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Mindbridge
This is the 1st Avon printing. 2nd and 3rd printings used the same ISBN.
Jacque Le Favre is a tamer, a member of one of the exploration teams that humankind has been able to send to the stars. His first world is the second planet out from Groombridge 1618, a rather unpromising place until they encounter the alien L'vrai, with its awesome and appalling gift of telepathy.
Jacque Le Favre is a tamer, a member of one of the exploration teams that humankind has been able to send to the stars. His first world is the second planet out from Groombridge 1618, a rather unpromising place until they encounter the alien L'vrai, with its awesome and appalling gift of telepathy.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1976
188 people are currently reading
2433 people want to read
About the author
Joe Haldeman
443 books2,208 followersBrother of Jack C. Haldeman II
Haldeman is the author of 20 novels and five collections. The Forever War won the Nebula, Hugo and Ditmar Awards for best science fiction novel in 1975. Other notable titles include Camouflage, The Accidental Time Machine and Marsbound as well as the short works "Graves," "Tricentennial" and "The Hemingway Hoax." Starbound is scheduled for a January release. SFWA president Russell Davis called Haldeman "an extraordinarily talented writer, a respected teacher and mentor in our community, and a good friend."
Haldeman officially received the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master for 2010 by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America at the Nebula Awards Weekend in May, 2010 in Hollywood, Fla.
Haldeman is the author of 20 novels and five collections. The Forever War won the Nebula, Hugo and Ditmar Awards for best science fiction novel in 1975. Other notable titles include Camouflage, The Accidental Time Machine and Marsbound as well as the short works "Graves," "Tricentennial" and "The Hemingway Hoax." Starbound is scheduled for a January release. SFWA president Russell Davis called Haldeman "an extraordinarily talented writer, a respected teacher and mentor in our community, and a good friend."
Haldeman officially received the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master for 2010 by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America at the Nebula Awards Weekend in May, 2010 in Hollywood, Fla.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
February 17, 2015
reviews.metaphorosis.com
2.5 stars
Jacque Lefavre is a bit of a wild man, but he manages to hold himself together long enough to accepted as a Tamer - a matter transmission scout. He makes close connections with other Tamers, and when one team makes a startling discovery, Jacque and his crew are pushed into a central role.
Joe Haldeman is deservedly famous for The Forever War. Until recently, that and its sequels were most of what I knew about him. Unfortunately, the limits on that fame may also be deserved. Reading my second new-to-me Haldeman novel in a few months, I again found myself underimpressed.
Haldeman's writing style itself is fine. He quickly establishes his lead character, and his prose is simple but effective. The book, despite its nominal structure as a collection of historical documents, is eminently readable, and moves quickly and surely most of the time.
The plot is a different matter. The plot feels constructed of disparate materials, stuck together only thanks to Haldeman's engaging style. That style falls through at the end, which is essentially infodump-ex-machina, with a small coda to wrap up. Overall, the effect is of a really thoroughly written set of authorial background documents wrapped into a synopsis - as if Haldeman sent a concept package to his agent, who said "Looks great! Listen, why don't you work on something else, and I'll try to sell this as is." It's disappointing, because the story could and should have been quite a strong one. What we have, however, feels very half-baked, with no great effort put into the resolution. If you really like Haldeman, go to it. Otherwise, there are better uses for limited reading time.
July 3, 2024
I really liked this book but it’s a bit difficult to review.
For one thing, the story jumps around a bit. The lead character has a storyline to follow but it seems incomplete. It’s as if all the cool background and world-building took something away from his story. It’s not a huge problem, but I noticed it.
This world is well-crafted for such a short novel. We get super-suits not unlike The Forever War, but this is not a military SF novel.
The main plot involves terraforming new worlds after a mechanism to instantly transport to other worlds is discovered. There’s some explanation for how this works, but I didn’t really care. The story takes place about 100 years into our future. The subplot involves the discovery of two other sentient alien species and what happens when contact is made.
As a storytelling device, some scenes/chapters are nothing but charts, graphs, lists, letters, “official documents”, etc. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but pretty common in SF books from this era (later 1970s). It’s easy to skim these chapters; sorry Joe, I’m sure this took some work but I didn’t really care about fake documents or “mission profiles”. Occasionally there are chapters from hundreds of years into the future that look back on the era when the Mindbridge story takes place. Were they necessary? I’d say yes, because some of those interludes gave very insightful info for what the heck might really be going on here.
Some SF horror elements exist here. This might be of interest to people who think SF horror isn’t easy to find. The horror is very well done; take it from an old horror fan.
Very solid four stars. I couldn’t put this book down. Here’s the book to read if you enjoyed Haldeman’s classic The Forever War.
For one thing, the story jumps around a bit. The lead character has a storyline to follow but it seems incomplete. It’s as if all the cool background and world-building took something away from his story. It’s not a huge problem, but I noticed it.
This world is well-crafted for such a short novel. We get super-suits not unlike The Forever War, but this is not a military SF novel.
