Is Greg Bear's Eon the Ultimate Sci-Fi Masterpiece?

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  • Опубліковано 7 вер 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 60

  • @michaelfutch5634
    @michaelfutch5634 Місяць тому +3

    The best Sci-Fi book I’ve ever read. Why this hasn’t been translated into a big screen movie is a mystery to me. Sadly Hollywood is so focused on low quality franchise films it ignores the MANY science fiction books that beg to be made into high quality original films.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  24 дні тому +2

      @michaelfutch5634, I couldn’t agree more! Eon is such a rich and imaginative story that it would make an incredible movie. The concepts, the world-building, and the characters are all so cinematic. It's definitely frustrating to see so many great sci-fi novels overlooked in favor of more predictable franchise films. There’s so much potential for original, high-quality adaptations, and Eon is a prime example. Let’s hope that someday Hollywood takes notice and gives this masterpiece the big screen treatment it deserves! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    • @Stevie-J
      @Stevie-J 21 день тому +1

      If you love a book I'm not sure why you'd want Hollywood to ruin it

  • @paulnorton2885
    @paulnorton2885 25 днів тому

    I first read Eon in 2000 and hugely enjoyed it, as well as its sequel Eternity.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  24 дні тому

      @paulnorton2885, it's great to hear that you enjoyed Eon and its sequel Eternity! Both books are packed with rich concepts and imaginative storytelling that really stand the test of time. It's always interesting to see how these stories resonate with readers across different eras. Thanks for sharing your experience, and it’s awesome to connect with fellow fans of Greg Bear’s work!

  • @TrouvatkiDePercusion
    @TrouvatkiDePercusion 16 днів тому

    A series that's somewhat vaguely hazily similar to this is the "Long Earth" series, co-written by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter. It's 5 books, and it is absolutely the smartest, moth scientifically-sound Sci-Fi exploration into multiverse theory I've ever personally seen. This is partially thanks to the fact that Baxter actually does have a genuine background in Mathematics. Very highly recommend.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  14 днів тому

      @TrouvatkiDePercusion, thanks for the recommendation! The *Long Earth* series by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter is a fantastic suggestion, especially for fans of *Eon* who enjoy thought-provoking sci-fi with a strong scientific foundation. Baxter’s background in mathematics definitely adds depth to the multiverse concepts explored in the series. I’ll have to check it out, and I’m sure others will appreciate the recommendation as well. Thanks for sharing your insights!

    • @TrouvatkiDePercusion
      @TrouvatkiDePercusion 14 днів тому

      @@gibsononbooks Anytime at all! ❤

  • @afroscifizianzcomix7836
    @afroscifizianzcomix7836 23 дні тому

    Good review. I have read it twice since 97. Time for a reread.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  21 день тому +1

      @afroscifizianzcomix7836, thank you! It sounds like Eon has really left an impression on you over the years. It’s definitely one of those books that offers something new with each reread. I hope you enjoy diving back into it again. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!

  • @hdufort
    @hdufort Місяць тому +2

    I really enjoyed the follow-up book Legacy, which explored Lamarckian evolution in a believable way, as well as "landmass organisms".

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому

      @hdufort, that's awesome! Legacy is a fascinating follow-up to Eon, especially with its exploration of Lamarckian evolution and those unique "landmass organisms." It's great to hear that you enjoyed the depth and creativity of the sequel. Bear's ability to dive into complex scientific concepts while still crafting an engaging narrative is truly impressive. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

  • @MagnanimousEntropy
    @MagnanimousEntropy Місяць тому +2

    Greg Bear is an excellent author.
    His Forerunner trilogy is one of the best out there.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому +2

      @MagnanimousEntropy, absolutely! Greg Bear's work in the Forerunner trilogy is fantastic. His ability to expand and enrich the Halo universe with deep lore and complex characters is impressive. It's great to see his talent recognized across different series. Thanks for sharing your appreciation for his work!

    • @MagnanimousEntropy
      @MagnanimousEntropy Місяць тому +1

      @@gibsononbooks You are welcome.
      Perhaps you could review the series in a future video?
      Just a thought.

    • @afroscifizianzcomix7836
      @afroscifizianzcomix7836 21 день тому +1

      @@gibsononbooks I have noticed over the years that many younger readers discovered Greg Bear from the Halo books. That is amazing. Greg Bear was never a science fiction snob and wrote Star Trek and Star Wars novels alongside his own original work.
      R.I.P. Greg Bear. We miss you.

