About Me

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I write and live with my beautiful wife, Sandra, and sons (Solstice, Finnegan and Brahms) in a little-big house on a dirt road in a valley in the hills. My secret identity struggles through the grind of teaching high school English to the denizens of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Review of Dan Simmon's The Hollow Man


I just finished reading Dan Simmon's The Hollow Man. I know, it's 17 years after it first came out, but I feel compelled to recommend this book to anyone who has a soul (or a holographic wavefront).


This book tells the story of the telepath and math professor, Jeremy Bremen, as he copes the death of his wife, Gail (the only other telepath he has ever met). His journey of grief and loss sends him across a suffering and depraved American landscape. There are many twists and turns, and there may be many times the reader thinks, 'I can't take anymore of this', but in the end I can only say that the journey is worthwhile and the outcome is, too. The story has such pathos and heart, that it never surrenders to a cynicism seemingly demanded by the nature of the individuals that cross Mr. Bremen's path; nor does Mr. Bremen surrender.


I am in awe of Dan Simmons. Once in a while, as a writer myself, I like to find a book of his I haven't read and humble myself before the work of true master. He has earned a place as one of my top five favorite authors of all time. This is for many reasons. He writes with heart, while exploring scientific concepts that rearrange my view of the world. He evokes terror and beauty with his masterful style.


Finally, Dan Simmons has written a book that will haunt my memory for the rest of my life. That's not faint praise. This book just entered the list of the very best I have ever read. Enough said.

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