Soulminder

July 28, 2014
Zahn, best known for his Star Wars tie-in novels, weaves a near-future narrative about a machine that can trap the souls of patients hovering at death’s door. According to Dr. Sommer, the soul definitely
exists, and it can be made to obey the will of science. Implications of this proposition mount up in interlocking stories, which make for an intriguing thought experiment. Each chapter looks at the ramifications of Sommer’s process, with his own opinions weaving in and out of the narrative. His work is used for both good and evil, which gives rise to some great ethical debates. Unfortunately, the contemporary setting is stereotypical (populated by South American dictators and ranting televangelists) and it’s hard to believe that no one else manages to develop rival technology. There are also times when Sommer’s security chief, Everly, is able to save the day too easily. The choice to skip from one moral issue to the next does hurt the narrative flow, but those who enjoy deep philosophical questions will appreciate being left with much to ponder.

September 15, 2014

After an accident kills his son, Dr. Adrian Sommers develops a machine that can preserve the human life force while the body is being repaired. Although Sommers thinks of it as the next logical medical step after the heart-lung machine, others see darker uses, from body swapping to immortality. Sommers's partner just wants to get rich and live forever. Religious leaders accuse Sommers of preventing souls from moving to the afterlife. The government wants to control the technology to protect its senior officials while allowing criminals to trade bodies and get away with murder. Meanwhile the indulged rich use others' bodies for thrills and worse. VERDICT First begun as a series of stories in Analog magazine and now published as a complete novel for the first time, Zahn's ("Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy") work follows in the tradition of the best thought-provoking sf, reflecting on the negative consequences of immortality and the way that our society indulges itself and distributes medical breakthroughs. Highly recommended for readers of smart speculative fiction.--Marlene Harris, Seattle P.L.

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