David Brin. The River of Time (1987)

     David Brin. The River of Time (1987) Brin writes everything from straight technological what-ifs to surreal (meta-)physical fantasy. He’s most interested in what would happen if some of the so-called hard realities, both physical and social, of our universe were different. Even in his most didactic mode, he creates credible characters. His style is clear. He is quite good at conveying the fantastic but logical consequences of his premises. He approaches tragedy in some of his tales, yet on the whole he has an optimistic outlook; humanity, in whatever form and whatever reality, will prevail. Worth reading again, but not worth keeping. **½ (2005)