The main plot involves terraforming new worlds after a mechanism to instantly transport to other worlds is discovered. There’s some explanation for how this works, but I didn’t really care. The story takes place about 100 years into our future. The subplot involves the discovery of two other sentient alien species and what happens when contact is made.
As a storytelling device, some scenes/chapters are nothing but charts, graphs, lists, letters, “official documents”, etc. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but pretty common in SF books from this era (later 1970s). It’s easy to skim these chapters; sorry Joe, I’m sure this took some work but I didn’t really care about fake documents or “mission profiles”. Occasionally there are chapters from hundreds of years into the future that look back on the era when the Mindbridge story takes place. Were they necessary? I’d say yes, because some of those interludes gave very insightful info for what the heck might really be going on here.
Some SF horror elements exist here. This might be of interest to people who think SF horror isn’t easy to find. The horror is very well done; take it from an old horror fan.
Very solid four stars. I couldn’t put this book down. Here’s the book to read if you enjoyed Haldeman’s classic The Forever War.
April 22, 2010
Mindbridge reads much like a retread of Haldeman's seminal The Forever War:
1. The plot revolves around the miscommunication between humans and another intelligent species, the L'vrai (le vrai = "the truth"?), who bear a strong resemblance to the Taurans of TFW.
2. The quasi-military organization, the AED, that coordinates human space exploration protects its people with a remarkable suit that's a cousin to the suits that protected William and Marygay in TFW.
3. The hero's name, Jacque Lafavre, is also an idiosyncratic spelling - "Jacque" instead of "Jacques"; "Mandella" instead of "Mandala".
4. Carol Wachal is a clone of Marygay Potter, as is her relationship to Jacque.
In 186 pages (my edition), Haldeman brings up a number of ideas - FTL travel, the nature of intelligence and consciousness, and life after death, among others - and a deus ex machina in the form of the titular "mindbridge" without ever exploring or justifying them in a satisfying way.
And the disjointed structure of the novel is a gimmick rather than an interesting way of telling the story.
Haldeman also fails to create a believable relationship between Jacque and Carol. Actually, it's not that I can't believe they fall in love but I don't feel it. The author isn't an empathic writer (apparently a genetic disease common to many hard SF writers).
I would list The Forever War among the top 10 SF novels I've ever read but Haldeman's subsequent writing has been consistently disappointing - Forever Peace and Forever Free, for example - so I can't recommend this novel unless you have a higher opinion of Haldeman's abilities than do I.
1. The plot revolves around the miscommunication between humans and another intelligent species, the L'vrai (le vrai = "the truth"?), who bear a strong resemblance to the Taurans of TFW.
2. The quasi-military organization, the AED, that coordinates human space exploration protects its people with a remarkable suit that's a cousin to the suits that protected William and Marygay in TFW.
3. The hero's name, Jacque Lafavre, is also an idiosyncratic spelling - "Jacque" instead of "Jacques"; "Mandella" instead of "Mandala".
4. Carol Wachal is a clone of Marygay Potter, as is her relationship to Jacque.
In 186 pages (my edition), Haldeman brings up a number of ideas - FTL travel, the nature of intelligence and consciousness, and life after death, among others - and a deus ex machina in the form of the titular "mindbridge" without ever exploring or justifying them in a satisfying way.
And the disjointed structure of the novel is a gimmick rather than an interesting way of telling the story.
Haldeman also fails to create a believable relationship between Jacque and Carol. Actually, it's not that I can't believe they fall in love but I don't feel it. The author isn't an empathic writer (apparently a genetic disease common to many hard SF writers).
I would list The Forever War among the top 10 SF novels I've ever read but Haldeman's subsequent writing has been consistently disappointing - Forever Peace and Forever Free, for example - so I can't recommend this novel unless you have a higher opinion of Haldeman's abilities than do I.
April 1, 2021
This is an enjoyable book, but somehow doesn't seem to live up to its potential. Haldeman employs a number of science-fiction mainstays (teleportational interstellar travel, telepathy and cross-species communication, genocide on an interplanetary scale, etc.), but tells his story in a kind of quasi-epistolary experimental style reminiscent of New Wave John Brunner or Michael Moorcock that I didn't think worked well for his hard-sf plot. The characterization suffered, and I enjoyed the story but didn't get invested in the outcome.
October 21, 2021
This is a strange SF, part first contact, part exploration of other worlds, part development of post-humanity, part something else. I read it as a part of monthly reading for September 2021 at Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels group, even if I finished it later, because this is one of only a few Award nominees that lack audio-version. The novel was nominated for Hugo (and Locus) in 1977, lost to Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm, which I reviewed earlier.
