Worlds Apart

"Worlds Apart" is the sequel to "Worlds", and "Worlds Apart" is yet another book I have managed to read out of order. Having not read "Worlds", I have no idea how that book builds up to "Worlds Apart", but "Worlds Apart" was a good read just the same and I would not have known that it was a sequel if I had not read the back jacket. Joe Haldeman continues to hold true to the science fiction genre, telling digestible, speculative stories along the lines of the Grand Masters. So much of good science fiction has been co-opted by corporate interests that it is always refreshing to read a Haldeman; to remember how science fiction should serve to expand the imagination, and to recall how stories used to be self contained. In "Worlds Apart", Haldeman continues to explore diverging human culture. Some of his plot devices may seem over the top, but that really isn't the point, which is: If you separate human beings by "X", what will happen? Will we remain true to our kin and kind or will we look out only for ourselves? Early science fiction was a means to expand the mind and prepare the reader for possible futures, to present dichotomies well in advance so that reasoned judgments could be made. Joe Haldeman is one of the few science fiction writers who continues to practice this tradition.

This book and it's predecessor Worlds comprise a story that is exceptional and meaningful, filled with characters and situations that are given breadth and life with startling clarity. For those that haven't read Worlds I would advise you to read that book before continuing reading this review. Worlds Apart continues the story of Marianne O'Hara after the events of Worlds. The Worlds are all that is left of civilization after a devastating war has wiped out most life on Earth. A virus unleashed across the world continues to kill those who age beyond puberty. Marianne has barely been able to return to the orbiting habitat of New New York where she monitors the progress of Earth and plans for the future of the human race. Marianne's lover Jeff Hawking is trapped on Earth and we follow his perspective through the ravaged aftermath. An anomaly of Jeff's biology keeps him from dying off to the virus that plagues the population and he makes his way across the country looking to help people and find a way to communicate with Marianne in orbit. The story told in Worlds Apart is one of the most extraordinary and realistic portrayals of a world gone wrong. By telling the stories of the survivors from many different levels and with such gripping humanity Haldeman creates an intensely personal experience for the reader. I can't recommend the two books Worlds and Worlds Apart enough.

I was floored by WORLDS and sought out the sequel right away. I was hooked just a few pages in and devoured it in a wonderful weekend of reading. This novel is as strong as the first book and stronger than the third (WORLDS ENOUGH IN TIME). For me this ranks with the best of Haldeman's works and is a must read for anyone who enjoys good speculative fiction.

I loved this book, even better than the first book in the series. It's not often I can say a book moved me, but man, there are part in this book you will never forget. I bought this series after I caught a talk by Stephen King years ago where someone asked to name some of his favorite writers. I wrote a few names down and somehow I only tracked down one: Haldeman. I don't recall if he mentioned this series but it's where I started and I ended up reading most of the books he wrote. I loved about 90% of them and liked the other 10% well enough.

I'm more than a little skeptical when it comes to space operas, if you are to you still might want to check this book out. I did find it a little to Rah,Rah America(I am a foreighner), howerver the plot it not to fantastic and characters are very real. This is the type of book you want to re-read at least once year.