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The Great De-evolution
The Hauntings of Playing God
Everyone is dead. All that remains is an old woman and a gymnasium full of unresponsive bodies. Each day, another storm approaches, threatening to destroy the building they call home. Each night, a series of nightmares leaves the woman screaming for help. Alone and overwhelmed, will the final member of the human race be thought of as a caretaker or as a monster? THE HAUNTINGS OF PLAYING GOD is a story about the possibilities each life holds. It is also a lesson about the importance of believing in something greater than yourself.
A Great De-evolution Story.
A Great De-evolution Story.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2014
54 people are currently reading
900 people want to read
About the author
Chris Dietzel
31 books423 followersChris graduated from Western Maryland College (McDaniel College). He currently lives in Florida. His dream is to write the same kind of stories that have inspired him over the years.
Sign up for his mailing list to receive updates on future projects and some neat freebies: http://chrisdietzel.com/mailing_list/
In his free time, Chris volunteers for a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program for feral cats. (If you would like more information on how best to care for abandoned and feral cats in your neighborhood, please check out the Alley Cat Allies website at: http://www.alleycat.org/)
Dietzel is a huge fan of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and mixed martial arts (MMA). He trained in BJJ for ten years, earning the rank of brown belt, and went 2-0 in amateur MMA fights before an injury ended his participation in contact sports.
It is incredibly difficult for new authors to gain an audience. If you read one of his books and enjoyed it, please recommend it to anyone else you think may like them.
Sign up for his mailing list to receive updates on future projects and some neat freebies: http://chrisdietzel.com/mailing_list/
In his free time, Chris volunteers for a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program for feral cats. (If you would like more information on how best to care for abandoned and feral cats in your neighborhood, please check out the Alley Cat Allies website at: http://www.alleycat.org/)
Dietzel is a huge fan of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and mixed martial arts (MMA). He trained in BJJ for ten years, earning the rank of brown belt, and went 2-0 in amateur MMA fights before an injury ended his participation in contact sports.
It is incredibly difficult for new authors to gain an audience. If you read one of his books and enjoyed it, please recommend it to anyone else you think may like them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
June 16, 2022
"Maybe life starts with your first fantasy, ends with your last fantasy, and is measured by all of the hopes and dreams in between."
Normally I wouldn't jinx myself by predicting, on page ten, that a book would be five stars. I did for this one though. I just knew I'd be enamored the entire way through every bit as much as I was from page one.
Actually, no.... I became more enamored the longer I read.
This isn't your usual action-packed, on-the-edge-of-your-seat, dodging bullets and feral dogs and cannibalistic people post-apocalyptic tale.
It is a quiet story, introspective, not a whole lot going on physically. There is, however, a hell of a lot going on mentally. This is the kind of novel thinkers love.
Our protagonist is a woman in her 90s, possibly the only person alive on earth. She is caring for a gymnasium full of Blocks, people who were born in a comatose state and who have lived their entire lives without waking up.
Morgan was one of the last to be born normally, before the Great De-evolution had every single baby being born this way. Unfortunately, we don't learn why - scientists weren't able to discover a reason for this.
I'm not sure why all these people were kept alive. I wouldn't want to be kept in this state and find it weird and even a bit barbaric to keep people alive on machines who are unable to have some kind of life.
But that's not the way the book goes. This entire generation of people, Blocks, the last ever to be born, are kept alive. After the other caretakers in her group home die of old age, Morgan is left to tend to a room of sixty-four Blocks. Without her, they would die.
She is old. She is tired. She has aches and pains and struggles to keep up. As the days go on, Morgan is left with the chilling decision to either unhook some people from their nutrient bags or be unable to properly care for everyone.
"Maybe life begins the first time you understand the magnitude of suffering around you, and ends the last time you witness that sorrow."
How do you decide whose life to let go and who to keep alive? Morgan, understandably, faces an existential crisis. As she limps between the beds of needy Blocks, we get to know each one. Or rather, the stories Morgan and a previous caretaker had made of their lives.
"Maybe life starts the first time you play make-believe and ends the moment you admit you can no longer imagine something better for yourself than what you have."
We are privy to Morgan's fears and uncertainties. She examines the meaning of life, if there even is a meaning. She questions the existence of a god. She ponders that all important question - what is life? And also, what happens when we die?
I loved being granted access to Morgan's inner world. Her dreams, her fantasies, her hopes even as human life, including her own, comes to an end. The questions she cannot answer. Her fears. All of it.
This book is powerful. I read it as slowly as possible to make it last but it was always hard to put it down. It is gripping. In spite of the lack of action, I often found myself holding my breath, desperate to read more.
The Hauntings of Playing God is not a book for everyone. It's for those who love books that make you think, that might not have a lot of action but has plenty to keep your mind busy. It's for those who aren't afraid of life's difficult questions, of its uncertainties and of admitting no one has all the answers. In fact, there might not be answers. If you like those kinds of books, I highly recommend this one.
"Maybe life doesn’t start the first time you smile and end the last time something makes you happy. Maybe it isn’t defined by the first and last time you believe in something greater than yourself. Maybe life isn’t measured in heartbeats or curiosity or even in acts of love.
Maybe life is whatever you make of it."
Normally I wouldn't jinx myself by predicting, on page ten, that a book would be five stars. I did for this one though. I just knew I'd be enamored the entire way through every bit as much as I was from page one.
Actually, no.... I became more enamored the longer I read.
This isn't your usual action-packed, on-the-edge-of-your-seat, dodging bullets and feral dogs and cannibalistic people post-apocalyptic tale.
It is a quiet story, introspective, not a whole lot going on physically. There is, however, a hell of a lot going on mentally. This is the kind of novel thinkers love.
Our protagonist is a woman in her 90s, possibly the only person alive on earth. She is caring for a gymnasium full of Blocks, people who were born in a comatose state and who have lived their entire lives without waking up.
Morgan was one of the last to be born normally, before the Great De-evolution had every single baby being born this way. Unfortunately, we don't learn why - scientists weren't able to discover a reason for this.
I'm not sure why all these people were kept alive. I wouldn't want to be kept in this state and find it weird and even a bit barbaric to keep people alive on machines who are unable to have some kind of life.
But that's not the way the book goes. This entire generation of people, Blocks, the last ever to be born, are kept alive. After the other caretakers in her group home die of old age, Morgan is left to tend to a room of sixty-four Blocks. Without her, they would die.
She is old. She is tired. She has aches and pains and struggles to keep up. As the days go on, Morgan is left with the chilling decision to either unhook some people from their nutrient bags or be unable to properly care for everyone.
"Maybe life begins the first time you understand the magnitude of suffering around you, and ends the last time you witness that sorrow."
How do you decide whose life to let go and who to keep alive? Morgan, understandably, faces an existential crisis. As she limps between the beds of needy Blocks, we get to know each one. Or rather, the stories Morgan and a previous caretaker had made of their lives.
"Maybe life starts the first time you play make-believe and ends the moment you admit you can no longer imagine something better for yourself than what you have."
We are privy to Morgan's fears and uncertainties. She examines the meaning of life, if there even is a meaning. She questions the existence of a god. She ponders that all important question - what is life? And also, what happens when we die?
I loved being granted access to Morgan's inner world. Her dreams, her fantasies, her hopes even as human life, including her own, comes to an end. The questions she cannot answer. Her fears. All of it.
This book is powerful. I read it as slowly as possible to make it last but it was always hard to put it down. It is gripping. In spite of the lack of action, I often found myself holding my breath, desperate to read more.
The Hauntings of Playing God is not a book for everyone. It's for those who love books that make you think, that might not have a lot of action but has plenty to keep your mind busy. It's for those who aren't afraid of life's difficult questions, of its uncertainties and of admitting no one has all the answers. In fact, there might not be answers. If you like those kinds of books, I highly recommend this one.
"Maybe life doesn’t start the first time you smile and end the last time something makes you happy. Maybe it isn’t defined by the first and last time you believe in something greater than yourself. Maybe life isn’t measured in heartbeats or curiosity or even in acts of love.
Maybe life is whatever you make of it."
May 25, 2018
It hurts so good.
August 1, 2014
The author’s first two books about the Great De-evolution were exceptional (“The Man Who Watched the World End” and “A Different Alchemy”). This third book about the end of civilization, as we know it, is perhaps his best. That being said, it is not a series and each book stands on its own with three entirely different perspectives as mankind faces extinction.
