Second time around

I read the Incarnations series many years ago and enjoyed it so much I decided re-read the series again recently. I have not been disappointed in this, the first re-read. Pale Horse raises many questions about death and the process of death as well as living and life. A very thought provoking and most enjoyable novel.

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good story, monotonous reading

I at times thought more about why the reader didn't use the proper inflection than the actual story. unfortunately it was distracting and made the story less enjoyable

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Listening to a Black iPod

Piers Anthony's amazing start to a long series of very fine books is excellently voiced here by George Guidall. The mix of magic, science, metaphysics, religion and - above all - humanity is both fascinating and touching. Follow Zane as he loses his love, manages to kill Death - or at least the human holder of the office - and takes his place ... and wonder continuously at the machinations of Fate, a certain powerful wizard and last but certainly not least the Devil himself.

The view on our own society seen through the lens of this alternate history where both magic and science have been harnessed to man's will is poignant and often telling - he wields his own scythe with the grim mercy that sometimes only death can bring. Much more than a political work this is about frailty and the shady definitions of sin and guilt.

As for Guidall - having first come across his audiobook work on Stephen King's Dark Tower cycle I've been a huge fan of his ability to understand the work he is reading and bring such a rich wealth of emotion and nuance to even the simplest sentence. He truly is a master of the art.

I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series which cover the other "Incarnations"!

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12 people found this helpful

Listening to a Black iPod

Piers Anthony's amazing start to a long series of very fine books is excellently voiced here by George Guidall. The mix of magic, science, metaphysics, religion and - above all - humanity is both fascinating and touching. Follow Zane as he loses his love, manages to kill Death - or at least the human holder of the office - and takes his place ... and wonder continuously at the machinations of Fate, a certain powerful wizard and last but certainly not least the Devil himself.

The view on our own society seen through the lens of this alternate history where both magic and science have been harnessed to man's will is poignant and often telling - he wields his own scythe with the grim mercy that sometimes only death can bring. Much more than a political work this is about frailty and the shady definitions of sin and guilt.

As for Guidall - having first come across his audiobook work on Stephen King's Dark Tower cycle I've been a huge fan of his ability to understand the work he is reading and bring such a rich wealth of emotion and nuance to even the simplest sentence. He truly is a master of the art.

I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series which cover the other "Incarnations"!

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4 people found this helpful

Winderful

love revisiting this series, it's been about 18yrs since I've read it and its still as wonderful as I remember.

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Excellent

Returned to this book in my 40s its still as captivating as when I read in my teens. Such a shame book 2 is not available in audio.

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Still great.

Why oh why has this story never been transferred to the big screen !? Favourite book 30 years ago, Favourite book now.

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Fantastic gripping read

Despite this being written many years ago it is still gripping. I read it as a kid and now my teenager is gripped by the world P Anthony created. Genius! The whole series is very very cleaver.

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Interesting to say the least.

I first found the audio in the library that’s how old it is, If your looking for a great adventure with compiling characters you’ve come to the right place.

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Self indulgent

Oh dear lord!
I initially quite liked the story line (an unsuspecting man takes on the role of death and how he deals with it within a realm of magic and modern day, coming up against Satan, Mother Earth, Time and fate personified in human form) but was somewhat turned off (and tuned out) by the author's "note" or should I say mini autobiography, at the end. This "note" takes up the last HOUR of the book and is very much "I'm really rather great, aren't I!" This and the story seemed rather self indulgent with long explanations. If an author wishes to do this, write an actual bio, don't high jack your story!
Prior to this I had listened to Stephen King's "On Writing" which, while increasing my knowledge of how to write and listen to stories, significantly heightened my expectations from authors. Within the first paragraph Anthony wrote in a manner completely at odds with King's advice. I found it grating through out.
I won't be listening to anything else by Piers Anthony as I'd far rather spend my money on well written stories.

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2 people found this helpful