From: kav@hpausla.OZ (John Kavadias)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: The Forever War (Re: Books wot I have read)
Date: 21 Jan 93 19:13:23 GMT
Organization: Open Software Associates Limited
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3

jon@ephor.tusc.oz.au (Jon Eaves) writes:
: _The Forever War_, Joe Haldeman
: One of the classics, so I am told.  I enjoyed the story.  Story revolves
: around two main characters, William Mandella, a space-grunt and his
: lover, Marygay Potter and how the side effects of relativistic travel are
: dealt (or not dealt with).  What happens when you leave for a "real-time"
: journey of 20 years that is only 3 weeks to you ?

This book is GREAT. But look out for the British edition published by
Orbit. First printing 1976, the copy I have was printed in 1990. Picked
it up for a couple of bucks on a remainder stand last week, so I could
give it to my brother.

I first read the book about 6 months ago (after waiting about 10 years
for a copy in decent nick on a bookstore shelf). I bought a US edition
published by Avon, printed 1991. (Much better cover art, though it is
pulpy and couldn't possibly be a portrait of Mandella in battle gear.)

THERE ARE CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCES. The US edition is definitely longer,
with much more involved experiences for William and Marygay on Earth after
their first tour of duty. Also there are extra episodes at start of their
second tour of duty and extra scenes as they wrap up their first mission.

Both books are based on some short works previously published in the SF
rags in the US in the early '70's. Though good, the Orbit edition is
inferior to the Avon edition.

The differences mentioned just outline those I can recall. Jon, which one
did you read? Or is it yet another edition? Spoilers follow as I drop in
some clues here ...
























These are just some identifying recollections of William and Marygay's
time on Earth after their first tour.

In the Orbit edition, William and Marygay don't stay on Earth long before
they re-enlist/return to active duty:

	William and Marygay receive medals, are interviewed by the press
	and have their interviews 100% doctored/altered by the military/
	government.

	Tour Geneva, a modern megacity (megapolis if you want to be pure),
	level by level.

	Go to Washinton D.C to visit William's mother, who dies because
	she is unimportant, aged 84 and has a priority 0 health rating
	(i.e. die you old hag, no treatment for you).

In the Avon edition, I recall:

	William trying to get himself a job (50% or higher unemployment
	globally is a feature of both editions) on the black "labour"
	market.

	Buying an Old West Six-Shooter replica that fires shells which
	are essentiall shotgun shells using alot of flechettes instead of
	shot, for self defence.

	Rescuing Marygay from a community farm where her parents worked
	to escape being part of the global unemployed (this type of community
	being mostly outside the authority and help of the government),
	during a raid by dispossessed scavengers.

	Used his Six-Shooter to kill a punk who couldn't get away quickly
	enough when he and Marygay are on holiday in Europe and interrupt
	a gang rape in London.

John Kavadias.
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