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The Proximity of Stars
Have you ever wondered if we choose our loved ones during our lifetime - or before?
Do you ponder the meaning of your existence; your destiny?
What would life be like if your rivals didn’t exist at all?
Researcher Brian Sunderland has been looking for answers to these questions for his entire life. As he journeys through years, he comes of age, surrenders to true love, stands up for his rights, helps others and finally, leaves his mark on this world.
Meanwhile, Peter Drake and his group of everyday heroes and heroines deal with some extraordinary circumstances, tough times, action-packed danger and high drama.
But in the end, does everyone deserve what they get?
Do you ponder the meaning of your existence; your destiny?
What would life be like if your rivals didn’t exist at all?
Researcher Brian Sunderland has been looking for answers to these questions for his entire life. As he journeys through years, he comes of age, surrenders to true love, stands up for his rights, helps others and finally, leaves his mark on this world.
Meanwhile, Peter Drake and his group of everyday heroes and heroines deal with some extraordinary circumstances, tough times, action-packed danger and high drama.
But in the end, does everyone deserve what they get?
- GenresScience Fiction
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2018
About the author
Benedict Stuart
7 books68 followersAbout the Author
For the time being, Benedict J. Stuart resides in Europe with his girlfriend, taking care of two pets. They are still considered to be relatively young and intelligent.
His dreams are mainly about better education, including lifelong learning, raising cultural awareness and improvement of overall human communication worldwide with the help of modern technology.
Finally, he is a firm believer in broad general knowledge per se.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CVHD5SL/
https://www.amazon.com/author/benedic...
For the time being, Benedict J. Stuart resides in Europe with his girlfriend, taking care of two pets. They are still considered to be relatively young and intelligent.
His dreams are mainly about better education, including lifelong learning, raising cultural awareness and improvement of overall human communication worldwide with the help of modern technology.
Finally, he is a firm believer in broad general knowledge per se.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CVHD5SL/
https://www.amazon.com/author/benedic...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 23, 2019
The Proximity of Stars by Benedict Stuart is a science-fiction novel that pushes readers to think about alliances, friendships, family, and loss. I'd come across this book via Goodreads when I saw the author's comments on other books, then decided to add it to my TBR. I'm not normally a reader in this genre, so it's often a new experience for me when I do take one on. I'm glad I had a chance to read this one, as it's less about sci-fi on several levels and more about relationships. Of course, there's the necessary alien, technology, and futuristic stuff, but I never felt overwhelmed.
Sometimes funny, sometimes telling a moral, this story has lots of angles and things to consider. I enjoyed the writing style, including the times when it almost poked a bit of fun at the traditional path of aliens invading the Earth. Sometimes people are at war on their own planet, and at others, they move to the moon! When the author revealed the intricate connections between the different 'sides' and killed off a few beloved folks fairly soon in the story... I knew it would be different. I look forward to more from the author in the future.
Sometimes funny, sometimes telling a moral, this story has lots of angles and things to consider. I enjoyed the writing style, including the times when it almost poked a bit of fun at the traditional path of aliens invading the Earth. Sometimes people are at war on their own planet, and at others, they move to the moon! When the author revealed the intricate connections between the different 'sides' and killed off a few beloved folks fairly soon in the story... I knew it would be different. I look forward to more from the author in the future.
July 30, 2018
4 stars:
I finish the book. It felt like certain pieces were missing. I was thinking this might be the second book in the series but it was not. Regardless, it was intersting.
UPDATE
Update/ July 31, 2018
I was given an enlightenment to the questions I had. Once it was explained to me, I better saw it.
Therefore, I will be changing the review from 3 stars to 5 stars.
My Apologies,
RM Griffin
P. S I only read this book once.
I finish the book. It felt like certain pieces were missing. I was thinking this might be the second book in the series but it was not. Regardless, it was intersting.
UPDATE
Update/ July 31, 2018
I was given an enlightenment to the questions I had. Once it was explained to me, I better saw it.
Therefore, I will be changing the review from 3 stars to 5 stars.
My Apologies,
RM Griffin
P. S I only read this book once.
October 31, 2019
Good meets Evil in this futuristic sci-fi novel. It's dystopia, Jim, but not as we know it...
July 30, 2018
Update/ July 31, 2018 I
I was given an enlightenment to the questions I had. Once it was explained to me, I better saw it.
Therefore, I will be changing the review from 3 stars to 5 stars.
My Apologies,
RM Griffin
P. S I only read this book once.
I was given an enlightenment to the questions I had. Once it was explained to me, I better saw it.
Therefore, I will be changing the review from 3 stars to 5 stars.
My Apologies,
RM Griffin
P. S I only read this book once.
May 7, 2018
Readers' Favorites Quotes:
“Life's a precious gift we all need to cherish at any given time and age. Think carefully, coz you won't have much time left on your hands afterwards”.
“Suddenly, the tiny little place called the Moon seemed so awe-inspiring and delightful to Brian. He felt young and strong again, uplifted and optimistic, brimming with hope, full of dreams and reveries.”