“The Hauntings of Playing God” is a poignant story about the last normal person on earth caring for a group of Blocks (children being born with a severe lifeless medical condition). Her dedication is all consuming with no respite in sight. She has to make difficult decisions to continue caring for those in her charge while questioning every action. The force of her story will shake you to your very core if you have ever been a caregiver. You will feel her anguish and agonize with her, all the while cheering her on.
The author leads us through this woman’s life with a series of flashbacks and through her agony as we enter the nightmares that will make you squirm. Her creative conversations with the blocks will captivate you. Through it all she questions her religion and her will to go on. She knows that if she can no longer care for the Blocks they will die.
Again the author has a perfect ending. No! It can’t be the end! But, alas, it is. If you are looking for a book that draws you in and won’t let you go until the last word, this is definitely for you.
“The Hauntings of Playing God” is a poignant story about the last normal person on earth caring for a group of Blocks (children being born with a severe lifeless medical condition). Her dedication is all consuming with no respite in sight. She has to make difficult decisions to continue caring for those in her charge while questioning every action. The force of her story will shake you to your very core if you have ever been a caregiver. You will feel her anguish and agonize with her, all the while cheering her on.
The author leads us through this woman’s life with a series of flashbacks and through her agony as we enter the nightmares that will make you squirm. Her creative conversations with the blocks will captivate you. Through it all she questions her religion and her will to go on. She knows that if she can no longer care for the Blocks they will die.
Again the author has a perfect ending. No! It can’t be the end! But, alas, it is. If you are looking for a book that draws you in and won’t let you go until the last word, this is definitely for you.
August 8, 2015
So that's it. The end of the end of humankind. Chris Dietzel delivers the final installment of the Great De-evolution trilogy.
All that remain are the Blocks - people who neither move nor communicate, nor can think(?) and who are condemned to death without help from outside - as well as some caretakers, who have submitted themselves to this self-sacrificing task. One day Morgan, who worked for decades as a caretaker, is suddenly alone, facing sixty-four Blocks that can only live while she is there for them. No easy task when you consider that Morgan herself is already over 90 years old. This is about how the story begins.
The novel is essentially a one-person drama. Morgan's thoughts and decisions dominate the action. But she is not really alone, as she is definitely in dialog with herself and others. The author has made sure of that with quite a clever trick. The tension of this book is drawn from the question of what will Morgan do to accomplish her Herculean task. One thing is clear: If Morgan dies, so do the Blocks, because there is no one else left to replace her. On this day it will all be over, basta, finito, the end.
If the trilogy of the Great De-evolution were a music symphony in three movements, I would subtitle the last one with "adagio ma non troppo", because this book is not particularly fast. But that doesn't mean it's soft. On the contrary. It's actually quite "fortissimo" in parts. Those of you who are interested in their own reality in the world, the difference between living and merely being alive, the faith in some higher power (or lack thereof), or the questions of "what comes next?" should definitely read this book. Naturally there are no definitive answers here, but there is plenty of food for thought. This is also true for the other two installments by the way, The Man Who Watched The World End and A Different Alchemy.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a candid review.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
All that remain are the Blocks - people who neither move nor communicate, nor can think(?) and who are condemned to death without help from outside - as well as some caretakers, who have submitted themselves to this self-sacrificing task. One day Morgan, who worked for decades as a caretaker, is suddenly alone, facing sixty-four Blocks that can only live while she is there for them. No easy task when you consider that Morgan herself is already over 90 years old. This is about how the story begins.
The novel is essentially a one-person drama. Morgan's thoughts and decisions dominate the action. But she is not really alone, as she is definitely in dialog with herself and others. The author has made sure of that with quite a clever trick. The tension of this book is drawn from the question of what will Morgan do to accomplish her Herculean task. One thing is clear: If Morgan dies, so do the Blocks, because there is no one else left to replace her. On this day it will all be over, basta, finito, the end.
If the trilogy of the Great De-evolution were a music symphony in three movements, I would subtitle the last one with "adagio ma non troppo", because this book is not particularly fast. But that doesn't mean it's soft. On the contrary. It's actually quite "fortissimo" in parts. Those of you who are interested in their own reality in the world, the difference between living and merely being alive, the faith in some higher power (or lack thereof), or the questions of "what comes next?" should definitely read this book. Naturally there are no definitive answers here, but there is plenty of food for thought. This is also true for the other two installments by the way, The Man Who Watched The World End and A Different Alchemy.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a candid review.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
May 3, 2018
I am torn. One one hand I could not put it down. I was drawn into Morgans story, her imagination, her thoughts. My heart broke for her. I wanted to say" Please let me help you". I really wanted to step into the story and let her rest. What a heavy unfair burden for an author to place on his poor character. I loved the conversations with the Blocks. I love the jobs they "had " in life, their personalities. But the other hand, and I get it , but it was just a bit maybe overwhelming, I felt a little hit over the head with it. I would rather have stepped a bit out of Morgans head. But not too much...
I wish I had a little more backstory, but its not the end and does not necessarily ruin the book. This was a different kind of the end of the world novel. If you want to contemplate the deeper meaning of things, this is the one.
I wish I had a little more backstory, but its not the end and does not necessarily ruin the book. This was a different kind of the end of the world novel. If you want to contemplate the deeper meaning of things, this is the one.
July 22, 2014
Yikes, yikes and more yikes. This is a powerful story that will leave you stunned at what you just read. On the spectrum of the Great De-evolution this is much closer to Dietzel’s "The Man Who Watched The World End" than it is to his second book "A Different Alchemy". Both books have little action and focus on one main character at the end of the world. That said "The Hauntings Of Playing God" is a completely different type of book and I have to say as much as I enjoyed "The Man Who Watched The World End" I think this book is way, way better. You can really tell Dietzel is coming into his own in how to tell a story.
It’s definitely not going to be a book for everyone who likes science fiction. In fact now that I think about it I wouldn’t really classify this as science fiction at all even though I guess it is. It felt to me more like a book that would win writing awards than one that would be turned into a movie. But trust me, if you’re okay with a quiet story you will be blown away by this book.
Note: I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s definitely not going to be a book for everyone who likes science fiction. In fact now that I think about it I wouldn’t really classify this as science fiction at all even though I guess it is. It felt to me more like a book that would win writing awards than one that would be turned into a movie. But trust me, if you’re okay with a quiet story you will be blown away by this book.
Note: I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2014
This is the story of an old woman, alone at the end of the world, overwhelmed with the task of caring for more people than she can handle. Along the way, she questions her religious and spiritual beliefs and wonders how she would be viewed if someone else could see what she has to go through. I could really feel her pain in not being able to care for everyone and questioning what she should do. I loved how even though religion and spirituality are discussed throughout much of the story, the author never came off as preachy. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought provoking story, regardless of what types of books they normally read.
One of the things readers will notice about this book is that while it has one main character isolated from the rest of the world, just like The Man Who Watched The World End, this book is completely different in the story it tells, the themes it covers, and the message it gets across.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things readers will notice about this book is that while it has one main character isolated from the rest of the world, just like The Man Who Watched The World End, this book is completely different in the story it tells, the themes it covers, and the message it gets across.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2014
Introduction:
I had shelved The Man Who Watched The World End a little while back. I'm a big fan of dystopian-y futures and the premise of it sounded really interesting so it caught my eye. Unfortunately, I have about 20 books I already own that I needed to get through before purchasing another. But then I looked up the e-book for The Hauntings of Playing God on Amazon…and it was only a DOLLAR. And anyone that knows me knows I love getting things for cheap (but mostly for nothing) so of course I bought it. Onwards!
What I Liked About It:
1) Morgan's internal struggle with morality and religion
Morgan's struggle was very well depicted. I loved how she was constantly questioning everything, because it was realistic. She's not well-adjusted to what's going on around her. I hate stories where something life changing happens and the characters just roll with it like it's no big deal. It makes them seem robotic and I find myself drifting away from the character. If they don't seem to care about what happens why should I? Her musings on religion and what would happen to her after her death were very thought-provoking without being preachy. A lot of the things she's feeling are things I myself have felt or thought about at some point in my life so I found her very relatable.
