Michael, just Michael, simply wanted to live life his own way. He had no intention of becoming a revolutionary. Yet destiny calls even the uncertain and the arrogant to duties beyond themselves. Hidden agendas, false friends, and his own confusion lead Michael toward dead ends. But soon enough his course becomes obvious. Follow his search for meaning and truth as he lives, first according to his will and then, finally, according to the greater meaning he discovers along the way.
Poetic in nature, with a prose style that soothes even as it captivates. Cosgriff is a natural story teller and Michael's Story invites a second and third read.
Professional Reviews
A Neat Little Book
`Michael's Story', by Charles Martin Cosgriff, is about the experiment gone wrong. That is not a bad thing. The experiment is one the reader should not want to succeed.
Michael is a confused young man, a true product of his environment, who eventually becomes almost too certain of his righteousness. A thoroughly and completely used man, impulsive, charismatic just enough, his is a compelling story which can be read easily and appreciated on several levels: a simple tale up to a profound indictment of science unchecked by any real consideration of right and wrong. The subsidiary characters, the reluctant but redeemed Kim Green, the trapped Judge, and the paternal Nathaniel, offer great insights about the state of Michael's futuristic world.
Although of particular interest perhaps to the science fiction fan, I heartily recommend this book to the general reader. It is a story which could resonate over many readings.
The Perfect Human?
The blurb for this book compares it to works of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. I found it closer to Huxley's "Brave New World", and a hint of Orwell's "1984" with a telepathic Big Brother.
"Michael's Story" is about a society, presumably here on Earth, that is working toward perfecting humans. Each generation living longer, healthier lives, but more like drones than thinking, feeling beings.
It was a quick and enjoyable read, but not exactly light reading. It will make you think. Mostly along the lines of how true to life it could be in the not too distant future. Although having already read "A Subtle Armageddon" I should have expected the ending, I found myself angry anyway. Angry not so much at the ending itself, but in the realization of how very possible it could actually be.
As we strive for perfection in humans, are we really aware of the true meaning of what "perfection" would be.? And are humans capable of perfection? Also can there be more than one "perfect" human? Perfect is singular, there can only be one perfect. Even a copy or exact duplicate would not be perfect because of it being a copy. Give that some thought, then I suggest you read "A Subtle Armageddon" for Mr. Cogriff's answer.
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Michael, just Michael, simply wanted to live life his own way. He had no intention of becoming a revolutionary. Yet destiny calls even the uncertain and the arrogant to duties beyond themselves. Hidden agendas, false friends, and his own confusion le
