Diotima

by J.L. Marcus

Computer security and systems specialist Eric Holmstead is whisked off to an urgent, secretive mission by his government contact, Marina. Half-way through an arduous journey he realizes things aren’t as they ought to be. With no way home, his only option is onward. His new client is not at all what he expects, and soon he finds himself immersed in a strange new world that challenges his entire way of thinking. Operating outside his normal frame of reference, cutoff from the rest of the world, will fear and pride spell his doom? Or can he find his way to a salvation he never before thought possible?

290 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2017

About the author

I double majored in English Literature and History, then did the only viable thing open to me -- became a software engineer. But I have finally taken up writing, as is expected of a lit major. As you can see from the photo, writing is really hard work and there's no way I would just sit around and contemplate my navel. Presently I am working on a third book that is the prequel to Diotima, a historical starting point for the Diotimans.

Reviews

[Joan Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazon's really do exist!

An enjoyable story of an American man who finds himself in an Amazon type culture as a tech consultant. The story is of how he adapts to life in such a different culture which in many respects is not so different from his own culture. I recommend this book to those who like fantasy and adventure. I received this book from Goodreads for free.

[Dayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as ominous as the blurb suggested, Diotima presents an out-of-place American intent on fitting in with a culture unknown to the rest of the world. I enjoyed it & thought it reflected how US Americans seem to have an urgent need to ingratiate themselves & be liked by everyone. The romance angle was not very convincing to me & made Eric seem like an adolescent. (To be fair, most do consider techies to be overgrown teens.) I received a Kindle edition from a Goodreads giveaway.

[Steve Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this ebook in a Goodreads Giveaway. It starts out like a pulp fiction novel and doesn't stray very far from that. SF about Amazons that explores the cultural role of gender.

[Amileigh Gordon]

#GoodreadsGiveaway