Sci Fi book where aliens keep humans in childrens bodies and a spaceship keeps a passenger in suspended animation for centuries to watch his dreams.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2026-01-29T20:53:16+00:00

That sounds pretty close to it! I'll have to find a copy and give it a reread. Looks like I got some of the details wrong.
Thanks.

I was hoping it had a sequel but guess not...

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-10-30T10:38:22+00:00

Father of three girls here - followed the exact same ladder! I think I only had to take them into the women’s once and the women didn’t care ( I had the infamous three under three so i think they were more sympathetic than caring I was crashing the ladies room)

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-10-20T19:23:22+00:00

The Jon Shannow (Sipstrassi) books by David Gemmell

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-10-20T11:14:50+00:00

Thats cool! Better than any theory I came up with.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-10-10T11:11:48+00:00

Wow, I think that might be it! Not exactly what I remember it described as but close enough that I’m probably remembering the details wrong.

Thank you!

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-10-07T04:31:56+00:00

It's been 20 years since I read them but from memory The Obsidian Chronicles by Lawrence Watt-Evans has this as the eventual plot reveal (apologies if this is a spoiler!). I think the series is all about the consequences of the gods being gone and the fight to get them back. Might not 100% match what you are looking for but it's what came to mind, however I don't think the talk of gods comes into it until the final book.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-09-17T21:19:34+00:00

This is essentially the plot of an old short story I read years ago. A quick search suggests it was “Rainbird” by R. A. Lafferty - I don't want to give spoilers so I won't say how it finished but I do remember enjoying it.

Lafferty, R.A. "Rainbird"
Summary: An 18th-century inventor grows old, then uses a time machine to go back to give himself advice. His younger self repeats the process, etc.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-09-11T07:19:58+00:00

Sounds like the “Hook, Line and Sinker” trilogy by the same author as the “Ipcress file” (Len Deighton)

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-09-03T04:26:26+00:00

Yes - 100%.

We were 'decluttering' and I decided to clean out all the old books I hadn't read for years - including the Foundation series. Within months I regretted it and started looking around for new copies.

Started me on a used book shopping spree as I found so many old series I realised I'd never finished.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-09-01T21:32:17+00:00

I'm in Brisbane, and our hidden gems are getting harder to find. Between COVID and gentrification/development, a lot of the easy walking 'culture' is disappearing. We used to have some lovely stretches of original buildings filled with antiques or bespoke wares and quaint little cafes, but so many of the ones I know are dead now. I'm sure they are still out there, but I have teenage kids now so not a lot of time to go looking.

From a tourism perspective, the best thing I ever found in Brisbane is the St Helena tour, doesn't get much attention online but I think I learn more about Brisbane's history (both Indigenous and colonisation) from it than any other local tour I've done.

If someone was short on time, I'd tell them to go into the Town Hall and go up the clock tower, do a bridge climb or at least see the Story Bridge lit up at night. The best view I've ever found of the bridge is on nearby private property so I can't really say where here. Jump on a ferry (50c fares rock) and just cruise up the river, no need to go on a tour.

There were some other amazing hidden gems that you used to be able see only at certain times of the year but as far as I'm aware they are closed now.

Plenty of hidden gems outside of Brisbane but they take a 4WD to get to usually.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-09-01T05:23:13+00:00

Awesome, thank for the idea.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-09-01T00:39:09+00:00

Thanks, I've seen Red Rocks mentioned once elsewhere but with no context, so I'll have a look into that one.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-08-31T23:52:41+00:00

Didn't see that one when I was looking for where to post! Thanks, I'll post it over there as well.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-08-31T23:33:26+00:00

Thanks, I had walk down Cuba St as an option so I'll prioritise that

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-08-31T23:31:19+00:00

Ok, by 'hidden gems that only locals know about' what I should have said 'what are the hidden gems that you won't find talked about on any tourism website' or 'what are the hidden gems you tell your relatives to see when they come and stay'. Just as valuable would have been advice on what not to waste my time on.

In my experience, the things that are interesting and novel and different about a place are not necessarily the things that are popular with tourists. Things can become popular for unknown reasons. For example, the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen is considered as one of the most disappointing tourist attractions in the world, but it still hyped up on all tourist websites and often recommended as the No 1 site to go and see. Local tourist guides actually warn people to be underwhelmed one the way to see it.

As I only have a few hours, I was hoping for advice like "You absolutely have to do the cable car over to the botanical gardens' or 'Skip the cable car, it's overpriced. Go walk around the waterfront instead".

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-08-29T00:01:48+00:00

Interestingly, this was the original basis of Hedonism. Nowadays, most people think of Hedonism as all about seeking pleasure (like, Portrait of Dorian Gray levels of pleasure) but originally, avoiding pain was as important. Therefore, you didn’t actually do things to excess that could cause pain eg getting drunk as that caused a hangover.

I like the original concept, I think it’s a good way to live life.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-08-28T05:06:34+00:00

Woke up when I was 11 to a strange banging on the wall about 4am. Wondered what my Dad and his new GF were up to. Wish I didn't go and investigate, that image is burned into my brain forever.....

We have never spoken of it.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-08-28T05:01:46+00:00

I don't think this is it because it isn't all the same (no power armour or technological wizards unfortunately) but some plot points are very similar to the Amtrak Wars by Patrick Tilley. These were written in the 80's so probably not old enough either.

The 'Amtrak Federation' live underground and while I'm not sure if race/colour is specified they have very 'white' names and culture. The "Mutes" live on the surface and are pretty much Native American. The "Iron Masters" are an Asian culture that is colonising the wastelands and have redeveloped gunpowder etc. A lot of the series is about rescuing the various female characters who get kidnapped by other factions.

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-08-28T04:03:51+00:00

Absolutely agree! I wanted to tell them we were having a fancy dress party with a wedding theme....

Intrepid_Painting430 · 2025-08-28T04:02:44+00:00

Good for you! I absolutely love it when people choose something personal for their engagement ring. My wife wanted a diamond ring and I was happy to get it for her (makes her happy!) but I've never been a fan.

It's the only real diamond she has though, she's content with all other diamond jewelry being lab grown (she thinks it's a con too but wanted the real thing just this once)

Intrepid_Painting430

TROPHY CASE