Joe Haldeman
Camouflage (2004)
Author: Joe Haldeman
Genre: Science Fiction (Storytelling focus)
Plot Summary:
Camouflage follows three storylines: 1) In 2019, engineer Russell Sutton discovers an egg-shaped artifact at the bottom of an ocean trench off the coast of Samoa. Working with businessman Jack Halliburton and exobiologist Jan Dagmar, Sutton and his team move the impossibly dense artifact onto Samoa and try to discover what it is made of, where it came from, and how to get it open; 2) Before the dawn of man, a being (the changeling) lands in a trench in the ocean, leaves its vessel, and shifts its shape for millions of years before taking the shape (and identity) of a wealthy surfer in 1930s Southern California; 3) A being who can take the shape of any human being (the chameleon) develops a taste for power and carnage, leaving a path of destruction from pre-Christian Eurasia to Nazi Germany. SPOILER: As the changeling becomes fascinated by humanity's complexities, it continues to shape-shift its way through history, from the Bataan Death march (as an American G.I.), through several college degrees with several different identities, and finally to Samoa in 2021. This is where the three stories come together: the changeling as an assistant on the artifact project who falls in love with Sutton and the chameleon as a powerful businessman. The artifact eventually responds, calling the changeling home. The ending is abrupt, but happy.
Geographical Setting: Earth! Parts of the story take place all over the U.S. Other major locations are Bataan, Philippines and Apia, Samoa.
Time Period: The story really begins before the dawn of man, but the action takes place from the 1930s-1950s and from 2019-2021.
Appeal Characteristics:
This is a real page-turner; the changeling's storyline is especially fast-paced, whereas the scenes of science versus the artifact are slower. The philosophical elements of the book, however, have less to do with science and more to do with questions of human nature and immortality as the changeling's thoughtful curiosity is juxtaposed with the chameleon’s bloodlust. The characterization is rich and complex (especially since two of the characters constantly change identity). 2020 Samoa doesn't seem too different from 2006, but the historical settings will appeal to some as the changeling gives a birds-eye view of history - a lot of time is especially spent on the Bataan Death March during World War II. This book, however, is not a scathing critique of humanity; it is ultimately an optimistic story with a happy ending.
Read-alikes: Haldeman is probably best known for his award-winning Forever War series, although fans of Camouflage might also try The Coming (2000), a thoughtful look at an out-of-control society. A historical science fiction read-alike is Octavia Butler’s 17th-century American story Wild Seed (1980), which also deals with immortals. Scott Westerfeld’s Polymorph (1997) is another story of the conflict between shape shifters with different moral codes. Another fast-paced, character-driven science fiction with a romantic side plot is Alfred Bester’s classic Demolished Man (1951). Readers who want to try a little fantasy can try Lois McMaster Bujold’s Curse of Chalion (2002), which features fast pacing, strong characterization, and a happy ending. Fans that like Camouflage might enjoy the novel Spin by Robert Charles Wilson, which has a similar pace and love story element. Another idea might be Dark Wing, first in a series by Walter Hunt that creates a suspenseful pace with continuing characters in the later books. Transfinite by A. E. Van Vogt is another novel with great characterization and a rollercoaster pace with surprise twists along the way that might delight the Sci Fi reader. Maybe taking a step further, with The Silk Code by Paul Levinson that has a multiple plot lines that tie together with a potential puzzle is another option. More Than Human by Thomas Sturgeon is one the reader may have missed but would take them on a thought provoking journey with the characters of the story. Finally, readers interested in other well-told, compelling stories about the perils of immortality might try Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891).
Red Flags: A lot of unsuspecting individuals meet a violent end as the changeling and the chameleon acquire new identities; war scenes are also violent. One brief but violent sex scene. Two other brief but not violent sex scenes.
