(2005)2 researchers who are looking to the find of a mammoth found in the Artic with a man buried with him that is wearing a wrist watch. Turns into a time travel story with a time machine no-one can understand. Pretty good. 1st read by Varley on this list.

2504

Multi-billionaire Howard has a “thing” for elephants and mammoths. When he gets his hands on a frozen excavated mammoth, he hires elephant trainer Susan to help impregnate an elephant to create an elephant-mammoth hybrid. Also with that frozen excavated mammoth was found a Stone Age man – with a wristwatch! And a box. Howard figures the box is a time machine and he hires genius mathematician Matt to figure it out.

I really liked this. It started off fast paced, and there were plenty of other fast-paced events in the book to keep things really going. And a few surprising events. I also really liked the way the book ended. I wasn’t sure how it was going to wrap up, but I thought it was done quite well. ( )

Now THIS is well-written time-travel fiction! PLUS amazing action scenes that leave your heart pounding.

What if a frozen mammoth were found up north -- with a frozen man huddled up against him, sitting on a BRIEFCASE? This sci-fi thriller combines time travel and cloning with plot twists and love. The only reason I don't give it five stars is that the relationships develop a bit too quickly -- but they have to, to keep up with the plot. A great read from a master of action sci-fi, John Varley. ( )

John Varley has taken some time off from his Eight Worlds series of late. It's been rumored by Mr. Varley's fans that the wonderful Steel Beach and it's sequel The Golden Globe will have a sequel called Iron Town Blues. But this book will have to wait.

This time-travel tale brings a mammoth child into the 21st century. Due in part to the efforts of a physicist, Matt Wright, who is continually plagued by being unable to articulate his theories (conveniently for technobabble-worn readers), and an elephant trainer, Susan Morgan, Fuzzy ends up performing in the circus of wealthy businessman and collector, Howard Christian.

The scenes of theme park extravaganza are the most appealing and memorable in the book. Christian is the most interesting character, and the others, particularly Matt, are somewhat weak. The character of Fuzzy is a pleasant surprise, and there are plot twists in abundance. It's easy to forget that the story happens within the framework of a typical time-travel plot. When the mammoth is brought into the present... I'll not spoil that for you. But it's a delightful scene.

Even a very weak John Varley's novel (which this is not) would be quite good. Mammoth, while not Mr. Varley's masterful best, is a credible, thoughtful novel that does not disappoint. ( )