“They finally understood a simple fact: that when people help humankind move forward for the sake of future generations, their reward is a sense of well-being and spiritual enlightenment.”
“Life's a precious gift we all need to cherish at any given time and age. Think carefully, coz you won't have much time left on your hands afterwards”.
“Suddenly, the tiny little place called the Moon seemed so awe-inspiring and delightful to Brian. He felt young and strong again, uplifted and optimistic, brimming with hope, full of dreams and reveries.”
“They finally understood a simple fact: that when people help humankind move forward for the sake of future generations, their reward is a sense of well-being and spiritual enlightenment.”
May 12, 2018
"The Proximity of Stars," by Benedict Stuart is a delightfully intriguing story of espionage and suspense. Brian and Gary find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy when army officers descend on them by helicopter in the front-yard of their house. Their idle life changes pretty much from here onwards and takes a surrealistic turn. The mighty government poses an initial threat, rendering them helpless to fight this all powerful institution. However, more surprises lay ahead for these characters. A book that interweaves between the mundane and the sublime, confusion and clarity, this is not without intermittent comic relief either. Their harrowing experiences of life's ups and downs are both fulfilling and challenging.
May 28, 2018
We hear on the news, in documentaries about life on Mars or on the Moon. It may be more known in a closer or further future but until then we get to have books that let us fantasize. In this novel with a really beautiful name, we get to see humankind present throughout the whole Solar System. We read about a really fast way of transportation in space which makes many grin and say “if only that would be possible asap”. What makes this book special is that it deals with complex human relationships and it does not bother us with aliens or that sort of things that you are used in science fiction books. The main four characters are young people but my favorite character is the Governor of the Moon, Peter Drake because of his actions and words. He pleads for always doing the right thing, for helping others, fighting for peace and overall harmony and prosperity. He has done so his entire life and made sure that the newly appointed leaders will continue doing so after his departure. This was possible only when Dixon, the President of the Earth was finally removed from the picture. Dixon is definitely a character that the reader will despise, by only reading this sentence “I'm above the law and I myself represent the supreme, the ultimate power over the whole Solar System”. In addition to everything, I loved the most all the positive messages that were present through the whole book.
Type of reader: Lovers of fiction with a touch of science fiction, fantasy, adventure.
My favorite quotes from this book:
“Life's a precious gift we all need to cherish at any given time and age. Think carefully, coz you won't have much time left on your hands afterwards”.
“Suddenly, the tiny little place called the Moon seemed so awe-inspiring and delightful to Brian. He felt young and strong again, uplifted and optimistic, brimming with hope, full of dreams and reveries.”
“They finally understood a simple fact: that when people help humankind move forward for the sake of future generations, their reward is a sense of well being and spiritual enlightenment.”
More book reviews on: https://www.nicojgenes.com/book-reviews.
Type of reader: Lovers of fiction with a touch of science fiction, fantasy, adventure.
My favorite quotes from this book:
“Life's a precious gift we all need to cherish at any given time and age. Think carefully, coz you won't have much time left on your hands afterwards”.
“Suddenly, the tiny little place called the Moon seemed so awe-inspiring and delightful to Brian. He felt young and strong again, uplifted and optimistic, brimming with hope, full of dreams and reveries.”
“They finally understood a simple fact: that when people help humankind move forward for the sake of future generations, their reward is a sense of well being and spiritual enlightenment.”
More book reviews on: https://www.nicojgenes.com/book-reviews.
June 3, 2018
When Brian and Gary meet two girls while on an island celebrating their recent Graduation, they believe it to have happened quite by chance. But then, when their sleep is shattered by the sound of a helicopter preparing to land outside the house, they realise there was more to the 'chance meeting' than they had first thought - especially as the two women have disappeared. Gary is dragged away by soldiers to be sent to another planet in the solar system, while Brian is meant to endure a life of torture and ridicule.
This novel is set in the future, when the world is ruled by one evil man, Dixon Sunderland. No one dares to oppose him; anyone who tries faces the rest of their life on the Moon or Mars. Therefore what have these two men done to upset this World Leader? Nothing! However, Brian is Dixon's half brother and the ruler seems to be afraid of what he might do to bring down his empire, though Brian has never given him cause to have such thoughts. Will Brian escape from the clutches of his evil brother? And, even if he does, what can one young man do against such an evil regime? To say anything further would only be to spoil it for the next reader.
Suffice to say that this is an exciting story of evil and corruption in a future world. A novel ahead of its time. Highly recommended.
This novel is set in the future, when the world is ruled by one evil man, Dixon Sunderland. No one dares to oppose him; anyone who tries faces the rest of their life on the Moon or Mars. Therefore what have these two men done to upset this World Leader? Nothing! However, Brian is Dixon's half brother and the ruler seems to be afraid of what he might do to bring down his empire, though Brian has never given him cause to have such thoughts. Will Brian escape from the clutches of his evil brother? And, even if he does, what can one young man do against such an evil regime? To say anything further would only be to spoil it for the next reader.
Suffice to say that this is an exciting story of evil and corruption in a future world. A novel ahead of its time. Highly recommended.
