Blind Waves

by Steven Gould

Book Overview

The author ofJumperreturns with a near-future SF novel, set in an America whose coastline has been drowned by melting Antarctic ice. In the world where hundreds of millions of people have been displaced from their homes by the Deluge--a hundred-foot-rise in sea level from melting ice caps--Partricia Beenan is lucky. She is still an American citizen with the right to live on the continent, unlike so many "wetfoots" whose homes lie deep under the waves...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312864450
• ISBN13: 9780312864453
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Loved it

Stephen Gould has written some of my favorite books, including Jumper and Wildside. Both of these are considered `young adult' fiction, of for no other reason but that their protagonists are all `young adults', and the themes revolve around growing up kinds of things. Blind Waves deals with adults, adult themes-though nothing particularly dark or explicit-and tackles some global near-future issues, in particular the consequences of global warming and rising sea levels. It doesn't spend much time analyzing or agonizing over the things that led to this state of affairs, but just sets the story within that context and spins out a cool yarn about intrigue and dastardly machinations among those policing illegal immigration in the flooded southern US. Plus there's a love story between the two main protagonists; which is kind of at the heart of it all and provides the thread that holds it all together. I just like Blind Waves. It's the kind of book you re-read when you're not in the mood to tackle anything new and potentially problematic, and you just want something light, and yet not shallow and definitely entertaining. Till Noever, owlglass.com, Author: KEAEN, SELADIENNA, CONTINUITY SLIP.

Jump right in, the water's fine!

I was somewhat dubious about this book because of the plotline, so well described in other reviews, but I bought it because I have enjoyed Gould's other three solo novels. I'm so glad I did! Although I searched in vain for the plot twists borrowed from my favorite Dorothy L. Sayers' novel, I truly liked Patricia and Thomas. I agree that their relationship was a little rushed, but it made sense given the context of their situation. Everything was rushed as they struggled to solve the attack and sinking of the Open Lotus mystery and found that this disaster might only be a prelude.Like many other Gould readers, my favorite novel of his is JUMPER, but I would put BLIND WAVES a close second.

Another great story from Steven Gould

BLIND WAVES is another wonderful read from the author of JUMPER. The technical problems and solutions are fascinating, and the relationship between the two main characters develops beautifully. With references to Shakespeare sprinkled throughout, this is a smart, sophisticated story, yet it doesn't exclude any reader. Even if you hate Shakespeare, you'll still love this book. Really a great read.

A Thrilling, Engrossing Read

Wow! Steven Gould has written another thrilling novel! Set in a near future of flooded continents and floating cities, once the story starts to run it just does not stop. Social consciousness, ecology, romance, and an abiding love for the Bard are cleverly woven together with personal submarines, fast ships, and flying bullets. The characters are well thought-out, both in their descriptions and their interactions.As in Mr. Gould's previous novels, there's a unifying theme; in this case, underwater travel. And if the protagonists aren't diving in a submarine or swimming their way to and from danger, they're zipping back and forth in boats on the surface. Also as in *Jumper* and *Wildside*, a large government agency, in this case the INS, figures prominently in the plot. The scary thing is, I find this part of the scenario an all too plausible extrapolation of present-day events.Foodies, beware: there's a restaurant in this book that ought to be real, and I hope someday I find myself in it.Now that I've read this book, I'll just have to keep on rereading it, and *Jumper*, and *Wildside*... until the next Steven Gould novel comes out!

Excellent!

A fine book by the author of _Jumper_, _Wildside_, and _Helm_. This is an interesting adventure set in a near-future world where an Antarctic ice shelf collapse has flooded the world's low-lying regions and created a massive refugee problem, making the INS the second-largest branch of the armed forces.Like flying in _Wildside_ or aikido in _Helm_, there's a "central skill" to the book, and this time it's diving and submersibles. It's interesting material, and it's well integrated into the story.Definitely recommended, as are his other books.