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oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
3.0
The cover of the copy I bought is far more epic than this.
Basically this is the tale of the worst scientists ever; they bumble around and end up 'integrating' into a tribe with the magic of massive guns and them grumble about giving out antibiotics because of ethics. The improbably named Grimbardsun goes and shoots a bunch of bears just 'cause. You know. Why not?
There are fist-fights, gun fights, love triangles, amnesia, mammoth hunts, attempted murders and iffy science. It's basically great if you like the kind of writing that details what time a dude woke up and what he ate for breakfast and that he did push ups for half an hour before putting on his thermal tank top.
I've not read much in the way of this kind of paperback sci-fi, but it's entertaining. The characters are either fairly bland or outlandishly awesome. I would have liked Grimbardsun to take more of a backseat, not just so the other characters could be fleshed out, but because it seemed like he was doing all the SCIENCE by himself. But then, ostensibly, this is his story. Whatever- it's a time-travel yarn from 1972. It is what it is.
Basically this is the tale of the worst scientists ever; they bumble around and end up 'integrating' into a tribe with the magic of massive guns and them grumble about giving out antibiotics because of ethics. The improbably named Grimbardsun goes and shoots a bunch of bears just 'cause. You know. Why not?
There are fist-fights, gun fights, love triangles, amnesia, mammoth hunts, attempted murders and iffy science. It's basically great if you like the kind of writing that details what time a dude woke up and what he ate for breakfast and that he did push ups for half an hour before putting on his thermal tank top.
I've not read much in the way of this kind of paperback sci-fi, but it's entertaining. The characters are either fairly bland or outlandishly awesome. I would have liked Grimbardsun to take more of a backseat, not just so the other characters could be fleshed out, but because it seemed like he was doing all the SCIENCE by himself. But then, ostensibly, this is his story. Whatever- it's a time-travel yarn from 1972. It is what it is.
spitzig's review against another edition
3.0
Very good book. Usually, I don't like the "low-tech SF" stuff. But, I really like the way Farmer writes. His books are FUN. I've loved his stuff since HS. Part of it just seems like I can feel the fun psychically transferred from the writer.
His characters were not developed that greatly. Even the main character.
Nothing really original as far as SF went, either.
The back and front cover were inaccurate, though. And, the story confused me because of that. The main characters were from 2080AD. They went back to 12,000BC. That was pretty straightforward. The cover said 2780AD, though. So, I kept expecting them to make some kind of accidental trip to 2780 or to have another time traveler from that time. Until the very end of the book, I expected 2780 to factor in somehow. Obviously, 2780 was just a misprint.
Some of the low-tech stuff from 2080 was a little funny. Like the lack of computers-relying on books from the future for research.
His characters were not developed that greatly. Even the main character.
Nothing really original as far as SF went, either.
The back and front cover were inaccurate, though. And, the story confused me because of that. The main characters were from 2080AD. They went back to 12,000BC. That was pretty straightforward. The cover said 2780AD, though. So, I kept expecting them to make some kind of accidental trip to 2780 or to have another time traveler from that time. Until the very end of the book, I expected 2780 to factor in somehow. Obviously, 2780 was just a misprint.
Some of the low-tech stuff from 2080 was a little funny. Like the lack of computers-relying on books from the future for research.
thomcat's review against another edition
3.0
Starts off as a culture exploration novel, transitions to something like The Man from Earth (a highly recommended movie incidentally). The middle section is a little rough; the hints are all dropped towards the end instead of being sprinkled around. It also feels quite rushed - the first third of the book moves at a pretty slow pace comparatively.
velvie's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
katie_king's review against another edition
1.0
I think this was about a time-travelling anthropologist. I know that I thought the Riverworld series was a whole lot better.
charkinzie's review
4.0
loved this book!First time-travel novel I've read that made sense to me!
My complete review is here!
http://dnmmagazine.com/2012/07/12/times-last-gift-by-philip-jose-farmer-reprinted/
My complete review is here!
http://dnmmagazine.com/2012/07/12/times-last-gift-by-philip-jose-farmer-reprinted/
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