July 8, 2018
When I came to read The Proximity of Stars by Benedict Stuart, I noticed that it had 12 reviews already, all of which were 5 stars. This was certainly a positive indication that the book is a good read.
The primary character is Brian Sunderland, a young man of philosophical bent who is constantly looking for answers to some of life’s great questions. His musings naturally affect his personality, and his character is build of solid and permanent values.
His life takes an unexpected turn when he goes on holiday to a small island with his friend, Gary. Two girls surprisingly turn up out of nowhere, but they are spies and very soon the military arrive in a helicopter ... and thus begins a life of trouble, conspiracies and, indeed, adventure for Brian, even into outer space. However, and I for one was relieved about this, we are not introduced to all sorts of weird aliens. Instead the focus of the book tends to be on the struggle between good and evil, and the complex inter-relationships between the characters, especially when the principal antagonist turns out to be a relative of Brian’s.
From the point of view of creative story and plotting, the book deserves the many plaudits it has received. However, there were a number of issues that bothered me, not with story or character, but with aspects of writing. One reviewer judges the writing to be ‘quirky’. I’m afraid that for me that translates into rushed and immature. In his haste to get on with his story, the author takes many lazy shortcuts, allowing some quite clunky and naive writing to stand. At the very least, this should have been dealt with during the rewrites.
I had a problem, too, with the dialogue. Apart from over-use of the word ‘ain’t’, which really grated on me each time it popped up, I found the dialogue very unwieldy and unnatural at times. And throwing huge chunks of back story into dialogue is messy indeed.
I get the impression the author hasn’t read a great deal of fiction. If he’s going to write fiction, he should read fiction. Many small formatting issues, faulty structure, and trying to pile too much information into short paragraphs, would be issues that would become obvious to him as, unfortunately, they become obvious to the discerning reader.
These issues, however, have little to with story and, indeed, they probably have more to do with me than with Stuart, People who enjoy story and are generally impervious to writing styles and techniques, will enjoy this book for what it is, a rollicking Space Odyssey with a somewhat unsophisticated undercurrent of questioning about our world and its values. Aficionados of science-fiction will love it.
July 15, 2018
The Proximity of Stars is a sci-fi thriller that gripped me from the very first page! The story was very well paced and I loved the humor and sarcasm in the book. In the end, I loved the book and want to recommend it to everyone!
August 10, 2018
The Proximity of Stars is a fast-paced, adventurous and immersive tale of controversial characters who are as individual from one-another as the next. Open to interpretation, it is cleverly written and full of deep meanings and hidden messages. Fast-paced and adventurous, this action-packed philosophical insight into British humour will hasten you along to the finish. Expect lots of metaphors and wordplay!
June 28, 2018
Opening Lines:
"It was nearing sunset when the sky slowly turned amber. Brian could see two seagulls wafting on the golden horizon. The island seemed rather cozy for the two young and hopeful lads who just wanted to unwind a bit before entering into the world of hard work, family life and eventually, kids."
"It was nearing sunset when the sky slowly turned amber. Brian could see two seagulls wafting on the golden horizon. The island seemed rather cozy for the two young and hopeful lads who just wanted to unwind a bit before entering into the world of hard work, family life and eventually, kids."
July 7, 2018
This book got voted in my book club. I read it in 2 days
I’d set my rating between 2.5-3 stars
The story is a sci-fi/dystopian about two boys Brian and Gary who are in a vacation and meet two girls.
Brian knows something is wrong but events spiral out of his control.
In this dystopian future there’s some colonies in Mars and the Moon.
Brian’s brother is the president (dictator) of Earth, whom for some reason hates him and wants to see him dead.
What can I say, the story is really a quick read, some bits are a cliché, philosophical common phrases and popular phrases just inserted here and there (maybe there was a bit too many of those).
But beyond that I think the development of the plot and the characters was the problem for me. You don’t get a background of what’s happening or how anything came to be, events just happened and the author tells you why before you even can consider it. Some events just seem to happen out of chance with no correlation whatsoever, and some are abrupt to the point to continuously move quickly forward. So really if the author doesn’t connect the dots for you in advance you don’t get to know much.
The characters...again you get the impression of what they have to represent and what they are like on the story because other characters will
Just describe them for you in the dialogues even though it takes a bit of realism out of It, it reminded me a bit to Homer when we just adds adjectives to the characters so you know what you have to think of them, there’s no many characters but there’s not depth to them so you don’t get to wear their skin, it makes them unreal and due to that moments don’t build into you so all that it happens in the book is just there but you are not.
I’d set my rating between 2.5-3 stars
The story is a sci-fi/dystopian about two boys Brian and Gary who are in a vacation and meet two girls.
Brian knows something is wrong but events spiral out of his control.
In this dystopian future there’s some colonies in Mars and the Moon.
Brian’s brother is the president (dictator) of Earth, whom for some reason hates him and wants to see him dead.
What can I say, the story is really a quick read, some bits are a cliché, philosophical common phrases and popular phrases just inserted here and there (maybe there was a bit too many of those).
