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53rd out of 763 books
—
659 voters
Jem
The discovery of another habitable world might spell salvation to the three bitterly competing power blocs of the resource-starved 21st century; but when their representatives arrive on Jem, with its multiple intelligent species, they discover instead the perfect situation into which to export their rivalries. Subtitled, with savage irony, 'The Making of a Utopia', Jem is...more
Paperback, 364 pages
Published
August 28th 2004
by Minotauro (Barcelona)
(first published 1979)
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A satire, surely, on imperialism and colonialism as a crisis-riden. resources scarce planet earth views Son of Kung, the first Earth-like planet within reach of its tachyon technology inter-stellar travel.
Only problem is that Son of Kung - re-christened 'Jem' after the first colonists from the Peoples Bloc are swept aside - already has three sentient races. Pre-technology maybe, and living in evolutionary competition with each other, the populations of tunnel-dwellers. land-crabs and 'balloonist...more
Only problem is that Son of Kung - re-christened 'Jem' after the first colonists from the Peoples Bloc are swept aside - already has three sentient races. Pre-technology maybe, and living in evolutionary competition with each other, the populations of tunnel-dwellers. land-crabs and 'balloonist...more
Why do bad things happen? Are wars and genocide the product of the actions of a few hyper-evil people? Pohl's answer in this novel is that major historical events are not caused by single figures of great virtue or great evil, but rather by the small actions of everyday people due to impulse, greed, and misunderstanding, with a large dose of chance. Pohl heaps scorn on the "brinkmanship" philosophy which argued that one can rely on one's opponents to recognize that your actions take things too c...more
What this book isn't: A novelization of the television show of the same name. Which I found outrageous. Truly, truly outrageous. However, I got over it pretty quickly as I kept reading.
What this book is: An indictment of industrialism, capitalism, nationalism, and colonialism. If you don't want to see the darker side of some or all of these -isms laid bare, this may not be the book for you. I have conflicted-at-best opinions of all four, so a book where all four are taken to task was a fascinati...more
What this book is: An indictment of industrialism, capitalism, nationalism, and colonialism. If you don't want to see the darker side of some or all of these -isms laid bare, this may not be the book for you. I have conflicted-at-best opinions of all four, so a book where all four are taken to task was a fascinati...more
This was a very interesting read. Pohl presents an Earth that’s over-populated and suffering great strain on almost every front. But, instead of grouping the nations by ideology – a democratic Western bloc vs a communist Eastern bloc – he groups the nations by resources. There are three blocs in the story: the Food Exporting Bloc (“the fats”), the Oil Exporting Bloc (“the greasies”), and the People (Labor) Exporting Bloc (“the peeps”). So, for instance, Canada, England, and the Middle East are g
...more
...Jem is not a light story, at times Pohl's commentary on human behaviour is almost cynical. Although parts of the novel appear to be a bit over the top, the author gives the reader plenty to think about. Pohl certainly does not spare us the darker side of human nature. Some science fiction likes to portray exploration of the stars as a scientific and humanitarian effort, one that will lead the species to an utopian future. In Jem, base human emotions such as greed, aggression and mistrust are...more
Jem was written in 1980. In context, the 1980s were the later stages of the cold war, which saw the two dominant super-powers: America and the Soviet Union square off against each other in covert operations and subterfuge. The Soviet war in Afghanistan happened in 1979, and the People's Republic of China was starting to make themselves known on the world stage.
On the back of this, Pohl wrote Jem, a future novel where the world has consolidated into three political blocs: Food, Fuel and People....more
On the back of this, Pohl wrote Jem, a future novel where the world has consolidated into three political blocs: Food, Fuel and People....more
This novel deserves 3.5. It was very slow to start and was packed full of racial stereotypes, but the last third was very good and there were some very strong women present throughout.
I didn't like how 90% of the men in the novel were sex-obsessed assholes who badgered women to have sex with them despite the women saying no. I mean, maybe it was a just a couple guys, or just Ana's perception of men, but it seemed like everyone but Dalehouse was a pig, which isn't very fair to men. The book was...more
I didn't like how 90% of the men in the novel were sex-obsessed assholes who badgered women to have sex with them despite the women saying no. I mean, maybe it was a just a couple guys, or just Ana's perception of men, but it seemed like everyone but Dalehouse was a pig, which isn't very fair to men. The book was...more
Dec 23, 2009
A
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of classic science fiction
Shelves:
speculative-fantastic-magical,
2009
Part of my effort to get through all the old science fiction sitting on the shelf.
Prior to this, I read one of Pohl's short stories, "Day Million," and really enjoyed his witty approach. Stylistically and conceptually "Jem" hits a lot of the same notes and is really not a bad book overall. The characters are very human, with all the flaws and virtues necessary to make them interesting. The way in which the various country blocs vie for control of the planet, nicknamed Jem, is entirely believable...more
Prior to this, I read one of Pohl's short stories, "Day Million," and really enjoyed his witty approach. Stylistically and conceptually "Jem" hits a lot of the same notes and is really not a bad book overall. The characters are very human, with all the flaws and virtues necessary to make them interesting. The way in which the various country blocs vie for control of the planet, nicknamed Jem, is entirely believable...more
Simply a remarkable book, even better than Gateway and probably one of the top 10 scifi books I have ever read (as of March 2012). The contributions are both anthropological and political. I also always enjoy Pohl's futurology settings, taking place at the beginning of the interesting part of the Space Age. Also, the main character is very accessible, a lot like other space inclined people without a real valuable trait that would earn them a spot in space. There is so much more...
