You'll be lucky if you can find this out-of-print book, unless there has been a reprint. I got it through one of the Amazon-associated independent sellers.

Two excerpts in Douglas Hofstadter's and Daniel Dennett's *The Mind's I* impelled me (strongly) to search it out. Wow, am I glad I did! It was written in the early 1970s, and the author seems to have fallen off the radar screen since then.

Miedaner's story weaves into a philosophical thriller a number of edgy (at that time, anyway) ideas about machine and animal consciousness, communication with the dead, and the locus of the soul. Whatever one may think about these things, the book is a wild ride.

Anatol Klane is a medical inventor and psychic adept (which I don't believe in, but it sure works here). His wife dies in childbirth from a doctor's oversight, leaving Klane to raise his daughter Anna, who at ten is also an accomplished meditator and ingenious deviser of toy puzzles. Anna develops a brain tumor. She thinks she can become aware of it and make it go away, which makes sense in the story. A prominent neurosurgeon, abetted by some dopey social workers, insists on an operation, court-enforced.

Something goes wrong. Anna emerges and soon can speak articulately and relate well to her caretakers. But her earlier spark is gone; she is even mystified by some her own previous creations. Not to spoil the narrative, I will cease following the plot, except to say that it leads to the best courtroom dramatics I have ever seen, or even imagined.

Some of the well-drawn characters who figure in these developments include Anatol Klane (who invented the machine used in the operation), the neurosurgeon (who admits to the tragic mistake), a stewardess whom Klane once rescued froma hijacking, a Protestant theologian, a crusty engineer/physicist, a patient resembling Phineas Gage, an ape trained in sign language (and more), a robot, and a journalist who covers all this.

There are poignant and moving scenes throughout. I write this about four years after reading it. (The invitation just popped up on Amazon.) Besides deciding how much to say without giving away too much, I have a little problem with teardrops on my keyboard.

It's that good.

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Anatole_Klane

Wonderful Book

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2022

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A great reas and aust have for those that enjoy literature that questions the idea of sentience and what it means to be truly conscious. I have owned 5 copies of this book and lent it out, each one has been stolen which is a testament to how coveted the contents of this novel are.

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2010

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The Soul of Anna Klane is technically a SF novel, but for those of you not tending to that genre, don't let that stop you from this gem of a read. The cover alone is probably going to scare anyone away from taking the book seriously. But do--it is thought provoking and quite philosophical. Does the soul exist? If so then how could we prove its existence?
With a plot that make one eager to turn the pages and with more than enough surprises along the way, the author winds his way along what might be termed anti-religious ground. Except it is also surprisingly anti-science. Skepticism abounds.
The author must have done his research well: the book, published in 1977, is quite up-to-date technologically speaking. The courtroom scenes ring true and the characters are all quite believable, with a minor quibble on the main character, the father Klane, who some might consider a tad too super-heroish, yet without that grand personality the plot would have a major problem.
Still thinking this book through and I'll have to re-read it thoroughly.
Buy it; you won't be sorry.

3 people found this helpful

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Qdogsman

Excellent and Surprising

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2012

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This is an excellent and unusual book. It will keep you turning its pages until you encounter the last surprises at the very end. In addition to a fascinating and well-told story that will hold your interest to the very end, you will encounter some ideas you have probably never entertained before about the mysteries of life, the universe, and the mind. Whether you enjoy the excitement of an unusual story, or are looking for food for deep thought, you will find this small book to be surprisingly rewarding.

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Bb16

I LOVE this book

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2015

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I LOVE this book!!!!! I would definitely recommend to anyone, I'm not much of a sci-fi reader I guess you can say, but this book is just SO powerful! It really gets your mind thinking about life and human morals and ethic. I have re-read many times, it's so good!

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Kurtis McCoin

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2018

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so far a very interesting book

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2014

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Read this book in the early 70's, misplaced it and found it again at Amazon... Subject matter, contacting the recently departed.

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Liz in Indy

Dated but still interesting

Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2017

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Dated but interesting story. I read it as new teenager back in the day, and it left its impact on me. I bought it and reread it. Some of the writing is sloppy and amateurish - the characters aren't very developed, and the "romance" that occurs is too ridiculous for words, but it's still an interesting read, especially in light of the technological advancements since this book was written. From what I can find, this is the only book this author ever wrote. I guess he said what he wanted to.

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Vivien Gent

one of my top ten favourite ever books

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2014

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one of my top ten favourite ever books. Surprised this was never made into a film. Written in the 70's but has aged magnificently - in fact more believable now than when it first came out and is certainly as up to date as any modern novel. So readable and clever and really surprised this isn't on Kindle. This is the start of a petition to get it on!

2 people found this helpful

Francesca Vernon-Free

Well worth it

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2013

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Excellent purchase of a book I read many years ago and have been searching for to read again. Obviously an old copy, but still very readable.

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