But beyond that I think the development of the plot and the characters was the problem for me. You don’t get a background of what’s happening or how anything came to be, events just happened and the author tells you why before you even can consider it. Some events just seem to happen out of chance with no correlation whatsoever, and some are abrupt to the point to continuously move quickly forward. So really if the author doesn’t connect the dots for you in advance you don’t get to know much.
The characters...again you get the impression of what they have to represent and what they are like on the story because other characters will
Just describe them for you in the dialogues even though it takes a bit of realism out of It, it reminded me a bit to Homer when we just adds adjectives to the characters so you know what you have to think of them, there’s no many characters but there’s not depth to them so you don’t get to wear their skin, it makes them unreal and due to that moments don’t build into you so all that it happens in the book is just there but you are not.
June 8, 2018
pages, wondering what would happen next. It's unconventional, yet entertaining, as life takes an unexpected and dramatic turn for two young men who have just graduated college and meet up with two mysterious women. Anything that seems tied to normalcy quickly disappears as they are plunged into a world of considerable conspiracy.
While the opening scene implies today's world, it's not, but one where world government and solar system colonization exists. The current leaders are less than ideal, some coincidentally related to our cozy group of protagonists, which is what drags them into the web of intrigue in what turns out to be a dystopian universe.
I enjoyed the British-style humor and sarcasm as well as spiffing up my vocabulary with a few more terms uncommon in the USA. I sensed an underlying theme that our world is quite a FUBAR headed in a bad direction, which will require fixing by an upcoming generation. I'm inclined to agree.
While the opening scene implies today's world, it's not, but one where world government and solar system colonization exists. The current leaders are less than ideal, some coincidentally related to our cozy group of protagonists, which is what drags them into the web of intrigue in what turns out to be a dystopian universe.
I enjoyed the British-style humor and sarcasm as well as spiffing up my vocabulary with a few more terms uncommon in the USA. I sensed an underlying theme that our world is quite a FUBAR headed in a bad direction, which will require fixing by an upcoming generation. I'm inclined to agree.
May 22, 2018
***** The Power of Right vs. Wrong
To me, what is intriguing about this book is how it starts out with a simple scenario: two innocuous girls meet two guileless boys on vacation. Simple, right? Not so. With just one line, one phrase, the reader is suddenly slammed into the real reason the girls are there––to save the planet from greed and corruption. It turns out that one of the boys is actually related to Dixon, an immoral, power-hungry person, whose robotic underlings are there to serve him in his attempt to be the Master Of All. Soon, one of the boys disappears, and everyone assumes he is dead. But is he? This story then becomes a fascinating tale of a nasty family feud colliding with paranormal worlds, hoping to destroy each other. A tale of how the power of kindness and determination can rise up and fight the good fight against evil. And all of this written with a philosophical vent, hinting at what a better world might be like, if only there were a chance to make it so before it’s too late. Excellent read!
To me, what is intriguing about this book is how it starts out with a simple scenario: two innocuous girls meet two guileless boys on vacation. Simple, right? Not so. With just one line, one phrase, the reader is suddenly slammed into the real reason the girls are there––to save the planet from greed and corruption. It turns out that one of the boys is actually related to Dixon, an immoral, power-hungry person, whose robotic underlings are there to serve him in his attempt to be the Master Of All. Soon, one of the boys disappears, and everyone assumes he is dead. But is he? This story then becomes a fascinating tale of a nasty family feud colliding with paranormal worlds, hoping to destroy each other. A tale of how the power of kindness and determination can rise up and fight the good fight against evil. And all of this written with a philosophical vent, hinting at what a better world might be like, if only there were a chance to make it so before it’s too late. Excellent read!
June 9, 2018
I loved the story in this book it is interesting to discover the author's universe. the plot.
May 31, 2018
This is a great story of good versus evil and how you have to constantly decide to stay good.
December 3, 2018
The author manages to draw the reader into a life including romance on another planet. The autocrat, Dixon was power hungry abusing his authority on earth. He extradited anyone who was supportive of his half-brother, Brian to other planets. Dixon was loveless, friendless and lived an empty life concentrating on material gains only. People siding with him did so out of fear. He was ruthless and wanted to destroy Brian because of his kindheartedness. He felt threatened by his brother and considered him a rival for his powerful position.
Brian, on the other hand, was a selfless person who cared deeply for fellow human beings. He was self-sacrificing, humble and not interested in power or ruling. He was sent to the Moon by his envious brother who thought that would destroy him. Brian met and married the love of his love on the Moon. His kindness was valued and he was given a position of power that he shared with his subordinates. Ultimately Dixon attempted to destroy Brian and accidentally eradicated and destroyed his own life. This is proof that good will always prevail over evil.
Dixon is so typical of today’s rulers who are self-centered tyrants.
Brian, on the other hand, was a selfless person who cared deeply for fellow human beings. He was self-sacrificing, humble and not interested in power or ruling. He was sent to the Moon by his envious brother who thought that would destroy him. Brian met and married the love of his love on the Moon. His kindness was valued and he was given a position of power that he shared with his subordinates. Ultimately Dixon attempted to destroy Brian and accidentally eradicated and destroyed his own life. This is proof that good will always prevail over evil.