    • @Jambi14
      @Jambi14 21 день тому +1

      Unfortunately, "was" an excellent author.. He passed not that long ago.

    • @MagnanimousEntropy
      @MagnanimousEntropy 21 день тому

      @@Jambi14 That is true. I keep forgetting he passed away. Such a shame.

  • @isaackellogg3493
    @isaackellogg3493 Місяць тому +1

    The initial hook of the book, which this review left out, is that the first of the seven chambers is chock-full of current-era military technology and hardware. Because it was installed twenty years in the characters’ personal futures, after a devastating nuclear war, and has fallen backward in time from even further ahead to a bare week before the war, with a full record of the war and its aftermath. The Way was actually “dug” by humans who had been living in the Stone for several centuries at that point, and whose civilization had been founded by the selfsame scientists who had been assembled to investigate the Stone (creating a time loop).
    Using the information in the Stone, the scientists are able to convince the world leaders to modify their plans-the nuclear war still happens, but it is limited instead of general. Much more of Earth survives to send researchers to the Stone, and presumably the Stone never develops a native civilization.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому +1

      @isaackellogg3493, thank you for pointing out this crucial aspect of the book! The initial hook you mentioned is indeed a fascinating and complex part of *Eon* that sets up the time loop and the intertwining of present and future events. The presence of current-era military technology and the subsequent revelation about the nuclear war and its timeline add significant depth to the story.
      The fact that the Way was "dug" by humans living in the Stone for centuries, and the time loop created by the scientists' actions, are critical to understanding the narrative's complexity. This cyclical element of the plot underscores the intricate relationship between cause and effect, and how the characters' actions in the present influence their future.
      Your explanation about how the scientists use the information from the Stone to influence world leaders and mitigate the nuclear war, thus altering the timeline, is a pivotal plot point. It highlights the novel's exploration of determinism and free will, and how knowledge of future events can shape present decisions.
      Thanks for adding this detailed context. It definitely enhances the understanding of *Eon* and its multifaceted storyline. Your insights are much appreciated!

  • @AmatuerHourCoding
    @AmatuerHourCoding Місяць тому

    Did not expect such a good book review video!

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому

      Thank you so much, @AmatuerHourCoding! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the review. Eon is such a fascinating book, and it was a pleasure to dive into its themes and characters. If there are any other books you'd like us to review, feel free to suggest them. We appreciate your support!

  • @ptonpc
    @ptonpc Місяць тому +7

    It's a good book. Regards this video. you have a good idea but please, no AI art.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому

      @ptonpc, I understand your point, but I find the AI visualizations really enhance the experience of exploring these classic sci-fi worlds. It's a unique way to bring the imagination and concepts from these stories to life, which I find really enjoyable. I know it's not everyone's preference, but it's a creative approach I'm passionate about. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    • @kraz007
      @kraz007 6 днів тому +1

      Some people like pictures

  • @rangda_prime
    @rangda_prime Місяць тому +2

    It would be, if he could had been a better writer honestly. Eon is glacial in its pacing where it doesn't have to, and skims over parts that needed far more interaction and/or exposition. I've read it a couple of times and find myself skipping many parts where the characters interact at the social pace of molasses. It's a fault he had in general, he is simply bad at pacing and writing meaningful character arcs and relationships. In Eon, he somehow manages to stretch even a grand concept too far in page length. On the opposite end, his novel War Dogs had a pretty cool concept that could have made for a complex story, but he builds up things with some characters only to just cut it off, as well as being obtuse about the deeper workings and meaning of the heart of the story.
    Greg Bear was a great _sci-fi_ writer, but like most of the older classical sci-fi writers he was flawed as a _writer_ .

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому +1

      @rangda_prime, you bring up some thoughtful points! Greg Bear's style, particularly in Eon, can be a bit of a slow burn, which doesn't work for everyone. The pacing and character development can indeed feel uneven at times. It's interesting how different readers can perceive these elements; some find the detailed world-building fascinating, while others might see it as excessive. Your insights on War Dogs also highlight a common issue in sci-fi: balancing expansive concepts with character depth. It's all part of the complex nature of the genre. Thanks for sharing your perspective! It's always great to hear different takes on these works.

