Review of "To Your Scattered Bodies Go" and "The Fabulous Riverboat"

So, I took the chance to review the first two books in the Riverworld series, this is my opinion and assessment of it. I decided to wait a couple weeks to watch the series and review that, as I'm getting a little overdone on the subject matter. Check back here in a week and I should have the television series of The Riverworld posted. And with that here is my review of the first two books.

The first two books of the Riverworld series “To Your Scattered Bodies Go” and “The Fabulous Riverboat” by Philip Jose Farmer, are an interesting combination of Science fiction fantasy, philosophy and alternate historical accounts.



The fascinating part of these books is the idea that the whole of humanity has been resurrected and is forced to interact with each other. It seems to be a natural step to follow famous and fascinating people from history, and Farmer is no exception to utilze famous people as characters in his book. I was impressed with the amount of insight and research that Farmer put into constructing each character. After reading the Riverworld series, I was inclined to search out the book “The Devil Drives” by Fawn Brodie, which is mentioned as the best biography of the main character Sir Richard Francis Burton. Little touches such as these give “To Your Scattered Bodies Go” a realism despite its lofty and fantastic premise. The choice of Burton as the main character at first seems a little strange, as he is not very well known today. Yet Burton comes out as a strong and charismatic character; his drive to reach the headwaters of the river is felt. Farmer further puts the reader in the story by inserting a 20th century character to give the book a bit of a modern feel, despite the timelessness of the scenario. The immensity of the concept of resurrecting all of humanity is a tremendous undertaking. Yet Farmer takes it on with the fastidiousness of a science fiction writer, taking care of all the details such as how they would eat and how would people who lost limbs in their terrestrial life be restored. He explains away most of these concerns with scientific speculation, yet leaves some of the mystery there, partly because of the adventure of discovery and partly because you don't need to explain everything in science fiction. This book is all about the adventure, the yearning for answers in a strange new world still haunted by the demons of the last; it is simply exciting.



The second book makes the daring choice to change the main characters. After you've invested all this time identifying with Burton, he's nowhere to be found in the second book. Instead, you're treated to another literary giant, Samuel Clemens also known as the father of American literature Mark Twain. This is a very interesting choice, as most Americans are familiar with his works “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn”. Most people wouldn't find it difficult to imagine the author of these works to be drifting down the large river lazily searching for adventure. Yet, what is interesting to someone who has read beyond the public school required reading and enjoyed some of Twain's short stories and posthumously published works, there was a definite dark side to this author. Tormented in his time by both his own success and fame, and by personal demons regarding the death of his infant son, Clemens becomes just as interesting character as Burton. He is driven by the same invisible force to discover the truth of the resurrection. The second book acts as an anchor, as most of the book takes place in the same location and lacks the traveling adventuring aspect of the first book. It is apparent that the book was intended to explore more the drive behind why the characters are so interested in finding the truth. It establishes the rebel Ethical and the chosen twelve, which can't help but remind someone of Christian mythology. The hints to mythology and mystery lays the foundation of the mystery of the books. But the second book goes further in exploring how the inhabitants of the Riverworld deal with their beliefs being discredited and the creation of a new religion or cult called the Second Chancers. While most people on the planet adapt to their new circumstances, some revive their ways on Earth, while still others find themselves seeking this as an opportunity to atone for their terrestrial sins. The most interesting of these is Hermann Goring, best known as Hitler's right-hand man; possibly one of the most despicable human beings in the 20th century. Its interesting how in the course of two books, Farmer depicts him as the slime of humanity who starts to find goodness in this new world. He is of almost saintly proportions by the second book. Overall the second book really deals with the dark-side of humanity and the aspirations that drive us to do what we do and offers a introspective look at who we are as a people. The book is an inescapable middle to this great series, not as exciting as the first book, but a necessary philosophical center to this ambitious collection.

Overall, it's difficult to review or assess either “To Your Scattered Bodies Go” or “The Fabulous Riverboat” without taking into account the other books in the series. They are separate but part of a whole that has to be appreciated in its entirety. They represent a fantastic look into the social, political and religious philosophies of humanity. You can't help but put yourself in this situation and think, what would I do if I were suddenly resurrected at the physical age of 25 (something that means more as I get older), didn't have to work for food, booze and cigarettes, and had complete freedom and health. On the surface it seems like paradise. The weather is controlled, people are not capable of reproducing so there's no threat of over-population; but what is it that makes us humans? Is it what we do to survive, or are we driven by more. As technology makes it possible for us to go beyond having to tilling the land everyday, what is it that drives us? I don't know that the books really answer these questions, but it gets one thinking about an answer as you see one mans vision of what could happen. That is the true nature behind these books, that is what takes the story beyond the science fiction of entertainment media, and that is the reason I re-read them.