The structure of the story is a collection of assorted documents, chiefly related to the protagonist, Jacque Lefavre, who is studying (at the beginning) to become a Tamer. His profession appeared almost by accident, when instant teleportation was discovered. His own father vehemently denied the possibility of such transfer, which cost him his career in science and peace of mind. There are quite a few restrictions on teleporting, from extremely high energy cost to the fact that is transitory. During one of jumps protagonist’s team found a creature that helps reading minds if two persons touch it simultaneously, hence the title of the book. However, the creature has some unusual protective mechanisms…
The book has several interesting ideas I haven’t met before and there are some unexpected twists. At the same time it has quite uneven pacing and in need of good polishing.
The structure of the story is a collection of assorted documents, chiefly related to the protagonist, Jacque Lefavre, who is studying (at the beginning) to become a Tamer. His profession appeared almost by accident, when instant teleportation was discovered. His own father vehemently denied the possibility of such transfer, which cost him his career in science and peace of mind. There are quite a few restrictions on teleporting, from extremely high energy cost to the fact that is transitory. During one of jumps protagonist’s team found a creature that helps reading minds if two persons touch it simultaneously, hence the title of the book. However, the creature has some unusual protective mechanisms…
The book has several interesting ideas I haven’t met before and there are some unexpected twists. At the same time it has quite uneven pacing and in need of good polishing.
February 21, 2015
(I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
I had high hopes for this book when I was getting started, but was ultimately disappointed.
The story starts fairly strong - a method is discovered that can send humans to the far reaches of the galaxy instantly. Colonization ensues, and the job of tamer (first boots on the ground) is coveted.
The story follows the son of a scientist who says such travel is impossible, only for it to actually happen shortly afterwards, ruining a lifetime of work. His son, then joins up to thumb his nose at his father. Sounds like a great plot point, and we certainly waste enough time on it, except, well.. that's it. If you're looking for something further from that, you're out of luck.
My main problem with the book was the constant jumping of narrative style though, we'd be seeing the story through the main characters eyes, then the next page is a transcript of a mission that reads almost like a play, then it changes to be dry 'scientific paper' used to explain why something works (which is an incredibly lazy way of getting something across instead of finding a way to say it in the story), and then jump to an inventory for a mission, and then back again.
But back to the story..
The premise of the story is solid.. at first, and then it seems to drift off into a different story that the author wanted to tell.
All in all - I absolutely wouldn't waste my time reading this book again, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it. However, there was a great deal of promise in the writing style when the author was actually on-point with the story and not rambling - so I'd be willing to read something else of his but - I think I'll read some reviews first.
I had high hopes for this book when I was getting started, but was ultimately disappointed.
The story starts fairly strong - a method is discovered that can send humans to the far reaches of the galaxy instantly. Colonization ensues, and the job of tamer (first boots on the ground) is coveted.
The story follows the son of a scientist who says such travel is impossible, only for it to actually happen shortly afterwards, ruining a lifetime of work. His son, then joins up to thumb his nose at his father. Sounds like a great plot point, and we certainly waste enough time on it, except, well.. that's it. If you're looking for something further from that, you're out of luck.
My main problem with the book was the constant jumping of narrative style though, we'd be seeing the story through the main characters eyes, then the next page is a transcript of a mission that reads almost like a play, then it changes to be dry 'scientific paper' used to explain why something works (which is an incredibly lazy way of getting something across instead of finding a way to say it in the story), and then jump to an inventory for a mission, and then back again.
But back to the story..
The premise of the story is solid.. at first, and then it seems to drift off into a different story that the author wanted to tell.
All in all - I absolutely wouldn't waste my time reading this book again, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it. However, there was a great deal of promise in the writing style when the author was actually on-point with the story and not rambling - so I'd be willing to read something else of his but - I think I'll read some reviews first.
May 15, 2017
I loved this book, bit I am only a little surprised by the so-so ratings and reviews. It does feel gimmicky at times, almost disjointed. I have read the Forever War as well, and I can tell this book is from the same author. The ideas, imagination behind the plot is fantastic but the characters don't feel fleshed out , and the reasoning behind Jacque ability to communicate with the L'vrai is .....interesting.
( By the way, I am wondering if the name of the aliens is a little tongue in cheek joke or not ).
Why five stars would you ask? I started reading it early evening, went to bed thinking about the book, then read the rest of the short novel the morning after. Mindbridge is absolutely worth the few hours you are going to put into it, it is like other great ( yes I said great ) Sci-Fi novels in that Mindbridge is entertaining, uplifting, philosophical, full of sadness, sorrow, anger and rage , full of inventions , but short on character development. It is otherworldly , fun to read from beginning to end after you get past some of the writing issues.
( By the way, I am wondering if the name of the aliens is a little tongue in cheek joke or not ).
Why five stars would you ask? I started reading it early evening, went to bed thinking about the book, then read the rest of the short novel the morning after. Mindbridge is absolutely worth the few hours you are going to put into it, it is like other great ( yes I said great ) Sci-Fi novels in that Mindbridge is entertaining, uplifting, philosophical, full of sadness, sorrow, anger and rage , full of inventions , but short on character development. It is otherworldly , fun to read from beginning to end after you get past some of the writing issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2009
Good. Maybe a 3.5, but Haldeman doesn't get the beginner's benefit. Probably would have enjoyed it more thirty years ago. Some SF ages better than others.