    • @rangda_prime
      @rangda_prime Місяць тому

      @@gibsononbooks It's not that I don't love Eon, it's that I love it in spite of its flaws. As a concept it is awesome in its grandeur and depth. Eon and War Dogs are interesting since they are kind of at opposite ends for Bear's writing and also separated by decades of his career. It seems like he did see the need for being more streamlined but sometimes went too far in that direction. But he did produce a vast library of highly praiseworthy books, and I've read most of them to be frank.

  • @thecryptile
    @thecryptile Місяць тому

    I liked these books a lot when I read them a couple years ago, they hold up really well--even with the Cold War plot elements.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому

      @regentmad1037, it’s great to hear you enjoyed Eon! It’s definitely a book that stands up to multiple reads, with so much to discover each time. If you decide to revisit it, you'll probably notice new details and layers to the story. It’s always a pleasure to revisit old favorites. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

  • @ThorneIdentity
    @ThorneIdentity 29 днів тому

    yes. that is the answer.

  • @AngelusNielson
    @AngelusNielson Місяць тому +2

    I want to like Authors like Bear, but honestly, it's just too dense for me to keep track of.

    • @rangda_prime
      @rangda_prime Місяць тому +1

      He had great ideas, but his writing was slow as molasses. It's a shame since he really hid his brilliance inside of a very clunky style of writing. I blame the fact that in his prime (1980s) sci-fi was still seen as a small genre and editors didn't demand that writers actually work on style and composition.

    • @AngelusNielson
      @AngelusNielson Місяць тому +2

      @@rangda_prime But even the golden era of sci-fi had some magnificent authors. I guess it's fairest to say Bear was more an idea man than an executor of said ideas.

    • @rangda_prime
      @rangda_prime Місяць тому

      ​@@AngelusNielson Fair enough! I have read Eon a couple of times but skip a lot of passages since it's such a drag. He's written very cool stories in spite of his failings. City at the End of Time for example is a truly gargantuan vision.

    • @AngelusNielson
      @AngelusNielson Місяць тому +1

      @@rangda_prime I'll try it again sometime if I get the chance but I always liked my fiction more on the light side. Also, do you know well the science held up?

    • @Quoxozist
      @Quoxozist Місяць тому +2

      Don't blame yourself bruh, Greg Bear is among the hardest of hard sci-fi writers, and his style and exposition has always been that way. You need serious concentration to get through his work, and while rewarding, it can be super-tough.

  • @greyturner3114
    @greyturner3114 Місяць тому +1

    I read this book, it was good at least for me.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому

      @greyturner3114, glad to hear you enjoyed Eon! It's definitely a unique and thought-provoking read. Everyone's experience with a book can be different, and it's great to hear that it resonated with you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

  • @douglasdea637
    @douglasdea637 Місяць тому +1

    I read it last year and I disagree. No, it's not a "masterpiece." Far from it.
    The key problem is that The Stone arrives at Earth in a prelude. Then the first chapter opens something like 5 years later. The exploration is mostly done. Patricia Vasquez arrives but then there is chapter after chapter of: "Let me show you this. Now I'll show you this. And this. And this. And this... Oh, and here's a computer library where you can learn anything you want to know..." She actually adds very little of anything new. The whole asteroid is abandoned so initially there's no confrontation with aliens or advanced people. That only happens in the last third of the book.
    Yeah, sure, there are 7 chambers. Only 3 or 4 are described in any detail. The Way is intriguing but I kept wondering how it is powered, or held up or works. It's never explained. Despite knowing about the coming war the humans fail to prevent it which saddened me. There's a battle, then The Way is explored and the future humans met. I wanted to know more about them but we're giving a cursory glimpse at best.
    I think Bear missed the far more interesting story, that of the initial exploration of The Stone. That would have been far, far more interesting than what we got. Eon should have been a second in a series, not the first.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому +1