The Fabulous Riverboat Plot Synopsis

This is the plot synopsis for the Fabulous Riverboat by Philip Jose Farmer. Again the synopsis is for reference for my upcoming review of the books, as well as my comparison to the TV mini-series adaptation of it. These posts will seem a little sporadic, since I am writing these offline and revising them as I write, then posting them after I feel satisfied with it.

To explain why I'm doing all this writing, I am planning on going back to school (graduate, possibly on to doctorate) for literature. I expect a lot of reading and writing when I finally take that leap, and since I haven't written anything formal in about 7 years (college), I wanted an opportunity to get back into it. So these are my self-assigned writing assignments, complete with these off-the-cuff introductions.

I hope all of you enjoy reading what I'm writing and leave me comments with any criticism, good or bad. With that, here is my plot synopsis of The Fabulous Riverboat by Philip Jose Farmer.




Riverworld Review

The Fabulous Riverboat (Novel)

Plot Synopsis:




The second book in the Riverworld series follows Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), on his adventure traveling up-river in the Riverworld. He's grudgingly partnered with a vicious viking king named Erik Bloodaxe, and Clemens' blood brother a ten-foot tall hominid named Joe Miller who is his best friend and protector. They are searching for iron ore, which is rare on this planet, so that Clemens can build a Riverboat to travel up river. Bloodaxe is interested in the iron ore so that he can build proper weapons for his viking warriors and conquer the river. Clemens has been visited by visions of the beings that created the Riverworld and has been entranced by a story of Joe's when he had traveled to the headwaters. When a meteor crashes near Clemens and his companions, it is revealed that it was manipulated by an Ethical (one of the creators of this planet) so that Clemens could get the materials needed to create the boat. In a visit by one of the Ethicals, Clemens is told that there is a rebellion launched against the other Ethicals to stop them resurrecting humanity. Clemens is told that there are twelve who have been chosen to assist the rebellious Ethical. The twelve have been instructed to go to the dark tower at the headwaters of the river and end the experiment that has resurrected all of humanity. The Riverboat is needed to take all the chosen ones up river and that they will reveal themselves in due time.

As Clemens claims the meteor that has deposited the needed iron ore he allies with King John of Lackland (the real life king of Robin Hood and Magna Carta fame) and betrays Bloodaxe. With King John's help Clemens and his companions fight off opposition, and build a democratic state of Paralando* in order to build the Riverboat. His companions have swelled to include Lothar Von Richtofen (the brother of the famed Red Barron), Cyrano de Bergerac, Livy Clemens (the terrestrial wife of Sam Clemens, who is now with Cyrano), and others such as Odysseus and Mozart. Paralando grows to be one of the most important nations on the Riverworld, having access to the rare iron and steel. They develop technologies and weapons that make them superior to the surrounding nations. Paralando becomes dependent on the wood and natural resources of its neighbors as the nation works to build the Riverboat, leading to diplomatic tensions with the surrounding nations. One nation Soul City, lead by Elwood Hacking, a former militant Black Panther from the 60's in the United States, has particularly tense dealings with Paralando and sends an emissary Milton Firebrass (an American Astronaut from the 20th Century). Firebrass gets close to Clemens, even acting as his chief engineer on the building of the Riverboat, which results in Hacking visiting Paralando himself.

Hacking's visit turns out to be a double-cross, which Soul City's army invades Paralando and take's the still incomplete Riverboat as well as the riches that come with the iron deposits. After the successful invasion, driving Clemens and his close circle back to a hidden location, Hacking's army occupies Paralando and is then invaded by another neighbor. This causes both forces to stretch themselves so thin, that a third force led by King John invades and re-takes Paralando; explaining to Clemens that this was his plan to eliminate all the threats along the river. With all the threats and obstacles out of the way, the team finishes the Riverboat. On the launch day of the Riverboat King John betrays Clemens and runs him off the boat. Clemens finds himself on the shore without his boat and swears that he will build a new one and take his revenge.

*Twain-land in Esperanto the official language of Riverworld.

To Your Scattered Bodies Go: Plot Synopsis

So, I started this blog thinking that I would just watch the movie and compare it to the book that it was based on. Yet, I felt it had been too long since I read the book for me to properly compare details, so I decided to re-read the book.

