Bantam Books -- hc
New York -- ©1996 -- 294pp
ISBN: 0-553-09958-2
In an era when life expectancies stretch 100 years or more and adhering to healthy habits is the only way to earn better medical treatments, ancient "post humans" dominate society with their ubiquitous wealth and power. By embracing the safe and secure, 94-year-old Mia Ziemann has lived a long and quiet life. Too quiet, as she comes to realize, for Mia has lost the creative drive and ability to love--the holy fire--of the young. But when a radical new procedure makes Mia young again, she has the chance to break free of society's cloying grasp. (Amazon review)
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Ouch. A Bruce Sterling book that didn't work for me.
Like many of the other reviews here for this book, Sterling has some nifty concepts and a strong character and setting, but the follow-through is slow and meandering.
I never got the 'holy fire' aspect. Yes, I understand that it's our heroine's search for her 'holy fire' (art), but it isn't delivered strongly enough to carry on as the theme of the book (and if that isn't the book's theme, then what is?).
This book felt as though Sterling had a pretty good concept, but had trouble finding his own 'holy fire' to accomplish the goal and the publisher was breathing down his neck for a finished product.
Just not fulfilling.
Monday, December 28, 2009
THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN -- Mitch Albom
Hyperion -- hc
New York -- ©2003 -- 196pp
ISBN: 0-7868-6871-6
On his 83rd birthday, a maintenance man tries to save a young girl from a failing ride and meets his demise. He then goes on an afterlife journey, meeting five people in heaven who help him understand his life.
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I was in the library, looking for a 'quick read' and, starting in the 'A' section of the fiction shelves, came across this book. I'd heard about it, seen Albom on Letterman or Ferguson, and decided to give it a try.
First, it IS a quick read. Easy language; short, consecutive, predictable chapters. But these don't necessarily mean 'cheap' writing. Albom still manages to do a nice job getting a message across.
Second, the message. This IS a feel-good, message book. Part of me would sarcastically define this as 'chick-lit' because of the feel-good message, but it defies the label because the hero isn't a young, available, hero. He's an old, dead guy (and that's not a spoiler...if you're meeting people in heaven, as the book title suggests, you kind of have to assume that the person is dead).
So, what is this book? It's two hours of your time, after which you'll likely think "Aw, I hope it's like that."
But will the book stay with you? Will you think about it suddenly while driving in rush-hour traffic, or while cutting up celery to go with a Sunday dinner? Probably not.
Despite the accolades this book has received, it won't be a treasured book in your home or something that you insist everyone read. It will be a book you recommend to people at a party, but that you don't push.
New York -- ©2003 -- 196pp
ISBN: 0-7868-6871-6
On his 83rd birthday, a maintenance man tries to save a young girl from a failing ride and meets his demise. He then goes on an afterlife journey, meeting five people in heaven who help him understand his life.
#####
I was in the library, looking for a 'quick read' and, starting in the 'A' section of the fiction shelves, came across this book. I'd heard about it, seen Albom on Letterman or Ferguson, and decided to give it a try.
First, it IS a quick read. Easy language; short, consecutive, predictable chapters. But these don't necessarily mean 'cheap' writing. Albom still manages to do a nice job getting a message across.
Second, the message. This IS a feel-good, message book. Part of me would sarcastically define this as 'chick-lit' because of the feel-good message, but it defies the label because the hero isn't a young, available, hero. He's an old, dead guy (and that's not a spoiler...if you're meeting people in heaven, as the book title suggests, you kind of have to assume that the person is dead).
So, what is this book? It's two hours of your time, after which you'll likely think "Aw, I hope it's like that."
But will the book stay with you? Will you think about it suddenly while driving in rush-hour traffic, or while cutting up celery to go with a Sunday dinner? Probably not.
Despite the accolades this book has received, it won't be a treasured book in your home or something that you insist everyone read. It will be a book you recommend to people at a party, but that you don't push.
Monday, December 21, 2009
THE WILLIAMSON EFFECT -- Roger Zelazny, editor
Tom Doherty Associates Book -- hc
New York -- ©1996 -- 349pp
ISBN:0-312-85748-9
A collection of short fiction; a tribute to Jack Williamson.