Dixon is so typical of today’s rulers who are self-centered tyrants.
December 3, 2018
The Proximity of Starts is a fast paced, sci-fi blended story of political intrigue!
In the near future, with the galaxy headed by planetary leaders, Brian finds himself at the mercy of the World President, Dixon. At first Brian is confused by Dixon’s interest, but we learn that Brian is Dixon’s half-brother, and the World President does not want any competition for power. When Dixon tries to eliminate his own brother, taking out loved ones at the same time, Brian manages a daring escape and finds himself under the care of someone important, both personally and politically.
This is a fun, intergalactic look at personal convictions, espionage, and power!
In the near future, with the galaxy headed by planetary leaders, Brian finds himself at the mercy of the World President, Dixon. At first Brian is confused by Dixon’s interest, but we learn that Brian is Dixon’s half-brother, and the World President does not want any competition for power. When Dixon tries to eliminate his own brother, taking out loved ones at the same time, Brian manages a daring escape and finds himself under the care of someone important, both personally and politically.
This is a fun, intergalactic look at personal convictions, espionage, and power!
May 7, 2019
The Proximity of Stars - A story of hope. Coming from a somewhat isolated cultural background, I found the street-savvy patois of this novel a challenge. But, it is part of the story. And, as I have purposefully set out to read things written from perspectives far removed from my own, once I was able to look past this dichotomy I discovered a tale truly written from the heart.
Benedict Stuart has created another world, perhaps one not so different from where we are actually headed. It's not difficult in the least to realise frightening parallels between Stuart's fictional world and our present reality. This story reminds us that the constant companions of humanity remain; no matter how technologically advanced we become. Greed, jealousy, lust, vanity, the craze for power. The insatiable desire for more. But the author also presents us with courage, hope, respect, honour, and intellect. And above all, love.
The Proximity of Stars differs from other dystopian works I've read in that it carries a positive note throughout. Solid reminders that good can overcome evil is what many of us seek, and Stuart's story provides just the ticket. A welcome addition to the light.
Benedict Stuart has created another world, perhaps one not so different from where we are actually headed. It's not difficult in the least to realise frightening parallels between Stuart's fictional world and our present reality. This story reminds us that the constant companions of humanity remain; no matter how technologically advanced we become. Greed, jealousy, lust, vanity, the craze for power. The insatiable desire for more. But the author also presents us with courage, hope, respect, honour, and intellect. And above all, love.
The Proximity of Stars differs from other dystopian works I've read in that it carries a positive note throughout. Solid reminders that good can overcome evil is what many of us seek, and Stuart's story provides just the ticket. A welcome addition to the light.
June 13, 2018
This book a really good read, I am not normally into fiction books, I normally like non-fiction but wanted to give it a try and I was pleased, definitely recommend it to anyone!
June 5, 2018
The Proximity of Stars
Benedict Stuart, May 2018
307 pages, Kindle, paperback
Sci-fi, adventure, dystopian, romance, humor
✮✮✮✮⭑
KU, recommended to me
Discussion group
This book was recommended to me by a friend. It is for a discussion group. Not a book I would have picked up at first, but that’s the whole point, I think, of this group. To introduce us to writers and books we wouldn’t normally read and to get us talking about them so that others read them. So I read it and found it definitely worth reading and talking about.
The cover isn’t what I would have chosen for this very busy book, but it definitely is appropriate and reflects events or an event in the book. It just didn’t really draw me to the book in the beginning. It made me think of a poetry book more than a very active adventure across the universe with good and evil.
The story was quite amazing. I kept me engaged, though I did have to sleep in there for a while. I was back at it first thing in the morning. Dixon is a possessed ruler of Earth, though he really is trying to take over the Universe. His current focus and obsession is his brother, Brian. Brian’s just finished school and is trying to relax on an island with his friend, Gary when two young women, Alice and Brenda, pop up. Gary gets drunk and has to be put to bed. Brian gives the young women a bed for the night. The world turns topsy-turvy when a government helicopter lands on the front lawn to take them all prisoner first thing in the morning. I’d say it all goes to hell, but really it all goes to space from there. Well, Alice gets killed, but the rest of them go to space. Yup, it’s weird until you wrap your brain around the fact that you have just stepped into science fiction without any preparation.
The characters are a complete mixed bag. The most wonderful one is the General. He is a complete gentleman from the word go. He is even a gentleman when dealing with complete evil. He’s polite in his requests and when voicing complaints. He’s so caring about people, even ones he doesn’t really like. But he cares deeply about his family and those close to him. It’s so sad when he dies. The rest of the characters are a lot more shallow than the General, but they are pretty good in their own ways. Brian is something of a wimp being shoved around and manipulated by others. He’d just as soon find another island and stay there quietly for the rest of his life. But he has a great destiny that isn’t going to leave him alone. It didn’t let him die when he jumped out of that helicopter in a straight jacket and two pair of cuffs into shark-infested waters. So, I guess he’s going to have to rise to the occasion and be what they want him to be. Gary is into being a Governor of a planet with his wife, Brenda. Brenda’s secure professionally, but not as a woman. Same with Lianne, she’s all set with the destiny bit, but not too secure as a woman. And Peter is an old man putting his house in order before he dies. He’s done great things to set this all up so that this destiny can take place. Now he’s going off to another dimension through a small black hole to see his long-dead wife.
