One of the clear classics of Science Fiction even though this is not a novel but a collection of short stories and a novella. The Dead Lady Of Clown T...moreOne of the clear classics of Science Fiction even though this is not a novel but a collection of short stories and a novella. The Dead Lady Of Clown Town, one of the former, would be my vote for the best short story in or out of the genre.(less)
Although this book is showing its age in terms of societal roles, especially among the sexes, it remains a very interesting read. It is an alien encou...moreAlthough this book is showing its age in terms of societal roles, especially among the sexes, it remains a very interesting read. It is an alien encounter that surprises and frightens. Worth reading.(less)
Josh Simmons picked an interesting way to write a graphic novel, not to get it over with but to stretch it out. Over a long time.
Jessica’s Farm ...moreJosh Simmons picked an interesting way to write a graphic novel, not to get it over with but to stretch it out. Over a long time.
Jessica’s Farm is 96 pages long and each page, we’re told, was drawn over the course of a month in the eight year span between January 2000 and December 2007. Josh plans to continue on until 2050 when the entire 600 page book can be published. But he has published Jessica Farm 1 now and will publish part 2 in 2016.
Jessica seems to be a child in an abusive situation but either she’s found how to stay sane within her own imaginary world with a host of friends or she’s found a way to fight back. I’m not sure if her courage is a shield or a weapon.
An interesting life project and I think, well worth a read. Even though it only takes an hour or so to get through 8 year’s worth.(less)
I had heard vague rumours about the science fiction author Gene Wolfe and heard writers, whom I very much admire, referring to his work at Worldcon 2009. But I didn’t do anything about it until after I joined an online SF writing critique site where I was made curious about the background of one of the critiquers. The site that gained my attention was for Lexicon Urthus, a 440 page book of years of fan analysis of Gene Wolfe’s New Sun series. I was intrigued that such a cult of fans could exist for a 4 book series by an SF author I knew so little of.
So I read The Shadow of the Torturer (1980). At first I found the language so wild and dense, I was daunted, but like Shakespeare’s rolling prose (and that is no idle comparison) you disarmingly and quickly get to a point where you can’t put the damn book down. Wolfe’s characterization and incredible imagery are stunning. His command of the language and ability to invent or re-use obscure words (and, by the way, make you feel that reaching for a dictionary isn’t really necessary although you’d like to if it wouldn’t be interrupting your reading) is incredible. The Claw of the Conciliator (1981) is, if anything, better.
There is enough written about Wolfe and certainly his work that I shouldn’t need to entice anyone to look into his writing. But if you absolutely need spoilers that will goad you into reading the first book then here it is: Wolfe conjures up a duel between two hooded men using alien flowers as weapons, makes it believable and creates an image that is very likely to be burned into your brain forever. And in the second book Severian is at a feast where a dead woman from his past is eaten and whose memories become integrated into his pysche using alien technology.
What can I say. Like Paul Linebarger, Octavia Butler and Neal Stephenson, Wolfe is a visionary writer and worth the time of any serious science fiction reader.
There is no question that I will be reading the rest of this series and likely re-reading both of these for pure pleasure.(less)
It's hard to encapsulate a book that is so large in scope and so enjoyable to read. Your intellect revolts at trying to peg it down by mere descriptio...moreIt's hard to encapsulate a book that is so large in scope and so enjoyable to read. Your intellect revolts at trying to peg it down by mere description and emotionally... well... I just didn't want the thing to end. When I found, on his site, someone had actually been inspired enough to create music (http://nealstephenson.com/anathem/music....) for Anathem I was amazed but, now that I'm done, I understand.
What can I say that you can't read elsewhere. I might warn you that Stephenson is a master world builder and so it takes effort to get out of this world and into his. But, by God, it's worth the effort!(less)
I am a Halo fan, that's true, but since Eon I've been a huge Greg Bear follower. I'm sceptcal so far but willing to give it a chance.
*** ...moreI am a Halo fan, that's true, but since Eon I've been a huge Greg Bear follower. I'm sceptcal so far but willing to give it a chance.
***
Finished it. It didn't make sense at first since humans were involved with Forerunners 100,000 years ago. But that was explained and it grew on me. It's no Eon, but it's not fair to ask that of it as it's not Bear's invention. I will read the next in the trilogy. I liked the revelation at the end.
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