      @douglasdea637, thank you for sharing your detailed thoughts on *Eon*. Your perspective brings up several important points that highlight how varied reader experiences can be.
      I understand your critique about the pacing and structure of the book. The significant time jump after the Stone's arrival and the focus on exposition through Patricia Vasquez's journey can indeed feel slow for some readers. Bear's approach to revealing the Stone's mysteries through a series of "show and tell" chapters can be a bit overwhelming and may come off as lacking in immediate action or direct confrontation.
      Regarding the seven chambers, you're right that not all of them are explored in detail. The focus tends to shift towards the more scientifically and philosophically intriguing aspects, which might not satisfy readers looking for comprehensive exploration or continuous action. The Way, while fascinating, does leave many questions unanswered, which can be frustrating for readers wanting a deeper understanding of its mechanics and implications.
      The points you raise about the future humans and their cursory introduction are valid. Bear's narrative often emphasizes broad, sweeping ideas over intimate character development, which can sometimes lead to a sense of missed opportunities, especially when the premise is so rich with potential.
      Your idea that *Eon* would have worked better as a second book in a series focused initially on the Stone's exploration is intriguing. Starting with a detailed account of the initial discovery and exploration could have set a stronger foundation for the subsequent philosophical and scientific explorations.
      In the end, *Eon* is a book that resonates differently with each reader. Some appreciate its deep dives into complex ideas and slow-building narrative, while others, like yourself, find its pacing and focus areas less engaging. Your feedback is incredibly valuable as it opens up a broader discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of Bear's storytelling approach.
      Thanks again for your thoughtful and nuanced comment. It's discussions like these that enrich our understanding of literature and how it impacts us all differently.

    • @bryfunkenstein
      @bryfunkenstein 7 днів тому

      It's explained...in passing...how everything works in the Thistledown. It started out as an ark ship and through several technological innovations...most notably a kind of anti inertia shield. From there that led to the creation of The Way

  • @regentmad1037
    @regentmad1037 Місяць тому

    yeah it was a pretty good book. was def worth the read and reread. been years though. was thinking about it a few months ago. need to try and find it again.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому

      @regentmad1037, it's always great to hear from fellow fans! *Eon* definitely stands up to multiple reads, and each time there's something new to discover. If you're looking to revisit it, it's definitely worth finding again. The story's depth and detail make it a timeless read. Thanks for sharing your experience!

    • @regentmad1037
      @regentmad1037 Місяць тому

      no worries man... still can't find it though sigh.

  • @Emanon...
    @Emanon... Місяць тому +2

    Not for me. Way too wacky and the ending was completely out of left field.

    • @rangda_prime
      @rangda_prime Місяць тому +2

      I really like it, but the ending was not well built up to and was quite unsatisfactory. The sad part is that in the sequel, he ditches the interesting character who was actively trying to resolve the entire thing (you know who) and goes on with the most boring ones.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому

      @Emanon... We appreciate your honest take! Eon definitely has some wild concepts and an ending that can catch readers off guard. Science fiction can sometimes push the boundaries of what's expected, and it doesn't always resonate with everyone. Thanks for sharing your thoughts-it's always interesting to hear how different readers experience the same book! If you have any other sci-fi favorites, we'd love to hear about them!

  • @HorribleHomeVideo
    @HorribleHomeVideo 2 дні тому

    ya know that adobe puppet you;re using can move its arms too right? lazy

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  2 дні тому

      The puppet has a grand total of three options for arm movement: Gesture Left and Right (since the character is positioned on the right, he can only every really gesture right and a wave. I suppose I could have him wave at the end of the video.

  • @Jambi14
    @Jambi14 26 днів тому

    Is this just an AI channel?

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  21 день тому

      @Jambi14, thanks for the question! While we do use AI to help create some of the visual elements and enhance the content, the ideas, research, and commentary are all done by me. I find that combining AI with my own insights adds a unique touch to the videos, especially when exploring complex sci-fi concepts. If you have any more questions or feedback, I'd love to hear it! Thanks for watching!

  • @robertmoye7565
    @robertmoye7565 Місяць тому

    The avatar is annoying and distracts. It has no purpose.

    • @gibsononbooks
      @gibsononbooks  Місяць тому

      @robertmoye7565, thanks for your feedback! The avatar is a new addition we've been experimenting with to add a bit of fun and personality to the videos. Since introducing it, we've noticed an increase in viewership, which suggests that many viewers are enjoying the format. However, we understand it might not be everyone's cup of tea. We'll keep your thoughts in mind as we continue to refine our content. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!

    • @isaackellogg3493
      @isaackellogg3493 Місяць тому

      Remind me a bit of Wallace and Gromit.