Syzygy

by Frederik Pohl

Scientists and psychics are predicting eruptions and earthquakes that could devastate half the earth, caused by a rare conjunction of the planets. It's called SYZYGY.

A ruthless land speculator decides to make a quick killing by starting a panic. Then others cash in on the Syzygy Effect for their own greed: a crackpot cult preaching doom, a politician out for votes, a quack scientist out to make the headlines.

When California is paralyzed by brush fires and flash floods, hysteria explodes. Only a dedicated scientist and a beautiful NASA astrophysicist can prevent massive destruction. But they're up against forces that will stop at nothing to keep the truth from getting out.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Frederik George Pohl, Jr. was an American science fiction writer, editor and 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.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a kind of disjointed novel by Pohl that both satirizes individuals trying to capitalize on the misfortune of others and tries to heighten ecological awareness. It has a wide range of characters, some of whom are decidedly non-sympathetic but not many of whom are complexly established. His message is good and his intention is clear, but it never really comes together too well.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cheap sci fi paperback in the best sense. The writing is lurid, the characters are two-dimensional, and the plot thick with red herrings. If you are looking for an eco-fable whose action causes the pages to turn quickly, this is the book. If you are looking for heavy, literate lessons--search elsewhere.

[LadyNymm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Managed to read the first 7 pages and was instantly put off, could not read any more.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

It features an intriguing scientific concept. It is presented as a daily log, disjointed and kind of messy in between decent start and conclusion.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Not one of my favorite Pohl books, but the environmental issues and corporate and personal greed are well documented - and rather frightening. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and not all of them are sympathetic.

[Ed Vaughn · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of Pohl's lesser novels I read near the time of its publication. Pohl was a prolific science and science fiction writer. He died at the age of 93 in 2013.

[Stephen Rowland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pohl creates characters like a master but this is the most tepid of his novels I've yet read, with a too-sudden, too-optimistic conclusion.

[Diogo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe this is the same man who wrote Gateway.

[Tomislav · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dies war der sechste Science-Fiction-Buch, das ich auf Deutsch zu lesen. Es dauerte 3,5 Wochen für 256 Seiten. Also meine Leserate ist etwa 75 Seiten / Woche. Leider ist es nicht ein sehr gutes Buch für alle, die Mühe. Die beiden Geschichten - die fehlende Raumsonde, und der Sturm - haben fast nichts miteinander zu tun. Die Hauptfiguren sind sehr flach, und nicht glaubwürdig. Aber dennoch, es war eine gute Übung für meine Sprachkenntnisse.

Ich bin kein guter Richter, aber die Übersetzung schien sehr einfach, mit Wort für Wort der amerikanischen Slang. Sind deutsche Volk wirklich reden so?