Inconsequential geographic mistakes about Colorado Springs--where I lived thirteen years--knocked me out of the story several times. No big deal, but Haldeman shouldn't have made them.
Inconsequential geographic mistakes about Colorado Springs--where I lived thirteen years--knocked me out of the story several times. No big deal, but Haldeman shouldn't have made them.
December 2, 2011
Probably the most sexist science fiction novel I've ever read. I can't believe what's expected from the female space travelers. It's total abuse of the female body. What's expected from the men isn't so good, either, except that the main character doesn't seem to realize it. No civilized society would treat its people like this.
November 29, 2012
Excellent, vintage Haldeman - this man is becoming a "go-to" writer -- I read anything he writes, as soon as I find it. I did come late to reading him, for some reason... my sci-fi reading was primarily done at least 20-30 yrs ago - so I'm now going back, trying to catch up on books I've missed!
July 16, 2025
Book Review - Mindbridge – by Joe Haldeman – 1976
I’ve been slowly reading my way through a pile of old Sci-Fi paperbacks that I bought at the used bookstore last year.
Haldeman is a prodigious and famous science fiction writer. He has won most of the big science fiction awards including the Nebula and Hugo.
His best-known work is ‘The Forever War’. I read it on a recommendation, and it is a powerful work of fiction and a powerful commentary on war and the impact war has on the men who fight it.
Haldeman based Forever War on his experience in Vietnam and it was his thesis project for his MFA at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop where he studied under such literary luminaries as John Cheever.
Before his pivot to writing he graduated with a degree in physics and astronomy. Then went to war. Seems like an excellent cocktail of influences for science fiction success.
This novel that I just finished, Mindbridge, has a couple of central conceits that the story is built around.
The first is the ability of humans to temporarily transport themselves across the galaxy. The hitch is that they automatically get returned by the same transport mechanism, whether they like it or not. A bit like a boomerang. This leads to some interesting choices of how do you populate a distant planet when you can only stay for a few hours?
The second conceit is a creature, the eponymous mindbridge, that is telepathic and allows mind reading. The hitch here is that the first person to touch it dies and it is only the second and third person to read minds. Again, leading to some interesting choices. And it only works if you have the built in aptitude for it – which the hero does.
These shenanigans all culminate in humans encountering an inscrutable advanced alien, and as they say, ‘hilarity ensues’.
With these conceits the novel poses some interesting questions and plays with possible answers.
A couple things that stood out to me.
First the use of graphs and tables and equations to explain some finer points of the science. I understand, but no modern editor would let an author get away with this. Imagine Harry Potter with a graph showing the relative power of magic modes to wand types or something similar. It would cause a contemporary reader’s mind to explode, even without being the first to touch a Mindbridge.
I think this is because in the 70’s science fiction was still very much the property of a small cohort of science nerds, and they liked this nerdy stuff.
The second thing that stood out was the classic early sci-fi trope of the main female character being over sexualized. Icky and voyeuristic, but of its time. Because that small cohort of nerds really wanted to believe that they could get the girl.
Overall it was an easy read and asked some interesting, thought-provoking questions. Like all good Sci-Fi does. But, the narrative and the characters weren’t fully baked and it felt a little clunky and rushed. Like he opened a lot of doors for exploration, but then had to rush to the exit to make a deadline, and a bit more refinement would be needed to make it ultimately satisfying for the reader.
I’ve been slowly reading my way through a pile of old Sci-Fi paperbacks that I bought at the used bookstore last year.
Haldeman is a prodigious and famous science fiction writer. He has won most of the big science fiction awards including the Nebula and Hugo.
His best-known work is ‘The Forever War’. I read it on a recommendation, and it is a powerful work of fiction and a powerful commentary on war and the impact war has on the men who fight it.
Haldeman based Forever War on his experience in Vietnam and it was his thesis project for his MFA at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop where he studied under such literary luminaries as John Cheever.
Before his pivot to writing he graduated with a degree in physics and astronomy. Then went to war. Seems like an excellent cocktail of influences for science fiction success.
This novel that I just finished, Mindbridge, has a couple of central conceits that the story is built around.
The first is the ability of humans to temporarily transport themselves across the galaxy. The hitch is that they automatically get returned by the same transport mechanism, whether they like it or not. A bit like a boomerang. This leads to some interesting choices of how do you populate a distant planet when you can only stay for a few hours?
The second conceit is a creature, the eponymous mindbridge, that is telepathic and allows mind reading. The hitch here is that the first person to touch it dies and it is only the second and third person to read minds. Again, leading to some interesting choices. And it only works if you have the built in aptitude for it – which the hero does.
These shenanigans all culminate in humans encountering an inscrutable advanced alien, and as they say, ‘hilarity ensues’.
