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The Universe of God-Like Men #1
Autumn Angels
A Rock'n'Roll James Joyce?
That's what some obscure British critic said about the writing of Arthur Byron Cover, whose stories about immortal, all-powerful god-like men and women hamstrung by the archetypes they impersonate would have been hailed by millions ... if they'd only read them.
Initially edited by Harlan Ellison and published in a series of first novels, Autumn Angels was nominated for a Nebula Award and quickly established Cover as one of the most imaginative writers in the genre.
Now, with an introduction by A.A. Attanasio
That's what some obscure British critic said about the writing of Arthur Byron Cover, whose stories about immortal, all-powerful god-like men and women hamstrung by the archetypes they impersonate would have been hailed by millions ... if they'd only read them.
Initially edited by Harlan Ellison and published in a series of first novels, Autumn Angels was nominated for a Nebula Award and quickly established Cover as one of the most imaginative writers in the genre.
Now, with an introduction by A.A. Attanasio
226 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
6 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 4, 2014
Autumn Angels
By Arthur Byron Cover
Review by Adam Gent
Three Godlike men (the lawyer, the fatman and the demon (who fondles his penis)) seek to give their godlike race depression, in an attempt to make their race seek purpose and become the ultimate species in the universe. What follows is a journey of self-discovery for the three friends about life, meaning and purpose.
I have to admit at the start of the book, I was a little lost. However, after a few chapters and several cups of tea I got it. Now let me make it clear this book is not for the average reader, it is for those who enjoy a novel which plunges you into an original sci-fi world which raises thought provoking questions throughout the plot.
Characters
For me all of Cover’s characters are unique and superbly written from the race of godlike men like the duck or the hawk man (which made me picture the hero of DC Comics) to the species of smoking frogs on earth. What I enjoyed most is that even though the godlike men and woman possess similar powers, each character has their own unique personality. Yet despite their powers to bend reality itself they are all ultimately flawed, which I think Cover writes quite intricately into their personalities, as they all seem to seek a sense of direction or purpose (even with their godlike powers).
My favourite character from the pantheon of the godlike race would have to be the lawyer, who is ultimately on this quest to make his previous lover, Kitty, get depression and fall hopelessly in love with him again. Unlike the fatman or the demon he is never sure of himself or the quest they are on – to me he is the most human character in the book.
Plot
While for me it did take a while for the story to kick off, Cover defiantly keeps you guessing on three godlike friends journey. It was interesting how he answered the question – how do you give a godlike race a human trait like depression?
What keeps this story going and fresh is that the plot is fast paced, there are some “chapters” less than 2 pages long. The fast paced plot, once it gets going, does not cause the author to skip over the parts of the story which made me connect with the characters. As the adventures of the three friends begin to stir a deep sense of meaning to the community of gods (the other fat man questioning his very sanity for instance), and for me some parts the book can be very gripping from a character perspective.
Summary
I think I have blabbed on too long about this book and it is quite clear I think it is worth a read. For me it took a little to get into but once it got going, it was fast paced storyline with engaging and unique characters from the start. There are points in the story which are thought provoking and emotive which from a book like this pleasantly surprised me.
Buy it now or I will send you to the antimatter universe.
By Arthur Byron Cover
Review by Adam Gent
Three Godlike men (the lawyer, the fatman and the demon (who fondles his penis)) seek to give their godlike race depression, in an attempt to make their race seek purpose and become the ultimate species in the universe. What follows is a journey of self-discovery for the three friends about life, meaning and purpose.
I have to admit at the start of the book, I was a little lost. However, after a few chapters and several cups of tea I got it. Now let me make it clear this book is not for the average reader, it is for those who enjoy a novel which plunges you into an original sci-fi world which raises thought provoking questions throughout the plot.
