Miracle Visitors by Ian Watson
01/07/2003 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 

pub: Gollancz. 239 page enlarged paperback. Price: £ 9.99 (UK), $14.95 (US), $21.95 (CAN). ISBN: 0-575-07503-1.

Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK.

check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk

This is a Gollancz Collectors Edition of a book released originally in 1978. In many respects, the information carried in this book is up-to-date to the time period covering many aspects of the UFO phenomenon with author Ian Watson’s interpretation slant.

Hypnotised by John Deacon, Michael Peakcocke reveals he’d been previously been abducted by aliens. Deacon dismisses this as a childhood fantasy until events start changing around him and both men are drawn into the affair.

These days, such stories are really regarded as two-a-penny and Watson’s tale is no worse than even some of the ‘non-fiction’ UFO stuff that is still in circulation.

Without wishing to give too much away, Watson’s slant is that there are aliens but there are also earthly manifestations that are alienisque that also intend to keep them away as well.

Although the story becomes a tad metaphorical towards the end, it’s certainly a little lighter to read than, say, Watson’s other work I’ve read, ‘The Jonah Kit’.

Certainly, all the research from that time is there and this reviewer suspects the book was written to cash in on the craze at the time especially considering that CE3K was around in the cinemas.

No doubt some of you will come away with deep meaningful thoughts after reading this book, even by today’s standards. With little 70s reference, it shouldn’t confuse any readers who were born since then. Gods, doesn’t that make me feel old.

GF Willmetts