Medusa’s Web

Tim Powers displays his talent for combining disparate ideas in compelling and unexpected ways in his new novel Medusa’s Web.  In this book, Scott and Madeline Madden return to their childhood home in the wake of their aunt’s suicide.  Once there they are caught up in a web of “spider” addiction --- the principal feature of this addiction is that the “trip” involves literally switching out your body to another’s in another place and time.  Scott begins to see signs that his aunt, or the part of her that is living in the cracks of the spider web, is trying to take over his sister and must take action to try to shut the whole thing down.

I generally like Powers work and this book is no exception.  I would recommend it to people who like speculative fiction and enjoy books that get you thinking about larger existential questions.