The Magic Labyrinth Audiobook By Philip José Farmer cover art

The Magic Labyrinth

Riverworld Saga, Book 4

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The Magic Labyrinth

By: Philip José Farmer
Narrated by: Paul Hecht
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By universal critical and popular acclaim, Philip José Farmer’s Riverworld novels form one of the most original, majestically conceived science-fiction works of all time. In this fourth entry in the saga, a great battle is brewing as extraordinary characters - including Samuel Clemens, U.S. Grant, and Cyrano de Bergerac - find themselves on the verge of discovering the origins of Riverworld.

Sir Richard Francis Burton and Clemens, who have traveled for more than 30 years on two great ships, are about to reach the end of the River. But there is a religion, The Church of the Second Chance, that has grown up along the River and its adherents, possibly inspired by aliens, are determined to destroy the riverboats. A coming battle may destroy Burton and Clemens, but even if they survive, how can they penetrate the alien tower of the Ethicals, who created this astonishing world? What can humans do against a race capable of creating a world and resurrecting the entire human race on it?

Listen to more of the Riverworld Saga.©1980 Philip José Farmer (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC Adventure Science Fiction

Critic reviews

“An excellent science fiction writer, far more skillful than I am.” (Isaac Asimov)
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Although this is not quite as good as the first two books in the series, it equals the third chapter. There were some genuine emotional moments, and there is a duel between Richard Francis Burton and Cyrano de Bergerac that surpasses any such literary duel I have read (including the duel between Wesley and Inigo Montoya in “The Princess Bride” novel or movie. I recommend the series for fans of fantasy with a mix of real world characters. Similar to the old “Heroes in Hell” series, but with a more sustained narrative. A knowledge of world history and literature enriches the enjoyment, but is not necessary for this solid effort.

Enjoyable wrap-up to the saga

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Book 4 ties up a lot of loose ends and answers almost all the burning questions that have come up during the first three novels. The pace and action are right on par with the third book. Book 4 was meant to be the final novel in the series. However, Farmer went on to write a fifth book that completely turned the Riverworld mystery and why the inhabitants are there on it's head. If you've made past book three, this is the payoff you have been waiting for.

Good Continuation (with Answers!!)

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I LOVED "To Your Scattered Bodies Go" and enjoyed the next. However, though this book contained a few of those positive elements, this book was simply too slow and seemed to take a lot of time for not too much action. It kind of reminded me of one of the latter ones in Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series -- lots of philosophical discussion, lots of character introspection, not a lot of action. It was also disturbing that, as the characters had introspective discussions, many seemed similar.

Also, as they waxed philosophical at GREAT length (about Kas, souls, etc) I found I had a hard time believing that mankind (in general) would respond the way the series suggests upon the surprising resurrection.

Good series, but a slow book

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Unfortunately as this series has progressed, the quality has continued to deteriorate. Much of the opening portion is largely concerned with vain attempts to list every human that was ever born and studiously report their birth year and death. Sam Clemens has been reduced to a paranoid, psychotic mess merely seeking revenge (he should have been sent to Gardenworld). Most of the middle portion involves a naval battle that could probably have been outlined with as much detail as found in 3rd grade textbook renditions of the Merrimack and the Monitor in terms of what it actually contributes to the overall story.Also, Heman Gohring as a new age spiritual pacficist is also a bit of a stretch and his final appearance just comes out of nowhere. He appear to be inserted whenever the plot bogs down.

The final resolution of what began as a promising conceptual series consumes only about the last 2.5 hours and arrives after a detailed trek that is remarkable for only it unremarkable quantity of cliche. Even more unsettling is the notion that "ethicalness" which is major theme throughout the series has actually been somehow quantified and made measureable such that machines can exclude individuals who don't measure up. The "trick" at the end to finish is totally derivative from a Star Trek episode that displays the quaint 60's concept for dealing with uncooperative computers.

Unfortunately, the whole tale is trapped in a time warp of post-Vietnam pacificism combined with a new age "Zardoz" type spiritualism that doesn't resonate well today with a more complex and nuanced worldview. The "watan" origin was probably most interesting, but was rushed only to drag along after that. What was launched as a grand concept has floundered from a lack of imagination.

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