Also, every time she mentioned how she had to sacrifice a few Blocks so that all of them didn't suffer, all I could think of was Star Trek and Spock's whole: The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Now I really want someone to write like, a crossover fanfic with Spock as a caretaker.HOW GREAT WOULD THAT BE GUYS.
2) How dialogue was incorporated
I felt the way that dialogue and character interaction was incorporated within the book was very unique. With Morgan being the last known 'regular' person on earth, I was a little worried about how the book would play out. Most of the time, the way characters speak with each other and interact together is my favourite part of the book, and I was concerned this wouldn't have anything like that to keep me interested. While the Blocks can't speak, we get dialogue through Morgan's imagined conversations with them. It was definitely a creative take on the traditional back-and-forth of dialogue, knowing that she was 'speaking' for both sides. Her interactions with the Blocks helped to develop her character, showing us a side of her we might not see just through narrative. Not only that, but you can see how her tone and wording changes when she's sad, frustrated, etc. and it was a really neat way to bring about a change in mood for the book.
3) Personification of the blocks
I thought it was great that even though the Blocks can't really have personalities or stories of their own, Morgan and Elaine made some up for them. It keeps the reader interested because we're looking forward to hearing the next crazy tale that they have concocted. It also helps reinforce that – despite how it may seem – they are people. Without these stories, it would be much harder to sympathize with Morgan's struggle, but seeing the Blocks as she sees them makes it much more powerful.
Speaking of the Blocks, I loved the idea of them in general. I thought they were a really creative way to bring about the extinction of man – as opposed to a virus, alien invasion, etc. It allowed for a quieter, more intimate look at the end of the world which was a nice variation from the usual action filled romps end-of-the-world novels tend to be.
4) Morgan
Luckily, being the only 'real' character in the novel, Morgan was great. She's scared and she's vulnerable and her character really shows this in a powerful way. She's not the type of protagonist you would usually see in this type of book, which is really what drew me to this novel in the first place. I think she owns her role though and it was great to read about the progression of her character.
5) Repetition of ideas
I originally started writing about this under things I didn't like and then I started to think hey, that's actually very fitting and appropriate. So maybe I kind of like it now? There is a lot of repetition of ideas - disconnecting nutrient bags, storms, taking bodies to the incinerator, etc. and at first I thought it could get a bit tedious. Then I thought well hey, that's kind of appropriate right? Morgan's entire life is tedious; it's just one repetition after another, day after day. THIS IS SO APPROPRIATE NOW. When I looked at it from that point of view I really started to see how this repetition helps to not only set the tone of the book, but it really helps us relate to and sympathize with Morgan.
Speaking of repetition, I really loved the "life is measured" moments in the book. They really brought the scenes together and created another style of cohesiveness for the story. Here are some of my favourites!
"Maybe life is measured by the first time you have to hurt another living thing and by the moment that you can finally live in peace." (Kindle loc. 889)
"Maybe life is measured by the first time that you question your place in the world and by the final answer you come up with." (Kindle loc. 694)
What I Didn't Like About It:
1) Felt like more background on the Great De-evolution was needed
There were a few things I was confused about that I thought could have been explained better. For example, if Morgan is the last 'real' person in the world how is she able to e-mail people? Surely it requires people to keep the internet running. But that aside, how is there even electricity? I get there's the generators, but how do they work? Don't they require maintenance? Isn't it likely that over that long of a time, they would break down? I'm guessing this is stuff that is explained in more detail over the previous two books that take place in this dystopian world, but as a 'standalone' there's a lot of stuff that, to me, felt really unrealistic without proper explanation. I would have loved to learn more about this in general. It would be great to see how society reacts at the beginning of everything and seeing the progression of the De-evolution. I think the first book is something more like this? I'll have to read it and find out!
2) Kept waiting for something 'big' to happen
I got a little frustrated that everything that seemed like it could have been a big turning point in the book ended up being dreams. At the same time, I kinda understand why it's done that way and it does definitely fit the style and overall tone/mood of the book. It's just that, I'd be reading a scene like whoa, this is it; it's going to be real this time and such and such will happen! And then Morgan wakes up and I'm like asdflkjdfaflgd.
I guess I just kept waiting for that twist when but it never came, so I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that.
Favourite Passage:
"The tiny part in the back of her mind that knows every conversation she has with these Blocks, every personality she and Elaine have handed out, is nothing but a forgery, this part of her understands that if this becomes a case of murder, as opposed to doing what is necessary during hard times, it means that she is not simply a caretaker doing what is best for the entire home, but the final incarnation of Jack the Ripper or the Green River Killer. The little voice in the back of her head does not let her forget that if there is a serial killer, she is it." (Kindle loc. 1497)
Final Verdict:
This is a thinking person's novel! I can see it being required reading or something in a philosophy course. But like, one of those books you actually want to read, you know? I would absolutely recommend it to fans of the dystopian genre – though keep in mind it moves at a slower and quieter pace than most books in this category. It's also a great book for someone looking for a philosophical read. It's very unique in content and delivery so I'd recommend checking it out at least for that.
Rating:
Four stars!
I had shelved The Man Who Watched The World End a little while back. I'm a big fan of dystopian-y futures and the premise of it sounded really interesting so it caught my eye. Unfortunately, I have about 20 books I already own that I needed to get through before purchasing another. But then I looked up the e-book for The Hauntings of Playing God on Amazon…and it was only a DOLLAR. And anyone that knows me knows I love getting things for cheap (but mostly for nothing) so of course I bought it. Onwards!
What I Liked About It:
1) Morgan's internal struggle with morality and religion
Morgan's struggle was very well depicted. I loved how she was constantly questioning everything, because it was realistic. She's not well-adjusted to what's going on around her. I hate stories where something life changing happens and the characters just roll with it like it's no big deal. It makes them seem robotic and I find myself drifting away from the character. If they don't seem to care about what happens why should I? Her musings on religion and what would happen to her after her death were very thought-provoking without being preachy. A lot of the things she's feeling are things I myself have felt or thought about at some point in my life so I found her very relatable.
Also, every time she mentioned how she had to sacrifice a few Blocks so that all of them didn't suffer, all I could think of was Star Trek and Spock's whole: The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Now I really want someone to write like, a crossover fanfic with Spock as a caretaker.HOW GREAT WOULD THAT BE GUYS.
2) How dialogue was incorporated
I felt the way that dialogue and character interaction was incorporated within the book was very unique. With Morgan being the last known 'regular' person on earth, I was a little worried about how the book would play out. Most of the time, the way characters speak with each other and interact together is my favourite part of the book, and I was concerned this wouldn't have anything like that to keep me interested. While the Blocks can't speak, we get dialogue through Morgan's imagined conversations with them. It was definitely a creative take on the traditional back-and-forth of dialogue, knowing that she was 'speaking' for both sides. Her interactions with the Blocks helped to develop her character, showing us a side of her we might not see just through narrative. Not only that, but you can see how her tone and wording changes when she's sad, frustrated, etc. and it was a really neat way to bring about a change in mood for the book.
3) Personification of the blocks
I thought it was great that even though the Blocks can't really have personalities or stories of their own, Morgan and Elaine made some up for them. It keeps the reader interested because we're looking forward to hearing the next crazy tale that they have concocted. It also helps reinforce that – despite how it may seem – they are people. Without these stories, it would be much harder to sympathize with Morgan's struggle, but seeing the Blocks as she sees them makes it much more powerful.
Speaking of the Blocks, I loved the idea of them in general. I thought they were a really creative way to bring about the extinction of man – as opposed to a virus, alien invasion, etc. It allowed for a quieter, more intimate look at the end of the world which was a nice variation from the usual action filled romps end-of-the-world novels tend to be.
4) Morgan
Luckily, being the only 'real' character in the novel, Morgan was great. She's scared and she's vulnerable and her character really shows this in a powerful way. She's not the type of protagonist you would usually see in this type of book, which is really what drew me to this novel in the first place. I think she owns her role though and it was great to read about the progression of her character.
5) Repetition of ideas
I originally started writing about this under things I didn't like and then I started to think hey, that's actually very fitting and appropriate. So maybe I kind of like it now? There is a lot of repetition of ideas - disconnecting nutrient bags, storms, taking bodies to the incinerator, etc. and at first I thought it could get a bit tedious. Then I thought well hey, that's kind of appropriate right? Morgan's entire life is tedious; it's just one repetition after another, day after day. THIS IS SO APPROPRIATE NOW. When I looked at it from that point of view I really started to see how this repetition helps to not only set the tone of the book, but it really helps us relate to and sympathize with Morgan.