The pace was quite good. In a few places, some transitions didn’t work quite right and it wobbled a bit. But for the most part, it was really good. And the tension had me wondering what was going to happen next through the whole book.
There were editing issues that bothered me, with pronouns and prepositions. And I don’t care for the use of “ain’t”. I always wonder why authors use it. This was used as a normal word, not as slang or by an uneducated person. I was uncomfortable with it. But I did enjoy the sense of humor I felt throughout the book. A certain uplifting feeling contained in the very fiber of the writing. That has to be the author’s personality coming through in the writing.
Recommended.
Benedict Stuart, May 2018
307 pages, Kindle, paperback
Sci-fi, adventure, dystopian, romance, humor
✮✮✮✮⭑
KU, recommended to me
Discussion group
This book was recommended to me by a friend. It is for a discussion group. Not a book I would have picked up at first, but that’s the whole point, I think, of this group. To introduce us to writers and books we wouldn’t normally read and to get us talking about them so that others read them. So I read it and found it definitely worth reading and talking about.
The cover isn’t what I would have chosen for this very busy book, but it definitely is appropriate and reflects events or an event in the book. It just didn’t really draw me to the book in the beginning. It made me think of a poetry book more than a very active adventure across the universe with good and evil.
The story was quite amazing. I kept me engaged, though I did have to sleep in there for a while. I was back at it first thing in the morning. Dixon is a possessed ruler of Earth, though he really is trying to take over the Universe. His current focus and obsession is his brother, Brian. Brian’s just finished school and is trying to relax on an island with his friend, Gary when two young women, Alice and Brenda, pop up. Gary gets drunk and has to be put to bed. Brian gives the young women a bed for the night. The world turns topsy-turvy when a government helicopter lands on the front lawn to take them all prisoner first thing in the morning. I’d say it all goes to hell, but really it all goes to space from there. Well, Alice gets killed, but the rest of them go to space. Yup, it’s weird until you wrap your brain around the fact that you have just stepped into science fiction without any preparation.
The characters are a complete mixed bag. The most wonderful one is the General. He is a complete gentleman from the word go. He is even a gentleman when dealing with complete evil. He’s polite in his requests and when voicing complaints. He’s so caring about people, even ones he doesn’t really like. But he cares deeply about his family and those close to him. It’s so sad when he dies. The rest of the characters are a lot more shallow than the General, but they are pretty good in their own ways. Brian is something of a wimp being shoved around and manipulated by others. He’d just as soon find another island and stay there quietly for the rest of his life. But he has a great destiny that isn’t going to leave him alone. It didn’t let him die when he jumped out of that helicopter in a straight jacket and two pair of cuffs into shark-infested waters. So, I guess he’s going to have to rise to the occasion and be what they want him to be. Gary is into being a Governor of a planet with his wife, Brenda. Brenda’s secure professionally, but not as a woman. Same with Lianne, she’s all set with the destiny bit, but not too secure as a woman. And Peter is an old man putting his house in order before he dies. He’s done great things to set this all up so that this destiny can take place. Now he’s going off to another dimension through a small black hole to see his long-dead wife.
The pace was quite good. In a few places, some transitions didn’t work quite right and it wobbled a bit. But for the most part, it was really good. And the tension had me wondering what was going to happen next through the whole book.
There were editing issues that bothered me, with pronouns and prepositions. And I don’t care for the use of “ain’t”. I always wonder why authors use it. This was used as a normal word, not as slang or by an uneducated person. I was uncomfortable with it. But I did enjoy the sense of humor I felt throughout the book. A certain uplifting feeling contained in the very fiber of the writing. That has to be the author’s personality coming through in the writing.
Recommended.
June 25, 2018
Pleasantly surprised, highly recommend! Well done!
June 11, 2018
A Great Sci-Fi Thriller Packed with Action - 5 Stars – Don’t Miss it!
This is a fantastic Sci-Fi thriller written by a very talented author, Benedict Stuart.
We first meet Brian and Gary who are 2 close college aged friends in the 21st century vacationing on an island paradise in a villa by the sea. They meet 2 very attractive girls, Brenda and Alice, with the hope for an engaging time.
The only problem is that the girls are spies with serious charges for conspiracy and espionage against the World President (Brian’s half-brother Dixon Sunderland “The Master of the Earth”) lodged against Brian.
Then all the action begins with a military chopper swooping in and one of the girls accidently being killed. Gary is dragged out by soldiers and as the story progresses Brian engages in a fierce battle with his half- brother pitting good versus evil.
There are unbelievable twists and turns in this book that kept me turning the pages until the very end.
