The Book of Skulls in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Jan 27, 2011 Andrew rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sf-masterworks

This is a book I have been meaning to read for some time but you know things kept on getting in the way (like other books) so now I have finally been encouraged to read it and here we are.

The book itself is part of the SF masterworks series - an excellent series I am so glad to see they have decided to start issues new editions of. However I will admit that I struggle see how this warrants such a place in the series although I am not as naive as to think that all science fiction contains stories This is a book I have been meaning to read for some time but you know things kept on getting in the way (like other books) so now I have finally been encouraged to read it and here we are.

The book itself is part of the SF masterworks series - an excellent series I am so glad to see they have decided to start issues new editions of. However I will admit that I struggle see how this warrants such a place in the series although I am not as naive as to think that all science fiction contains stories about aliens and space ships, however I do wonder if its entry is more to do with the author than the story (makes you wonder what they would do with Iain M Banks and Iain Banks).

This minor question aside the book itself is a fascinating read which did get me thinking. The book itself really can be divided in to two separate parts although the book does not differentiate them, the first is a road trip the second is what happens once they are there.

Its at this point that I will stop as I am in danger of giving away details of the story and I am sorry but I do not do spoilers. But what I will say is that the story does shift between various points of view - now this is not a bad thing as thankfully we are not made to sit through the same events or scenes from four different perspectives but what it does mean is you get to see events coloured by the characters describing them. At times this made me feel uncomfortable considering who these four are. However I am neither a prude or a xenophobe I did start to question the authors intentions that was till I realised something.

The author Mr Robert Silverberg is a master of the story telling and this is all part of the plan. Rather than an excuse to rant on about his thinly veiled agenda instead to get to see prejudices (not of those towards each other more what they have been preprogrammed to believe by their peers or society) and how it colours their perception of the world around them and how they interact. For example you seen how some react to living with wealth and reacting to those who have it. This is really where I think the story has something fascinating to say. Its about perception, and not just how you see the world but how you make yourself see the world.

As always the Masterwork series is full of surprises and I can see now why this title was included and why although many commentators say this book is flawed or incomplete there is still a subtlety that takes a while to spot ...more

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Feb 16, 2009 Stephen rated it really liked it

Shelves: multiple-award-nominee, ebooks, 1970-1979, award-nominee-hugo, award-nominee-nebula, award-nominee-locus, signed-first-or-limited-edition, dark-and-gritty, science-fiction

4.0 to 4.5 stars. Robert Silverberg can flat out write a great story. I have probably read about ten of his books (meaning I have many more to go) and I have never been disappointed. This story follows four college friends from vastly different backgrounds traveling to Arizona in search of a ancient monastery that they believe holds the secret to eternal life. The problem is for two of them to live forever, the other two must die.

In addition, to learning about how the group learned of the Book ...more

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Aug 15, 2008 Alice Lee rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, science-fiction

Wow. I mean Wow.

The words, the voices, they were delirious. Psychotic. Ecstatic.

Silverberg's prose, while not as poetic as Peter S. Beagle's, was as close to flowing perfection as I can remember seeing in most authors I've read. Perhaps I'm biased, since many topics touched upon were - how shall I put it - something I have a weakness for. Especially the narratives spoken from Ned and Eli's points of view. Especially Ned's. He, if he had ended up being an English professor, or writer, would be on ...more

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Oct 01, 2009 Frank Taranto rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-fiction

A character study done in 4 parts. The story of 4 college friends who take a road trip to the southwest USA to find immortality. The book has wowed me everytime I've read it. ...more

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