Speaking of repetition, I really loved the "life is measured" moments in the book. They really brought the scenes together and created another style of cohesiveness for the story. Here are some of my favourites!
"Maybe life is measured by the first time you have to hurt another living thing and by the moment that you can finally live in peace." (Kindle loc. 889)
"Maybe life is measured by the first time that you question your place in the world and by the final answer you come up with." (Kindle loc. 694)
What I Didn't Like About It:
1) Felt like more background on the Great De-evolution was needed
There were a few things I was confused about that I thought could have been explained better. For example, if Morgan is the last 'real' person in the world how is she able to e-mail people? Surely it requires people to keep the internet running. But that aside, how is there even electricity? I get there's the generators, but how do they work? Don't they require maintenance? Isn't it likely that over that long of a time, they would break down? I'm guessing this is stuff that is explained in more detail over the previous two books that take place in this dystopian world, but as a 'standalone' there's a lot of stuff that, to me, felt really unrealistic without proper explanation. I would have loved to learn more about this in general. It would be great to see how society reacts at the beginning of everything and seeing the progression of the De-evolution. I think the first book is something more like this? I'll have to read it and find out!
2) Kept waiting for something 'big' to happen
I got a little frustrated that everything that seemed like it could have been a big turning point in the book ended up being dreams. At the same time, I kinda understand why it's done that way and it does definitely fit the style and overall tone/mood of the book. It's just that, I'd be reading a scene like whoa, this is it; it's going to be real this time and such and such will happen! And then Morgan wakes up and I'm like asdflkjdfaflgd.
I guess I just kept waiting for that twist when but it never came, so I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that.
Favourite Passage:
"The tiny part in the back of her mind that knows every conversation she has with these Blocks, every personality she and Elaine have handed out, is nothing but a forgery, this part of her understands that if this becomes a case of murder, as opposed to doing what is necessary during hard times, it means that she is not simply a caretaker doing what is best for the entire home, but the final incarnation of Jack the Ripper or the Green River Killer. The little voice in the back of her head does not let her forget that if there is a serial killer, she is it." (Kindle loc. 1497)
Final Verdict:
This is a thinking person's novel! I can see it being required reading or something in a philosophy course. But like, one of those books you actually want to read, you know? I would absolutely recommend it to fans of the dystopian genre – though keep in mind it moves at a slower and quieter pace than most books in this category. It's also a great book for someone looking for a philosophical read. It's very unique in content and delivery so I'd recommend checking it out at least for that.
Rating:
Four stars!
December 1, 2014
I'm a crappy person.
The author provided me with a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. MONTHS AGO.
Here's the thing. I read one of the other books in The Great De-evolution series, The Man Who Watched the World End, and knew that this would not be up-lifting. There would not be a happy ending. Nor would there be a happy middle or beginning. I knew this would not be a light beach read (that is if we actually had any beaches remotely close to where I live).
So I had to brace myself.
I loaded up with cheap whiskey and Lorazepam (kidding...mostly).
I drew the blinds, hunkered down in the corner of the sectional, and began my bleak journey.
Those less prepared may give up. And miss an excellent (BUT TERRIFICALLY SAD) journey.
From reading The Man Who Watched the World End, I was familiar with certain explanations/characters/etc. of the book. If you haven't read that book, don't worry; they are explained well enough in this as well. If you have read that book, don't worry; it isn't so much that you'll get bored reading it again.
Shortly into the book, our MC, Morgan, becomes the only "normal" person left to take care of sixty-four Blocks in a high school gym. She has no idea what is going on in the outside world, as she hasn't been out for years. If you are unfamiliar with the series, it is easiest for me to compare Blocks to people in a (permanent from the time they are born until the day that they die) vegetative state. Taking care of sixty-four Blocks would be difficult for any one person, but Morgan is in her nineties, which makes this especially difficult. Imagine your grandmother or great-grandmother taking care of sixty-four other people her age (or older) that can do absolutely nothing for themselves.
I don't want to give anything away, so I'm going to do a generic like/dislike list.
I LIKED/LOVED/WAS STRUCK BY
1. The Questions
There are a lot of them brought up.
When does life begin?
When does life end?
How would you define murder?
Is there a God?
What is life?
Most people would have their own (strong) opinions on these questions. Would your opinion change if human reproduction was halted and you knew that eventually everyone would be dead?
I thought it was appropriate for Morgan's thoughts and opinions on these big picture questions to yo-yo back and forth although I am pretty sure I'd be all depressed in bed thinking -
2. The Day to Day Descriptions
The book is repetitive. Here's the thing: Morgan's life truly is/would be repetitive. She is getting out of bed each day to do the same thing. It is done from dawn to dusk (and later). There is no social interaction.
What does change is all in Morgan's head. The Blocks have been given life stories/careers. There is a singer, a stripper, a mountain climber, a Zen master, a comedian, a detective, multiple artists, even an evil mastermind. The "conversations" are completely made up. It sounds crazy. And maybe she is. But I'm not sure I'd blame her if she was.
3. The Writing
I love how different the story is from other post-apocalyptic books. This isn't a YA book. There is no "action," yet it still manages to be a page turner. The writing is really beautiful.
Before the Great De-evolution, Jarret loved painting landscapes of English cottages and Greek ruins. As mankind began to vanish from the Earth, he started painting scenes of abandoned farms, of caravans traveling south on barren landscapes, of jungle gyms that were rusted and falling apart without children to play on them.
4. That I Have to THINK
While there are things that are brought up that I may have not stopped to think about like that there would be no one left to love romantically, no one left to touch you if you were the last "normal" person left, there is also nothing so flushed out that you don't get to think about it on your own. I like to wonder how religious figures would have handled the De-evolution. I like to think about what it would have been like to have been a child during this time, a teenager, a young woman, an old woman. I like the freedom to imagine how it would be (while hoping at the same time that I will never have to know how it would be).
WHAT DIDN'T TICKLE MY FANCY
1. There is one word that I cannot stand. Seriously, just one. I hate to even type it, but I will. Piss. I cringe anytime I hear or read it when it is used in a "She took a piss" sort of way. I don't have this reaction when it is "She was pissed off." It's a personal turnoff.
2. The repetition. I know, I know...this was already in my like section. And I don't mind it when it is actions because I truly understand that there would be little variation in daily routines. But when it is the same thoughts with little to no variation over and over , I start wanting to skim bits. I also liked the idea of the nightmares Morgan was having and what they entailed except that she even had the same thoughts in and about her nightmares. I can only support repetition to a certain point before I start thinking that a chunk of it could have been cut out.
Despite the small downfalls of this one and the fact that I honestly liked The Man Who Watched the World End more, I found this to be as unique in the genre and as well-written as the other one.
4 outta 5
The author provided me with a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. MONTHS AGO.
Here's the thing. I read one of the other books in The Great De-evolution series, The Man Who Watched the World End, and knew that this would not be up-lifting. There would not be a happy ending. Nor would there be a happy middle or beginning. I knew this would not be a light beach read (that is if we actually had any beaches remotely close to where I live).
So I had to brace myself.
I loaded up with cheap whiskey and Lorazepam (kidding...mostly).
I drew the blinds, hunkered down in the corner of the sectional, and began my bleak journey.
Those less prepared may give up. And miss an excellent (BUT TERRIFICALLY SAD) journey.
From reading The Man Who Watched the World End, I was familiar with certain explanations/characters/etc. of the book. If you haven't read that book, don't worry; they are explained well enough in this as well. If you have read that book, don't worry; it isn't so much that you'll get bored reading it again.
Shortly into the book, our MC, Morgan, becomes the only "normal" person left to take care of sixty-four Blocks in a high school gym. She has no idea what is going on in the outside world, as she hasn't been out for years. If you are unfamiliar with the series, it is easiest for me to compare Blocks to people in a (permanent from the time they are born until the day that they die) vegetative state. Taking care of sixty-four Blocks would be difficult for any one person, but Morgan is in her nineties, which makes this especially difficult. Imagine your grandmother or great-grandmother taking care of sixty-four other people her age (or older) that can do absolutely nothing for themselves.
