Jack the Bodiless (The Galactic Milieu Trilogy Book 1)

I read this as hardback years ago and all although I still have my paper copy -well thumbed-decided to add it to my Kindle collection and read again, once more it did not disappoint and having downloaded and reread Intervention and The Galactic Milieu Trilogy I have now started The Saga of The Exiles again. I would recommend these books for anyone needing a long read who likes a character driven story. I have laughed and cried yet again and expect to do so with The Saga of The Exiles as well.

Julian May's first book in the "The Galactic Milieu Trilogy", chronicles the epic tale of Jack (AKA Jon or Ti-Jean) Remillard's amazing development from foetus in his mother's womb to a young boy, and Marc, his older brother, and Uncle Rogi's desperate struggle to keep him alive...This is a fantastic story lined with sub-plots that keep you guessing to the end. Julian May develops the main characters well, so that you believe in (despite their almost unbelievable "powers") and feel for them. As in the previous review, "Uncle Rogi" is perhaps my favourite character, possibly because he is a relatively ordinary man (for the times), thrust into the middle of the adventure and is often part of history changing events.Some people may find Jack the Bodiless a little heavy going at times, but it is worth sticking with it. While this is the first in the trilogy, I would recommend reading Julian May's previous book "Intervention" (an excellent read in itself) beforehand - while it is not necessary to do so, there are some events reference to in it and it does set the scene for the Galactic Milieu Trilogy.

I read the Saga of the Exiles in the late 80s and have re-read 30years later. May's vision of the future - with rho-craft, domestic cold fusion regen-tanks (and no internet nor smartphones!) shows us how technology takes some interesting twists and turns.And,of course, 'operancy' - that May considered exciting new field of science in the 70's and 80's - came to nought...DESPITE that, she writes well, with strong character and a healthy pace.I enjoyed reading her books in my teens and I have enjoyed them in middle age. Please invent Regen Tanks so I can enjoy them again in another 50 years!

My copy of this book bought years ago has been read to pieces and to get it onto my Kindle with all the others in the Saga of the Exiles series is wonderful. My belief is that Intervention should be read before this one so that you get an idea of the background of the characters either here or referred to in the history of the Saga are. This is a bit nit pickly but it is worth it so that the whole series rolls out in all its expansive glory.

really enjoyed all three of the books in this series. A very interesting follow up to the many coloured land and the other three books in that series. safe to say i like pretty much everything hes written so far in fact! If you like fantasy youll like these. entertaining page turners youll find difficult to put down. I recommend them.

Intelligent , riveting......stunning series of books. Can't believe I had never heard of these until a few months ago. Were recommended to me by a friend. I read the first and bought the rest ..... and the next series too. Julian May is an exceptional author. Cannot rate these books highly enough.

Reading at times like a thriller, at others like a horror story, with the foreknowledge of the end that is obtained from reading the proceeding novels, this book carries the reader deep into the genesis of Marx's eventual rebellion and his convoluted family relationships.

Good read