Characters
For me all of Cover’s characters are unique and superbly written from the race of godlike men like the duck or the hawk man (which made me picture the hero of DC Comics) to the species of smoking frogs on earth. What I enjoyed most is that even though the godlike men and woman possess similar powers, each character has their own unique personality. Yet despite their powers to bend reality itself they are all ultimately flawed, which I think Cover writes quite intricately into their personalities, as they all seem to seek a sense of direction or purpose (even with their godlike powers).
My favourite character from the pantheon of the godlike race would have to be the lawyer, who is ultimately on this quest to make his previous lover, Kitty, get depression and fall hopelessly in love with him again. Unlike the fatman or the demon he is never sure of himself or the quest they are on – to me he is the most human character in the book.
Plot
While for me it did take a while for the story to kick off, Cover defiantly keeps you guessing on three godlike friends journey. It was interesting how he answered the question – how do you give a godlike race a human trait like depression?
What keeps this story going and fresh is that the plot is fast paced, there are some “chapters” less than 2 pages long. The fast paced plot, once it gets going, does not cause the author to skip over the parts of the story which made me connect with the characters. As the adventures of the three friends begin to stir a deep sense of meaning to the community of gods (the other fat man questioning his very sanity for instance), and for me some parts the book can be very gripping from a character perspective.
Summary
I think I have blabbed on too long about this book and it is quite clear I think it is worth a read. For me it took a little to get into but once it got going, it was fast paced storyline with engaging and unique characters from the start. There are points in the story which are thought provoking and emotive which from a book like this pleasantly surprised me.
Buy it now or I will send you to the antimatter universe.
September 12, 2022
The Universe of Godlike Men series, #1
Yes, this is a reread. Furthermore, it is a reread of a book I have read several times before and would not be surprised if I read it one or two more times before I, in some manner or other, become incapable of reading. I like it that much.
On this occasion, I've chosen to reread it because I discovered not one but !!two!! books by the same Cover, set in the same milieu, for cheap on Kindle. So you can look forward to my opinions about them in a while. Ain't I a sweetheart?
But about this book and why I like it so much.
First of all, the Universe of Godlike Men (and I will give Cover a pass on that sexist term because it was written in the early seventies) is so far off the wall it isn't even on the floor, it's orbiting another planet entirely. Humanity has, well, _become_ godlike. They can make things out of thought. They can travel instantaneously -- or, if they prefer, at gazillion of times the speed of light -- to the far reaches of the Universe, with no special equipment, let alone anything as big as a starship. They find it easier to send trash off to the anti-matter universe than to be bothered taking it out.
Second of all, the Godlike People are _characters_. I mean that, on becoming Godlike, they took on personas that suited them. There are, for example: the Big Red Cheese; the ace reporter; the Queen of England who said she was a virgin; the fat man and his gunsel; the other fat man and his witty legman; the man with no name; and the lonely hawkman who lives in Carter Hall. If you don't know who those are (and shame on you), they are the _original_ Captain (Shazam!) Marvel; Lois Lane; Queen Elizabeth the First; Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre as in _Casablanca_ and _The Maltese Falcon_; Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin; Clint Eastwood as in _A Fistful of Dollars_ and all those; and Katar Hol, a/k/a Hawkman.
The main characters are the dapper lawyer (a/k/a Brigadier General Theodore "Ham" Marley Brooks), the fat man, and the demon (whose identity I've never pieced out. He's green with yellow eyes and four white nipples, long red nails on his jointless fingers, and an immense _schwanschtucker_ which he continually fondles as he floats, crosslegged, in midair). They decide that what Godlike Humanity needs is ... depression. And they go about it in a manner utterly befitting the world they live in.
It's funny, it's silly, and it's about what makes us human. So what's not to like?
You will be happy to know that it, also, is available practically for free on Kindle, Kobo, and probably a bunch of other fine electronic reading things. Go forth and read. If your brain doesn't explode, you'll thank me for it later. If it does, well, you won't have to thank me.
Yes, this is a reread. Furthermore, it is a reread of a book I have read several times before and would not be surprised if I read it one or two more times before I, in some manner or other, become incapable of reading. I like it that much.
