A Choice of Gods

A Choice of Gods is a science fiction novel by Clifford D Simak.

The novel raises a number of very interesting issues including: Robot society structure and religion Human society reaction to removal of technology Man developing psychic powers to travel to the stars and interstellar communication Universal central intelligence conducting an experiment with man Need for purpose in all life forms.

The novel lacks action in most of the story is filling in the history of the last 5,000 years of the people on Earth and where they are at the time of the novel. The major conflict of the novel is the apprehension by those on Earth of the return of the people removed from Earth 5,000 years ago. The conflict is resolved without much reaction by either party. A simple warning message is given to those returning to Earth. Those who were left on Earth speculate as to the reaction by the central intelligence to ignoring the warning. We are left wondering what happens. This was one of the more interesting novels of speculation on human development given a second chance. It reminds me of the idea of if I could live my life over knowing what I know now.