The Case of the Toxic Spell Dump

By Harry Turtledove

Case Of TheToxic Spell Dump This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671721968
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Baen
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Mmmmm, Cool! Thoughtful!

What if the world ran on magic instead of mechanics? What if you had phone imps instead of phone lines, flying carpets instead of cars, sorcware (sorcery) instead of software, virtuous reality instead of virtual reality? And you had toxic spell dump sites that had to be monitored by the Environmental Perfection (yes, perfection) Agency? I picked this book up thinking that it would be comic fantasy in the vein of Piers Anthony or Terry Prachett. And, there was humor in it, but it was more than that. Apart from the oblivious puns and fun with translating our world into a world of magic (the nightmare of traffic flying in rush hour, evil alarm clock imps...), Turtledove explores the consequences of that kind of world. David Fisher is an EPA agent, assigned to investigate possible leaking from the Devonshire dump site, in part because of an increase of birth defects in the surrounding area. The most devastating birth defect is aphysica, being born without a soul. In this world the Other Side is very real and all the religions have their actual spiritual counterpart. The gods and whatnot need adoration to survive, so sometimes religions that lose adherents became endangered, and artificial temples and worshippers are made to save the entity. Fisher gets deeper and deeper into what turns into a plot to revive one of the most evil spirits in both Worlds. I was surprised by this book and enjoyed it. It's not "literary" fiction, but an entertaining and thoughtful read.

wotta read!

In my humble opinion, the best Turtledove has done! altho I enjoy the historic detail of the other series, I never fail to feel refreshed at the humor, detail, and the corking good story whenever I re-read this. I recommend without reservation this book, and I continue to hopr that Mr. Turtledove will take some time off from his other projects and write a sequel! Enjoy this one!

Light but fun reading; I've re-read it many times

This is one of the first Turtledove books I read, and I consider it one of his best. The premise of an essentially modern world built out of fantastic components is played out to the hilt, and, while the jokes are funny and worth a second or third re-reading just to make sure you've caught them all, it still has a solid story underneath with characters that I found engaging and sympathetic. For years since I've kept this on my bedside table in case I had trouble sleeping and wanted some light, but quality entretainment and humour to help me to sleep. I highly recommend it.

Great entertainment!!

I picked this book up not long after it came out due to the title (I have to deal with EPA issues for real). I'm currently reading it for the third time now and am enjoying it as much as the first time. Yes, the story is easy to follow, and yes, it does help to have a working knowledge of current and ancient religions and magic terminology (so you don't miss out on any hilarious puns) but so what? If you want a book to read for pure enjoyment and a lot of laughs (mostly at the expense of those cursed by endless red tape) then this is a great choice!

Very entertaining

This is a very inventive book. The broad outlines of the plot are pretty predictable, but the details are not, and they are funny. The explanation of how devices based on technology would work if they were "powered" by imps, sylphs and demons of various types are eye-opening. They are also a commentary on "mechanical" society. This book may be funnier for people well acquainted with the L.A. area, but most other people will pick up the references.