Daniel M. Bensen's Blog, page 41

Five Star book reviews: Fine Structure

The first thing you need to know about Sam Hughes’s Fine Structure  is that it was originally serialized on the author’s webpage. That’s why (especially towards the beginning) the “chapters” are so all over the place. In a way, this isn’t a novel, but a series of short stories that take place in the same universe, with recurring characters, leading up to a denouement. Given all that, this is a _great_ book.

The basic idea is that there is a whole bunch of technology – ansibles, teleporters, replicators, warp drives, time machines – that should be possible theoretically, but isn’t. The experiments don’t work, or return screwy, inconsistent results. Or the experimenters die. Sometimes in grotesque ways. Also we have super-heroes for some reason? What works doesn’t make sense, and what ought to make sense doesn’t work. And somebody is responsible.

Fine Structure is a lovely ode to experimental science, and a fist-shaking-at-the-sky cry of rage at a universe that refuses to treat humans fairly. There are also discussions of how a skyscraper reacts to having someone punched through its long axis, how X-ray vision would really work, and the ennui of civilization construction and maintenance.

There’s Snow on the Trees

“There’s snow on the trees.”
“No, that’s frost. It’s condensed fog.”
“I point at the snow!”

The Centuries Unlimited (beta) is done!

Just in time for the boredom of the vacation (ugh, right?)  The Centuries Unlimited is a noir time travel/family saga with flying gangsters and hope.

Date: Wednesday, December 19th, 2018

Length: 109,000 words, 29 chapters

First line: “She came into my life like a train wreck. The kind of mistake you can’t look away from, even as it comes thundering down the line.”

And I want to know what you think of it! Tell me if you want to be a beta-reader and I’ll send you the whole damn thing. 

Beta-readers also get a picture from me of the robot, gangster, or machine of their choice

White Snow Clear Water

White snow, clear water

Coconut milk separates

Mixes in coffee

Tiny Ice Needles

Tiny ice needles

Congregate on my windshield

Squealing and smudges

The Centuries Unlimited is Done!

The beta version of it, anyway. I’m going to tie off a few loose ends this week, then send it to my agent and to you! Yes, if you want to be a gamma reader, let me know. It’s a noir family saga about time travel, flying gangsters, and hope.

The Hiss of Snowfall

The hiss of snowfall.

The air and ground are both full.

The groceries wait.

Under Trees and Snow

Under trees and snow

The slopes of Mount Vitosha

Under golden clouds

Calling all book reviewers

Junction is live on netgalley! If you want to read my book a little early (and for free), why not pop over there and ask?

The Snow is Ruined

The snow is ruined.

But the clouds are making more.

It will become grass.