The characters in “The Proximity of Stars” were entirely believable and in sync with the overall plot.
The pace and flow of the story was excellent, and the writing style of Benedict Stuart was beyond reproach.
The formatting and editing of this book were superb and the book cover was very appealing.
I truly enjoyed reading “The Proximity of Stars” and I gladly give it a 5 Stars rating.
This is an excellent read and I highly recommend it to everyone especially those readers who love Dystopian Sci-Fi thrillers! 5 Stars!
This is a fantastic Sci-Fi thriller written by a very talented author, Benedict Stuart.
We first meet Brian and Gary who are 2 close college aged friends in the 21st century vacationing on an island paradise in a villa by the sea. They meet 2 very attractive girls, Brenda and Alice, with the hope for an engaging time.
The only problem is that the girls are spies with serious charges for conspiracy and espionage against the World President (Brian’s half-brother Dixon Sunderland “The Master of the Earth”) lodged against Brian.
Then all the action begins with a military chopper swooping in and one of the girls accidently being killed. Gary is dragged out by soldiers and as the story progresses Brian engages in a fierce battle with his half- brother pitting good versus evil.
There are unbelievable twists and turns in this book that kept me turning the pages until the very end.
The characters in “The Proximity of Stars” were entirely believable and in sync with the overall plot.
The pace and flow of the story was excellent, and the writing style of Benedict Stuart was beyond reproach.
The formatting and editing of this book were superb and the book cover was very appealing.
I truly enjoyed reading “The Proximity of Stars” and I gladly give it a 5 Stars rating.
This is an excellent read and I highly recommend it to everyone especially those readers who love Dystopian Sci-Fi thrillers! 5 Stars!
June 5, 2018
This book sings with a Britisher's true grit, determination and eternal optimism. It opened really fast, then slowed down, almost bogged down until it reached a luxuriously casual climax of sorts. I really enjoyed the English slang terms scattered throughout Proximity, it helped me appreciate the aura of UK liberalism and anti-fascism abundant in this novel. It starts with a bang, some highly sadistic plotters alienating our heroes and causing them great harm. Then, over time, it slowly debuts into a more engaging and slower paced journey of enlightenment about the Universe and politics.
My only objections were: it's not very deep. Not a lot of science fiction details about the system being built into the book, it was too short to detail much about the Solar System's futuristic governing system. Also, the print edition was double-spaced and thus had only about 80 words per page, making it a 100 page book if it was printed in typical one or 1.5 line spacing with 12 pt type font. Short book, not enough time to really describe all the futuristic details of the new governing system. Finally, the print edition is not well edited yet, the author is working on that.
The ideas are all relatively sound, though - with some great professional editing, this book could certainly tell a great tale about how to govern the entire Solar System, while remaining extremely optimistic about Life meanwhile.
My only objections were: it's not very deep. Not a lot of science fiction details about the system being built into the book, it was too short to detail much about the Solar System's futuristic governing system. Also, the print edition was double-spaced and thus had only about 80 words per page, making it a 100 page book if it was printed in typical one or 1.5 line spacing with 12 pt type font. Short book, not enough time to really describe all the futuristic details of the new governing system. Finally, the print edition is not well edited yet, the author is working on that.
The ideas are all relatively sound, though - with some great professional editing, this book could certainly tell a great tale about how to govern the entire Solar System, while remaining extremely optimistic about Life meanwhile.
May 28, 2025
Proximity to the Stars is a classic style sci-fi adventure that delivers a nostalgic punch with modern-day relevance. With laser-sharp clarity, Benedict Stuart weaves a tale set against a dystopian backdrop that feels ripped from the golden age of science fiction, yet carries emotional depth and moral weight that elevate it beyond genre homage.
At its heart, this is a story about relationships: familial, romantic, and philosophical. Researcher Brian Sunderland, our thoughtful and quietly heroic protagonist, is as much a seeker of truth as he is a man of action. His journey through time and trials is both physical and existential, prompting readers to ponder big questions about destiny, love, and what it means to be human.
But no good sci-fi saga is complete without a formidable villain, and Proximity to the Stars gives us a truly memorable one in Dixon, the so-called "Master of the Earth." Dixon is a tyrant of the old school: cold, calculating, and entirely convinced of his divine right to rule. There’s no hand-wringing moral ambiguity here—Dixon’s intentions are transparently evil, his regime unapologetically totalitarian, and his vision for humanity chilling in its scope. In contrast, everyday heroes like Peter Drake and his brave band bring warmth, humor, and humanity to the resistance.
The novel plays with classic tropes—time travel, dystopian futures, high-tech despotism but does so with a sense of fun and purpose. Stuart’s tone shifts easily between action, introspection, and even light comedy, which keeps the narrative brisk and the stakes emotionally grounded. The influence of mid-century sci-fi is unmistakable, and fans of that era will find themselves smiling at the retro charm paired with more contemporary character development.
With its straightforward but compelling plot, Proximity to the Stars doesn’t get lost in its own complexity. Instead, it strikes a satisfying balance between philosophical musings and laser blasts. Whether you're in it for the thrill of rebellion or the reflection on fate and love, this is a spacefaring journey worth taking.
