Reviews for The Science of Happiness

The average rating for The Science of Happiness based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-01-22 00:00:00 Brian Harlan To Your Scattered Bodies Go was author Philip Jose Farmer’s 1971 novel that went on the win the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Novel. About as inventive as a great science fiction novel from a very good writer can be, this describes a world where everyone who ever lived is reincarnated into a river valley environment. Filled with philosophical and theological metaphor, this is an excellent vehicle for the author to explore various subjects revolving around sociology, human nature and group dynamics. Also entertaining is Farmer’s selection of historic characters to illuminate for the narrative, somehow he chose Sir Richard Francis Burton and Hermann Goering as central figures. I have always seen Farmer as a kind of rogue element amidst the Sci Fi grandmasters, a loose cannon comic genius. This idea is his masterpiece, a solid and unique exploration in a fantastic situation with a buttressed scientific, albeit mysterious, foundation. I am also led to believe that the producers of The Matrix films were inspired by Farmer's setting. However, one criticism is the same that often comes to such writers as Poul Anderson and Theodore Sturgeon; great idea, but an incomplete story. And of course this leads me to my most frequent criticism of science fiction novels, it is inherently incomplete when you are invited to tune in next year for the sequel. This is book one in the River World series. Having criticized (justly) a very good book, let me end on a high note and say that I will probably read the other books in the series, it’s that good.

Review # 2 was written on 2011-03-16 00:00:00 Marc Levesque This is a wonderful book, so creative and evocative. I have favorite books in every genre. In fantasy my fave is The Wind Up Girl,(a fantastic book), To Your Scattered Bodies Go is up there in the top five of fantasy. This is a book about resurrection and the premise is a little out there. When a person dies the wake up on a 4 million mile long river with a grail around their necks. The point of view character is Richard Burton, the explorer not the actor. Everyday the people on the river puts their grail in a rock and there is blue flash. The grail has a hot meal, drugs. This world has the usual players who were bad in the real world. If you like fantasy, give this one a whirl. I highly recommend it. David Putnam the author of The Bruno Johnson series.