I do admire the way Anthony changed his focus. This novel focuses on the role of the family and family members in struggle. This is not as dynamic or suspenseful a focus as that of Isle of Woman and therefore the book lacks a little in the suspense department. You will probably always know what the characters will do - they stick together 'cause their a family.

That being said, the stories are fun and the concept behind the book still carries it further than you'd expect (the concept of the same characters being reborn in various places and times).

If you like Isle of Woman, you'll probably like this one. If you thought it was so-so, you may be in for a long, dull night.

What sets this book apart in the spirit of "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is that the protagonist is an unlikely dentist catapulted off terrestrial Earth into the highly dangerous field of intergalactic dentistry. Dr. Dillingham, the human dentist, is propelled from alien mouth to alien mouth performing badly needed procedures for xenoforms in pain. The book is hilarious and Anthony's ideas about alien mouths are both interesting and innovative.

I highly recommend this very amusing and well-written novel!

Review by: Maximillian Ben Hanan

Penn & Chandelle are grandparents of a wild teenage girl, so they rent a house where they could spend some time with their granddaughter. The house is quite unusual.

The backdoor opens up to different worlds, the house is conscious and stocks itself with stuff that Penn & Chandelle like. Everything from food, clothing, hobbies, interests, tv, internet, anything that they need and want.

There is a holographic window that changes setting, and the house can "travel" to different locations in the world.

Soon their wild granddaughter Lynn joins them, along with her cousin Lloyd and his dob Obsidian. Penn, Chandelle, Lynn, Lloyd & Obsidian are soon discovering the house's many secrets and mysteries...

What's the house for? What does it want from its occupants? Well I sure am not going to tell you, your going to have to read to find out. I really liked how Piers Anthony weaved the story. He doesn't give anything away and the house's purpose is revealed in the last pages.

This book is somewhat risque with sex references, its not dirty but its somewhat risque. Kinda like when movies have sexual jokes, references, etc. I'd recommend it for older teens & adults.

Since Chandelle is uneasy about being alone in the house or outside it, they arrange for Lynn's first cousin Lloyd and his Doberman Obsidian to stay with them. In the attic they find alien artifacts that allow them to understand any language and transmit a sound so if anyone goes missing it will be easy to find them. They keep finding out something new and vital about the house every day. The only questions left to answer are what is the purpose of the house and what does it want with them.

Adults and teens will definitely enjoy reading REALITY CHECK, a work that is pure entertainment. Readers will delight in solving the riddles of the house and empathize with the characters, as they stumble the hard way into learning the different facets of the house. Piers Anthony has written a work that is fresh, original and fascinating, but readers need to check their reality prior to entering the front page.

Harriet Klausner

Worth the time, especially if you've read (and enjoyed) Chthon.

A short, unexceptional novel of some horrible future of Earth, But What of Earth? is quite fascinating. The original novel is OK. Nothing to write home about. Ahhh, but the book also contains two other treats, both much worth writing home about.

When Piers Anthony sold the story originally, things went wrong. What was published was horrible and mainly not what he had sent in. Not to mention the fact of another writer's name also on the book. In many footnotes, Piers tells us of the many, many changes to his novel as recorded in various inks & handwritings on the manuscript. The story of the evil forces destroying his book, line by line is quite fascinating.

The other bonus treat is the story of what the novel is about. Mixed in with the footnotes of changes are glimpses into the author's purposes. This improves my enjoyment of the novel as it connects things together that I would have missed until a later re-reading, which, honestly, might never have happened.

Fair novel with adventure and insight into the world of writing, publishing and creativity. Not Piers' best, but it is worth some time, especially if writing interests you.

But What of Earth? The Novel is about mass migration off the planet Earth to space colonies and how it effects those unable to afford the trip. The actual story is secondary to the way it is presented.

In this book the story is printed the way Anthony originally had written it. Anthony includes notation detailing the changes made, who made them and insight into their personalities base on their comments.

If you enjoy Anthony's authors notes in his other books then this is a must read

The story is more of a warning to the reader as to what could happen to our society if the current trend of disassociation, disregard, and irresponsibility continues.

"But what of Earth" proposes an escape from this reality with the advent of matter transmission. However it is this easy escape that enlightens the characters to realization that what is left of Earth is worth saving.

A great story, with thought provoking ideas and concepts. It is a journey of discovery where the destination is that of the value of home, health and self.

The book also presents the ways in which storys and novels are frequently mutalated to such an extent where the focus is lost. These added editorial comments add to the understanding of the literary process.

With every time I have read "But What of Earth" I have found more meaning and hidden truths. It is a book that can be read and enjoyed many times. For anyone that enjoys a sci-fi story, with a reasonable basis in real life, I can only say that this is a must read novel.