The Coming of the Quantum Cats

This is one of those sci-fi books you read every few years because you know how much fun it's going to be, even though you are familiar with the plot. The situations and dialogue are addictive.

The problem with having written as many great works of science fiction as Frederick Pohl has is that sometimes that opus can overshadow a title or two. While not entirely neglected, this novel is usually not ranked alongside such classics as The Space Merchants, Gateway (Heechee Saga), and Jem. Perhaps it does not measure up to these works, but it is nonetheless an enormously enjoyable book. Set in the then-contemporary world of 1983, the novel follows the different incarnations of three characters - Dominic DeSota, Nyla Christophe, and Larry Douglas - as they deal with their counterparts from alternate worlds. Pohl uses the premise to posit some very different Americas, but the real focus is on the very different people these characters became within these worlds - one Dominic is a senator, another is a meek mortgage broker, a third a major commanding an assault force. These characters confront each other as their different timelines clash - and face the increasing danger posed by the unintended consequences of travel between their worlds. The greatest strength of the book is not in the alternate worlds Pohl describes (many of which are satirical takes on the America of his day) or in his use of historical personages, but in the characters he creates. Though his premise is based on developing different permutations of just a few individuals, he nonetheless makes each of them distinct and interesting. Through them the reader is offered an interesting mediation on how different circumstances can shape character - all within the context of a novel that ranks with the best works of alternate history.

In my opinion, "Coming of the Quantum Cats" is Pohl's best book. In an alternate America ruled by Arabs, Nicky DeSota is a timid real estate agent who gets arrested for swimming topless with his girlfriend. Agent Nyla "No Thumbs" Christophe interrogates Nicky about surveillance pictures taken of him breaking into a secret laboratory. He has an alibi and she releases him, but he knows he's in trouble. How could the person in the pictures look exactly like him? Nicky covertly visits a former movie star named Ron Reagan who may be able to help, and the adventure begins.

By far Pohl's best book. I read a lot of sci-fi and this is one of my all time faves. If you like good character development and solid quantum theory with people jumping between alternate earths then read this book. It's out of print but worth finding!