I don't want to give anything away, so I'm going to do a generic like/dislike list.
I LIKED/LOVED/WAS STRUCK BY
1. The Questions
There are a lot of them brought up.
When does life begin?
When does life end?
How would you define murder?
Is there a God?
What is life?
Most people would have their own (strong) opinions on these questions. Would your opinion change if human reproduction was halted and you knew that eventually everyone would be dead?
I thought it was appropriate for Morgan's thoughts and opinions on these big picture questions to yo-yo back and forth although I am pretty sure I'd be all depressed in bed thinking -
2. The Day to Day Descriptions
The book is repetitive. Here's the thing: Morgan's life truly is/would be repetitive. She is getting out of bed each day to do the same thing. It is done from dawn to dusk (and later). There is no social interaction.
What does change is all in Morgan's head. The Blocks have been given life stories/careers. There is a singer, a stripper, a mountain climber, a Zen master, a comedian, a detective, multiple artists, even an evil mastermind. The "conversations" are completely made up. It sounds crazy. And maybe she is. But I'm not sure I'd blame her if she was.
3. The Writing
I love how different the story is from other post-apocalyptic books. This isn't a YA book. There is no "action," yet it still manages to be a page turner. The writing is really beautiful.
Before the Great De-evolution, Jarret loved painting landscapes of English cottages and Greek ruins. As mankind began to vanish from the Earth, he started painting scenes of abandoned farms, of caravans traveling south on barren landscapes, of jungle gyms that were rusted and falling apart without children to play on them.
4. That I Have to THINK
While there are things that are brought up that I may have not stopped to think about like that there would be no one left to love romantically, no one left to touch you if you were the last "normal" person left, there is also nothing so flushed out that you don't get to think about it on your own. I like to wonder how religious figures would have handled the De-evolution. I like to think about what it would have been like to have been a child during this time, a teenager, a young woman, an old woman. I like the freedom to imagine how it would be (while hoping at the same time that I will never have to know how it would be).
WHAT DIDN'T TICKLE MY FANCY
1. There is one word that I cannot stand. Seriously, just one. I hate to even type it, but I will. Piss. I cringe anytime I hear or read it when it is used in a "She took a piss" sort of way. I don't have this reaction when it is "She was pissed off." It's a personal turnoff.
2. The repetition. I know, I know...this was already in my like section. And I don't mind it when it is actions because I truly understand that there would be little variation in daily routines. But when it is the same thoughts with little to no variation over and over , I start wanting to skim bits. I also liked the idea of the nightmares Morgan was having and what they entailed except that she even had the same thoughts in and about her nightmares. I can only support repetition to a certain point before I start thinking that a chunk of it could have been cut out.
Despite the small downfalls of this one and the fact that I honestly liked The Man Who Watched the World End more, I found this to be as unique in the genre and as well-written as the other one.
4 outta 5
June 12, 2019
Groundhog Day
I really struggled with this one... it just seemed to be the same chapter over and over with no development. You already know what’s going to happen at the end so you want something exciting in the middle. There were a couple of interesting events and concepts but overall I had to force myself to finish it. I think it would’ve worked a lot better if it had been compressed into a 100 page novella.
I really struggled with this one... it just seemed to be the same chapter over and over with no development. You already know what’s going to happen at the end so you want something exciting in the middle. There were a couple of interesting events and concepts but overall I had to force myself to finish it. I think it would’ve worked a lot better if it had been compressed into a 100 page novella.
December 30, 2021
Boooooring.
September 15, 2020
Great book
This book gave me a lot to think about. It was fantastic. I now need to go back and read the rest of the series.
This book gave me a lot to think about. It was fantastic. I now need to go back and read the rest of the series.
December 15, 2020
honestly kind of disappointing. out of the series this book was probably the one i was most excited to read. chris dietzel has a great concept with this series and created such an interesting world, but i think i might have just gotten burnt out from reading all 3 books back to back. (but also he could have done better with this one i think lol sorry).
December 15, 2018
'don't let them get me'.
quickish review:
this is not an action story. this is post-apocalyptic but the apocalypse happened "not with a bang but a whimper". the most action happens when our protagonist shuffles from one bed to the next. the real 'action' happens in the thoughts of the protagonist while shuffling.
this is built of memories and fear. fear of the future, fear of screwing up the present, fear of remembering the past. fear of guilt, fear of god, fear of doing right, fear of being just, and fear of being alone - not just alone but the last person on earth. being completely beholden to nearly one hundred other people who will die without you ... but you are completely alone.
this one reminds me of a back to front version - a fully limbed version - of johnny got his gun by dalton trumbo, being so completely trapped inside oneself, but here our protagonist is trapped inside herself with 64 people who want to destroy her for caring for them.
a fair bit of theme repetition but when you're 93 years old and spend every single day alone in a massive gymnasium/warehouse and have nothing to do but the same thing over and over throughout the day and every subsequent day ... there's going to be some repetition. how do you not go insane in that situation.
this is high horror for philosophers and those questioning their place at the end of life. I love the existentialist ponderings and religious philosophical discourse.
you should make your children read this.
you should read this.
my rating: 5 nutrient bags out of 5
n.b.: i've upped my rating from 4 to 5 purely because this book has stayed with me. i don't think i will ever forget this one.
quickish review:
this is not an action story. this is post-apocalyptic but the apocalypse happened "not with a bang but a whimper". the most action happens when our protagonist shuffles from one bed to the next. the real 'action' happens in the thoughts of the protagonist while shuffling.
this is built of memories and fear. fear of the future, fear of screwing up the present, fear of remembering the past. fear of guilt, fear of god, fear of doing right, fear of being just, and fear of being alone - not just alone but the last person on earth. being completely beholden to nearly one hundred other people who will die without you ... but you are completely alone.
this one reminds me of a back to front version - a fully limbed version - of johnny got his gun by dalton trumbo, being so completely trapped inside oneself, but here our protagonist is trapped inside herself with 64 people who want to destroy her for caring for them.
a fair bit of theme repetition but when you're 93 years old and spend every single day alone in a massive gymnasium/warehouse and have nothing to do but the same thing over and over throughout the day and every subsequent day ... there's going to be some repetition. how do you not go insane in that situation.
this is high horror for philosophers and those questioning their place at the end of life. I love the existentialist ponderings and religious philosophical discourse.
you should make your children read this.
you should read this.
'She doesn’t know what will be next. It no longer matters. Maybe life doesn’t start the first time you smile and end the last time something makes you happy. Maybe it isn’t defined by the first and last time you believe in something greater than yourself. Maybe life isn’t measured in heartbeats or curiosity or even in acts of love.
Maybe life is whatever you make of it.'
my rating: 5 nutrient bags out of 5
n.b.: i've upped my rating from 4 to 5 purely because this book has stayed with me. i don't think i will ever forget this one.
July 11, 2015
One of the most boring pointless books I have ever read.
Page after page of a 93 year old woman reciting imagined lives of comatose patients in her care.
And when it appears that something is about to happen it turns out to be just a dream. Then you get page after page of her talking about her dreams. If there is anything more dull than listening to someone talking about their dreams it is reading about them instead.
Page after page of a 93 year old woman reciting imagined lives of comatose patients in her care.
And when it appears that something is about to happen it turns out to be just a dream. Then you get page after page of her talking about her dreams. If there is anything more dull than listening to someone talking about their dreams it is reading about them instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2014
Masterpieces
Just finished. All three books are masterpieces. If the author pulled them now, they would in time end up being sold for $300 and up each. This and the author's other 2 books rank with "The Stand" and Pat Frank's classic "Alas, Babylon".
Just finished. All three books are masterpieces. If the author pulled them now, they would in time end up being sold for $300 and up each. This and the author's other 2 books rank with "The Stand" and Pat Frank's classic "Alas, Babylon".
August 1, 2015
Very interesting take on the end of human life! Thought provoking but slightly depressing, but if I was a 93 year old woman dealing with being the last functioning human alive I might get a little bummed too. I'm not gonna lie, the part with the kittens hit me where my feelings are
January 11, 2018
This is a devastating end to the De-Evolution series. By using "The Stranger", the concept of the absurdity of life is introduced to this series and what can be more absurd than the last woman on earth, ninety-three years old, feeling the obligation to continue caring for sixty-four Blocks that are only alive in the sense that their hearts are beating? This woman almost kills herself taking care of the Blocks. Still, you have to ask: Does it matter? They are all dead anyway. This books asks over and over: What makes life worth living?
