Genre : Science Fiction Format : Paperback Published : 1980 Pages : 179

“So here I am now coming out of nothing like Eros out of Death , knowing only that I was Ismael Forth -“

Summary : In the future in a time that has humanity traveling the stars we also have tapes recording our memories so we can transfer our memories into blank minds in case of emergencies . That’s what happens to on Ismael Forth , his body mysteriously gone , but his mind tapes are essentially downloaded into a woman’s body with a tail . Not surprisingly , this takes a little getting used to . As he learns to think of himself as a woman he gets dragged into a mystery plot as his body might not be as dead as originally thought . A plot involving mad scientist , mind manipulation , mutant cats , space travel , zombies , sex , and philosophy .

“I don’t know whether I wanted to have sex or an expedition with Candy Darling . But I was her woman .”

Review : This book is classic science fiction in the sense that it deals with odd yet fun ideas . At times it’s a mystery , at others an adventure , and it even at times feels like an erotica . I dig the two main characters ( Ismael Forth / Candy Darling ) but the other characters could be fleshed out a little more . The main plot keeps you guessing and the whole story feels smooth . Is there some issues ? Sure. There’s a few questionable choices but that’s just me being nitpicky . Also this is suppose to be the start of a trilogy but it feels like everything was resolved so . Anyways , check it out if you like old school Sci-fi .

“We’re always being born and dying , my friend . When we go , how will you count the numbers ?”

Recommendations : Books

1. Resurrection , Inc by Kevin J. Anderson
2. Conjure Wife by Fritz Lieber
3. Babel – 17 by Samuel R. Delany
4. The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov
5. Armageddon 2419 A.D. by Philip Francis Nowlan
6. The Space Vampires by Colin Wilson
7. Witch World by Andre Norton
8. The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
9. The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum
10. Parasite Eve by Hideaki Sena

Songs

1. 4 Minutes – Madonna / Justin Timberlake / Timberland
2. Diamond Eyes – Shinedown
3. Save Me – Remy Zero
4. Enter Sandman – Metallica
5. Venus – Bananarama
6. Fake It – Seether
7. Afterlife – Switchfoot
8. Mad Hatter – Melanie Martinez
9. Back in Black – AC/DC
10. Sex and Candy – Marcy Playground

Movies

1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
2. Mody Dick (1956)
3. Man with the Screaming Brain (2005)
4. Double Impact (1991)
5. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
6. Dead Ringers (1988)
7. Dark City (1998)
8. The Prestige (2006)
9. 12 Monkeys (1995)
10. THX 1138 (1971)

Lesson : Perception can be difficult .