The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes

by Albert Wendland

A science fiction novel that begins as a murder mystery and is taken over by an interstellar treasure hunt. What could draw poet, explorer, loner and paranoid Mykol Ranglen away from the relative peace of his own stellar habitat? He has no choice in the matter as one by one acquaintances are murdered or disappear altogether. Propelled by ever changing and deepening mysteries Mykol embarks to uncover secrets which could make people rich beyond their wildest dreams...or tear apart human civilization. The escalating quest takes him through worlds of many dangerous extremes, leading him to confront the deadly alien "fist of thorns," extinct species refusing to give up their power over the future, and those racing against him to uncover the secret first. But in the course of his pursuit, he must also face his own secrets. And some of these are more dangerous.

Genres: Science Fiction

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2014

About the author

An early interest in astronomy, the comic books Strange Adventures and Mystery In Space, and the Sunday comics of Flash Gordon, led Albert Wendland to a life-long fascination with science fiction. Science projects, early efforts at art, and “creativity exercises” all had an SF vein, and the first novels he read were by Andre Norton, Poul Anderson, Arthur Clarke and Robert Heinlein. His dream career was to do astronomy in the day and write science fiction at night, but majoring in physics at Carnegie-Mellon (as preparation for graduate work in astronomy) was not satisfying or inspiring enough, so he double-majored by adding English with the intention of eventually teaching literature and writing. In graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, he wrote one of the first dissertations on science fiction, and his interest in both mainstream literature and popular culture brought him to the attention of Seton Hill University (a College then), which hired him. He taught there happily for many years, pursuing his interests in the contemporary novel, Romanticism, the sublime in art, the graphic novel, popular fiction, and, of course, science fiction, while getting many of his poems accepted in the school’s award-winning literary magazine, publishing articles on science fiction. Then a call for graduate programs led him to co-create the MFA in Writing Popular Fiction, which—unique in academic writing programs—focuses solely on the popular genres. This experience in developing and eventually running the program, and the ongoing communal inspiration provided by its students and faculty, encouraged a return to the thrill of writing SF novels, which he excitingly is continuing now.

Reviews

[Maria V. Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blends science fiction with politics and intrigue almost seamlessly. It reminded my why I enjoy science fiction - that sense of wonder and discovery. The plot is basically a treasure hunt for a Clip, which an ancient race has left for humans to discover millions of years later. These Clips hold blueprints for advance Technology and it becomes a race to find the next Clip. But the story is much more than that. The characters are complex and it's hard to know who to trust. The science is unique - yes, there is faster than light travel using a Clip drive, but it travels through "time-space" vs. "light-space" In "time-space" time is constant - unlike our universe, which is "light-space" where the speed of light is constant. A cool concept.

The science doesn't dominate the story like in other sf novels - it's integrated into the world and characters. What stands out are the vividly drawn alien landscapes, which by the title you might have guessed. The two main characters are an artist and a writer, but they're also explorers and there are some nice twists throughout the story. I was convinced Mykol was turning into an Airafane and I knew not to trust Mileen, but couldn't pinpoint why!

I'm not surprised by how well-written this book is. Dr. Wendland is the co-founder of the Writing Popular Fiction, MFA program at Seton Hill University. He was one of my teachers when I was a student there (I loved listening to him lecture - his deep, resonating voice conveyed his excitement over any subject), and now one of my colleagues. He certainly proved that when he teaches students how to write setting, he knows what he's talking about!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reading copy of this from Dog Star Books. An expanded review with plot summary can be found at http://reading1000lives.wordpress.com....

Just after starting this novel a gentleman riding across from me on the metro and pondering the cover asked me, "So what makes an alien landscape, and why does he love them?" I speculated rather generally and explained I had only just read the first chapter.

This wasn't the only comment I've gotten while reading this about the cover and title, something that sadly can't occur with eReaders. The reactions and questions I got are testaments to the draw, the hook, of the evocative cover and title. The title is representative of the care that Wendland has put into this novel from cover-to-cover and how so many aspects of it can be compared back to those words "The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes".

It is truly astounding how much Wendland is able to fit into "The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes". With forward momentum from its start, the pacing is ideal. A mixture of adventure, mystery, and science fiction, each aspect is included in the recipe in just the right proportions for the scope of the tale. The intricate web of the plot and its characters makes Wendland's work particularly impressive for its size. Overall coherence is managed while also delighting readers with details into the world, such as some of the 'hard' science behind the technology (as far as the characters can understand the alien tech). He also includes tidbits into past history that could be further developed into future works.