There are two caretakers at the start of the book--Elaine and Morgen. To make their work less monotonous, they name and create life stories for the Blocks. Looking in, you can see the danger in this when two women in their nineties start inventing different realities for people that really don't exist.
Elaine gets sick and dies, but her last words haunt Morgen: "In my dreams...they come for me in my sleep...at the end..."
Morgen is then alone to care for sixty-four blocks. All her contacts in the outside world have stopped emailing her, so she believes she is the last living normal person on earth. She tries to care for all of them, but she is ninety-three, and she just can't do it. The question is: why does she think she has to do it? They are all dead. When she dies, all the Blocks will die, so why is she killing herself trying to take care of them? Absurd.
She starts to kill the Blocks. She just disconnects their feeding tubes and they die overnight. She thinks she is playing God and she soon starts to pay for it. She has deep conversations with the Blocks she and Elaine gave names and lives to. They talk about religion, God, life, death...everything that leads her to ask: What is life? What is death? What am I doing?
I won't go any further in describing the end of this series, just know that it is devastating and may leave you feeling sick, questioning the meaning of life. Elaine's final words are prophetic.
This entire series makes you ask what constitutes life? Are the Blocks alive? Does a beating heart indicate life, even if the person with the heart can do nothing but blink their eyes every once in a while? Should the Blocks have been kept alive? Could parents really, truly love a child that never expresses anything? Why did people keep having babies after the Blocks were born? Hope? Desperation? Did they think science and medicine would find a cure?
It is absurd to think that an entire race lived to create systems to take care of Blocks that never said a word, never looked anyone in the eye, never ate or drank anything, never loved, never, never, never? Would it have been an unforgiveable sin to let the Blocks die? Who would determine if it was an unforgiveable sin?
At the same time, the human race still had the ingenuity, creativity, and foresight to create food processors, incinerators, and generators for every single home? They planned for their demise, for when they could no longer take care of themselves...but, they expected the last remaining humans to care for the last remaining Blocks?
Morgen "discussed" these things with philosophers and religious leaders of all faiths. Of course, she was talking to herself, so she was trying to decide if it was ok to just stop. Just rest. Just look at the sun and the birds until her life was over. No matter what the answer, the end would be the same. That's what happens when you're the last human on earth.
There are two caretakers at the start of the book--Elaine and Morgen. To make their work less monotonous, they name and create life stories for the Blocks. Looking in, you can see the danger in this when two women in their nineties start inventing different realities for people that really don't exist.
Elaine gets sick and dies, but her last words haunt Morgen: "In my dreams...they come for me in my sleep...at the end..."
Morgen is then alone to care for sixty-four blocks. All her contacts in the outside world have stopped emailing her, so she believes she is the last living normal person on earth. She tries to care for all of them, but she is ninety-three, and she just can't do it. The question is: why does she think she has to do it? They are all dead. When she dies, all the Blocks will die, so why is she killing herself trying to take care of them? Absurd.
She starts to kill the Blocks. She just disconnects their feeding tubes and they die overnight. She thinks she is playing God and she soon starts to pay for it. She has deep conversations with the Blocks she and Elaine gave names and lives to. They talk about religion, God, life, death...everything that leads her to ask: What is life? What is death? What am I doing?
I won't go any further in describing the end of this series, just know that it is devastating and may leave you feeling sick, questioning the meaning of life. Elaine's final words are prophetic.
This entire series makes you ask what constitutes life? Are the Blocks alive? Does a beating heart indicate life, even if the person with the heart can do nothing but blink their eyes every once in a while? Should the Blocks have been kept alive? Could parents really, truly love a child that never expresses anything? Why did people keep having babies after the Blocks were born? Hope? Desperation? Did they think science and medicine would find a cure?
It is absurd to think that an entire race lived to create systems to take care of Blocks that never said a word, never looked anyone in the eye, never ate or drank anything, never loved, never, never, never? Would it have been an unforgiveable sin to let the Blocks die? Who would determine if it was an unforgiveable sin?
At the same time, the human race still had the ingenuity, creativity, and foresight to create food processors, incinerators, and generators for every single home? They planned for their demise, for when they could no longer take care of themselves...but, they expected the last remaining humans to care for the last remaining Blocks?
Morgen "discussed" these things with philosophers and religious leaders of all faiths. Of course, she was talking to herself, so she was trying to decide if it was ok to just stop. Just rest. Just look at the sun and the birds until her life was over. No matter what the answer, the end would be the same. That's what happens when you're the last human on earth.
September 2, 2014
The Hauntings of Playing God: Chris Dietzel
Living in the world not able to speak, fend for yourself, walk, move or even appreciate an simple thing like the sunshine is what many people in the world created by author Chris Dietzel face each day. A block is defined as a “large solid piece of hard material especially rock, stone or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side.” A block is solid, cannot be bent or dented except if hammered, and has no emotion or emotional attachment to its owner. Imagine living in world where some can understand and work to achieve their goals and the rest are confined to wheelchairs, feeding tubes and life support systems that have to be tended to and operated by others. Imagine living in a vacuum that engulfs your body, mind and spirit and you have no way of finding you way out. What happens when some are left to care for those that cannot function on their own? What happens when children are born that are alive because you know they are breathing but that’s all? What happens when some are designated as caregivers over many and left to tend to their needs often to the neglect of their own? Within this novel many moral and ethical questions come to light and readers will have to decide if our main character: Morgan, whom you will meet and get to know should be charged with murder or were her actions as a result of allowing some to survive and keeping her spirit going? What happens when you are the last person on earth or at least the only one that you know is still alive and you feel that responsible for the lives of many others who cannot speak, verbalize, rebel, question, say thank you, appreciate you or respond to you in any way. Blocks are what they are called and you are their only hope for survival. What would you do if they were entrusted to your care living in a gymnasium filled with the basic necessities of life to help sustain them and hopefully you? Before there were four and now there is only one!
Morgan and Elaine before she passed away cared for 64 Blocks or adults that could not care for themselves. The Book of Life has many stories and they created their own for each Block. One was a Slasher, two pilots, a runner, murderer, comedian or even a detective giving each Block a personality, a voice and a soul to be heard. But, reality would set in and her days were numbered and marked by long hours of caring for so many. What is her recourse when no one was out there to guide her? What would you do in order to survive and care for those that could not care for themselves? Morgan deals with her own feelings about God, her wondering if God turned people into Blocks and thinking he would never do that. The Great De-evolution: Things just happened! If God created beauty and nature why would the world end up so destroyed? Who caused the Blocks? Is there an afterlife and will the Blocks be like her when they pass? How do you look into their eyes knowing that you can do just so much and not more?
Nightmares plague her; guilt surrounds her daily as she hears the voices of many of those who she cares for haunting her dreams as she decides in her own way to play God. Taking away the nourishment of some of the Blocks would ease up her burden and make it not as difficult to care for the rest. But, even that goes against her as she becomes ill several times only to awaken to find many of her Blocks dead from lack of nourishment, water and care. Just how guilty does she feel? Were those she cared for within her nightmares judging her?
Imagining the world as she would like to envision it with nature blooming, meeting someone special, having parents, finding friendship and waking up from this nightmare. There are days when Morgan thinks that God is keeping her alive until: she believes in him why keep her alive? Is she supposed to understand his master plan and if so what is the rationale for what has happened to her and others? Does he want her to repent for her sins and make up for her blunders? Yet, no matter how despondent she feels and how downcast her life she forges ahead and feels responsible for each and every human life that is in her charge? But Why? Is she getting paid to care for them? Would anyone know if she killed them all and left? Is anyone watching her? How does she manage to get food and sustenance and keep her sanity? Choices are made and Morgan has to find a way to live with them although at times she is haunted by her actions through the words of those Blocks that the author allows readers to get to know by hearing their thoughts and voices as if they were just like Morgan. Deciding who lives and dies is God’s job but now it has been given to Morgan by Morgan in order to alleviate her burden and eliminate so many that need care in order to enable the rest to survive.
