Long Twilight

by Keith Laumer

Book Overview

A huge volume of edge-of-the-seat science fiction adventure, including: * "The Long Twilight": Grayle and Falconer met in relentless combat with no quarter in prehistoric ages past, their endless... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441489281
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Ace
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.0" x 1.0" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Weird Tales

The Long Twilight and Other Stories (2007) is an omnibus edition of two short novels and four short stories. These tales are not related to any of the major story cycles by the author. The Long Twilight (Putnam, 1969) is a short novel. Two members of an offworld civilization have been fighting each other for millennia. They have a final collision at a time when the USA is building its first beamed power unit. It is thematically similar to A Trace of Memory, but has a very different ending. Birthday Party (Asimov's, 1978) is about a couple on the day of their child's fiftieth birthday. The child has been modified to have an extended lifespan. The Half Man (IF, 1969) tells of a half-breed male who returns to the planet of his mother as an adult. His father is onplanet and learns of his presence. The Lawgiver (The Year 2000, 1970) recounts the story of a Senator who sponsors a bill on population control that mandates first trimester abortions for fetuses conceived without a birth permit. Then a highly pregnant young woman appears in his suite carrying the illegitimate child of his son. The Plague (Analog, 1970) relates the troubles of a pioneer family when a bureaucratic agency starts settling poverty victims on their land. Naturally, the head bureaucrat appropriates their home as headquarters of the colonization effort. Night of Delusions (Putnam, 1972) is a short novel. It is a film noir detective story that turns into a nightmare. Florin is hired to bodyguard an insane Senator while his associates use technological illusions to shock him into reality. But events start out bad and go downhill. Then things get really weird. These stories illustrate several major themes that appear in many of the author's writings. One is the loner with extraordinary physical ability and a quick wit. Another is the incompetence and arrogance of bureaucratic agencies. Others include the importance of camaraderie, patience and knowledge. Highly recommended for Laumer fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of weird events, human perversity, and heroic action. -Arthur W. Jordin

Gripping pleasant suprise

The novel is episodic - you will have to keep reading to see them together. I had to go back and re-read many sub chapters - its just that kind of book. But it will grip you. Also, it doesn't spell everthing out for you - requires a good imagination.

Really good, I wish I had the rest

This book tells the tale of a civilization that has been taken over by machines, where humans and other biological constructs are grown by machine and programmed with memories from the past. One man learns the truth and disobeys the "orders" he receives from his superiors that would result in the destruction of an inhabited planet (Earth). In order to keep his ship from carrying out the orders he crashes it on the planet. His friend comes to rescue him only to discover that he doesn't desire rescue.

Highlander anyone?

Although the book is at times slightly confusing, the tale that's being told will grab you and won't let go. The story of two immortals stranded on earth and battling one another through the ages must certainly have inspired the writers of the first Highlander film. Inspiring book, highly recommended.

Supermen with real humanity

For thousands of years, Grayle and Falconer have battled--and their superhuman struggle has turned into legend (they are also known as Thor and Loki). Now, human technology has enabled them to accomplish their mission--the destruction of Earth. Falconer knows he must go forward with the mission despite Grayle and despite the death of billions. Laumer writes great superhumans, but he does an especially good job humanizing them. Through each character's interaction with ordinary humans, we learn to sympathize and empathize with them, to care about them as people. Written in 1969 at the height of Laumer's power, the novel employs that quick-paced style that made Laumer so popular with his Retief series, but in a far darker and more profound novel.You'll want to read the entire novel in a sitting, then flip it and start over. A great book.