Tintagel

by Paul Cook

A virus created for biological warfare is overtaking humanity, threatening the very fabric of society as its victims are transported, by the emotional power of music, to a seductive dream world. Francis Lanier is one of the few ""stalkers"", a person who is immune to the virus and is able to travel through its dream world in order to rescue others. The book follows him through a series of adventures, as he becomes more embroiled in the politics surrounding the virus and its cure. This is Paul Cook's debut novel, hailed by critics as ""an imaginative thriller"" (Publishers Weekly) and ""readable and intriguing"" (The Reference Library)."

About the Author

Paul Cook worked at the Arizona State University as an acquisitions librarian for five years, much of his time was spent doing research in the Noble Science Library. He currently works in the English Department as a Senior Lecturer. He has written several novels, including TINTAGEL, THE ALEJANDRA VARIATIONS, and FORTRESS ON THE SUN.

Genres: Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

ebook

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a very intriguing concept of a virus causing those infected to be transported to an imaginary dream world. I enjoyed reading bout Francis who could go between the "real" world and the dream world and found the book to be an interesting experience.

[Julie Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A virus created for biological warfare is overtaking humanity, threatening the very fabric of society as its victims are transported, by the emotional power of music, to a seductive dream world. Francis Lanier is one of the few ""stalkers"", a person who is immune to the virus and is able to travel through its dream world in order to rescue others. The book follows him through a series of adventures, as he becomes more embroiled in the politics surrounding the virus and its cure.

This is a fascinating concept that someone can be listening to a song and suddenly pop out of the real world and into a dream world realistic enough that dead is dead, even there. I'm quite enjoying watching Lanier rescue various individuals as the scenarios get more dangerous. Obviously someone is messing with the dream worlds and I am curious to know why. I must say that the overall depressing tone of the real world is rather getting to me though. The apocalypse hasn't happened but everything looks as if it is headed in that direction while those in charge desperately try to hold things together.

This was a free monthly download from Phoenix Pick as I recall.

The end was rather confusing before it all sorted itself out and I found the resolution somewhat unsatisfying but am not sure what I'd have changed so that may be an unfair criticism. Overall a good book.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a world that is falling apart, greedy conspiracies and a very unusual disease that causes you to physically teleport into your own dream world and you have a very imaginative and unusual story. Well worth the read.

[John M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it fascinating because it is in many ways quite similar to a story I am now writing, and I wanted to see what Cook did with his story that might help (or hinder) with mine. Other than that, I don't have much to add to the former reviewers.