A fast-paced, thought-provoking, and at times surprisingly tender tale of tyranny, time, and the ties that bind. Fans of vintage sci-fi and moral clarity in their heroes and villains will feel right at home.
At its heart, this is a story about relationships: familial, romantic, and philosophical. Researcher Brian Sunderland, our thoughtful and quietly heroic protagonist, is as much a seeker of truth as he is a man of action. His journey through time and trials is both physical and existential, prompting readers to ponder big questions about destiny, love, and what it means to be human.
But no good sci-fi saga is complete without a formidable villain, and Proximity to the Stars gives us a truly memorable one in Dixon, the so-called "Master of the Earth." Dixon is a tyrant of the old school: cold, calculating, and entirely convinced of his divine right to rule. There’s no hand-wringing moral ambiguity here—Dixon’s intentions are transparently evil, his regime unapologetically totalitarian, and his vision for humanity chilling in its scope. In contrast, everyday heroes like Peter Drake and his brave band bring warmth, humor, and humanity to the resistance.
The novel plays with classic tropes—time travel, dystopian futures, high-tech despotism but does so with a sense of fun and purpose. Stuart’s tone shifts easily between action, introspection, and even light comedy, which keeps the narrative brisk and the stakes emotionally grounded. The influence of mid-century sci-fi is unmistakable, and fans of that era will find themselves smiling at the retro charm paired with more contemporary character development.
With its straightforward but compelling plot, Proximity to the Stars doesn’t get lost in its own complexity. Instead, it strikes a satisfying balance between philosophical musings and laser blasts. Whether you're in it for the thrill of rebellion or the reflection on fate and love, this is a spacefaring journey worth taking.
A fast-paced, thought-provoking, and at times surprisingly tender tale of tyranny, time, and the ties that bind. Fans of vintage sci-fi and moral clarity in their heroes and villains will feel right at home.
May 6, 2023
BOOK :-THE PROXIMITY OF STARS BY BENEDICT STUART.
BOOK REVIEWER-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE.
SYNOPSIS.
This poetic prose fiction sàtire tries reassure the people of the world of the path of hope through female(female) characters in the midst of self doubt across empires,states,nationalities and cultures using the life of the four some of Gary(Go-eat translated in Ikwerre or Igbo),Brian(Be-ra-i-nee with Ra translated in Yoruba as no or sell),John(pronounced Jo-earn with Jo for please in Yoruba) and Peter (pronounced pee-ta with ta as source in ijaw),the first two been academic stars.The book in providing solutions to modern day societal ills for a better society tomorrow (two more row as pronounced for monogamous sexual relations) mirrors approximating verbal response with facial and verbal reaction or what shines through in our companies or companions.The story looks at impressions and perceptions and the closeness of the two academic scholar friends Gary and Brian while creatively linking this in a satire to the theories of life and death for both parent and offsprings.We see from the story the theory of one having to first die to be alive in that of parents at their sexual relationships and children and parents in being the after death at death in or by water as opposed to death on the bare floor.We learn from the story and characters just like in the life of a plant that watering brings life while rot of a plant on bare floor could mean total death.The writer also tried linking recruitment in leadership in society and the various military services to the way a person dies.
BOOK REVIEWER-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE.
SYNOPSIS.
This poetic prose fiction sàtire tries reassure the people of the world of the path of hope through female(female) characters in the midst of self doubt across empires,states,nationalities and cultures using the life of the four some of Gary(Go-eat translated in Ikwerre or Igbo),Brian(Be-ra-i-nee with Ra translated in Yoruba as no or sell),John(pronounced Jo-earn with Jo for please in Yoruba) and Peter (pronounced pee-ta with ta as source in ijaw),the first two been academic stars.The book in providing solutions to modern day societal ills for a better society tomorrow (two more row as pronounced for monogamous sexual relations) mirrors approximating verbal response with facial and verbal reaction or what shines through in our companies or companions.The story looks at impressions and perceptions and the closeness of the two academic scholar friends Gary and Brian while creatively linking this in a satire to the theories of life and death for both parent and offsprings.We see from the story the theory of one having to first die to be alive in that of parents at their sexual relationships and children and parents in being the after death at death in or by water as opposed to death on the bare floor.We learn from the story and characters just like in the life of a plant that watering brings life while rot of a plant on bare floor could mean total death.The writer also tried linking recruitment in leadership in society and the various military services to the way a person dies.
February 22, 2023
I was allowed to read this book through onlinebookclub.org, where I wrote an honest review.
While the plot may be intriguing, the dialogue was incredibly awkward and there was very little character and plot development. It was written in such a way that I thought perhaps it was written in a language other than English and then poorly translated.
While the plot may be intriguing, the dialogue was incredibly awkward and there was very little character and plot development. It was written in such a way that I thought perhaps it was written in a language other than English and then poorly translated.
February 8, 2023
Had to read it twice because the first time I was reading it right before bed each time and I wasn't focusing well on it.
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