Max Ehrlich (1909–1983)

Max Ehrlich, born in 1909, wasn't your run-of-the-mill writer. Though he might not be a household name like some other writers from his era, Ehrlich had a talent for exploring psychological and existential questions in his works, using a variety of mediums to do so. This versatility in storytelling makes him an interesting author to explore, especially if you're a fan of mid-century American fiction that dives into the deeper recesses of the human psyche. With The Big Eye, Ehrlich penned a drama and a contemplative (if not somewhat predictable) sci-fi story.

The Big Eye starts as any other run-of-the-mill Cold War, nuke-the-world drama—except with astronomers as the focus. About 100 pages in, Ehrlich flips the script to focus on an astronomical death star headed straight for Earth. The science is dated, and just a bit iffy, but who cares? It's pulp fiction. By the time you get to the third act, you've got a good idea of where things are heading. No big shocks here, but it does make you ponder your own would-be choices if faced with the end-of-days. All in all, this novel is an easy afternoon read by the pool that'll take you from nuclear dread to existential what-ifs and back again. Recommended if you can find a copy at your local book swap.… (mehr)

Some of my in-laws had mentioned how much they liked this story, asking if I ever read it. I hadn't but I came across it in a "free" rack so I helped myself to the book. It has sat on my shelf unread for decades. I am finally giving it a try as part of my 2020 goal to read my oldest published books or pass them on.
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Done now.
Realistic fiction except for reincarnation. Mystery.
I started skimming at like 75%. I never do that. I usually just DNF but I was determined to know why anyone would like this story.

So much time was spent trying to figure out what his dreams meant that by the time he knows I'm terribly sick of the story. The ending makes it all so pointless. Do not recommend.

There was something new to me in the story. Iirc particular native American tribes had a ritual of acting out their dreams to heed or honor them. The book tries to do that with the MC's dreams. It may have not come together perfectly but the author kept bringing it up as if that was the intention.

It pisses me off the author choose to have the MC sleep with his "daughter". Insta love could be deemed acceptable but lusty instalove :/ . The info dump with Marcia (former wife) was such an easy way out. … (mehr)