First, I'll give you some background on how I discovered To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip Jose Farmer. I was about 15 years old living in Richmond, VA and I had become friends with J.R. the owner of a comic book shop near my house. I started hanging out at this shop (I was never really into comic books, but I liked Sci-fi books and he had plenty of them), one day J.R. told me he was compiling a list of obscure books that you must read books before you die, he mentioned To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip Jose Farmer as one of his top books. Up to that point I only read classic literature and StarWars books, and was not aware there was any "legitimate" Science Fiction, just cheap "pulp" movie adaptions. J.R. decided to give me a copy of the book, it was only a little over 100 pages, but the book changed my entire outlook on literature. I found the concept behind the book to be so creative and interesting, it inspired me to seek out and read more books, as well as start writing myself. I still have that copy that J.R. gave me, I treasure it as a symbol of when I entered a new phase in my life.

And with that I will post my detailed plot synopsis of To Your Scattered Bodies Go. If you have intention on Reading the book I wouldn't read this synopsis, because it contains SPOILERS, but for those of you who are interested in the Riverworld series and need the details to understand my following review of the TV series, I have it here. Stay posted for the plot synopsis of the second book in the series "The Fabulous Riverboat", finally followed by by review and comparison of the Riverworld (2010) TV mini-series.



Riverworld Assessment

To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Novel)

Plot Synopsis:













Sir Richard Francis Burton awakens after terrestrial death on the banks of a river on a strange planet. All of humanity has been resurrected at the approximate age of 25; while their bodily needs are met through metal lunch pails referred to grails, which are activated at stones which are located along the river in intervals of every mile. Burton spends time getting adjusted to the new situation with his fellow river dwellers, Peter Jarius Frigate a science fiction writer from the 20th century, Alice Liddel Hargreaves the Victorian noblewoman who was the earthly inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, Monat a space traveller who was killed on his first voyage to Earth in 2008 and finally Kaz a neolithic subhuman who despite his rough nature becomes a dedicated friend to Burton. As Burton gets used to his new life he becomes obsessed with finding the headwaters of the river that winds along the entire world. This is seemingly an allusion to the real life Burton who spent the better part of his life in trying to find the headwaters of the Nile, but failed. Burton enlists his new friends in building a boat to travel up-river to find the source.

As they travel the river they get attacked in many locations finally captured by a warrior nation led by Hermann Goring the former Reichsmarschall of the Nazi army, who is co-ruling with Tullus Hostilius a former early king of Rome. After suffering at the hands of his captors he overthrows them with the help of the other slaves. Burton stays in this area with his friends and starts to settle as local leader. After going on a brief trip he returns to find all the people in the village have been put to sleep. He then discovers that he is being tracked by the beings who created the Riverworld, and they intend to capture and interrogate him to find out what he knows. He narrowly escapes with Alice who has become his lover. They travel up river and Burton gets killed while battling with hostile people. Burton then spends the next several years getting killed and resurrecting along the riverbanks, during this time he finds himself being resurrected in the same locations as Goring. Forced to make an uneasy peace with his former tormentor, he realizes they are somehow linked.

Burton is then visited by one of the beings that created the world, called an Ethical, who explains that the whole world and people on it are a science experiment and the humans are to be disposed of when it is complete. He wants Burton to travel to the tower at the headwaters to stop their plan. The Ethical recommends using the suicide and resurrection as method of travel and elusion of the other Ethicals. After dying and resurrecting 777 times Burton finds himself in a small village at the mouth of the river that has friends and former allies living there. He is then kidnapped and taken to an interrogation room by the Ethicals who explain they know that there is a rebel amongst them, and they intend to not let Burton interfere with their plans. They also reveal that there is a limit to the number of times he can be resurrected, though the exact number is unknown. The Ethicals end the meeting with saying if he intends to continue to the tower at the headwaters they will not let him survive, and might not be resurrected. Burton is returned to the village. Not dissuaded by the Ethicals warnings, and reunited with his friends he decides to make the journey to the mysterious tower at the headwaters.

Movie Reviews by Jadiwin

Hi All,

This is going to be my blog for reviewing movies and TV series. I will start by focusing on movies that are based on novels I have read and giving my opinion on the new interpretation of the medium. I will be analyzing the intent, purpose and achievements of the moving medium.

My first review will be The Riverworld a TV series by the Sy Fy channel based on the series of books by Phillip Jose Farmer.

More to come.