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From: leeper@mtgzz.UUCP (m.r.leeper)
Newsgroups: net.books,net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: THE CODE OF THE LIFEMAKER (SPOILER)
Message-ID: <1244@mtgzz.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 8-Oct-85 16:19:49 EDT
Article-I.D.: mtgzz.1244
Posted: Tue Oct  8 16:19:49 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 10-Oct-85 06:24:19 EDT
References: <1178@mtgzz.UUCP> <2226@sdcc6.UUCP>
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Xref: linus net.books:2299 net.sf-lovers:9347

>In article <1178@mtgzz.UUCP> leeper@mtgzz.UUCP (m.r.leeper) writes:
>>
>>                THE CODE OF THE LIFEMAKER by James P. Hogan
>>                           Del Rey, 1983, $2.95.
>>                      A book review by Mark R. Leeper
>>
>>     Also interesting is the main character.  By profession he is a mass-
>>media-psychic and charleton of the Uri Geller variety.  In the early parts
>>of the novel you see how Zambendorf is able to hoodwink audiences in
>>creative ways.  That also makes for intriguing reading but what is even more
>>intriguing is the question: if we discovered intelligent robotic aliens in
>>our solar system, why would anyone want to use devious means to get a Uri
>>Geller to the first contact?  Particularly if those people are convinced
>>that the psychic is a fraud.  When you do find out, it does make sense, but
>>that puzzle certainly kept me anxious.
>
>If I read you right, I think you missed the point of why Zambendorf
>was there.  He was there *not* to make first contact, but to send
>back reports on the Taloids (the mechanical inhabitants) which would
>have credibility with the masses due to his mass popularity.  His
>making first contact was completely unforseen.

I knew why he was there but I didn't want to say what the reason was in
my review.  He WAS there as part of a first contact expedition but
Hogan wants to leave you in suspense as to why.  I think you just let
the cat out of the bag.

				Mark Leeper
				...ihnp4!mtgzz!leeper