Old Man's War
I just started listening to Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. Mr. Scalzi is a fantastic writer. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t read his blog and his The Android’s Dream kept me thoroughly engrossed not to mention occasionally laughing out loud. I purchased the audio version from Audible about 6 moths ago, but hadn’t been able to bring myself to hitting play. This is really unusual for an audio book. Paper copies tend to sit. I buy far more books then I have the time to read. With audio I tend to buy as I need. Part of the problem is I have never been a big fan of either space opera or military fiction. This being both, well… it sat for six months. I had even purchased a few books outside of my monthly 2 book subscription while Old Man’s War sat unheard and unappreciated but loaded on my iPhone. Well today I ran out of the house without a new book and just wasn’t in the mood for a podcast or music. An hour into it, I am sorry I waited. It is well written, funny, thought provoking. I am actually looking forward to my commute home (well almost). The premise is this: Earth is a space fairing civilization. However there is a quarantine that keeps people from going out and seeing the universe. Not to mention the Colonial Defense Force has all of the Faster then Light Ships. They are also the only ones with the technology to reverse ageing. Earth Doctors have been unable to replicate the technology. So at a certain age you can sign up for Military service. You can see the universe. Your youth is restored. But it is a one way trip. You give up your citizenship to your world/country and by law you are legally dead. Marriages and contracts are dissolved and property is passed along as if you had actually died. You leave everything behind, save whatever you can fit into your one carryon bag. It is quite fascinating and I am looking forward to seeing how the story develops.
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