God Game: Fables

by Andrew M. Greeley

Book Overview

Andrew M. Greeley, the phenomenally popular novelist and priest, is best known -- and loved -- for his understated Catholic morality and compassionate understanding of human foibles. In The God Game, now available in a brand-new trade paperback edition, Father Greeley takes a new and fascinating twist on an old cliche: What if -- by using a sophisticated computer game with a healthy dose of heavenly intervention -- you really could play God? What...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446512648
• ISBN13: 9780446512640
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.

Customer Reviews

What if you were God?

This is one of the most different reads I've ever come across and one I enjoyed the most. Not only was it a very entertaining story but it made me think about what if I were God? It makes it plain that what God might want, because of free will, doesn't always work out that way. THe technology might be a bit dated since this book was published but I don't think that effects the story. Greeley is one of my favorite authors, I've read most of his fiction and this is one of his best.

Simply another great Greeley book

I've been reading Greeley for around 15 years. He's never disappointed me. God Game is a fun story about what might happen if one found one's self in a situation similar to God's. What would happen if a whole bunch of people depended on you for guidance and comfort? Must read for Greeley readers. Even more for those that love both Greeley and fantasy. The Magic Cup is good too tho harder to find. God bless <

A Wonderful Book

I'm so incredibly glad this novel has been reprinted. I admit I'm not one to particular care for computer games or religion, but this novel, written with such deft skill, won me over whole-heartedly. Perhaps the best of all the "computer-game comes to life" novels, Greeley gives all the reader characters that can actually be cared about; further more all the characters have quirks and weakness which one can easily see in the "real-life" people around oneself. This book is definately a must read.

An interesting contribution to the sci-fi genre. . .

For some, the name of Fr. Andrew Greeley instantly suggests a "liberal" Catholic priest seeking to be a gadfly in the Church. For some, the name conjures up some fairly steamy sex scenes in some of his novels. For some, a competent, if media-hungry sociologist. Readers of "God Game" will add "imaginative Science Fiction writer" to this eclectic mix.In "God Game" Fr. Greeley presents us with the unusual scenario of a priest (not unlike the author) spending an evening playing a compter adventure game. His home is struck by lightening, something is scrambled, and suddenly the images on his screen are real -- and the real characters think that he is God.Yes, this might seem a little philosophical for many sci-fi fans -- but for those readers who expect depth in their books (regardless of genre) will want to read and re-read this one.I still find myself in sharp philosophical and theological disagreement with Fr. Greeley -- and probably always will. But in this book, the Irish storyteller comes to the fore in a wonderful way.

Enchanting novel with compeling characters

This is such a wonderful book. Once you adjust yourself to the eighties computer technology that the narrator has to put up with, you will be as captivated with the book as the narrator was with his characters. And indeed, who wouldn't be captivated with this particular group. First there are the duke and duchess of neighboring kingdoms who have been feuding for generations but who are compelled by the narrator (who everyone thinks is God)to make peace. The duchess is a passionate, quick tempered, but vulnerable warrior with a talent for painting thunderstorms, and the duke is a gentle dreamer who doesn't enjoy war but has become so used to it that on rare occasions his warriors instincts become out of control. Then there is the bitter matron who is tired of being a minor character in a minor subplot and metamorphoses into a graceful, passionate woman, loved by all, including the author. And then there is a perky little ilel . . .but you'll have to find out about her yourself. If you are longing for a book with characters you can care about, even love, then I strongly urge you to read this delightful book.