Solving the Communion Enigma

November 1, 2011
The author allegedly abducted by aliens in 1985 returns to further his case in this "true sequel." It's been a quarter-century since prolific horror author Strieber (Hybrids, 2011, etc.) frighteningly comingled extraterrestrial science fiction with reality in his factual accounting of an alien visitation (Communion, 1987). His testimonial unleashed a flood of stories from others similarly terrified after encounters with "the grays." In this cathartic update, the author engagingly discusses his troubled childhood fraught with tortuous medical maladies, and then details sinister events at the upstate New York cabin where the original event occurred, and where he'd since forged a "relationship with our visitors." But Strieber's attempt at both clarification and further extrapolation of the facts oscillates between compelling and confusing, which muddies both his intent and his credibility. He directs more skeptical readers toward his appraisals of anomalies like crop-circle formations, civilian abductions, UFOs, orbs, random animal mutilations and the bizarre ear implant he received in 1989 that still "occasionally turns on." Strieber is a convincing if frenetic theorist, but much of what he calls "truth" remains speculative or has previously been debunked. The author does not know how these celestial beings got here or what they want, only that "they are in control." While he provides a wealth of material to digest (for those with an open mind), what remains static is that the indefatigable Strieber is still sticking to his story, even with the daunting burden of proof yet to be realized. Embellished, hyper-imaginative entertainment or a snapshot of the future? Readers will have to decide.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 1, 2012

Strieber has reached people around the world through his best-selling fiction (The Hunger), nonfiction (Communion), and the movies adapted from those books (The Day After Tomorrow). He famously claims that throughout his life he has come into contact with UFOs and extraterrestrials. With this book, he attempts to connect a lifetime's worth of those experiences into a cohesive whole. In doing so, he explains his belief that crop circles, cattle mutilations, UFO sightings, alien abductions, near-death experiences, and implants are legitimate phenomena that should be further investigated. Strieber now believes that there are dimensions of reality that exist beyond current perceptions and that these phenomena are part of those alternate realities. No matter your beliefs, Strieber's writing has impact--even 25 years after he first commanded readers' attention with Communion. VERDICT Everyone interested in UFOs, other dimensions, or the mysteries of life will want to read Strieber's new work. He may be wrong and (according to skeptics) he could be crazy, but he certainly presents stimulating ideas.--Mary E. Jones, Los Angeles P.L.

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