Descent from Xanadu by Harrold Robbins

Book Title : Descent From Xanadu

Author : Harrold Robbins 

Publisher : New English Library 

Date Published : 1984 

 Number of Pages : 332 

Genre : Science Fiction 

Book Code : NV/0803 

DESCENT FROM XANADU BY HARROLD ROBBINS

           The main character of this novel is Judd Crane, a man who had power, wealth and women. He dominated the world-wide web of his business empire, even governments bowed before his financial. There was nothing he could not control, except his life. To get his immortality, Judd asked a help from another character called Dr. Zabiski, the world’s expert on rejuvenation therapy. Being offered five millions dollars, Dr. Zabiski then did an experiment to overcome the unstopped descent into old age. She had done all her effort toward medical and technological aspects. However, they were negated by Judd’s life style. She then suggested another way before dying that was control total environment. With all knowledge that he got from Dr. Zabiski he then made a new city. Being helped by another character called Sofia, a woman he loved and had great knowledge to achieve his purpose; he could produce what was called Xanadu, a machine that could make someone live forever. 

            I like the author’s idea in this novel because it really draws the image of human being that is never satisfied. It leads me to my imagination and it is so logic that if all the things human needs are already completed and make them happy to live in the world. Then, they will not want to leave their world such as what Judd’s will, he wanted to live forever. However, how could human avoid their fate of death and make them live forever? This question for the author’s idea really increases my will to read more. 

           I was confused how they made a thing called Xanadu could make human live forever. This tool is really confusing me. They said that it was made from DNA genetic engineering process which can create an artificial human cell clone. Whatever that, I really don’t understand. Moreover, at the end, Judd Crane didn’t use Xanadu instead he erased all information tapes of Xanadu because he preferred to live with Sofia instead of living alone by using Xanadu. So, it means that all the efforts he did are not used. It’s wasting time I think. 

           I don’t like all the part that told about sex in this novel because it so vulgar such as the character called Judd, a man who was sexually magnetic, often did a sex that was exposed in this novel. 

            As a human I feel the same feeling as what Judd Crane feels-that is human being is never satisfied. For example, when I have one thousand rupiahs, I want to get more; I want to get a hundred thousand rupiahs. Then, when I already get a hundred thousand rupiah, I want to get five hundred thousand rupiahs and so on. 

           If I had a chance to change this novel I would change the end of this novel. Maybe, I would make Judd Crane use Xanadu therefore he could live forever. After that I would make him to be bad person and there would be a person that would help the country. Then for further story would be made to the next chapter or another novel. I think it would make all his efforts useful for him and make this novel more interesting. 

            The larger issue in this novel is an attempt to formulate things that can make human immortal. At first, it seems impossible to make human immortal. The first experiment was considered on chemical and technological aspect, however it is failed. After that, the doctor told Judd to control his total environment. With all knowledge he had, Judd made his new country and also a thing that called Xanadu, DNA genetic engineering process to create an artificial human cell clone in order to make human live forever together with Sofia. In short, this novel mainly considers that human can make a tool that makes human live forever. 

The moral value of this novel is that human being doesn’t ever feel satisfied. For example, Judd Crane is a man which is full up with power, wealth and women. I think if he felt satisfied of what he had, he would never think to make himself live forever. However, he asked Dr. Zabiski to make a thing that makes human live forever.