The Future Happens Twice: The Perennial Project (Future Happens Twice)

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 732 pages
• Published by: Athena Press Publishing Co. UK June 14, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 184401830X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1844018307
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Weighs: 2.2 pounds

Product Description
Debrya Handsen, a 33-year-old professor in computational linguistics at the University of Minnesota, is ready for a career change. She decides to leave her academic post and move to Nevada, where she joins a top secret project that is being sponsored by the American government. Using powerful telescopes on the far side of the Moon, the project's astronomers have discovered an Earth-like planet that is eighty-two light years away; simultaneously, a major breakthrough in bio- engineering presents the project with the unique opportunity of long-distance space travel. At first Debrya has no idea why the study of language is to play such a central role, and why twin studies are also so important. During her orientation week she discovers a disturbing secret that makes her wish she had never joined the project. Soon she is faced with the dilemma of revealing the dark secrets of the project or being part of the most ambitious undertaking in the history of humankind. Matt Browne's gorgeously worked space epic explores the bounds of human hope and plumbs the depths of human duplicity. Tender relationships between the budding astronauts are pitched against the disillusion they feel when an embattled President confronts them with their true origins and purpose. The author's fascination with the fields of bioengineering and information technology sustains the reader's interest all the way through this roller-coaster ride. The adventures continue in parts II and III of Matt Browne's thrilling trilogy, The Future Happens Twice - Human Destiny and The Andromeda Encounter.

Reader Reviews
The synopsis on the back of the book does not touch about ninety percent of the story. My synopsis will give a much clearer idea to readers what is going on. Nothing over the half way point of this book will be told. I refuse to give spoilers. However, I do not believe the back of this book tells enough for readers to decide if this trilogy is for them or not. I, as the reader, would have liked to know what the project is actually about. Had I known, I would have picked up this book long before now. Book One takes place in Reno, Nevada, 2064. Debrya Handsen is a thirty-three-year-old professor in computational linguistics. When offered a massive salary to join a top secret government project, Debrya leaves Minnesota and relocates to Nevada. She is eager to dive in immediately, even though she has no idea what the project is really about, only that it would challenge her skills in linguistic programming. The project location is in a subterranean research facility. Alexander Johrd is over the computer science section of the project. The task of escorting Debrya around and explaining the project is delegated to him. Alexander notices that as he tells Debrya what is going on, she is attracted and repelled simultaneously. He knows that he must be careful as he explains the project. After all, most people would be appalled at first and no one wants to scare the new project member away. Debrya's role is vital. The Pernennial Project's goal is to spread humanity across space. This way, should something happen to Earth and humanity be wiped out, the human race would have a chance for survival. The planet named Acantarius, located in the Omega Altaris System (over tens of thousands of billions of kilometers away), is the chosen destination. It will take a spacecraft around forty-two thousand years to reach it. To save most supplies (including oxygen, food, and the like), it is not human beings that are frozen on board, it is embryos. Four of the embryos are chosen to be the first born. The two androids on board will defrost the four when Acantarius is only twenty years away, watch over them as they mature in an artificial womb, and then raise the children as their own. The children will not learn that their parents are actually androids until their sixteenth birthday. The children will also believe they are quadruplets until then as well. Of course, all of this must be tested. Using embryo-splitting technology, the project members have been making twins of each of the four embryos for many years. The current four believe they are actually in space, approaching Acantarius. They do not know that they are actually in a spacecraft, underneath a military complex on Earth. It is the next batch of twins that will actually be sent on the long interstellar trip. The four kids' entire lives, from birth and over sixteen years have been nothing but lies. Since the project leaders know the public would go ballistic when they find out, everything has been kept under wraps. Only the project members with blue badges know the full truth. *** Be warned that this is a thick book, over seven hundred pages. It is the first of a trilogy. Book two is titled HUMAN DESTINY. Book three is titled THE ANDROMEDA ENCOUNTER. Due to the way the story is written, the plot is told many times. In my opinion, it is told too often. It is told to Debrya, then to the children, then slowly to a few public people... I cannot help but feel that this could have been written in a way that I, as the reader, could learn it as Debrya learned it. Then when others became involved or the kids learned the truth, I would not need to hear it retold and retold. Do not get me wrong; the way it is written works. It is just too repetitive for me. The plot has been done before; however, author Matt Browne has given it much more thought. (In fact, there were times I believed Browne's version bordered on genius!) It seems as though the author did a lot of research before putting pen to paper, so to speak. I could not, and still cannot, stop wondering if something like this is actually going on in a secret remote location. The very thought is disturbing to me. If you enjoy realistic sci-fi, this book is for you. I enjoyed it immensely. I only wish the plot execution had been told differently. Recommended! *** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews. Comment (1) | | (Report this)