The Dawn of MAN (Book) - 11/24/2017 7:57:21 AM
The Dawn of MAN by Elbert Lewis Jr.
In science fiction, the "science" is usually handled in one of two ways. In the "hard" science fiction sense, the story really is about the science itself, and it's applications and implications. In this situation, the scientific basis or underpinning of the story science must be compatible with the current known science as a possible extrapolated future outcome. The science fiction devices in the story are well thought out, explained in detail, can be extrapolated from known science, and do not violate known science. These types of stories come from writers who seem to read more science and engineering journals than other science fiction.
In the second handling of "science" in science fiction, the science fiction is used as a backdrop to the author's exploration of personal relationships, social or cultural issues, or other non-science fiction type themes. In these books, the ray gun fires, and we as readers don't need or want to know the details of how that happens.
When an author decides to write science fiction, they need to choose which of these models, in general, to follow. If as an author your write a book that chooses to explain the science, and focus on it as a significant theme, you need to get the science correct or the reader's voluntary suspension of disbelief will collapse. This is the problem with Dawn of Man. The author does a good job of developing believable characters which which the reader can identify. They have depth, interact in meaningful and believable ways with others, and we can bring them to life in our imaginations. Likewise, the plot is developed in an acceptable manner, and the action scenes are well written, providing movement and momentum into the following scenes.
Unfortunately, the "science" of the book, particularly in the first third where the "science" is explained and justified, does not conform to the rules of either of the two ways noted above for using "science" in this genre. Reading these sections is like hitting speed bumps on a road at sixty miles an hour. Jarring. I found myself wishing that the writer would have adapted the second method of handling "science" and not tried to explain or justify the science. The book would have flowed, the plot would have developed at a smoother pace, and the characters really did not need to science to make them believable and likable.
The book would make a very good read as a action adventure or space opera with this minor change.
The Rise of MAN (Book) - 12/31/2016 11:45:45 AM
your book sounds interesting. Best wishes for much writing success.
why don't you add a short story, and article, maybe some poems to draw more readers to your den page
may 2017 be the best yet for you and your family
