This is just a pleasure to read. Timelines, illustrations of lots of covers, including pulps. A definite must have.
The pictures are great, having book covers and covers from pulps, and movie shots, and character pieces all adds to the enjoyment of a browsing type of book. Fine work.
4.5 out of 5
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Understanding Comics - Scott McCloud
Not being a writer, artist, editor, or whatever, I just read them, I didn't care about the technical details, so this was quite informative, and amusing, with the style. If you are not a would be comic creator, or artist of some sort, this may be too technical, dry and textbook like, but it is clever to have a comic be a textbook about comics.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
The Encyclopedia Of Science Fiction - John Clute and Peter Nicholls
Clute and Nicholls have produced a masterful piece of work here, the breadth and detail is immense, and even includes errata and other information at the end. An amazing treasure trove of information and is something I have found myself using many, many times this year, having gone through it from cover to cover. If you see one lying around at what looks like a decent price, get it without hesitation!
You could also use it to bludgeon camels.
5 out of 5
You could also use it to bludgeon camels.
5 out of 5
The Dune Encyclopedia - Willis E. McNelly
An overview of the places, people and technology in the Dune universe. This explains a lot of the detail of things that Herbert just mentions in passing, such as the scientists that invented shields, or space travel, or things like that.
It is very useful to gain a better understanding of all those finer points.
4 out of 5
It is very useful to gain a better understanding of all those finer points.
4 out of 5
Cosmos - Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan's very well done introduction to astronomy, cosmology, life and all that good stuff, as he sets out to explain to the layperson the origins of the universe, the stars, and the planets, and ultimately, us.
An uplifting publication to go alongside his tv series.
5 out of 5
An uplifting publication to go alongside his tv series.
5 out of 5
Barlowe's Guide To Extraterrestrials - Wayne Douglas Barlowe
Once I saw that there was a Velantian in this, from E. E. Doc Smith's Lensman series, I was sold, and had to get it. Done as a page by page look at each species the artwork is excellent, and these are the sort of funny looking monster types that kids like too, so it can work on more than one level, most definitely.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Neverness - David Zindell
A story quite in the Moorcockian style of things. The adventures of Mallory-Ringess, pilot-mathematician, you could call it. If Jerry Cornelius turned up here, nobody would blink an eye, I think. With shades of the Spacing Guild starfaring as religion stuff thrown in. Of course, there is a big conspiracy or secret at the heart of it.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Unicorn Variation - Roger Zelazny
Mythological species replacement with sasquatch chess master.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Unicorn Variation - Roger Zelazny
Mythological species replacement with sasquatch chess master.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
This Mortal Mountain - Roger Zelazny
40 mile high cryocure supernatural sham defense surprise.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
A Night In the Lonesome October - Roger Zelazny
A quite amusing homage to the monsters, and a dog that has to put up with them. Comic, Wold-Newtonish horror, I suppose you could call it. A ghost busting spoof, if you will.
You could boil it down to Jack the Ripper vs Cthulhu, if you want, so it is not all chuckling.
The story is told from the dog's point of view, and there are other famous characters here too, Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, etc. There are animal companions for several others. Fun stuff.
4 out of 5
You could boil it down to Jack the Ripper vs Cthulhu, if you want, so it is not all chuckling.
The story is told from the dog's point of view, and there are other famous characters here too, Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, etc. There are animal companions for several others. Fun stuff.
4 out of 5
Lord Of Light - Roger Zelazny
This novel involves mythology, yet again. Zelazny really liked writing about that stuff, it is not very hard to spot that.
A group of highly evolved and powerful posthumans on a planet, are viewed as gods by the other, standard human type denizens.
Being gods, of course there are conflicts, petty squabbles, one-upsmanship and trickery.
The mythology in question is Hindu, this time.
4 out of 5
A group of highly evolved and powerful posthumans on a planet, are viewed as gods by the other, standard human type denizens.
Being gods, of course there are conflicts, petty squabbles, one-upsmanship and trickery.
The mythology in question is Hindu, this time.
4 out of 5
Lord Of Light - Roger Zelazny
This novel involves mythology, yet again. Zelazny really liked writing about that stuff, it is not very hard to spot that.
A group of highly evolved and powerful posthumans on a planet, are viewed as gods by the other, standard human type denizens.
Being gods, of course there are conflicts, petty squabbles, one-upsmanship and trickery.
The mythology in question is Hindu, this time.
4 out of 5
A group of highly evolved and powerful posthumans on a planet, are viewed as gods by the other, standard human type denizens.
Being gods, of course there are conflicts, petty squabbles, one-upsmanship and trickery.
The mythology in question is Hindu, this time.
4 out of 5
Home Is the Hangman - Roger Zelazny
Telepresence party prank has terrible results, robot killer wrongly represented afterwards, but does his duty despite detective.
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Home Is the Hangman - Roger Zelazny
Telepresence party prank has terrible results, robot killer wrongly represented afterwards, but does his duty despite detective.
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Doorways In the Sand - Roger Zelazny
The protagonist is a perpetual student, basically trying to take as many courses, and learn as many things as he can, without being forced to graduate, or get kicked out of uni. This includes basket weaving, and advanced basket weaving.
An alien artifact discovery later, and he is on the run, having adventures, not kicking back in the library or cafeteria.
3 out of 5
An alien artifact discovery later, and he is on the run, having adventures, not kicking back in the library or cafeteria.
3 out of 5
Doorways In the Sand - Roger Zelazny
The protagonist is a perpetual student, basically trying to take as many courses, and learn as many things as he can, without being forced to graduate, or get kicked out of uni. This includes basket weaving, and advanced basket weaving.
An alien artifact discovery later, and he is on the run, having adventures, not kicking back in the library or cafeteria.
3 out of 5
An alien artifact discovery later, and he is on the run, having adventures, not kicking back in the library or cafeteria.
3 out of 5
The Doors Of His Face the Lamps Of His Mouth - Roger Zelazny
Big fish, or cut bait bloke.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Doors Of His Face the Lamps Of His Mouth - Roger Zelazny
Big fish, or cut bait bloke.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Devil Car - Roger Zelazny
http://www.archive.org/download/MindWebs-SciFi/Mindwebs-781020_TheDevilCar.mp3
Autokill relations decision.
3.5 out of 5
Autokill relations decision.
3.5 out of 5
Damnation Alley - Roger Zelazny
A post-apocalyptic action story. A criminal is given the standard two choices, really bad things now, or very very possible really bad things later, and, of course, takes the later.
The later in this case is a trip across the country to deliver vital medical supplies. He has a few more problems than the standard cracked by snow and ice cheapish US highways though. In this world, they don't call it Damnation Alley for nothing.
4 out of 5
The later in this case is a trip across the country to deliver vital medical supplies. He has a few more problems than the standard cracked by snow and ice cheapish US highways though. In this world, they don't call it Damnation Alley for nothing.
4 out of 5
The Bridge - Janine Ellen Young
Shades of the Wild Card virus here, and of Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis. A nasty alien bug divides humanity, by altering the minds and consciouness of those infected. This leaves the normal humans and the alien-humans at odds, and they have to work out how to deal with the new society, after the immense upheaval this causes.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Cabin 33 - Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
St. Germain's camping conversations turn up an exsanguinary suitor to stop.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Orphans Of Chaos - John C. Wright
Zeus is gone, and the power struggle between Hephaestus and Mars is ongoing, and threatens to breakout into war.
The previous rulers, Uranus, Saturn and their ilk, are not gone for good. This is particularly the case for some of their descendants.
Five children of this earlier time of Chaos are being held at a boarding school in an unassuming part of England by an assortment of forced servants and minor deities. They are drugged and otherwise kept oblivious, but as they get older, they beging to discover their powers and legacy.
An escape attempt is averted, as they really don't know what they are doing, and their captors have long been ready for them.
As Amelia, the master of space and time is told : "You are a dangerous and super-human being, child, and we must take what steps we can."
Not often you get this sort of thing talking about conic sections and the integrations of hypercubes, that is for sure.
3.5 out of 5
The previous rulers, Uranus, Saturn and their ilk, are not gone for good. This is particularly the case for some of their descendants.
Five children of this earlier time of Chaos are being held at a boarding school in an unassuming part of England by an assortment of forced servants and minor deities. They are drugged and otherwise kept oblivious, but as they get older, they beging to discover their powers and legacy.
An escape attempt is averted, as they really don't know what they are doing, and their captors have long been ready for them.
As Amelia, the master of space and time is told : "You are a dangerous and super-human being, child, and we must take what steps we can."
Not often you get this sort of thing talking about conic sections and the integrations of hypercubes, that is for sure.
3.5 out of 5
Free Live Free - Gene Wolfe
More of a gently creeping horror tale, four ordinary people are given residence in a building, and all is of course not what it seems. The residents slowly discover, via an odd Madame, that maybe they are not actually descending into something scary, but something that is a lot different to that. In general, not that interesting, this book.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
The Fifth Head Of Cerberus - Gene Wolfe
Cheap clone kid chops clone dad, convict time done proves chip off the old research block.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
Left Of the Dial - Paul Witcover
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/witcover/witcover3.html
Geek boys meet even geekier girl, reunite years later over ghosts, death and Talking Heads. Timeslip away.
4 out of 5
Geek boys meet even geekier girl, reunite years later over ghosts, death and Talking Heads. Timeslip away.
4 out of 5
Julian A Christmas Story - Robert Charles Wilson
http://www.kith.org/RCW/Julian_Christmas.pdf
Conscripts in a fallen future like snakes more than Indy does.
3 out of 5
Conscripts in a fallen future like snakes more than Indy does.
3 out of 5
To Say Nothing Of the Dog - Connie Willis
Another book by Connie Willis that didn't really interest me, I didn't really find it either engaging or amusing enough to bother too much with.
The bishop's bird stump is something I have forgotten about completely, and didn't really care whether this motley crew ever found
it at all in the first place.
2 out of 5
The bishop's bird stump is something I have forgotten about completely, and didn't really care whether this motley crew ever found
it at all in the first place.
2 out of 5
To Say Nothing Of the Dog - Connie Willis
Another book by Connie Willis that didn't really interest me, I didn't really find it either engaging or amusing enough to bother too much with.
The bishop's bird stump is something I have forgotten about completely, and didn't really care whether this motley crew ever found
it at all in the first place.
2 out of 5
The bishop's bird stump is something I have forgotten about completely, and didn't really care whether this motley crew ever found
it at all in the first place.
2 out of 5
Metropolitan - Walter Jon Williams
A poor woman, struggling to get by, comes to the notice of the overlord of the city, and sees in her a useful aide, to help him in his political struggles and control of the power source that runs everything, plasm. She is struggling to support herself and her family before this, so it at least helps her financial situation, if not her
longevity.
4 out of 5
longevity.
4 out of 5
City On Fire - Walter Jon Williams
A little bit more depth to this than Metropolitan, I think, as there is more to do with the actual society along with Aiah, as she becomes more important to how it functions, becomes involved with the genetically altered underclass, and her relationship with Constantine changes.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
City On Fire - Walter Jon Williams
A little bit more depth to this than Metropolitan, I think, as there is more to do with the actual society along with Aiah, as she becomes more important to how it functions, becomes involved with the genetically altered underclass, and her relationship with Constantine changes.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang - Kate Wilhelm
A book of three separate parts, as it leaps generations. In the first, a family and group of people associated set up a retreat from a devastated world in an isolated area they hope they can control.
Humanity can no longer reproduce naturally, and has to resort to cloning to try and survive. There is only one incursion, and they resort to drowning them.
The next part of the book is more about the adult clones and how they relate to each other: pretty closely, with telepathy/group minds developing.
There are still outsiders in this society, and eventually it seems that diversity is still necessary for the future, as the instability of so many generations of clones, as mentioned in the first part of the book is most definitely going to be a problem.
That this clone society was very insular could be seen in almost zero interest in finding out what is going on in the outside world. Presumably that was intentional on Wilhelm's part. A very alien outlook.
3.5 out of 5
Humanity can no longer reproduce naturally, and has to resort to cloning to try and survive. There is only one incursion, and they resort to drowning them.
The next part of the book is more about the adult clones and how they relate to each other: pretty closely, with telepathy/group minds developing.
There are still outsiders in this society, and eventually it seems that diversity is still necessary for the future, as the instability of so many generations of clones, as mentioned in the first part of the book is most definitely going to be a problem.
That this clone society was very insular could be seen in almost zero interest in finding out what is going on in the outside world. Presumably that was intentional on Wilhelm's part. A very alien outlook.
3.5 out of 5
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang - Kate Wilhelm
A book of three separate parts, as it leaps generations. In the first, a family and group of people associated set up a retreat from a devastated world in an isolated area they hope they can control.
Humanity can no longer reproduce naturally, and has to resort to cloning to try and survive. There is only one incursion, and they resort to drowning them.
The next part of the book is more about the adult clones and how they relate to each other: pretty closely, with telepathy/group minds developing.
There are still outsiders in this society, and eventually it seems that diversity is still necessary for the future, as the instability of so many generations of clones, as mentioned in the first part of the book is most definitely going to be a problem.
That this clone society was very insular could be seen in almost zero interest in finding out what is going on in the outside world. Presumably that was intentional on Wilhelm's part. A very alien outlook.
3.5 out of 5
Humanity can no longer reproduce naturally, and has to resort to cloning to try and survive. There is only one incursion, and they resort to drowning them.
The next part of the book is more about the adult clones and how they relate to each other: pretty closely, with telepathy/group minds developing.
There are still outsiders in this society, and eventually it seems that diversity is still necessary for the future, as the instability of so many generations of clones, as mentioned in the first part of the book is most definitely going to be a problem.
That this clone society was very insular could be seen in almost zero interest in finding out what is going on in the outside world. Presumably that was intentional on Wilhelm's part. A very alien outlook.
3.5 out of 5
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang - Kate Wilhelm
A book of three separate parts, as it leaps generations. In the first, a family and group of people associated set up a retreat from a devastated world in an isolated area they hope they can control.
Humanity can no longer reproduce naturally, and has to resort to cloning to try and survive. There is only one incursion, and they resort to drowning them.
The next part of the book is more about the adult clones and how they relate to each other: pretty closely, with telepathy/group minds developing.
There are still outsiders in this society, and eventually it seems that diversity is still necessary for the future, as the instability of so many generations of clones, as mentioned in the first part of the book is most definitely going to be a problem.
That this clone society was very insular could be seen in almost zero interest in finding out what is going on in the outside world. Presumably that was intentional on Wilhelm's part. A very alien outlook.
3.5 out of 5
Humanity can no longer reproduce naturally, and has to resort to cloning to try and survive. There is only one incursion, and they resort to drowning them.
The next part of the book is more about the adult clones and how they relate to each other: pretty closely, with telepathy/group minds developing.
There are still outsiders in this society, and eventually it seems that diversity is still necessary for the future, as the instability of so many generations of clones, as mentioned in the first part of the book is most definitely going to be a problem.
That this clone society was very insular could be seen in almost zero interest in finding out what is going on in the outside world. Presumably that was intentional on Wilhelm's part. A very alien outlook.
3.5 out of 5
Blindsight - Peter Watts
http://www.rifters.com/real/Blindsight.htm
While Alastair Reynolds borrowed from the Muppets with his Pigs in Space, it seems that Peter Watts may have gone for Colin Wilson's Space Vampires, instead. Reynolds is someone I think you can compare Watts to in tone, although the first person type retelling style of this also brings to mind Robert Charles Wilson's Spin.
A vampire spaceship captain type. Yep, that is right. It doesn't seem dumb, either.
After some non-human contact, a ship is built to go and investigate. The crew are an odd bunch. Add a multiple personality linguist, a guy with half a brain, and a non-conventional soldier to the mix, among others.
When they find them, they struggle to understand their brand of consciousness and use of senses, which is where the title comes from.
Violence is done.
The endnotes for this book are extensive, a fair bit of work done there, and well worth a look after you have finished the book.
Almost another tweener this one, 4.25 perhaps. Rounding up is fine given the work put into the post novel text.
4.5 out of 5
While Alastair Reynolds borrowed from the Muppets with his Pigs in Space, it seems that Peter Watts may have gone for Colin Wilson's Space Vampires, instead. Reynolds is someone I think you can compare Watts to in tone, although the first person type retelling style of this also brings to mind Robert Charles Wilson's Spin.
A vampire spaceship captain type. Yep, that is right. It doesn't seem dumb, either.
After some non-human contact, a ship is built to go and investigate. The crew are an odd bunch. Add a multiple personality linguist, a guy with half a brain, and a non-conventional soldier to the mix, among others.
When they find them, they struggle to understand their brand of consciousness and use of senses, which is where the title comes from.
Violence is done.
The endnotes for this book are extensive, a fair bit of work done there, and well worth a look after you have finished the book.
Almost another tweener this one, 4.25 perhaps. Rounding up is fine given the work put into the post novel text.
4.5 out of 5
Rainbows End - Vernor Vinge
Rainbows End - Vernor Vinge
The Fast Times are at UCSD, not Fairmont High.
This book starts well, with some seriously technlogical espionage and security problems beeing looked at. You could call it an 'S' start, Strossian, or Stephensonian perhaps.
Unfortunately, after that, when the major part of view character, the recovered Alzheimer's patient is introduced, things slow down. He basically has to go back to school after years of being no compos mentis. His son and wife are involved in the security industry mentioned previously.
In the middle of this, a conspiracy about lowish level mind control lurks.
In earlier life he was a spiteful acclaimed poet, and now has to learn basic stuff like new computer operating systems. This part drags on a bit too, or more than a bit too long.
There are some entertaining references to be fond - a homage to Border Guards with kids playing 'Egan soccer', and major Pratchett gameworlds, etc., including a failed game 'Zones of Thought', so happy to poke fun at himself, too.
The part of the book that has the most important consequences doesn't generally get enough time, so that prevents this rising above the level of average to be good.
3 out of 5
The Fast Times are at UCSD, not Fairmont High.
This book starts well, with some seriously technlogical espionage and security problems beeing looked at. You could call it an 'S' start, Strossian, or Stephensonian perhaps.
Unfortunately, after that, when the major part of view character, the recovered Alzheimer's patient is introduced, things slow down. He basically has to go back to school after years of being no compos mentis. His son and wife are involved in the security industry mentioned previously.
In the middle of this, a conspiracy about lowish level mind control lurks.
In earlier life he was a spiteful acclaimed poet, and now has to learn basic stuff like new computer operating systems. This part drags on a bit too, or more than a bit too long.
There are some entertaining references to be fond - a homage to Border Guards with kids playing 'Egan soccer', and major Pratchett gameworlds, etc., including a failed game 'Zones of Thought', so happy to poke fun at himself, too.
The part of the book that has the most important consequences doesn't generally get enough time, so that prevents this rising above the level of average to be good.
3 out of 5
Black As the Pit From Pole To Pole - Howard Waldrop and Steven Utley
Inner world exploration appropriation monster.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
The Ugly Chickens - Howard Waldrop
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/waldrop/
If dodos weren't finger lickin' good, saying would need revision.
4 out of 5
If dodos weren't finger lickin' good, saying would need revision.
4 out of 5
The Ugly Chickens - Howard Waldrop
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/waldrop/
If dodos weren't finger lickin' good, saying would need revision.
4 out of 5
If dodos weren't finger lickin' good, saying would need revision.
4 out of 5
The Ugly Chickens - Howard Waldrop
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/waldrop/
If dodos weren't finger lickin' good, saying would need revision.
4 out of 5
If dodos weren't finger lickin' good, saying would need revision.
4 out of 5
Mary Margaret Road Grader - Howard Waldrop
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2001/20010129/mary_margaret.shtml
Tractor pull off shoots through.
3 out of 5
Tractor pull off shoots through.
3 out of 5
The King Of Where I Go - Howard Waldrop
First she bashes me in the head. Then she gets psionic time control powers to do it again. Or, cure is fishing atrophied.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Sing A Last Song Of Valdese - Karl Edward Wagner
A wizard's ritual plot doesn't quite work out.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
The Peace War - Vernor Vinge
Intriguing look at the possible uses and misuses of anti-weapons techology, i.e. seriously hardcore force fields, for example. Or, military conflicts fought as world wide games of Bubble Bobble! Well, not quite, but that sort of thing. Some altruists are working on either side, so not black and white.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Marooned In Realtime - Vernor Vinge
An interesting murder mystery. Using statis bobbles, time can pass at a different rate for those outside. Therefore, being kicked out of one effectively strands you from your fellows, forever. Is this murder?
Millions of years after an event, a police officer must try and work out why this happened and who did it.
3 out of 5
Millions of years after an event, a police officer must try and work out why this happened and who did it.
3 out of 5
The Summer Queen - Joan D. Vinge
Another massively long novel set on the world of Tiamat, like in the Snow Queen. As the seasons shift, things change, but the wealthy and powerful still want their longevity treatments, so the hunting of the mer race continues.
A technological advancement does allow the isolated planet more offworld communication, but that certainly doesn't solve all their
problems.
4 out of 5
A technological advancement does allow the isolated planet more offworld communication, but that certainly doesn't solve all their
problems.
4 out of 5
The Snow Queen - Joan D. Vinge
Like Dune, Tiamat is a planet with a few problems with its climate. Think of being in the article circle for over a century with no changing of seasons, and that is sort of the setting for this novel. The ruler of Tiamat for the winter season is due to be ritually executed at the end of her term, and the changing of the seasons. The planet is important because it is the source of longevity drug, in a similar way to Dune, but the source is not a mineral produced by an animal.
To help her and the planet she has created a clone, and uses her own seductive abilities to get a young man to help her. This is all based around a fairy tale theme, as the heart of the book.
4 out of 5
To help her and the planet she has created a clone, and uses her own seductive abilities to get a young man to help her. This is all based around a fairy tale theme, as the heart of the book.
4 out of 5
The Snow Queen - Joan D. Vinge
Like Dune, Tiamat is a planet with a few problems with its climate. Think of being in the article circle for over a century with no changing of seasons, and that is sort of the setting for this novel. The ruler of Tiamat for the winter season is due to be ritually executed at the end of her term, and the changing of the seasons. The planet is important because it is the source of longevity drug, in a similar way to Dune, but the source is not a mineral produced by an animal.
To help her and the planet she has created a clone, and uses her own seductive abilities to get a young man to help her. This is all based around a fairy tale theme, as the heart of the book.
4 out of 5
To help her and the planet she has created a clone, and uses her own seductive abilities to get a young man to help her. This is all based around a fairy tale theme, as the heart of the book.
4 out of 5
Wizard - John Varley
In the second book of this series, it has been discovered that the satellite that they are wandering around on is actually an honest to goodness live sentient alien being, with a rather warped view of humanity through the electromagnetic dreck we spew out into the void.
So the human characters, and this creature called Gaea are antagonists, and the humans must deal with her mind. Who, exactly is insane here though?
3 out of 5
So the human characters, and this creature called Gaea are antagonists, and the humans must deal with her mind. Who, exactly is insane here though?
3 out of 5
Titan - John Varley
A fairly average story, of an encounter with a strange artifact, which of course turns out to be alien. It often seems more obsessed with how the characters look with no clothes on, and whether they are skinny enough, than with the actual story. Almost a bit like the bad Heinlein.
Clearly there is supposed to be sexual role and identity commentary here, but I am not sure it works particularly well.
3 out of 5
Clearly there is supposed to be sexual role and identity commentary here, but I am not sure it works particularly well.
3 out of 5
Titan - John Varley
A fairly average story, of an encounter with a strange artifact, which of course turns out to be alien. It often seems more obsessed with how the characters look with no clothes on, and whether they are skinny enough, than with the actual story. Almost a bit like the bad Heinlein.
Clearly there is supposed to be sexual role and identity commentary here, but I am not sure it works particularly well.
3 out of 5
Clearly there is supposed to be sexual role and identity commentary here, but I am not sure it works particularly well.
3 out of 5
Steel Beach - John Varley
Those human type people have been given the boot from their original home planet. They now live on various other bodies in space, both natural and artificial.
A Central Computer runs things for people, and diseases, longevity and other issues are no problem for the technology available to fix.
The plot here is that despite this nice place to live, people are topping themselves, so why?
Amusing at times, offering a commentary on the possibility that people need something to do.
3 out of 5
A Central Computer runs things for people, and diseases, longevity and other issues are no problem for the technology available to fix.
The plot here is that despite this nice place to live, people are topping themselves, so why?
Amusing at times, offering a commentary on the possibility that people need something to do.
3 out of 5
The Persistence Of Vision - John Varley
Communication fuller but lots weirder with fewer senses.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
The Persistence Of Vision - John Varley
Communication fuller but lots weirder with fewer senses.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
Millenium - John Varley
A book that has two viewpoints, the future, and the past. People from the future have need for more people, so they look to the past, in accident situations etc.
Some present day investigators get involved when the future types make an error, and have to come back to fix it.
3 out of 5
Some present day investigators get involved when the future types make an error, and have to come back to fix it.
3 out of 5
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