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From: lum@osu-eddie.UUCP (Lum Johnson)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: TIK-TOK by John Sladek (other Sladek)
Message-ID: <430@osu-eddie.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 3-Jul-85 22:37:05 EDT
Article-I.D.: osu-eddi.430
Posted: Wed Jul  3 22:37:05 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 5-Jul-85 06:45:31 EDT
References: <2451@topaz.ARPA>
Reply-To: lum@osu-eddie.UUCP (Lum Johnson)
Organization: Ohio State Univ., CIS Dept., Cols, Oh.
Lines: 19

Another farce by John T Sladek, in a somewhat lighter vein,
is "The Reproductive System" (also published as "Mechasm"), c ?
(sorry, the copyright page has fallen out of my copy).

"... a new kind of machine that can feed on any metal and drink at
power outlets in order to grow and reproduce itself.  But the system
quickly gets out of control [su-prise!su-prise!], and almost before
its creators realize what's happening the gray box-like machines are
well on their way to conquering and absorbing the entire state of
Utah, then the United States, and tomorrow ... the world?"

Well reviewed by Punch, Oxford Mail, New Worlds, and The London
Times ("An original novel that will surely become a classic of the
genre."), and the Ace edition had a nice cover by Leo & Diane Dillon.

It moves as quickly as Ron Goulart's work but has more substance.
On the other hand, it isn't as deep (or heavy) as Tik-Tok.

Lum Johnson ..!cbosgd!osu-eddie!lum or lum@osu-eddie.uucp