A Matter for Men

by David Gerrold
A Matter for Men cover
Good Books rating 3.17
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Technical
  • ID: 4531
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Publisher: Spectra
  • Published: 1989-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

A Matter for Men plunges readers into a dystopian world where humanity is on the brink of extinction. A series of devastating plagues has decimated the human population, leaving survivors to grapple with the aftermath. Just as they begin to rebuild, the alien Chtorr arrive, initiating the final phase of their invasion. These giant, wormlike carnivores are not just invaders; they are harbingers of a grim fate for humanity. The Chtorr prepare the world for the ultimate violation—the enslavement of humanity for food, a chilling prospect that forces survivors to confront their own mortality and the future of their species. /n/nThe novel explores themes of survival, resistance, and the lengths to which humans will go to preserve their freedom. As the Chtorr tighten their grip, the remnants of humanity must unite or face extinction. A Matter for Men is a gripping tale of courage and desperation in the face of an overwhelming threat.

Reviews
The Porpor Books Blog · 2019-12-24
disappointing 1.50

The premise is interesting, but the execution falls short. The book struggles with pacing and character development, making it a disappointing read.

The reviewer from The Porpor Books Blog finds the premise of the book interesting, set in a post-apocalyptic world after a series of plagues. However, they feel that the execution of the story is lacking. The pacing is uneven, and the character development is not as strong as it could be. This makes the book a disappointing read, as it fails to live up to its promising premise. The reviewer suggests that while the idea is compelling, the overall delivery does not meet expectations.

Quick quotes

    And 'Matter' is bad

    The premise is worthy enough

    The novel is set in the early 21st century, after a series of plagues has decimated the human population

Amazing Stories · 2016-06-10
exciting 4.00

The action scenes are well-crafted and thrilling, making the book an exciting read. The tactical soundness of the scenes sets them apart from typical action sequences.

The reviewer at Amazing Stories praises the action scenes in the book, describing them as tactically sound and frequently breath-taking. They appreciate how these scenes stand out from run-of-the-mill action sequences, making the book an exciting read. The reviewer also notes that the book deals with a lot of evolutionary theory, which adds depth to the narrative. Overall, they find the book to be a thrilling and well-crafted piece of science fiction, with action scenes that are particularly noteworthy.

Quick quotes

    Gerrold's action scenes are tactically sound and frequently breath-taking

    What makes them standout from run-of-the-mill action porn is

    The book deals with a lot of evolutionary theory

Reddit - r/scifi · 1983-01-01
compelling 4.00

The story is compelling and thought-provoking, offering a rich narrative that can be appreciated by any reader. The book's depth and complexity make it a standout in the genre.

The reviewer on Reddit highlights the compelling storytelling throughout the book, noting that it can be read as thoughtfully as any reader would choose. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the narrative, which sets it apart from other works in the genre. The reviewer finds the book to be a rich and engaging read, with a lot to offer in terms of thought-provoking content. They particularly enjoy the way the story unfolds, making it a standout in the realm of science fiction.

Quick quotes

    There is a ton of compelling story-telling throughout

    These books can be read as thoughtfully as any reader would choose

    I got my money's worth

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