Though remarkable in execution, the word-count constraints on Wendland's novel do show in some areas. There just isn't space to develop characters other than Ranglen. The other characters range from complex to thin and some of their changes in behavior from one part of the story to another feel rushed or forced. Along those lines, the Big Bad seems particularly like a caricature of a Bond villain. His motivations are given to the hero in a rush, just as his plan is going to come to fruition (of course to be thwarted). This Bond-like quality to the novel may be intentional, and the title itself is reminiscent of a title one might see for a 007 adventure.

On the surface then, "The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes" is a well written science fiction adventure, a story complete within the confines of this volume, but allowing for the development of further fleshing out. Wendland certainly whets the appetite of the reader, but nicely also leaves you satisfied.

But, the novel isn't just an entertaining sci-fi adventure, it is also about some interesting deeper issues, again alluded to within the title. The title gives a sense of desire - of not merely an appreciation of 'alien landscapes', but also of an intense yearning for them. Indeed, the novel begins with a chapter entitled "The Finding" and closes with one entitled "The Longing". In between is really a dialogue, even a conflict, between these two ideas. The theme is embodied in the general plot, in the relationship between Ranglen & Mileen, in the antagonism between Ranglen and the villain, and the paradoxical personality of Ranglen himself.

In all these there is a sense of longing for something, and even when something is found it isn't necessarily enough, or it comes at a price, such as giving up a piece of oneself or of independence. Ranglen is described as a "loner" and "paranoid", and indeed he is. Though he wants to be left alone, other desires overcome this (such as a yearning for Mileen and her happiness/safety). Yet even without this, Ranglen seems to be constantly dreaming, on the move searching for something more to reach that 'alien landscape, or that 'undiscovered country'. He is the person that goes to a party and wants to sink into a corner, yet deep within is simply yearning for some kind of human connection. He is someone who can't stay just with themselves and the familiar because they crave something new, alien, and beautiful.

Despite a life full of secrets, Ranglen seems unable to prevent divulging them, illustrating this conflict between the two extremes of separation and a longing for engagement, sharing, and adventure. This theme is born out most directly in a key conversation between Ranglen and the villain about half-way through, highlighting the similarities and differences between these two strong-willed characters and echoing the alien conflict that has set up the present situation for humanity and the characters in this universe.

Thus, "The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes" is a notable book in many regards, and I'm not surprised it is written by a professor with combined experience in literature and in science. The book has deservingly been recognized by Publisher's Weekly, but it is a shame that it does not have wider recognition to date. This is something that I should have seen on those "Must read" lists on speculative fiction themed sites. This should attract a wide audience in the genre, and I can't recommend it enough.

[Timons Esaias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say I gave this novel the fairest of reads, because it took me almost six months to finish it; not because of anything wrong with the book, but because I was completely overwhelmed with reading for work, and I only got rare occasions to snatch time for a novel. I can tell you that this is a memorable work, because I only once had to go back to check a name. The plot always stayed with me, as did the memory of the setting and the Universe. That's a very positive indicator; and this book will stay with me for a long time.

This is Space Opera in the modern mode; very like Iain Banks, in fact. The conceit is that human beings have only recently begun travelling in really deep space, due to the discovery of very specific alien artifacts, which came with instructions. The protagonist is one of the discoverers of these history-changing devices, and is permitted some special privileges as a result. The impact of these discoveries is one of the themes of the book, and the results have been extremely disruptive to human society. I like this Universe, because it makes it reasonable that humans are still recognizably human (mostly), despite the advanced state of the technological culture.

Wendland teaches SF, so I was worried that this novel would cleave too much to the 20th-century ways of writing it, rather than being current; a worry that didn't prove true. This shows a deep familiarity with the genre, but is fully contemporary in style.

Like many cerebral Space Operas these days, the book (which has quite a number of memorable events and action sequences) gets a bit talky at the end, but that seems to be standard procedure these days. (I might not have particularly noticed this, if I'd read the thing straight through, like a civilized human being.)

Recommended.

[Peter Kelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this tech age I encourage technical people to read quality fiction because researchers have found evidence that literary fiction improves a reader’s capacity to understand what others are thinking and feeling. This is one of 10 reviews from my cache of 450 written for Examiner (dot) com. They are out of business, but I am not. Novels are selected for their singular quality of the ease with which a reader can understand the story no matter how complex.

Every now and then something “different” happens in publishing that gladdens every writer’s heart. One example is the significant publication of “The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes” (Dog Star Books) by Albert Wendland.