On this occasion, I've chosen to reread it because I discovered not one but !!two!! books by the same Cover, set in the same milieu, for cheap on Kindle. So you can look forward to my opinions about them in a while. Ain't I a sweetheart?
But about this book and why I like it so much.
First of all, the Universe of Godlike Men (and I will give Cover a pass on that sexist term because it was written in the early seventies) is so far off the wall it isn't even on the floor, it's orbiting another planet entirely. Humanity has, well, _become_ godlike. They can make things out of thought. They can travel instantaneously -- or, if they prefer, at gazillion of times the speed of light -- to the far reaches of the Universe, with no special equipment, let alone anything as big as a starship. They find it easier to send trash off to the anti-matter universe than to be bothered taking it out.
Second of all, the Godlike People are _characters_. I mean that, on becoming Godlike, they took on personas that suited them. There are, for example: the Big Red Cheese; the ace reporter; the Queen of England who said she was a virgin; the fat man and his gunsel; the other fat man and his witty legman; the man with no name; and the lonely hawkman who lives in Carter Hall. If you don't know who those are (and shame on you), they are the _original_ Captain (Shazam!) Marvel; Lois Lane; Queen Elizabeth the First; Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre as in _Casablanca_ and _The Maltese Falcon_; Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin; Clint Eastwood as in _A Fistful of Dollars_ and all those; and Katar Hol, a/k/a Hawkman.
The main characters are the dapper lawyer (a/k/a Brigadier General Theodore "Ham" Marley Brooks), the fat man, and the demon (whose identity I've never pieced out. He's green with yellow eyes and four white nipples, long red nails on his jointless fingers, and an immense _schwanschtucker_ which he continually fondles as he floats, crosslegged, in midair). They decide that what Godlike Humanity needs is ... depression. And they go about it in a manner utterly befitting the world they live in.
It's funny, it's silly, and it's about what makes us human. So what's not to like?
You will be happy to know that it, also, is available practically for free on Kindle, Kobo, and probably a bunch of other fine electronic reading things. Go forth and read. If your brain doesn't explode, you'll thank me for it later. If it does, well, you won't have to thank me.
October 23, 2009
Published in 1975 as the second volume of the Harlan Ellison Discovery Series, this is an astonishly amusing and amazingly odd little novel, full of wonderful ideas and imagery. It's an excellent volume which shouldn't be forgotten.
May 3, 2018
An author whose work I rank with the sf wackiness of early Norman Spinrad or Tim Huntley. Just off the charts oddness, perhaps thin on plot but loaded with humor. Not to every sf fans taste, but for those with a fine-tuned sense of whimsy, he's your boy.
November 30, 2024
An irreverent, zany book that feels like a Vonnegut fever dream. Definitely not a book for those who don't like the absurd, but delightful for the right receptive niche with a surprisingly well tied together ending.
August 23, 2018
Well, that was strange--so bonus points for being unusual. It was a very spare story with minimal characterization, thus hard to care about anyone--rather more like early 17th century romances, if you're familiar with those, than like modern novels. The story perked up a bit near the end when the three friends travel in search of bems--we get descriptions of other worlds which are interesting, reminding me of Hughes' Fools Errant which I very much more enjoyed. But ultimately it wasn't the kind of oddity that appealed to me.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
April 9, 2015
Awesome. I'm glad I finally discovered, rediscovered this book. What do you get when you put a Fat Man, a lawyer with a sword cane, and a demon with a humongous flaccid penis together in a novel? You get a troupe of freaky Godlike beings who take you on a beautiful freaky romp through the most freaky of freaky universes. ABC, you rock.
December 12, 2007
What a strange little book.
November 14, 2013
Very strange. Creative, yes, but still strange. Clever ending though.
December 30, 2014
Not sure I understand.
Read
January 21, 2017Possibly too weird for me.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews