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Departures: Stories of Alternate History Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Departures: Stories of Alternate History


This anthology is a nice break from Turtledove's ultra-long novels and series'. It is a hard collection to categorize, because the stories cover a _lot_ of ground. Some are fantasy, some are science fiction, some are alternate historical, some don't fit easily into any of these categories. Some covers themes, such as baseball or Judaism (one amusing little story asks whether a genetically engineered cud-chewing pig would be kosher). Some are totally wacky, some are dead serious. This diversity is most definitely a good thing. The stories are of high quality, and make you think and smile at the same time.
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The review of this Book prepared by Jeph Gord



Chapter Analysis of Departures: Stories of Alternate History

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Plot & Themes

Tone of book    -   very upbeat Explore/1st contact/ enviro story    -   Yes Explore:    -   exploring a wondrous planet or phenomena    -   generally friendly contact with alien(s)    -   post environmental/nuclear disaster, fighting MadMax gangs Spying & Investigations    -   Yes What is main char. doing?    -   spying/espionage in enemy territorry    -   finding a killer (criminal) Political power play    -   Yes Repressive society story    -   Yes Repressive because:    -   kills without good reason Tech./$$$/Info hunt    -   Yes Stealing/recovering/destroying    -   info about lifeform(s)/society/phenomena Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Who's a slave/repressed?    -   humans are slaves of other humans

Setting

Earth setting:    -   20th century    -   general past    -   near future (later in 21st century)    -   medium future 22-24th century A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:    -   humans in a primitive/fantasy society    -   neutral aliens    -   primitive aliens    -   very controlled society Takes place on Earth?    -   Yes Planet outside solar system?    -   Yes Not Earth, in Solar System?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   moderately detailed references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only)    -   a lot of techical jargon How much dialogue?    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like Departures: Stories of Alternate History

Harry Turtledove Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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