I really enjoyed this near-future tale where corpses are reanimated by microprocessors as "servants", a more cost effective labor solution than building humanoid robots or androids. This is the first book by Kevin J. Anderson, who went on to write many books in the Dune and Star Wars series.

Chapters are told from the perspective of several people, and through each hints are given about the society and religion of this future. The perspective of the main character comes in later, as he is revived to become a "servant" who has some self will and memories of his past. Many things are not as they seem in this book, part mystery and part theology. I thought often of Westworld as I was reading this.

What I enjoyed most was Anderson's grasp of the future. From 1984 he correctly predicts the world wide web delivering entertainment. Dissatisfied "blues" are rioting because they were deprived of jobs by the servants. The only mismatch is that everyone has their own single password which logs them on and gets them everything - and apparently people don't or can't change it.

This book is closely connected to the Rush album "Grace Under Pressure". Anderson has also collaborated with Rush recently and more directly, expanding the story of Clockwork Angels. My search also uncovered a newer 2012 release of this book, referred to as the authors "Preferred Text". I was unable to find a list of differences.

All that said, I enjoyed this multilayered story, and was surprised it wasn't even nominated for an award in 1984. Like Westworld, it would make for a decent television series. 4 stars.