According to Publishers Weekly, the novel ruminates contemplatively like this: “In Wendland’s intricately plotted, character-driven debut, pulp exploration meets philosophical speculation, and a moralistic sensibility is fused with Philip K. Dick’s paranoid fantasies and Ray Bradbury’s awe of alien encounters. Mykol Ranglen, a writer and consultant on the planet Annulus, is drawn out of his solitary existence when his ex-lover Mileen disappears, and Henry, her fiancé, is found dead. Mykol fears that Mileen has discovered one of the Carrier-Locked Integrated Programs (Clips)—technology created by the alien Airfane and ostensibly intended to protect humanity from the malignant Moyocks. He races to rescue her and locate the Clip, fearing that the technology is not as benign as it seems. Annulus is a vividly described, futuristic world, complete with political tyranny and social inequality. Impending doom pervades ripping action scenes, the Lovecraftian theme* of ancient warring aliens lends cosmic menace and authenticity to a grandiose mystery, and Mykol’s transformation from distanced observer to active participant in a galactic conspiracy is deeply absorbing.” Copyright © Publishers Weekly.

*For the uninitiated, Lovecraftian refers to Howard Phillips "H. P." Lovecraft (August 20, 1890–March 15, 1937), an American author posthumously regarded as one of the most significant 20th-century authors in his genre, horror fiction.

Seton Hill University, 2,500 students in Greensburg, PA honored Albert Wendland Ph.D. as “Professor of the Year” at its Spring Convocation May 16, 2014. I figure there’s got to be something significant about a Ph.D. who writes Lovecraftian stories. As it turns out there is: In his talk to the students in his convocation chat, Dr. Wendland told the younger generation this about the novel:

“What I hope will impress the most is the deep emotional sense of longing—for the wonders of the universe and for life itself, for other individual selves when seen in the larger universal context. One can read this, on one level, as the main character’s longing for a person he can love so he does not have to feel alone any longer. And there is a specific woman in the story he does have desire for. But it’s more than “romance” or a need for a companion. It’s a longing for all of the universe itself, its mystery, its fascination, and its infinite promise.”

I like that thought a lot. We suggest writers seek out Albert Wendland who carries the academic title of Director, Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction, Seton Hill University, a title held since 2008. (Don’t confuse Seton Hill with Seton Hall, a much larger place, 9,830 students.)

I also like the fact that Wendland’s smiling boyish face jumps off the Seton Hill website as possibly younger than his students. Read “The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes” (Dog Star Books) by Albert Wendland with the same boyish enthusiasm, the same longing with which it was written, and you’ll experience what writing should be all about. I give the novel four stars for effort alone.

The other something “different” in this publishing event that gladdens my heart is the publisher. Dog Star Books owned by Brian Frailey claims that it seeks to be part of a societal revitalization and operates its own bookstore as a gathering place for the neighborhood at 401 W Lemon St, Lancaster, PA. I sense a revisionist revitalization that historically parallels City Lights in San Francisco (among others), echoing an earlier time, The Times They Are a-Changin', courtesy of Bob Dylan and Burl Ives.

[Meagan Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I am distantly related to the author, which is how I found out about this book. I never read science fiction (unless we're counting Harry Potter), so I didn't think I would get that into this book, but wanted to read it so I could tell the author I had. My husband and I read it at the same time and both ended up loving it! It is a very smartly crafted suspenseful mystery, which is set in a meticulously thought-out future world. In fact, as I was reading I was reminded multiple times of the elaborate world JK Rowling had managed to create for the Harry Potter books - it's amazing to me how an author can create an entire universe in their own minds, down to small details. The sci fi aspect is not at all hokey (as I had previously imagined most sci fi novels to be), but makes the book all the more fun and interesting. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery, suspense or just plan good writing. I have been harping on the author to hurry up with the prequel ever since.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read another review of this book that referred to it as Space Noir which I think is the perfect description and also a subgenre that could easily be expanded on. Though this adventure takes place in the stars, the writing style very much resembles the noir tradition. The atmosphere is dark and brooding, there are many mysteries, trust is rare and mostly a liability.

The protagonist, Mykol Ranglen, is a careful and very private person who lets few in on both his emotions and his secrets. It all works together for a space mystery of uncharted proportions. The science aspect is well-done and convincing but not too hard to understand and adds plenty of detailed depth to the adventure.

Note: I was involved with publishing this book and read it before publication

[Tuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

small indie press science fiction. folks can easily time travel so lots of interactions of different planets in a capitalist/exploitative way. i particularity like the geology and geomorphology author uses/speculates in.
if you had all the secrets of the universe: power, craft, knowledge, time, would you use for good? of evil?