The role of a caregiver as I know from personal experience is a special one. Caring for someone who is incapable of addressing their everyday needs requires a special person and someone who is selfless and caring. But, as the author relates Morgan’s thoughts it is made easier because some patients like the Blocks do not complain, request more time spent with them, fight, yell or argue. Is this the way the world stopped wars, terrorism and disagreements? Silencing voices that might offer different viewpoints, dissention, and opposing views, by creating Blocks these would be silenced. Peace: is this the way it was finally created?
As Morgan weakens and becomes incapable of caring for so many some will die and her mind might create scenes that would lead the reader to believe she is becoming delusional. One Block named Rachel she thought was staring at her but why? Is she staring at her and can she show any type of emotion or are they just blank eyes looking at her for answers that no one can give them? Is Rachel hostile towards her? Does she want to hurt Morgan?
Humanity: Is this what is meant for them? How does she keep on going and why? Nightmares come daily. Guilt plagues her day and night and each dream brings on the next one with one of her Blocks standing close enough to end it all. “ Is life measured by the amount of times you feel in control of your future and the amount of times you feel powerless?” But, within the last few pages the reader can begin to wonder as Morgan does: do you have everything figured out? Do you see things for yourself or through the eyes of others? Do you appreciate the birds, the sun and just being alive? Who will take on the role if she dies? Will anyone even care? Did Morgan really do the best she can or did she play God too often with the lives of those she chose to end? An ending that is quite powerful and will send the reader wondering what is real, what is next for Morgan and everyone and just what would happen if this became a reality? What would you do if you were Morgan? Blocks are trapped within their own bodies and even if you think they have thoughts and they might they cannot express them, show emotions or even cry when in pain. Who knows! Maybe in the next life they will be like everyone else. So, maybe we all need to learn some important lessons: appreciate your life. Appreciate those who love you and embrace the good and not the bad. Care for those that cannot care for themselves. Cherish what you have. Responsibility or penance: Love of people or just because she thought she should: If you were Morgan what would you have done? The Hauntings of Playing God will haunt you long after The Dreams and Nightmares End! Once again author Chris Dietzel has hit the mark even higher with this book that will get readers thinking and raises many moral and ethical issues about life. Is Morgan guilty of a crime or did she just do what she needed to survive and safe others?
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Living in the world not able to speak, fend for yourself, walk, move or even appreciate an simple thing like the sunshine is what many people in the world created by author Chris Dietzel face each day. A block is defined as a “large solid piece of hard material especially rock, stone or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side.” A block is solid, cannot be bent or dented except if hammered, and has no emotion or emotional attachment to its owner. Imagine living in world where some can understand and work to achieve their goals and the rest are confined to wheelchairs, feeding tubes and life support systems that have to be tended to and operated by others. Imagine living in a vacuum that engulfs your body, mind and spirit and you have no way of finding you way out. What happens when some are left to care for those that cannot function on their own? What happens when children are born that are alive because you know they are breathing but that’s all? What happens when some are designated as caregivers over many and left to tend to their needs often to the neglect of their own? Within this novel many moral and ethical questions come to light and readers will have to decide if our main character: Morgan, whom you will meet and get to know should be charged with murder or were her actions as a result of allowing some to survive and keeping her spirit going? What happens when you are the last person on earth or at least the only one that you know is still alive and you feel that responsible for the lives of many others who cannot speak, verbalize, rebel, question, say thank you, appreciate you or respond to you in any way. Blocks are what they are called and you are their only hope for survival. What would you do if they were entrusted to your care living in a gymnasium filled with the basic necessities of life to help sustain them and hopefully you? Before there were four and now there is only one!
Morgan and Elaine before she passed away cared for 64 Blocks or adults that could not care for themselves. The Book of Life has many stories and they created their own for each Block. One was a Slasher, two pilots, a runner, murderer, comedian or even a detective giving each Block a personality, a voice and a soul to be heard. But, reality would set in and her days were numbered and marked by long hours of caring for so many. What is her recourse when no one was out there to guide her? What would you do in order to survive and care for those that could not care for themselves? Morgan deals with her own feelings about God, her wondering if God turned people into Blocks and thinking he would never do that. The Great De-evolution: Things just happened! If God created beauty and nature why would the world end up so destroyed? Who caused the Blocks? Is there an afterlife and will the Blocks be like her when they pass? How do you look into their eyes knowing that you can do just so much and not more?
Nightmares plague her; guilt surrounds her daily as she hears the voices of many of those who she cares for haunting her dreams as she decides in her own way to play God. Taking away the nourishment of some of the Blocks would ease up her burden and make it not as difficult to care for the rest. But, even that goes against her as she becomes ill several times only to awaken to find many of her Blocks dead from lack of nourishment, water and care. Just how guilty does she feel? Were those she cared for within her nightmares judging her?
Imagining the world as she would like to envision it with nature blooming, meeting someone special, having parents, finding friendship and waking up from this nightmare. There are days when Morgan thinks that God is keeping her alive until: she believes in him why keep her alive? Is she supposed to understand his master plan and if so what is the rationale for what has happened to her and others? Does he want her to repent for her sins and make up for her blunders? Yet, no matter how despondent she feels and how downcast her life she forges ahead and feels responsible for each and every human life that is in her charge? But Why? Is she getting paid to care for them? Would anyone know if she killed them all and left? Is anyone watching her? How does she manage to get food and sustenance and keep her sanity? Choices are made and Morgan has to find a way to live with them although at times she is haunted by her actions through the words of those Blocks that the author allows readers to get to know by hearing their thoughts and voices as if they were just like Morgan. Deciding who lives and dies is God’s job but now it has been given to Morgan by Morgan in order to alleviate her burden and eliminate so many that need care in order to enable the rest to survive.
The role of a caregiver as I know from personal experience is a special one. Caring for someone who is incapable of addressing their everyday needs requires a special person and someone who is selfless and caring. But, as the author relates Morgan’s thoughts it is made easier because some patients like the Blocks do not complain, request more time spent with them, fight, yell or argue. Is this the way the world stopped wars, terrorism and disagreements? Silencing voices that might offer different viewpoints, dissention, and opposing views, by creating Blocks these would be silenced. Peace: is this the way it was finally created?
As Morgan weakens and becomes incapable of caring for so many some will die and her mind might create scenes that would lead the reader to believe she is becoming delusional. One Block named Rachel she thought was staring at her but why? Is she staring at her and can she show any type of emotion or are they just blank eyes looking at her for answers that no one can give them? Is Rachel hostile towards her? Does she want to hurt Morgan?
Humanity: Is this what is meant for them? How does she keep on going and why? Nightmares come daily. Guilt plagues her day and night and each dream brings on the next one with one of her Blocks standing close enough to end it all. “ Is life measured by the amount of times you feel in control of your future and the amount of times you feel powerless?” But, within the last few pages the reader can begin to wonder as Morgan does: do you have everything figured out? Do you see things for yourself or through the eyes of others? Do you appreciate the birds, the sun and just being alive? Who will take on the role if she dies? Will anyone even care? Did Morgan really do the best she can or did she play God too often with the lives of those she chose to end? An ending that is quite powerful and will send the reader wondering what is real, what is next for Morgan and everyone and just what would happen if this became a reality? What would you do if you were Morgan? Blocks are trapped within their own bodies and even if you think they have thoughts and they might they cannot express them, show emotions or even cry when in pain. Who knows! Maybe in the next life they will be like everyone else. So, maybe we all need to learn some important lessons: appreciate your life. Appreciate those who love you and embrace the good and not the bad. Care for those that cannot care for themselves. Cherish what you have. Responsibility or penance: Love of people or just because she thought she should: If you were Morgan what would you have done? The Hauntings of Playing God will haunt you long after The Dreams and Nightmares End! Once again author Chris Dietzel has hit the mark even higher with this book that will get readers thinking and raises many moral and ethical issues about life. Is Morgan guilty of a crime or did she just do what she needed to survive and safe others?
Fran Lewis: reviewer
August 15, 2019
HORRIBLE BOOK. I absolutely hated this book. The synopsis was a much more interesting read than the book itself. SPOILER ALERT AHEAD.