Forever Peace (1997)
Author: Joe Haldeman
Genre: Science Fiction (Storytelling focus)
Plot Summary:
The year is 2043 and Julian Class is a draftee in the brutal Ngumi War, in which the Alliance of developed countries is fighting a confederation of lesser-developed nations. Julian is not, however, fighting directly or in-person. Instead, he is "jacked", able to link his mind directly to a fighting robotic "soldierboy" and the other "jacked" members of his platoon. The United States of 2043 has been utterly transformed by "nanoforges" capable of producing an almost unlimited supply of material goods. In this world where work is no longer neccessary and the State manages nearly all aspects of life, Julian has chosen to work as a physics professor and has begun to question the morality of the war. When Julian's lover, Amanda Harding, also a physicist, reveals to him the startling destructive power of the Jupiter Project, an enormous space-based particle supercollider, Julian must try to stop the Project in confrontation with the fundamentalist Hammer of God conspiracy, who are eager to bring about the apocalypse. Ultimately, Julian is forced to gamble that the pacifying effects of being "jacked" to other minds can be used to bring peace to a world mired endlessly in strife. SPOILER: Paradoxically, it is only when Julian Case loses his ability to "jack" with others that his enhanced ability to commit violence leads to the defeat of the Hammer of God.
Geographical Setting: The United States and Central America
Time Period: 2043
Series: Book 2 in the Forever series
Appeal Characteristics:
The primary appeal of this novel is its engrossing story, fast pace and thoughtful imagining of a plausible future world. The action in the novel comes fast, with intriguing plot twits and turns, but the novel becomes more than just a scifi thriller because of the detailed and sympathetic characterization of Julian Class and his deeply felt struggle with the dark forces surrounding him.
Read-alikes: Readers who enjoyed this novel would also probably appreciate Haldeman's 1974 novel dealing with similar themes, The Forever War. Another exciting novel about future war with a strong main character is Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game (1985). Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars (1993) is a novel with similar political intrigue in a convincingly detailed world of the near future. Robert Heinlein produced the original novel dealing with future warfare in armored battle suits, Starship Troopers, and though it approaches war with a very different attitude, its action scenes are just as compelling. Arthur C. Clarke covers similar terrain in his 2000 thriller, The Trigger, which deals with the discovery of an anti-weapon that renders all other weapons harmless.
Red Flags: Explicit sex, violence and profanity
The Forever War (1974)
Author: Joe Haldeman
Genre: Science Fiction (future war)
Plot Summary:
William Mandella is drafted into the UNEF (United Nations Exploratory Force) to be part of an elite group of soldiers. Earth is at war with the Taurans, a virtually unknown race of space aliens, and these soldiers will be the first to engage the enemy face-to-face. Mandella and his comrades undergo a grueling combat training regimen before embarking on a series of perilous campaigns against an enemy that they feel no natural hatred for. As Mandella suffers through battle after battle, he falls in love with a fellow soldier, Marygay. The two comfort each other as they become estranged from the Earth of their time (hundreds of years pass by as they speed through wormholes). The lovers are eventually deployed to separate conflicts, giving little hope of a reunion. SPOILER: The Forever War eventually comes to an end. Among the few surviving warriors, are William and Marygay. Humans and Taurans make peace after realizing that the war began as a regrettable (and avoidable) misunderstanding. In the mean time, the UN found that the war was an expedient, if barbaric, way to improve Earth’s economy and unify its people.
Geographical Setting: Geneva, Washington D.C.; Jacksonville, FL; the Moon; the universe
Time Period: 1997 (futuristic) to 3138
Series: Book 1 in the Forever series
Appeal Characteristics:
Winner of the Nebula Award (1975) and the Hugo Award (1976), this novel is much more than an intergalactic shoot’em up. Yes, it is action packed and will keep your eyes glued to the page, but it is also a powerful indictment against war. Amidst the absorbing description of strange planets and ferocious battles, Mandella’s first person narration gives us an insider’s account of Earth’s war with the Taurans, which reads like an allegory for the Vietnam War (Haldeman is a Vietnam veteran). The pacing alternates from fast (during battles) to slow (Mandella’s introspective down time). Mandella is brought to life on the page and his wry, sarcastic wit adds a dimension of humor to the novel. Pick this book up if you enjoy social commentary and dystopian foreshadowing with your nova bombs and limb regeneration.
Read-alikes: Fans of The Forever War might enjoy its sequel, Forever Free. Two future war classics will also be of interest: Starship Troopers by Robert J. Heinlein and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card--both of which address military themes and wars with alien races. See also Armor by John Steakley, Old Man’s War by John Scalzi, and Orphanage, by Robert Buettner for more stories of bellicose aliens told in a style that is fast-paced.
Red Flags: Graphic violence, implied sex, sexual situations (both heterosexual and homosexual), marijuana use, profanity.
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