Will be reading...more
Will be reading...more
Sep 25, 2012
Salimbol
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction,
masterworks-sf-fantasy
[3 and 1/2 stars]
A book steeped in the politics of the time in which it was written (1980, which had seen decades of cold war wearing down the major world powers, and an increasingly resource-hungry world, etc). Here, all too believably, humankind transplants its unreflective self interest and greed into a new world, with tragic consequences. There are definite elements of satire here, but it won't provoke any smiles in the reader; at times it's chillingly bleak, and its ironic subtitle of 'the...more
A book steeped in the politics of the time in which it was written (1980, which had seen decades of cold war wearing down the major world powers, and an increasingly resource-hungry world, etc). Here, all too believably, humankind transplants its unreflective self interest and greed into a new world, with tragic consequences. There are definite elements of satire here, but it won't provoke any smiles in the reader; at times it's chillingly bleak, and its ironic subtitle of 'the...more
I did not enjoy reading this book - if not for my reading group I wouldn't have finished it. I found the characters pretty hollow, each of them suffering from the predictable inevitability that the author endowed them with. The story's inevitability was equally burdensome - "On the Beach" updated by twenty years.
"Jem" may have been meaningful in its time, but in my opinion its time has passed.
"Jem" may have been meaningful in its time, but in my opinion its time has passed.
1st reading: Interesting aliens, and a good storyline. I like how life on Jem is incompatible from Earth life (can't be eaten, triggers allergies, etc.). It just seems more realistic this way.
2nd reading: I vaguely remember reading it years ago... doesn't matter, it seemed new to me anyway. Good enough to read twice, I guess!
2nd reading: I vaguely remember reading it years ago... doesn't matter, it seemed new to me anyway. Good enough to read twice, I guess!
This book is definitely dated, and not the best writing I've seen, hence three stars. It is thoroughly depressing, but only because it paints a realistic view of human colonization of other worlds. Earth is devastated by war and pollution, so we must seek out another place to live. Unfortunately the only habitable planet nearby is already occupied, so we become the colonialist invaders, pitching the three indigenous tribes against each other with a new concept to them - war. It's true that not a...more
Aug 02, 2012
Jeremy Sovereign
added it
A story about the colonization of a planet, the struggles between the various factions of settlers, the native creatures, and in the end, a decision about how the future of the planet will proceed. Pretty interesting characters and ideas. Maybe a little too political or military-based for my tastes, and perhaps a little dated, but worth a read.
thought this was great and quite surprised at its overall rating. quite vingenesque in its portrayal of sentient life and a great look into the human psyche. Pohl stands up well .
Rarely have I read such an apallingly negative view of humanity... that's not a bad thing, but nevertheless, I didn't love the book. It's probably the most interesting work by Pohl I've yet read, however.
A REALLY depressing view of humanity! Mankind essentially destroys civilization on earth, ruins another planet, and never leanrs its lesson. Wiser heads never prevail.
Very interesting, well written, very upsetting. A story of other-world colonization that has mankind unchanged from today.
Not very good. KInd of stupid, actually. I barely got through it.It got two starts because I have read worse.
Jul 23, 2012
Gravedigger
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
sci-fi-and-fantasy
While I really enjoyed the detailed world Pohl has created for this book, especially the unique and complex intelligent creatures that inhabit the planet of Jem, the story as a whole felt like it was missing something. That something extra that makes a book really memorable or leaves you thinking about the ending hours after you have finished it. Unfortunately that didn't happen with this book, but nevertheless, if one is looking for a nice, entertaining read about colonizing new planets, then I...more
Fiction,Science Fiction,National Book Award
I usually like this Pohl, but not this story.
Ugh, what thoroughly unpleasant people populated this book! The aliens were interesting, but they and I would have been much better off without the humans that invaded their world and immediately exploited it and them for their own shortsighted, selfish, immoral purposes. There was one moment of redemption near the end of the book, and a couple of good lines or memorable scenes, but overall, ugh!
Yes, Pohl is making a sharp and largely valid critique of humans and society here, but it was just so...more
Yes, Pohl is making a sharp and largely valid critique of humans and society here, but it was just so...more
No ISBN on my book club edition
review chosen Sardinia Jacuzzis.
11
Dec 20, 2011
Erik Graff
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Pohl fans
Recommended to Erik by:
no one
Shelves:
sf
Wikipedia notes that this title received a National Book Award and some of the comments indicate that it was nominated for both Hugo and Nebula awards. This is difficult to believe. Pohl is capable of good writing and clever ideas. The first Gateway book is excellent in its conception. But this is certainly not one of his better science fiction novels.
4.5 stars. Another classic science fiction story by Pohl. Great world-building of a future Earth split into three factions and all vying for control of a new planet (aka JEM).
Nominee: Hugo Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1980)
Nominee: Nebula Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1980)
Nominee: Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1980)
Nominee: Hugo Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1980)
Nominee: Nebula Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1980)
Nominee: Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1980)
Wow, this was a depressing book. Very, very good - the world politics are much like 1984, and the creatures and world Pohl invented are incredibly realistic and different from the Earth norm. It was exciting to see what characters and species he would introduce next. But depressing all the same.
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| What's The Name o...: SF Book Set on Another Planet Airborne Natives [s] | 4 | 19 | May 05, 2013 12:36pm |
Frederik George Pohl, Jr. is an American science fiction writer, editor & fan, with a career spanning over seventy years. From about 1959 until 1969, Pohl edited "Galaxy" magazine and its sister magazine "IF", winning the Hugo for "IF" three years in a row. His writing also won him three Hugos and multiple Nebula Awards. He became a Nebula Grand Master in 1993.
More about Frederik Pohl...
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Jun 03, 2012 12:34pm