Wolf Meuller is a 35 year old schizophrenic astrophysicist who is contacted by Eamm, a friendly alien from a far-distant planet, whose advanced civilization has discovered a massive Cloud formation that is heading towards Earth, where it will descend and suffocate every air-breathing creature. Eamm takes Wolf to his planet where he observes a utopian society, and is shown proof of the Cloud's rapid journey towards Earth. Upon his return to Earth, Wolf and those he and Eamm can convince of the imminent catastrophe, work frantically to organize a rescue, whereby humanity as we know it, can be saved from extinction. The President of the United States and other leaders refuse to accept the reality of the Cloud...and the Aliens take matters into their own hands to save as much of humanity as possible, before it is too late. Romance, heartbreak, passion, and despair, all play a role as Wolf, his friends, his sister and her lovers, seek an element of normalcy in the midst of chaos. They are faced with a terrible choice. Who among them will choose to stay on Earth and try to ride out the Cloud in hastily built underground shelters? Who among them will beam up to spaceships that will take them to "Marrias," the alien planet light years from Earth, to hopefuly begin new and better lives? The characters must search deep into themselves before making the painful decision.
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Although the novel was written before September 11, the characters' desperate longing for normalcy in a time of terror, will strike a chord with the reader who is now faced by life and death decisions, such as taking an airplane, or travelling to a foreign country. Perhaps being rescued by a friendly, advanced, humane civilization, by being beamed up to a space ship that will take them to Marrias, will for many, prove to be a comforting fantasy.
The review of this Book prepared by Blanche F. Lord