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Culture War Roundup for the week of December 19, 2022

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I get what you are saying about "To Your Scattered Bodies Go" (great premise let down by lack of 'now where do I go?' plot development and poor execution) but Philip José Farmer has always been hit-or-miss, and you will either really like the Riverworld series or be mildly disappointed.

I've had a copy of Riverworld sitting on my shelf for years, worth a shot? Hearing about the later books sorta put me off trying.

With the caveat that it's 70s SF and so of its time. But it's a fantastic premise: every single human being that has ever lived (up to a certain date) has been resurrected on an alien planet beside a seemingly endless river. Who did this? How? What is the intention behind it? And by "every single human being", Farmer really means that - from Neanderthals to Jesus and Buddha. Villains and heroes both, all starting afresh with (at first) no advantages at all.

The first book sets up questions that later books don't really answer adequately, but the first one at least is worth a go. You'll know soon into it if it's for you or not.

I must confess, I've never read it. Rama and Forever War were my two favorite from the 70s.