With these conceits the novel poses some interesting questions and plays with possible answers.
A couple things that stood out to me.
First the use of graphs and tables and equations to explain some finer points of the science. I understand, but no modern editor would let an author get away with this. Imagine Harry Potter with a graph showing the relative power of magic modes to wand types or something similar. It would cause a contemporary reader’s mind to explode, even without being the first to touch a Mindbridge.
I think this is because in the 70’s science fiction was still very much the property of a small cohort of science nerds, and they liked this nerdy stuff.
The second thing that stood out was the classic early sci-fi trope of the main female character being over sexualized. Icky and voyeuristic, but of its time. Because that small cohort of nerds really wanted to believe that they could get the girl.
Overall it was an easy read and asked some interesting, thought-provoking questions. Like all good Sci-Fi does. But, the narrative and the characters weren’t fully baked and it felt a little clunky and rushed. Like he opened a lot of doors for exploration, but then had to rush to the exit to make a deadline, and a bit more refinement would be needed to make it ultimately satisfying for the reader.
January 27, 2019
Haldeman is always good, and this story is no different, using a few science-fiction devices to create an interesting story of a future where people teleport to remote planets to try to geoform them. It's done in a neo-epistolary fashion, with about 50 chapters over 200 pages, comprised of news items, excerpts from a biography, and mission reports, as well as just traditional narrative. This made it somewhat harder to get swept up in (until the last act, which really amps things up).
I couldn't quite grasp the teleportation thing. (I probably should've read more carefully.) It was based on an accidentally discovered phenomenon that engineers trial-and-errored their way into. A particular bit of space could be swapped out for a distant one (close distances were not possible) but only for a limited time, at which point everything would snap back the way it was. This leads to all kinds of mayhem, of course, since every one has to be in the right place at the right time or hilarity/tragedy ensues. At the same time, samples brought back from one of these trips would also "snap back" after a period, giving limited time to study them.
This raises a lot of questions that Haldeman gets around by saying "we don't know why". And that's fair, really. SF is about buy-in, and he uses the device in a fairly concrete way to keep the story interesting and moving forward. Like, I don't get the sense that he was cheating (much).
I'm not saying you couldn't do something similar with magic, mind you.
Anyway, quick read. Lotta fun. Check it out.
I couldn't quite grasp the teleportation thing. (I probably should've read more carefully.) It was based on an accidentally discovered phenomenon that engineers trial-and-errored their way into. A particular bit of space could be swapped out for a distant one (close distances were not possible) but only for a limited time, at which point everything would snap back the way it was. This leads to all kinds of mayhem, of course, since every one has to be in the right place at the right time or hilarity/tragedy ensues. At the same time, samples brought back from one of these trips would also "snap back" after a period, giving limited time to study them.
This raises a lot of questions that Haldeman gets around by saying "we don't know why". And that's fair, really. SF is about buy-in, and he uses the device in a fairly concrete way to keep the story interesting and moving forward. Like, I don't get the sense that he was cheating (much).
I'm not saying you couldn't do something similar with magic, mind you.
Anyway, quick read. Lotta fun. Check it out.
January 24, 2009
I wish you could do half stars.. I'd give this a 3 1/2.
This book is written in a way I'd never seen a book written before. Some chapters are presented as a play, with just dialogue. There are also complicated charts that have information that pertain to the story (and a lot of info that is extra just for color), tangential stories about side characters such as the man who operates the LMT chamber crystal, several interviews with the characters presented as though it were the actual official document, and interesting passages where the characters are actually communicating psychically through the Groombridge mind bridge.
Mindbridge follows the main character through his whole life, from early childhood back story, to his enlisting to be a planet "tamer", and all the way through to his death. This book has aliens, terraforming, psychic slugs, cool space suits, and yes, even some sex. I was entertained thoroughly while reading it, and thought the author's way of playing with the presentation of each chapter was interesting, if a bit distracting at times. Doesn't it seem like something that would be an exercise in a creative writing workshop?
This book is written in a way I'd never seen a book written before. Some chapters are presented as a play, with just dialogue. There are also complicated charts that have information that pertain to the story (and a lot of info that is extra just for color), tangential stories about side characters such as the man who operates the LMT chamber crystal, several interviews with the characters presented as though it were the actual official document, and interesting passages where the characters are actually communicating psychically through the Groombridge mind bridge.
Mindbridge follows the main character through his whole life, from early childhood back story, to his enlisting to be a planet "tamer", and all the way through to his death. This book has aliens, terraforming, psychic slugs, cool space suits, and yes, even some sex. I was entertained thoroughly while reading it, and thought the author's way of playing with the presentation of each chapter was interesting, if a bit distracting at times. Doesn't it seem like something that would be an exercise in a creative writing workshop?
November 22, 2019
One thing I always know when I start a new Joe Haldeman book is that I am in for a great SiFi read. Well written with a good science basis for the SiFi aspect of the world you enter makes Haldeman's books a joy to read. You always get a great SiFi story with that Haldeman plot twist that makes me wish the book were longer or had a sequel. Very recommended
November 25, 2018
This is a reissue of a classic science fiction book by the author. While having read a number of the Haldeman's books while I was a teenager I somehow missed this one. The premise of the book is about dealing with an advanced alien race, using another alien lifeform to communicate telepathically and being beamed to far away places to possibly terraform other planets. I found the book very engaging which made it a fast read.
I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of classic science fiction.
I received a free Kindle copy of Mindbridge by Joe Haldeman courtesy of Net Galley and Open Road Integrated Media, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus pages.
I requested this book as I read a number of books years ago by this author and found them interesting.
I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of classic science fiction.
I received a free Kindle copy of Mindbridge by Joe Haldeman courtesy of Net Galley and Open Road Integrated Media, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus pages.
I requested this book as I read a number of books years ago by this author and found them interesting.
September 27, 2021
Initially the book drew me in. The style, the characters, the vagueness, all worked for me. Up until the part where the scientists started playing "hide the salami" with the help of an alien lifeform.
From there it all went downhill, I stopped reading it altogether for a week or two, remembered about it over the last weekend and barely made it to the end.
The novel reads as unfinished, with poor pacing and a lack of a proper ending.
Writing & Literary devices: - 5
Plot & Pacing: - 2
Theme & Message: - 4
Characters: - 5
Dialogues: - 4
Entertainment: - 3
World Building: - 7
Read as a monthly read for the Hugo and Nebula:Best Novels Group.
From there it all went downhill, I stopped reading it altogether for a week or two, remembered about it over the last weekend and barely made it to the end.
The novel reads as unfinished, with poor pacing and a lack of a proper ending.
Writing & Literary devices: - 5
Plot & Pacing: - 2
Theme & Message: - 4
Characters: - 5
Dialogues: - 4
Entertainment: - 3
World Building: - 7
Read as a monthly read for the Hugo and Nebula:Best Novels Group.
dnf
July 1, 2024DNF @40%
Despite a promising beginning, I'm too bored to continue. The one character I'd found interesting got killed off (Ch'ing, who was reciting a poem by Li Po during telepathic contact), the treatment of women wasn't great, and even the telepathy was tedious - probably because the characterization was so one-dimensional... Cl: Star Trek fanfic did it better.
Despite a promising beginning, I'm too bored to continue. The one character I'd found interesting got killed off (Ch'ing, who was reciting a poem by Li Po during telepathic contact), the treatment of women wasn't great, and even the telepathy was tedious - probably because the characterization was so one-dimensional... Cl: Star Trek fanfic did it better.
August 11, 2021
Best character: Carol (a very brave gal).
Verdict: 3 stars. Hardly any science, but most readers won't care.
Verdict: 3 stars. Hardly any science, but most readers won't care.
August 6, 2024
This is the best SF you never read.
Sure, it’s obviously the product of an Iowa Writer’s Conference experiment: “Write something with chapters in various different styles.” Yet that (the chapters each are under five pages) makes it exciting. The time sequence moves back and forth. Many chapters are epistolary. One is a Western Union (a former client) telegram. Another, a Television Commercial script which, save for the camera angles specified in three, not two dimensions, is in proper form (this was a brief career 45 years or so ago). Heck, there’s math in it—a positive for me.
Yet, even if the experimental style is off-putting, the plot soon overtakes it. For me, it happened on page 50, when mankind first meets the ESP-inducing life on Groombridge’s second planet.
“Let me try it again,” Jacque said [moving to touch one side of the animal while Ch’ing simultaneously touches the other]. “It’s two lines from a poem: ‘I haven’t seen the Eastern Hill for a long time/How many times has the rose flowered?’”
“That seems to be accurate,” Ch’ing said. “It is a poem, a well-known poem by Li Po:
‘Pu chien Tung Shan chin
Ch’iang-wei chi tu hua.’
The first two lines of the poem, that is.”
“You thought it in Chinese?” Jacque said.
“Yes,” Ch’ing said.
It’s been about 50 years since I first read those lines; I remember a half century ago when the hair on the back of my neck stood at the implication. And that’s only the first of the “big thoughts” in Mindbridge.
I suppose some of it could—mistakenly—be read to be as anti-conflict as the better known “The Forever War.” Sure, the two main protagonists in each is a dyspeptic, cynical man, but both protagonists bust heads (and in one instance, widen doorways) for abstract principles such as the love for each other.
Yet Mindbridge is thousands of times better. In part because the science is better—or, more precisely, the author made an attempt to keep it together, without the necessity of inventing “Tachyons” just to bail out the plot. And it neither glorifies nor disparages the military. This is a far more mature work than “Forever War” impossible-to-take out of the Vietnam context.
A must read.
Sure, it’s obviously the product of an Iowa Writer’s Conference experiment: “Write something with chapters in various different styles.” Yet that (the chapters each are under five pages) makes it exciting. The time sequence moves back and forth. Many chapters are epistolary. One is a Western Union (a former client) telegram. Another, a Television Commercial script which, save for the camera angles specified in three, not two dimensions, is in proper form (this was a brief career 45 years or so ago). Heck, there’s math in it—a positive for me.
Yet, even if the experimental style is off-putting, the plot soon overtakes it. For me, it happened on page 50, when mankind first meets the ESP-inducing life on Groombridge’s second planet.
“Let me try it again,” Jacque said [moving to touch one side of the animal while Ch’ing simultaneously touches the other]. “It’s two lines from a poem: ‘I haven’t seen the Eastern Hill for a long time/How many times has the rose flowered?’”
“That seems to be accurate,” Ch’ing said. “It is a poem, a well-known poem by Li Po:
‘Pu chien Tung Shan chin
Ch’iang-wei chi tu hua.’
The first two lines of the poem, that is.”
“You thought it in Chinese?” Jacque said.
“Yes,” Ch’ing said.
It’s been about 50 years since I first read those lines; I remember a half century ago when the hair on the back of my neck stood at the implication. And that’s only the first of the “big thoughts” in Mindbridge.
I suppose some of it could—mistakenly—be read to be as anti-conflict as the better known “The Forever War.” Sure, the two main protagonists in each is a dyspeptic, cynical man, but both protagonists bust heads (and in one instance, widen doorways) for abstract principles such as the love for each other.
Yet Mindbridge is thousands of times better. In part because the science is better—or, more precisely, the author made an attempt to keep it together, without the necessity of inventing “Tachyons” just to bail out the plot. And it neither glorifies nor disparages the military. This is a far more mature work than “Forever War” impossible-to-take out of the Vietnam context.
A must read.
August 18, 2013
Thanks to the wonders of Levant-Meyer Translation technology, one of those science fictional devices for FTL travel best taken on the author's terms rather than questioned for its scientific grounds, humans now send teams of Tamers to distant planets to test them for possible terraforming. This is tricky and dangerous work with results than can be bloody and disastrous. On a planet the second out from Groombridge 1618, Jacque Lafavre and his team bring back what appears to be a sluglike alien life form. This unprepossessing creature allows for telepathic communication, but unfortunately kills the first person to touch it. Secondary users survive the experience. This is plot thread # One for Mindbridge.
Plot thread # Two involves a first encounter with some very dangerous or possibly just misunderstood aliens known as L'vrai. They provide creepy thrills and some old-fashioned monster movie mayhem for the last third of the novel.
Plot thread # Three is the love affair of Jacque Lafavre and Carol Wachal, which is never very interesting but survives some of the most sexist notions of "Go forth and multiply" to make it into a SF novel.
Haldeman, in his second novel, more or less keeps all this tied together, interspersing chapters with transcripts of telepathic sessions, detailed work orders, progress reports, and charts. This might have been Haldemann dabbling in some postmodernist textual experiments, or a way to bulk up a novella-length story into a manuscript that could be published as a novel. Mindbridge is something of a sophomore slump after The Forever War, but it is enjoyable and really picks up once the L'vrai make their appearance.
Plot thread # Two involves a first encounter with some very dangerous or possibly just misunderstood aliens known as L'vrai. They provide creepy thrills and some old-fashioned monster movie mayhem for the last third of the novel.
Plot thread # Three is the love affair of Jacque Lafavre and Carol Wachal, which is never very interesting but survives some of the most sexist notions of "Go forth and multiply" to make it into a SF novel.
Haldeman, in his second novel, more or less keeps all this tied together, interspersing chapters with transcripts of telepathic sessions, detailed work orders, progress reports, and charts. This might have been Haldemann dabbling in some postmodernist textual experiments, or a way to bulk up a novella-length story into a manuscript that could be published as a novel. Mindbridge is something of a sophomore slump after The Forever War, but it is enjoyable and really picks up once the L'vrai make their appearance.
November 25, 2018
This is a reissue of a classic science fiction book by the author. While having read a number of the Haldeman's books while I was a teenager I somehow missed this one. The premise of the book is about dealing with an advanced alien race, using another alien lifeform to communicate telepathically and being beamed to far away places to possibly terraform other planets. I found the book very engaging which made it a fast read.
I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of classic science fiction.
I received a free Kindle copy of Mindbridge by Joe Haldeman courtesy of Net Galley and Open Road Integrated Media, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus pages.
I requested this book as I read a number of books years ago by this author and found them interesting.
I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of classic science fiction.
I received a free Kindle copy of Mindbridge by Joe Haldeman courtesy of Net Galley and Open Road Integrated Media, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus pages.
I requested this book as I read a number of books years ago by this author and found them interesting.
August 6, 2017
This book has some interesting ideas, like the instantaneous transfer to distant planets with all its limitations and dangers. I wish that idea had been explored more. It had the potential for some creepy horror scenes mixed in with the sf adventure. Sadly it then devolved into science fantasy and became all about the magical telepathy.
For a while it seemed like the newly discovered aliens would make the book interesting again, but they turned out to be level 9001 wizards specializing in telepathy and blowing up suns. Lucky for us they weren't all that interested in blowing us up.
I am left with two questions:
1. What was the point of writing some chapters in script format and others in plain narrative? It didn't add anything to the story, it just interrupted the flow of it.
2.
For a while it seemed like the newly discovered aliens would make the book interesting again, but they turned out to be level 9001 wizards specializing in telepathy and blowing up suns. Lucky for us they weren't all that interested in blowing us up.
I am left with two questions:
1. What was the point of writing some chapters in script format and others in plain narrative? It didn't add anything to the story, it just interrupted the flow of it.
2.
October 2, 2017
I think this is the award winning book I have enjoyed least. I liked the varied writing style (reports, statistics, small plays etc) and there were some solid concepts but the narrative just seemed a little on the weak side. Indeed I feel a really interesting protagonist was rushed through and you are rarely given time to learn anything about him rather you are told.
The explanation for the mind bridges is given to early and is to obscure. The big twist ending is easy to see coming and leaves it all feeling a bit flat. Possibly ground breaking at the time but I feel the actual story was neglected.
The explanation for the mind bridges is given to early and is to obscure. The big twist ending is easy to see coming and leaves it all feeling a bit flat. Possibly ground breaking at the time but I feel the actual story was neglected.
November 22, 2021
This is definitely a unique book... it's presented almost like it was a pile of research you were doing in your were writing a grade school report pre-internet...charts, reports, first person accounts, excerpts, even a song. It works.. I definitely felt immersed in the world and story.
That world is a near future one at the beginnings of interstellar travel.. with the some unique twists. There's a weird mix of careful explaining of some of the science, but more often, hand waves or stuff that the people in the book don't understand either. At heart, it's mostly a first contact novel, and a pretty typical one at that. The unique format makes it worth the read though.
That world is a near future one at the beginnings of interstellar travel.. with the some unique twists. There's a weird mix of careful explaining of some of the science, but more often, hand waves or stuff that the people in the book don't understand either. At heart, it's mostly a first contact novel, and a pretty typical one at that. The unique format makes it worth the read though.
July 16, 2015
This was more an "idea" book and less of a "plot" book. Humanity has discovered instantaneous travel to the stars, but with some limitations. What they find will change everything. And the change is largely mediated through one man for a long time.
Kinda interesting aliens here, but we don't really see enough of them to get a good idea of them. They do affect humanity in vast ways over a thousand years though. Much of that is just hinted at.
So, kinda interesting, but kinda incomplete-feeling. I did enjoy the pictures of Mr. Haldeman & family at the back of the ebook I read though.
Kinda interesting aliens here, but we don't really see enough of them to get a good idea of them. They do affect humanity in vast ways over a thousand years though. Much of that is just hinted at.
So, kinda interesting, but kinda incomplete-feeling. I did enjoy the pictures of Mr. Haldeman & family at the back of the ebook I read though.
December 21, 2021
Thanks to a fluke it is discovered that people can be beamed to other planets. After a couple of days they come back. This is used to send explorers to find intersting stuff.
I read this in only one day. It has its weaknesses, but I kept turning the pages.
Humans who boldly use technologies that they hardly have under control. Mysterious aliens, who think completely different than humans. I love that shit.
The characters are a bit shallow but at least the main protagonist has some character flaws (he has anger issues).
All in all: that's the way I like my SF
I read this in only one day. It has its weaknesses, but I kept turning the pages.
Humans who boldly use technologies that they hardly have under control. Mysterious aliens, who think completely different than humans. I love that shit.
The characters are a bit shallow but at least the main protagonist has some character flaws (he has anger issues).
All in all: that's the way I like my SF
February 2, 2015
REVIEW: MINDBRIDGE by Joe Haldeman
Award-winning author Joe Haldeman' s trademark philosophical science fiction is much in evidence in this futuristic tale of universal exploration, made possible by the implications of a new theory of astrophysics.Delineated through the character if "Tamer" Jacques Lefavre (son if the physicist who devoted his lifetime to disproving this theory), MINDBRIDGE explores alien telepathy, and the existence of an ancient species of star explorers.
Award-winning author Joe Haldeman' s trademark philosophical science fiction is much in evidence in this futuristic tale of universal exploration, made possible by the implications of a new theory of astrophysics.Delineated through the character if "Tamer" Jacques Lefavre (son if the physicist who devoted his lifetime to disproving this theory), MINDBRIDGE explores alien telepathy, and the existence of an ancient species of star explorers.
October 21, 2012
Reads a bit disjointed due to a somewhat risky narrative style, some good ideas, but on the whole this one's not quite there.
February 1, 2013
I read it back in the Nineties. A gripping tale.
December 16, 2016
Joe haldman is becoming one of my favourite authors!
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