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In the Beginning
It’s a God’s life.
Albert Meadows, recently made redundant and tired of his disappointing life, is looking to make a new start and is desperate to find something worthwhile to fill his time.
So, what could be better than creating a brand new universe of his own, in his garden shed?
But, when he introduces intelligent life to his new universe, things don’t turn out as he planned, especially when the tribes on his planet each create their opposing gods in his image.
Now Albert must rescue the people on his creation from themselves and the warring religions they’ve created.
All before his people destroy each other in a war to end all wars over which version of Albert they believe in.
Albert Meadows, recently made redundant and tired of his disappointing life, is looking to make a new start and is desperate to find something worthwhile to fill his time.
So, what could be better than creating a brand new universe of his own, in his garden shed?
But, when he introduces intelligent life to his new universe, things don’t turn out as he planned, especially when the tribes on his planet each create their opposing gods in his image.
Now Albert must rescue the people on his creation from themselves and the warring religions they’ve created.
All before his people destroy each other in a war to end all wars over which version of Albert they believe in.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2016
7 people want to read
About the author
David Hadley
24 books20 followersA bloke who writes stuff.
David Hadley was born in 1959. He is married with three children and lives in the Black Country, UK.
David Hadley was born in 1959. He is married with three children and lives in the Black Country, UK.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 22, 2016
In this light-hearted novel, Albert, recently made redundant, takes up a new hobby, urged by his friend, Pete. He buys his own, tiny universe which he sets up in his shed and monitors via his computer. It sounds great. He can add moons, extra planets and, interestingly, people. Poor Albert doesn't realise what he's got himself into.
This book is full of gentle, wistful humour and a good deal of wisdom. Albert, though the creator, and able to manifest himself to the people on his world, is frequently baffled at their stubbornness and idiocy. His own life is baffling to him too. There are some great scenes in the job centre when the simplest thing rapidly runs out of control. He also has to keep his wife sweet, try to understand his friend Pete and avoid Pete's wife Jenny whenever possible. Superficially just a fun read, this gives plenty to ponder on too. Very enjoyable.
This book is full of gentle, wistful humour and a good deal of wisdom. Albert, though the creator, and able to manifest himself to the people on his world, is frequently baffled at their stubbornness and idiocy. His own life is baffling to him too. There are some great scenes in the job centre when the simplest thing rapidly runs out of control. He also has to keep his wife sweet, try to understand his friend Pete and avoid Pete's wife Jenny whenever possible. Superficially just a fun read, this gives plenty to ponder on too. Very enjoyable.
October 30, 2016
This gem of a read almost passed me by. As a Civ player the concept appealed to me. It takes the idea of a god game to a new level with the conceit that universes can be bought and created to your own specification. When Albert, the lead character, is made redundant he is instructed by his wife to get a hobby, and acquires one to fill his time.
The story follows two intertwining threads. The first is Albert's experience of creating a world and observing it develop. It's written in a lighthearted style with a lot of gentle humour. I read a lot of grim and epic books, and it's pleasant to read something of a different mould. That's not to say that it lacks depth. The easy going style belies a lot of subtlety in the writing. This is most evident in how Albert has to deal with creation.
It deals with the responsibilities of a creator and the behaviour of the created. It examines the role of religion in the development of a people. It does focus on the negatives of religion more than the positive, so if this sort of thing offensive, you should probably avoid this book. Personally I thought it a witty and fun handling of the problems he faces. It's quite an interesting process watching how much he should intervene with his creation, or to let them develop without interference.
In parallel with the ever encompassing nature of his hobby are the relationships in his real life. In this the story is more mundane, but that works as a contrast to the other thread. Most obvious is his marriage. His wife is now competing with his universe for his attention. His friend's wife wants to have an affair with him. And the universe encroaches on his real life.
I find humour in book's a tricky aspect to get right. It can often be hit or miss, but it worked for me throughout. It's an accessible read, well written, with good pacing. If you fancy something a little different then it's well worth a read.
The story follows two intertwining threads. The first is Albert's experience of creating a world and observing it develop. It's written in a lighthearted style with a lot of gentle humour. I read a lot of grim and epic books, and it's pleasant to read something of a different mould. That's not to say that it lacks depth. The easy going style belies a lot of subtlety in the writing. This is most evident in how Albert has to deal with creation.
It deals with the responsibilities of a creator and the behaviour of the created. It examines the role of religion in the development of a people. It does focus on the negatives of religion more than the positive, so if this sort of thing offensive, you should probably avoid this book. Personally I thought it a witty and fun handling of the problems he faces. It's quite an interesting process watching how much he should intervene with his creation, or to let them develop without interference.
In parallel with the ever encompassing nature of his hobby are the relationships in his real life. In this the story is more mundane, but that works as a contrast to the other thread. Most obvious is his marriage. His wife is now competing with his universe for his attention. His friend's wife wants to have an affair with him. And the universe encroaches on his real life.
I find humour in book's a tricky aspect to get right. It can often be hit or miss, but it worked for me throughout. It's an accessible read, well written, with good pacing. If you fancy something a little different then it's well worth a read.
May 3, 2018
I enjoyed this book, I loved the idea it was playing with and the notions it flirted with. However, I didn't like the very heavy handed characterisation, the book was very let down by every character having apparently one 'thing' and that was mentioned almost every time they were mentioned. The 'things' were pretty stereotyped as well which didn't help - a teenagers glued to phones, women obsessed with either cleaning or sex.
Things did annoy me as I was reading the book, but I was still engaged enough with the story to carry on reading.
I'd recommend this book, but with reservations.
Things did annoy me as I was reading the book, but I was still engaged enough with the story to carry on reading.
I'd recommend this book, but with reservations.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews