This is the first audio book I've listened to. I thought I would have problems with my mind wandering, but the story was so intriguing that I found myself completely absorbed with what was happening.In short, the story is about a school for genius children. It confronts the many problems these children experience on a daily basis, in normal life such as isolation, teasing, boredom, lack of friendship and suicide tendencies. Then it moves into life at the new school and shows the feeling of normalcy and acceptance. But the school isn't everything is portrays and that's when things turn quite sinister in parts.Unfortunately, because I don't want to spoil it for anyone else, I can't go into any details. There was, however, one section about suicide that actually made me quite angry. It was obvious to me, a person who has lost a son to suicide, that the author hasn't experienced suicide and this fact showed in his writing. Yet, running parallel to this was some interesting thoughts that I actually agreed with too. One moment I felt a fire in my belly that wanted to put an end to the words I was reading because they embraced everything that fed the stigma that has been around for decades, and then the words changed and I found myself nodding in agreement. It was a roll coaster that swung back and forth. All I can say is that I was glad when the story changed direction and the topic of suicide was over.Then the story moved into another interesting topic. I can't tell you what it is as it would spoil the book, if you intend to read it. However, although I find the topic interesting, I am not emotionally attached to it so things were “sweet” from this point on...if not quite disturbing, in other ways.I do not know if the technical stuff was correct or not. All I can say is that it sounded convincing and when reading a story that is all I care about. As the story ran swiftly to the climax, I found myself eager to find out how the author would tie the pieces together and what would have to a couple of the “characters”.The end was satisfactory. I was pleased that the author didn't elect to go in another direction, which I had feared might happen at one stage.For my first audio experience I think I had the right book. I enjoyed it a lot and will definitely try something else by the author...and I'd also listen to another audio book too.
Тежка ми беше тази книга, най-вече заради замесените деца. Не че експериментите с живи хора са оправдани по какъвто и да било начин, но когато са с деца, ми свирят по най-тънката струна. Епизодите с родителите им ме разплакаха на няколко пъти. Усетих болката им много дълбоко.Динамична и добре написана история, искаше ми се да не я оставям чак до самия край. И въпреки, че действието и краят донякъде бяха предсказуеми (малки забележки от страна на Джон Сол за създаване на подходящо настроение издаваха накъде отиват нещата), все пак имаше изненадващи обрати. Няма някаква дълбока философия, разчепкване на етичните проблеми, свързани с експериментите в името на науката. Но пък се потвърди едно мое схващане (може би защото навсякъде търся да го открия) - колко е важно за децата, а и за възрастните да са емоционално интелигентни. Да разбират чувствата си, да си дават сметка как действията им се отразяват на останалите хора, да умеят да се справят емоционално с трудностите. Високият коефициент на интелигентност не бива да бъде проклятие, даже и свръх умни децата си остават деца и имат нужда да израстнат емоционално, преди да започнат да се товарят с отговорностите на възрастните. Едва ли това е основното послание на книгата, но всеки намира това, което търси. На неочаквани места.
What do You think about Shadows (1993)?
This was such a good book! Although dated, you can still understand where Saul is going with this concept. This can definitely be connected today's technology. We don't know what we, or technology for that matter are capable of. Definitely an idea that was way ahead of its time, being published in 1993. Long story short, I loved it. While reading my Nook version of this book, there were NUMEROUS typos and grammatical errors. Someone definitely rushed when they made the Nook copy of this. Still, I got it for $1.99 or so through Barnes & Noble, so I can't complain too much about it. Just wished it was a little better.Definitely a good read nonetheless! So glad I snatched it at a deal when I could!
—Ashley Harris
What a fantastically unnerving story, the best John Saul I've read yet.The characters were sound, the descriptions were good, the imagination concerning the ability of computers was great considering the impossibilities of the future and the relentless killing typical of his work was awesome, as usual. You just never know who will make it, if anybody, with this guy. The story moved at a quick pace and I tore through the entirety in only four or five sittings.Quality shit for sure.There is something about the loss of senses that rattles me, it's one of my horror soft spots and when Amy awoke in the void, the black vacuum... oh shit yeah!Great. Great. GREAT!
—S.L. Dixon
Summary: The Academy was created for children that were extremely smart and didn't fit in any where else. OR at least that's what Dr. Engersol and Head Mistress Hildie wanted their students and their parents to think.THey have been experimenting with artificial intelligence. Their objective is to try and keep only the brain alive with out it's body. Transferring the brain to a tank and hooking it up to a computer.The first student they used died shortly after they moved his brain to a tank. But
—Rissy
