Green – A Sci-fi book – Some reviews

In a separate thread, Jarvid and Mohoebe Murked honeymooned on the twin-mooned planet of Diaphorous. On their return journey, a hyperspatial travel accident causes newly-conceived daughter Elspin to be born without a nervous system. Gynaecologist Winston Stagg is obsessed by her genius brain activity, however, and determines to communicate with her.

This is a near future pre-apocalyptic scenario in which various environmental terrorist groups have combined to hold the world to ransom, but are outmanoeuvred by the politicians. I’ve not read anything like this before and, although it does get a bit bleak at times, there is some hope for mankind towards the end. The story about Elspin is slightly incongruous; I presume Goodwin plans to finish it in another book (hint).

Goodwin writes a good story, and I’d really like to see him try his hand at a police procedural because his attention to detail is exemplary. There is also a tightness of style about ‘tec fiction that he needs, because there are times when this book gets rather wordy; a more ruthless editor could enhance the readability. And a good publisher would bring Opher to the wider audience he deserves; I hope to see him on the bookstore shelves very soon!