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3 stars
Some of the tech doesn't hold up well (obviously) after 75 plus years. Well, the lack of advancement of the technology is disappointing. But the story itself moves along quite well. The ending is full of exposition and an eye-rolling Hollywood ending, but it was a fast and fun read.
Slan is nominated for Best Novel (1941 Retro Hugo Awards). ...more
Some of the tech doesn't hold up well (obviously) after 75 plus years. Well, the lack of advancement of the technology is disappointing. But the story itself moves along quite well. The ending is full of exposition and an eye-rolling Hollywood ending, but it was a fast and fun read.
Slan is nominated for Best Novel (1941 Retro Hugo Awards). ...more
Meh
Slan is classic space opera, with many of the trappings of Smith's Lensman series: atomic energy, disintegrator weapons, laconically logical protagonists, fast action, nearly effortless interplanetary travel, creatures with domineering psychic powers..
I was struck, reading this, how one of my favorite books, Moran's The Long Run, is largely an homage (if not an actual retelling) of this novel. Slan doesn't have the time travel, but a lot of the other details are strikingly similar. (view spoiler ...more
I was struck, reading this, how one of my favorite books, Moran's The Long Run, is largely an homage (if not an actual retelling) of this novel. Slan doesn't have the time travel, but a lot of the other details are strikingly similar. (view spoiler ...more
This has long been considered a classic science fiction novel and it does fulfill that bill. This is my second reading of this novel, the first was so many years ago that this reading seemed fresh and surprising. A. E. Van Vogt liked to write of supermen. Those with abnormal powers, such as superior intelligence, mind reading and others. This novel is the pinnacle of his writing prowess. He'd go on to write many more novels, but arguably none would ever surpass this one.
The slan are a new breed ...more
The slan are a new breed ...more
Decent but a little old school for my tastes.
Feb 23, 2011
Jennifer
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