[Chuck Von Nordheim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Concept-wise--a Nivenesque status box detective story with a deep-time menace--this book should have worked. But something is off in the execution that makes it a chore to read. Perhaps it is that all of it seems told at the same tempo with not much difference between the pacing of explanatory exposition and action. Or that the dialog often seems four beats too redundant and far too grammatical. Or that all those who speak the dialog seem to have exactly the same speaking styles. It's always hard to say why a book fails. But this one does. If there's a Niven collaboration you haven't gotten around to, read that instead and skip this.

[Elana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I gave this book five stars, I want to start with what I DID not like about it. The protagonist is annoying: a second-hand Byronic hero. The dialogues are too long, circling around the same point. The plot is unnecessarily complicated. Well…then why five stars? Well, because it terms of its portrayal of alien life and consciousness, it is simply breathtaking. It is one of the most interesting takes on the overused trope of lost alien tech I have read in a long time. Its depictions of other planets are both vivid and hypnotic. And since I am a woman who loves alien landscapes, I have to overlook this novel’s other deficiencies for the sake of its sense of wonder.

[Jenny Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it. The setting was cool - humans have discovered alien technology (with instructions, no less) that has allowed them to travel through space and create new settlements on alien planets. The story itself is a space noir - someone's been murdered, and our protagonist wants to make sure a former flame isn't next. The story was fast-paced and kept me interested, even if I think the one bus-stop bombing scene made little sense. The story only dragged during some of the longer sections of dialogue. Overall, it was thoughtful and very good fun.

[thomas roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of : The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes

Well this was a twist away from most sci-fi scenarios. I like that the author used his own imagination, to create the story line. It comes out part sci-fi, part mystery, and part psychological profiles. A real who did it. A little editing on the slow chapters would give it another star in my way of thinking.

[Vera Brook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard the author, Albert Wendland, read from this novel at Confluence in Pittsburgh, and I had to get a copy. I loved the book! It's a wild ride, for sure. A fast-paced space-opera mystery with a literary flair and plenty of intriguing ideas, all building up to a terrific, high-concept conclusion. Highly recommended for any SF fans!

[Kozzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult writing but interesting plot

If you can push through the drawn out into, I think you won’t be disappointed. It’s a hard genre to write, alien investigation with human intellect. The writing could use a polish to make it a best seller, I would read again for the author

[Owen Greeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Author

Some novel ideas. Looking forward to reading another novel. Unexpected ending should lead to trilogy or at least a series.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: Dr. Wendland was one of my professor's at the Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction program. This novel is also published by the same company that is publishing my own novel. However, I purchased this book at full price.

For the last few weeks, I've been playing Dragon Age: Inquisition (a video game) pretty obsessively. I'm most of the way through the story and things are heating up. So this gives some context to the fact that I picked up THE MAN WHO LOVED ALIEN LANDSCAPES and read it in one sitting yesterday evening, when I could have just read a few chapters and gone back to my XBox (the original plan).

Despite the fact that I know Dr. Wendland and his passion for genre fiction, despite the fact that I'm very familiar with the imprint that published this book, and despite the fact that I'm good friends with people who raved about this book, I will admit to putting off reading it for a bit. Because Dr. Wendland was still a "college professor" and college professors should write "hoity-toity literature." But while this novel is as well-written and has as much depth as any fancy-schmancy literature I had to read in undergrad, it is also fun and entertaining and plot twisty. It sucked me in and didn't let me go. Ironically, the foreword of the book warns of just such a dichotomy. Silly me for not listening!

Another review calls this novel "space noir," and that is exactly the feeling I had while reading it. It has cops, old lovers, suspicious business arrangements, a seedy underworld, travels to exotic locales, and a hell of a treasure hunt. Every time I felt like I had figured out the direction this story would take, it took a 90 degree turn and surprised me again.

The header on the back cover calls this "A science fiction novel that begins as a murder mystery and is taken over by an interstellar treasure hunt." On the one hand, this book is exactly what is says on the tin. On the other, it goes beyond that, to a conversation about human civilization, how far human civilization can go, and even exactly what it means to be human.

Also, I REALLY want to know what was on that fourth Clip...

[E. Sabin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well-crafted novel, as you might expect from the title, paints marvelous alien landscapes but it offers far more than interesting scenery. A sense of wonder pervades the book. The first chapter draws in the reader and presents that reader with a mystery that intrigues and expands until the final pages. Suspense builds through threats to the major characters that bring death to some and keep the reader turning pages to learn the fate of others. Lovers of science fiction featuring space travel and planet hopping will savor this book.