This book was 200 pages of an old woman attempting to take care of people who were born in a vegetative state (called blocks), but were meant to be cared for until they died of old age themselves. The old woman was the last "responsive" "functioning" human being left alive on planet Earth, and due to her age she was unable to care for the amount of "blocks" that were left in her care. As a result she would disconnect the nutrient bags that kept them alive one block at a time so that she could hopefully keep up with the rest. The night that she would disconnect the bag, she would have nightmares about the blocks coming to kill her. WASH. RINSE. REPEAT. For two hundred pages this was the only plot line of the story. Except of course the part where she got sick because she was over working herself trying to take care of these unresponsive people. During her 3 days worth of sickness, a good group of blocks died, allowing her to be more attentive to the remaining ones until she again falls behind and has to start disconnecting nutrient bags once again. Of course once she comes to this point, she begins having nightmares again. WASH. RINSE. REPEAT. It was an absolutely ridiculous book that seemed to be written by someone without much of an imagination. END OF SPOILER.
If you read the spoiler, I hope it saves you the amount of time it would take to read the 200 pages in this book. If you didn't read the spoiler, I would really consider going back and reading it before picking up this book and wasting your time. I guess that of course depends on how much you value your time but if I could have been warned by someone about this book I would have really appreciated it. I try really hard to not ever leave a 100% negative review of a book but unfortunately I can't find any redeeming qualities about this one. I will be going back and reading some of the reviews that other people have left to see what other people thought. I just wish this book had more substance over all.
This book was 200 pages of an old woman attempting to take care of people who were born in a vegetative state (called blocks), but were meant to be cared for until they died of old age themselves. The old woman was the last "responsive" "functioning" human being left alive on planet Earth, and due to her age she was unable to care for the amount of "blocks" that were left in her care. As a result she would disconnect the nutrient bags that kept them alive one block at a time so that she could hopefully keep up with the rest. The night that she would disconnect the bag, she would have nightmares about the blocks coming to kill her. WASH. RINSE. REPEAT. For two hundred pages this was the only plot line of the story. Except of course the part where she got sick because she was over working herself trying to take care of these unresponsive people. During her 3 days worth of sickness, a good group of blocks died, allowing her to be more attentive to the remaining ones until she again falls behind and has to start disconnecting nutrient bags once again. Of course once she comes to this point, she begins having nightmares again. WASH. RINSE. REPEAT. It was an absolutely ridiculous book that seemed to be written by someone without much of an imagination. END OF SPOILER.
If you read the spoiler, I hope it saves you the amount of time it would take to read the 200 pages in this book. If you didn't read the spoiler, I would really consider going back and reading it before picking up this book and wasting your time. I guess that of course depends on how much you value your time but if I could have been warned by someone about this book I would have really appreciated it. I try really hard to not ever leave a 100% negative review of a book but unfortunately I can't find any redeeming qualities about this one. I will be going back and reading some of the reviews that other people have left to see what other people thought. I just wish this book had more substance over all.
November 20, 2017
Kindle unlimited, though some of his are and some are not; depressing, but then again rather assume these type stories usually are. The one not included is The Last Teacher (The Great De-evolution) {not sure where this one belongs in the order of books} mentioned at end in list of these books, but my mind gets tired after reading so many back to back.
Everyone is dead. All that remains is an old woman and a gymnasium full of unresponsive bodies. Each day, another storm approaches, threatening to destroy the building they call home. Each night, a series of nightmares leaves the woman screaming for help. Alone and overwhelmed, will the final member of the human race be thought of as a caretaker or as a monster? THE HAUNTINGS OF PLAYING GOD is a story about the possibilities each life holds. It is also a lesson about the importance of believing in something greater than yourself.
The Complete Collection presents all three Great De-evolution books in one volume for the first time. Be warned, these are not stories for people who need action sequences or pretty endings. But if you love introspective, reflective stories or want a different take on the end of mankind, these stories are for you.
The Man Who Watched The World End
A Different Alchemy
The Hauntings of Playing God
The Great De-evolution: The Complete Collection
The Last Teacher (The Great De-evolution) {not sure where this one belongs in the order of books}
Everyone is dead. All that remains is an old woman and a gymnasium full of unresponsive bodies. Each day, another storm approaches, threatening to destroy the building they call home. Each night, a series of nightmares leaves the woman screaming for help. Alone and overwhelmed, will the final member of the human race be thought of as a caretaker or as a monster? THE HAUNTINGS OF PLAYING GOD is a story about the possibilities each life holds. It is also a lesson about the importance of believing in something greater than yourself.
The Complete Collection presents all three Great De-evolution books in one volume for the first time. Be warned, these are not stories for people who need action sequences or pretty endings. But if you love introspective, reflective stories or want a different take on the end of mankind, these stories are for you.
The Man Who Watched The World End
A Different Alchemy
The Hauntings of Playing God
The Great De-evolution: The Complete Collection
The Last Teacher (The Great De-evolution) {not sure where this one belongs in the order of books}
July 28, 2022
Having read the other two books and a prequel, this was a let down. I didnt love going back to the "old person at the end caring for others" that terrain felt adequately traveled in book 1. The horror/thriller aspect of it was not really welcome. Part of what I liked about the other books was their general slow depressing trod through this wasteland of life.
But what really turned me off was the religiosity of it all in this book. The wrestling of what constitutes life, where things begin, where they end that was all interesting. But the God part of it, wondering about afterlife's and what sort of deity could or would intentionally create this reality, just not what I wanted.
A shimmer of good from this book was that it really turned my mind on the idea of blocks and the caring of them. The first books made me ting that they were lives and the people caring for them were selfless and good, taking care of others for love. But this book kind of made me think about it the other way, that maybe the blocks - whatever feelings they could feel - would just rather not be forced to live through their nothingness or their everything or whatever. That maybe this ladies nightmares was her guilt for keeping these lifeless bodies functioning generally against their will.
But what really turned me off was the religiosity of it all in this book. The wrestling of what constitutes life, where things begin, where they end that was all interesting. But the God part of it, wondering about afterlife's and what sort of deity could or would intentionally create this reality, just not what I wanted.
A shimmer of good from this book was that it really turned my mind on the idea of blocks and the caring of them. The first books made me ting that they were lives and the people caring for them were selfless and good, taking care of others for love. But this book kind of made me think about it the other way, that maybe the blocks - whatever feelings they could feel - would just rather not be forced to live through their nothingness or their everything or whatever. That maybe this ladies nightmares was her guilt for keeping these lifeless bodies functioning generally against their will.
July 21, 2018
I had to double check before I wrote this review to make sure this book was categorized as Horror. I'm not a blood an guts horror reader so I don't need that sort of thing to keep my interest, but this book had me skipping whole sections, which is something I never do. While the writing was good (hence the 2 stars), the repeating chapters on religion and the musings on the existence of a higher power became annoying. Maybe reading the other books in the series would've made this book better, but I can't see how it would lift it from the slow, slow pace. If you want a book on the existence, or non-existence of God, and what it means to truly be alone, this book is for you.
January 16, 2022
Another good meditation on the end of civilization and how those at the end would face their deaths. Depressing of course but well done. A bit repetitious as the days go on very similar to each other, but some good points are brought up to consider and think about. An interesting series, and one I'm not tired of after 3 volumes - I'm curious what the other books focus on and will continue reading them.
September 16, 2018
third book set in the "block" world. this one dealt with an elderly woman who was taking care of a group home full of blocks. when the only other caretaker dies she is left alone to deal with them. the theme of this book seemed to be "when does life begin, when does it end" and "what happens after death".
October 24, 2018
This story tackkes the question of what happens when the extinction of humankind takes 100 years. While I haven't read any of the other de-evolution stories. If they are all this quality I would be happy with reading them. This on was not an easy topic to tackle but an interesting way of approaching it.
March 20, 2021
This one is definitely the creepiest and darkest of the novels in this series...and its definitely my favorite of the series so far. As with the other books in the series...this world is just fascinating. I try to imagine what it would be like to live in this world...what would I do if I were in this situation? Those thoughts could keep you up at night. This was free with audible plus.
April 9, 2019
This was a difficult book to read. It felt like long and neverending streaming thought of consciousness. Although there were many thoughts worth pondering over, like knowing the reason for our existence, all I kept thinking was this poor woman was already in hell.
December 17, 2023
From what I can tell this is book three in a four book series and as of right now I’ve enjoyed this one the most. It really makes you look at life and survival from multiple perspectives. I’m intrigued as to what the fourth book holds!
August 26, 2017
Mesmerizing, moving, and thought provoking.
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