It asks some pretty good questions.
August 6, 2016
I have always been a fan of scifi since my dad introduced me to Isaac Asimov at a very young age. I have read some diabolical examples and some amazing ones......this does most certainly fall into the second category.
This beautifully written book puts you right in the middle of the story, the characters are so full and well described they are hard to let go of when you come to the end of the book. While I see this book to be the struggle between right and wrong it is so well buried in the full story this just becomes a part of the whole rather than an all consuming issue.
I found I couldn't put this book down, and it gave me a new perspective of scifi writing, as this was a breath of fresh air, I would recommend it to everyone not just scifi enthusiasts.
This beautifully written book puts you right in the middle of the story, the characters are so full and well described they are hard to let go of when you come to the end of the book. While I see this book to be the struggle between right and wrong it is so well buried in the full story this just becomes a part of the whole rather than an all consuming issue.
I found I couldn't put this book down, and it gave me a new perspective of scifi writing, as this was a breath of fresh air, I would recommend it to everyone not just scifi enthusiasts.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews