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Permutations: A Well World Mosaic Novel
A Well World Anthology revives Jack L. Chalker's legendary series, bringing together exceptional talent to extend its universe. This collection, authorized by Chalker's estate, gathers renowned authors like Neal Asher, Catherine Asaro, and S.P. Somtow, each adding their unique flair to the Well World legacy. These stories pay homage to a series that has influenced countless science fiction writers, selling millions of copies worldwide. Fans and newcomers alike will be captivated by the rich, imaginative tales that continue the journey in the Well World, a testament to Chalker's enduring impact on the genre. This anthology isn't just a collection; it's a gateway to rediscovering a world that has shaped science fiction, inviting readers to explore its depths once more.
280 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2025
5 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
David Boop
65 books32 followersDenver-based author David Boop is a single dad and returning college student. Dave was a journalist before turning to fiction.
Hes published a dozen short stories and written two short films. His stories have appeared in magazines like Tales of the Talisman and SF Trails and in the anthologies Wondrous Web Worlds and Space Pirates. A fixture on the convention circuit, hes spoken at such literary gatherings as Mile High Con, Coppercon and Norwescon.
His novel, She Murdered Me with Science, debuted in August.
General interests include noir, Mayan history, and The Blues. He enjoys watching anime and playing GO.
Series:
* Noel Glass Mystery
Series contributed to:
* Full-Throttle Space Tales
Hes published a dozen short stories and written two short films. His stories have appeared in magazines like Tales of the Talisman and SF Trails and in the anthologies Wondrous Web Worlds and Space Pirates. A fixture on the convention circuit, hes spoken at such literary gatherings as Mile High Con, Coppercon and Norwescon.
His novel, She Murdered Me with Science, debuted in August.
General interests include noir, Mayan history, and The Blues. He enjoys watching anime and playing GO.
Series:
* Noel Glass Mystery
Series contributed to:
* Full-Throttle Space Tales
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 22, 2025
"Well," this was a fun summer read. 😉
PERMUTATIONS, edited by David Boop, is a 'mosaic novel' [sic] (a collection of tales that are interconnected by David's excellent prolog and epilog) set in the late Jack Chalker's fan-beloved "Well World."
The Well World is the ultimate playground for readers (and writers) who love and cherish world-building -- for the options for wonder are effectively endless. 🙂
So you know, the Well World is a planetary-sized laboratory constructed by the first intelligent denizens of our universe, the Markovians, an ancient people that achieved near godhood in their technological advancement and their precise knowledge of the workings of the universe. This permitted them to manipulate "life, the universe, and everything" as easily as we would a kitchen appliance. They gained the power to have anything and everything, here and everywhere, every time and anytime they wished . . . and, inevitably, became bored. 🥱 Suffering from debilitating racial ennui, they determined they'd missed something in their journey to achieving apotheosis. Thus, they decided they required a "do-over."
They built the Well World, an immense species-ological preserve composed of 1,526 hex-shaped environments, half carbon-based, half... well, not . . . each with its own unique species (land, water, methane & "other" dwellers). In some hexes technology did not work at all. Others were semi-technological (i.e., unable to advance beyond the steam engine), and others supported full technology capabilities. A few that lacked science had what could best be described as magic. Every and all these hexes were monitored and controlled by the great Well computer. And then all the Markovians walked into the Well that they constructed and were transformed into the various species and dispersed among the hexes of the Well.
All the Markovians save one.
The protagonist of Chalker's first Well novel, MIDNIGHT AT THE WELL OF SOULS [Dell Rey, 1977], is an Earth human named Nathan Brazil. Imho, one of the great memorable characters of SFF.
To my fannish delight, Nathan returns in David's prolog and epilog in PERMUTATIONS. And I tip my kippah to David for capturing Jack Chalker's spirit, and the essence of his storytelling style in writing of Brazil. The result is like reading a new Well World story by Jack! ❤️ I'd definitely read more Well World stories or novels by David. ["From my lips to God's (and Shahid Mahmud 's) ears," as we say. 😉]
In MIDNIGHT, Nathan is an angst-ridden, too empathetic loner, and possibly the source for the legend of the Wandering Jew (Nu? How could I not love this?), who resonated so strongly with me as an introverted, nerdy teen 🤓, that I wrote Jack . . . And Jack, with equal compassion and empathy wrote me back! 🙂
I always appreciated that kindness.
Learning of PERMUTATIONS in 2021, I DM'd David and was informed that, alas, submission to the anthology was by invitation only. However, if the book does well, and a second collection is requested... 🤞
But for now: Each of PERMUTATION's ten author contributors, including one tale cowritten with Jack's daughter Samantha!, introduce new flawed human characters (and one intellectually-augmented canine) to the Well World. Each possess a well-developed backstory that influences the Markovian computer of the Well in assigning them new bodies among the species of the various hexes of the Well World -- and problems for which they are uniquely capable of resolving. This is a delight.
Yes, I have my favorites, but there are many of them. E.g.,:
Inquestor series' author (another favorite of mine) S.P. Somtow's aka Somtow Sucharitkul's "The Well World Lost" stands out, as does Arlen Feldman's "The Dreaming" which is wonderfully introspective (How would you react to being reincarnated as a plant? 😀) for capturing the nature of the truly alien.
Sam Knight's "Clone Five" (a quadriplegic created solely to serve as a living organ donor) struggles with the issue of personal independence, individuality, and freedom from others versus being part of a mutually codependent community.
Henifer Brozek and Samantha Chalker's "No Matter the Shape" deftly navigates the challenge of neurodivergence/PTSD and that of mutual dependence, support, and friendship between the afflicted and his, once-canine, therapeutic companion -- while saving the world, of course.
Elektra Hammond's "Looking Back, I Wouldn't Change a Thing" is a beautifully written, evocative, deep (literally) aquatic tale. It's only fault is that it is too short. 😉 It sets up a wonderful premise for a longer tale of espionage, interhex intrigue and conflict, and further revelations concerning the ancient Markovians. This is another story worthy of being expanded into a Well World novel.
Neil Asher's introduction is also excellent in giving the reader everything they need to know in way of welcome to the Well World.
All in all, PERMUTATIONS is a fine addition to Jack Chalker's Well World series -- which you do NOT have to read to enjoy this collection (but you should). 😁
PERMUTATIONS, edited by David Boop, is a 'mosaic novel' [sic] (a collection of tales that are interconnected by David's excellent prolog and epilog) set in the late Jack Chalker's fan-beloved "Well World."
The Well World is the ultimate playground for readers (and writers) who love and cherish world-building -- for the options for wonder are effectively endless. 🙂
So you know, the Well World is a planetary-sized laboratory constructed by the first intelligent denizens of our universe, the Markovians, an ancient people that achieved near godhood in their technological advancement and their precise knowledge of the workings of the universe. This permitted them to manipulate "life, the universe, and everything" as easily as we would a kitchen appliance. They gained the power to have anything and everything, here and everywhere, every time and anytime they wished . . . and, inevitably, became bored. 🥱 Suffering from debilitating racial ennui, they determined they'd missed something in their journey to achieving apotheosis. Thus, they decided they required a "do-over."
They built the Well World, an immense species-ological preserve composed of 1,526 hex-shaped environments, half carbon-based, half... well, not . . . each with its own unique species (land, water, methane & "other" dwellers). In some hexes technology did not work at all. Others were semi-technological (i.e., unable to advance beyond the steam engine), and others supported full technology capabilities. A few that lacked science had what could best be described as magic. Every and all these hexes were monitored and controlled by the great Well computer. And then all the Markovians walked into the Well that they constructed and were transformed into the various species and dispersed among the hexes of the Well.
All the Markovians save one.
The protagonist of Chalker's first Well novel, MIDNIGHT AT THE WELL OF SOULS [Dell Rey, 1977], is an Earth human named Nathan Brazil. Imho, one of the great memorable characters of SFF.
To my fannish delight, Nathan returns in David's prolog and epilog in PERMUTATIONS. And I tip my kippah to David for capturing Jack Chalker's spirit, and the essence of his storytelling style in writing of Brazil. The result is like reading a new Well World story by Jack! ❤️ I'd definitely read more Well World stories or novels by David. ["From my lips to God's (and Shahid Mahmud 's) ears," as we say. 😉]
In MIDNIGHT, Nathan is an angst-ridden, too empathetic loner, and possibly the source for the legend of the Wandering Jew (Nu? How could I not love this?), who resonated so strongly with me as an introverted, nerdy teen 🤓, that I wrote Jack . . . And Jack, with equal compassion and empathy wrote me back! 🙂
I always appreciated that kindness.
Learning of PERMUTATIONS in 2021, I DM'd David and was informed that, alas, submission to the anthology was by invitation only. However, if the book does well, and a second collection is requested... 🤞
But for now: Each of PERMUTATION's ten author contributors, including one tale cowritten with Jack's daughter Samantha!, introduce new flawed human characters (and one intellectually-augmented canine) to the Well World. Each possess a well-developed backstory that influences the Markovian computer of the Well in assigning them new bodies among the species of the various hexes of the Well World -- and problems for which they are uniquely capable of resolving. This is a delight.
Yes, I have my favorites, but there are many of them. E.g.,:
Inquestor series' author (another favorite of mine) S.P. Somtow's aka Somtow Sucharitkul's "The Well World Lost" stands out, as does Arlen Feldman's "The Dreaming" which is wonderfully introspective (How would you react to being reincarnated as a plant? 😀) for capturing the nature of the truly alien.
Sam Knight's "Clone Five" (a quadriplegic created solely to serve as a living organ donor) struggles with the issue of personal independence, individuality, and freedom from others versus being part of a mutually codependent community.
Henifer Brozek and Samantha Chalker's "No Matter the Shape" deftly navigates the challenge of neurodivergence/PTSD and that of mutual dependence, support, and friendship between the afflicted and his, once-canine, therapeutic companion -- while saving the world, of course.
Elektra Hammond's "Looking Back, I Wouldn't Change a Thing" is a beautifully written, evocative, deep (literally) aquatic tale. It's only fault is that it is too short. 😉 It sets up a wonderful premise for a longer tale of espionage, interhex intrigue and conflict, and further revelations concerning the ancient Markovians. This is another story worthy of being expanded into a Well World novel.
Neil Asher's introduction is also excellent in giving the reader everything they need to know in way of welcome to the Well World.
All in all, PERMUTATIONS is a fine addition to Jack Chalker's Well World series -- which you do NOT have to read to enjoy this collection (but you should). 😁
Displaying 1 of 1 review