Terra

I read this book when I was fifteen back in the 80's. I can still remember many of the vivid images and characters from this amazingly funny and wildly eccentric book. Dark technodromes, talking alligators, and video games that kill if you lose. And a terrific story to boot. I can't wait for the re-release!

If you liked D. Adams trilogy 'Don't panic', you should read this book. The author has extraordinary creativity and sense of humour. He gives us a scenario where after 3 nuclear wars the Earth enters another Ice Age and energy is the big problem for the people. And as they search for a solution, you get to know all the strange beings in the Galaxy. If you like science fiction that is also very funny, don't miss this book. It is about time people decided to translate it into English.

I found the book very good, although I read it in the original language, so I don't know how it is in translation. The only problem for very young readers is that this is a book rooted in a period when the (then) two superpowers faced each other with nuclear weapons. It reflects the fear of a nuclear catastrophe (which is still with us, however) and the atmosphere of the cold war. Even the imaginary military alliances seemed original when the book came out, because at that time it was very difficult to imagine something different from the West/East division. If you look for a 'cheap' science fiction book, this is not for you. However, if you look for intelligent and funny political satire with tender moments, this is definitely an excellent book. I am very surprised that _Terra!_ is the only book of Stefano Benni's to be available in English translation.