now that ive finished the books, i know what you mean. thanks for not spoiling it for me. i dont mind some biblical references but this one went a little overboard for me. the multi-world concept was really interesting as was the whole dust/shadows/conscious thing. ive avoided "growing up" and lately its become somewhat ridiculous-to myself and maybe to others. the mary malone (scientist/ex nun)character was easy for me to identify with.