Ratings6
Average rating3.1
This is basically an inferior reworking of Simak's earlier novel [b:Time Is the Simplest Thing 1269436 Time Is the Simplest Thing Clifford D. Simak https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1263950437l/1269436.SY75.jpg 1426997]: both are about a man who has the mind of an alien creature from a distant world inside his own. The earlier book is one of my favourites; it's more powerful, more eventful, and more convincing.This one has flashes of life, and I like it well enough to have reread it repeatedly over the years, but the story is rather weak and the ending is contrived and implausible. It's still Simak, but not Simak at his best.The hero is somewhat similar to earlier Simak heroes, but weaker: he thinks and talks, he reacts to his environment when necessary, but he doesn't do very much.This book is acceptable if you've already read Simak's better books and want more; but it's not the main course.