Memory of Earth

Orson Scott Card

ISBN 10: 0312930364 / ISBN 13: 9780312930363

Published by Tor Books March 1992, 1992

About this Item

Jacket Condition: 'VG' Condition: 'VG' Notes: VG. first edition. Some marks to endpapers and edges and dustjacket. Homecoming Volume 1.

Seller Inventory # 1135681

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Memory of Earth
• Publisher: Tor Books March 1992
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0312930364
• ISBN 13: 9780312930363
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition.
• Printing: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: VG
• Seller catalogs:
  • CONSIGNMENT RS

About this title

Synopsis

Malfunctioning due to its own failing system, the Oversaul, an artificial intelligence caring for the colonists on the planet Harmony, could bring about catastrophic war on the planet unless someone repairs it. 100,000 first printing.

Reviews

First of a five-book series from the author of Xenocide, the Alvin Maker tales, etc. Planet Harmony, settled 40 million years ago following the destruction of Earth, is overseen by the Oversoul, an intelligent computer able to communicate telepathically with certain of the inhabitants. Set up to prevent war and ensure the colony's survival, the Oversoul is now breaking down, and for repairs must journey to Earth (where, the Oversoul theorizes, a new civilization surely will have arisen by now). Needing help from Harmony, the Oversoul first contacts young student Nafai of the matriarchal city Basilica, hoping to persuade him and others of his family to secure the Index--an ancient machine that will enable the Oversoul to talk directly with everyone. A major complication is that as the Oversoul decays, the mental blocks it implanted in Harmony's people eons ago to prevent war are also breaking down; and soon the women of Basilica find themselves trapped in a power struggle between two hostile male armies. Where Card focuses on children--as he often does here--he writes fluently and persuasively. Elsewhere, his adult characters and motivations are much less appealing. Neither is the ancient- computer backdrop, with its far-fetched Earth connection, particularly convincing. All in all, an uneven and irritatingly inconclusive starter. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.