Wildly inventive! I should probably read this again because I suspect that all the disjointed parts fit together better than they seem to at first glaWildly inventive! I should probably read this again because I suspect that all the disjointed parts fit together better than they seem to at first glance.
Science fiction readers of my generation will likely have some knowledge of John W. Campbell's magazine, Astounding, and the circle of authors that Campbell cultivated. Younger readers will likely need to do some research to understand all of Tidhar's references to them and the veiled depiction of L. Ron Hubbard and his Church of Scientology.
I'm likely to read another book by Tidhar in the near future.
I found this difficult to read. The first section is mostly a long argument between four Earthlings, which takes place on a newly discovered planet, LI found this difficult to read. The first section is mostly a long argument between four Earthlings, which takes place on a newly discovered planet, Lithia. Although we learn some interesting things about Lithia and its lizard-like, highly intelligent inhabitants, the delegation of Earthlings is debating whether the planet should be either off-limits or raped for its natural resources.
The delegation returns to earth with a Lithian egg, which is hatched. The Lithian develops quickly and becomes a provocateur who threatens the stability of the government.
The heart of the novel, however, concerns one Ruiz-Sanchez, a member of the original Earthling delegation. While he's a scientist, he's also a Jesuit priest. The existence of the Lithians - who have no religion but have nevertheless developed a more or less perfect society free of conflict - shakes his faith to its core. He suspects that Lithians are a creation of Satan, but according to his faith, Satan cannot create anything.
He eventually meets with the Pope to sort things out. To avoid a spoiler, I'll stop here. In the long run, this was an interesting novel and Blish was obviously a brilliant polymath. But the execution of this novel leaves a lot to be desired. For me, it was borderline unreadable. ...more
This novel gripped me in a way that I haven't been gripped by a novel in quite a long time. Sure, there were some tedious parts, but the style is highThis novel gripped me in a way that I haven't been gripped by a novel in quite a long time. Sure, there were some tedious parts, but the style is highly readable so it's possible to skim without losing track of important threads.
I saw the movie first. I wish that I had not, because it spoiled the ending for me to some extent. The movie is different from the book but retains the essential conceptual elements of the story.
Now I'm wondering which book by Christopher Priest to read next!...more
Before this, I had never read a novel by Delany. Probably because the ones I saw on the shelf when I was a kid were so massive that I figured I'd neveBefore this, I had never read a novel by Delany. Probably because the ones I saw on the shelf when I was a kid were so massive that I figured I'd never make my way through them.
This one is fairly short. I enjoyed it enough that there's a good chance I'll read some of his other short works, like The Einstein Intersection or Babel-17. ...more
I had high expectations for this novel. It begins with an interesting premise: that the main character dies as an adult, but is transplanted back in tI had high expectations for this novel. It begins with an interesting premise: that the main character dies as an adult, but is transplanted back in time to his college days. Except that he can remember his future! He takes advantage of that and bets on the Kentucky Derby and a baseball series. This nets him enough money that he drops out of college and becomes a sort of financial guru.
But then, right on cue, he dies again at exactly the same age as before! He goes through several of these "replay" loops, making different choices each time, with somewhat different outcomes. He eventually meets a woman who is going through the same "replay" phenomenon. They become lovers and look forward to meeting up again after they die and go through successive "replay" loops.
About three-quarters of the way through this novel, I lost interest. While the characters speculate about the replay phenomenon, they never arrive at an explanation for why this is happening to them. Maybe that's okay, but there was never any other sense of resolution or understanding that brought the story to a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, I quite enjoyed the first 3/4 of the story. The writing effectively evokes the experience of reawakening in the past with the benefit (or curse) of foresight. But ultimately, the author was unable to sustain my interest to the end. Most people have probably pondered what they would do differently if transported back in time to pivotal moments when they might have made different, and perhaps "better" choices. This book takes that idea and runs with it, and seems to conclude that no matter how many chances might be presented, different choices don't offer us better outcomes. ...more
This is not one of Dick's best novels, but it's not bad. I enjoyed it about as much as I would enjoy a classic episode of Star Trek.
This is an early This is not one of Dick's best novels, but it's not bad. I enjoyed it about as much as I would enjoy a classic episode of Star Trek.
This is an early work. As another reviewer has pointed out, there are many themes here that Dick would pick up later. So it's a very interesting read for anyone who is familiar with Dick's better-known novels and stories. ...more
I read Batman 100 quite some time ago, and I barely remember it. But the name "Paul Pope" stuck in my mind.
When I saw this book at my local comic bookI read Batman 100 quite some time ago, and I barely remember it. But the name "Paul Pope" stuck in my mind.
When I saw this book at my local comic book shop, I hesitated to purchase it. Not because of Pope, but because the book looked ugly. The drawing is messy, but energetic. The color palette is limited to about three garish colors, too.
The story sounded interesting though. It's set in the future and concerns an addictive drug, espionage, travel, violence and adventure.
At first, I was so put off by the color scheme and the messy drawing that I wasn't sure I could make it through. Also, there didn't seem to be much of a plot and the focus seemed to be on action, peril, and violence.
But then, something changed. I began to appreciate Pope's energy. The story became more interesting. By the time I was done, I wanted to start over from the beginning.
I loved this book. The narrator is an inhabitant of a two-dimensional world that is remarkably well-realized. It's a bit slow at first, because the naI loved this book. The narrator is an inhabitant of a two-dimensional world that is remarkably well-realized. It's a bit slow at first, because the narrator has a lot of explaining to do to convince us that his world is possible. Consequently, the story is initially somewhat static.
What begins as something playful and childlike, however, becomes a horrifying tale of repression.
Along the way, however, this is a mind-expanding book. Readers are encouraged to make analogies between dimensions. By exploring the relationship between the second and third dimensions, the reader may glimpse the possible relationship between the third and fourth dimensions.
It occurred to me that from a 3D perspective, there could be an infinite number of parallel flatlands that would share no points in common. Why could there not, then, from a 4D perspective, be an infinite number of parallel 3D universes? ...more
