The violent century

Title:

The violent century

Author:

Summary:

"A bold experiment has mutated a small fraction of humanity. Nations race to harness the gifted, putting them to increasingly dark ends. At the dawn of global war, flashy American superheroes square off against sinister Gemans and dissolute Russians. Depraved scientists conduct despicable research in the name of victory. British agents Fogg and Oblivion, recalled the Retirement Bureau, have kept a treacherous secret for more than forty years. But all heroes must choose when to join the fray and to whom their allegiance is owed--even for just one perfect summer's day."-- Back cover.

General Note:

Introduction by Cory Doctorow.

Edition:

Tachyon edition

Physical Description:

v, 316 pages ; 22 cm

Genre:

Time-travel fiction.

Science fiction.

Alternative histories (Fiction)

Subject Term:

Violence -- Fiction.

Superheroes -- Fiction.

Publisher:

Tachyon Publications,

Publication Date:

2019

ISBN:

9781616963163

Publication Information:

Call Number:

TIDHAR

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003417758	Adult Fiction	TIDHAR	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

A bold experiment has mutated a small fraction of humanity. Nations race to harness the gifted, putting them to increasingly dark ends. At the dawn of global war, flashy American superheroes square off against sinister Germans and dissolute Russians. Increasingly depraved scientists conduct despicable research in the name of victory British agents Fogg and Oblivion, recalled to the Retirement Bureau, have kept a treacherous secret for over forty years. But all heroes must choose when to join the fray, and to whom their allegiance is owed - even for just one perfect summer's day.

Author Notes

Lavie Tidhar ( A Man Lies Dreaming , Unholy Land ) is an acclaimed author of literature, science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, and middle grade fiction. Tidhar received the Campbell and Neukom Literary awards for his breakout novel Central Station , which has been translated into more than ten languages. He has also received the British Science Fiction, British Fantasy, and World Fantasy Awards. Tidhar's recent books include the Arthurian satire By Force Alone , and the series Adler . He is a book columnist for the Washington Post , and recently edited the Best of World SF anthology. Tidhar has lived all over the world, including Israel, Vanuatu, Laos, and South Africa, and he currently resides with his family in London.

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Tidhar (Osama) introduces people with supernatural powers into the wars of the 20th century in this disappointing alt-historical. A machine created in the late 1930s by the German scientist Vomacht sent a wave of changes across the entire world, granting random people unusual abilities. Henry Fogg, who can control foggy weather and is recruited by British intelligence services, witnesses crucial parts of WWII up close, until his own loyalties are tested for the sake of a beautiful and superpowered woman. Fogg and the rest of those changed turn out to be immortal, but WWII casts a long shadow over the next 60-odd years, and Fogg takes a long time to come to terms with his secrets. Tidhar's well-researched book never becomes more than the sum of its sources. His characters are too flat and his plot too derivative to bear the emotional weight of the real-world horrors that form the bulk of the narrative, and his attempts to manipulate superhero archetypes never quite gel. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Library Journal Review

Starred Review. World Fantasy Award winner Tidhar (Osama) presents a new masterpiece that could be compared to Marvel's X-Men. His protagonists, Fogg and Oblivion, are men with very special abilities (they can manipulate weather) who have worked for the British government since the 1930s and into the present day. The novel moves backward and forward through time, recounting how they came to possess these special powers and their role in the events of the 20th century. Initially the experimental prose style-dialog is written with no regard for grammar or punctuation-is a stumbling block, but the patient reader who can clear that hurdle will be rewarded with a tremendous, unforgettable read. VERDICT This study in heroism, love, revenge, and violence will be in demand by lovers of complex, intelligent sf and alternative history. Anyone who enjoys stories of people with supernatural abilities will thrive reading Tidhar's world.-Jason L. Steagall, Gateway Technical Coll., Elkhorn Lib., WI (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.