Introduction: A World in Love with Change -- David Brin
"The Mayor of Mare Tranq" -- Frederick Pohl
"Before the Legion" -- Paul Dellinger
"Inside Passage" -- Poul Anderson
"Risk Assessment" -- Ben Bova
"Williamson's World" (poem) -- Scott E. Green
"Emancipation" -- Pati Nagle
"Thinkertoy" -- John Brunner
"The Bad Machines" -- Fred Saberhagen
"The Human Ingredient" -- Jeff Bredenberg
"Child of the Night" -- Jane Lindskold
"A Certain Talent" -- David Weber
"Nonstop to Portales" -- Connie Willis
"No Folded Hands" -- Andre Norton
"Darker Than You Wrote" -- Mike Resnick
"Near Portales ... Freedom Shouts" (poem) -- Scott E. Green
"Worlds That Never Were: The Last Adventure of the Legion of Time" -- John J. Miller
#####
I have to admit that I am not particularly familiar with Jack Williamson's work. I am aware of his work, but I don't think that I've ever read any of his books. So why buy and read this collection of short stories written in tribute to Williamson? Because it was edited by Roger Zelazny ... whose work I AM familiar with and greatly admire.
It shouldn't come as a surprise then that I found myself really enjoying this stories and now am looking forward to reading some Williamson work.
It has been awhile since I actually finished reading this collection, so the stories are not fresh in my mind, but I don't think that there are any obvious stand-outs for being excellent. Instead, unlike so many collections I read, nearly all the stories piqued my interest, touching on something which I assume is that talent of Jack Williamson.
Fred Saberhagen's story, "The Bad Machines," has made me want to read both Williamson's The Humanoids and Saberhange's 'Berserker' books. Poul Anderson's "Inside Passage" has got me looking for Jack's Darker Than You Think. And I'm very curious to read more of The Legion of Time, and see how much Giles Habibula really is like Falstaff. John Brunner is a fantastic writer, and his "Thinkertoy" was a delight.
All around, this is a fantastic collection. It's a book like this that has me really enjoying short fiction. I've read some great fiction and hopefully discovered a new author or two.
Highly recommended for any sci-fi fan.
New York -- ©1996 -- 349pp
ISBN:0-312-85748-9
A collection of short fiction; a tribute to Jack Williamson.
Introduction: A World in Love with Change -- David Brin
"The Mayor of Mare Tranq" -- Frederick Pohl
"Before the Legion" -- Paul Dellinger
"Inside Passage" -- Poul Anderson
"Risk Assessment" -- Ben Bova
"Williamson's World" (poem) -- Scott E. Green
"Emancipation" -- Pati Nagle
"Thinkertoy" -- John Brunner
"The Bad Machines" -- Fred Saberhagen
"The Human Ingredient" -- Jeff Bredenberg
"Child of the Night" -- Jane Lindskold
"A Certain Talent" -- David Weber
"Nonstop to Portales" -- Connie Willis
"No Folded Hands" -- Andre Norton
"Darker Than You Wrote" -- Mike Resnick
"Near Portales ... Freedom Shouts" (poem) -- Scott E. Green
"Worlds That Never Were: The Last Adventure of the Legion of Time" -- John J. Miller
#####
I have to admit that I am not particularly familiar with Jack Williamson's work. I am aware of his work, but I don't think that I've ever read any of his books. So why buy and read this collection of short stories written in tribute to Williamson? Because it was edited by Roger Zelazny ... whose work I AM familiar with and greatly admire.
It shouldn't come as a surprise then that I found myself really enjoying this stories and now am looking forward to reading some Williamson work.
It has been awhile since I actually finished reading this collection, so the stories are not fresh in my mind, but I don't think that there are any obvious stand-outs for being excellent. Instead, unlike so many collections I read, nearly all the stories piqued my interest, touching on something which I assume is that talent of Jack Williamson.
Fred Saberhagen's story, "The Bad Machines," has made me want to read both Williamson's The Humanoids and Saberhange's 'Berserker' books. Poul Anderson's "Inside Passage" has got me looking for Jack's Darker Than You Think. And I'm very curious to read more of The Legion of Time, and see how much Giles Habibula really is like Falstaff. John Brunner is a fantastic writer, and his "Thinkertoy" was a delight.
All around, this is a fantastic collection. It's a book like this that has me really enjoying short fiction. I've read some great fiction and hopefully discovered a new author or two.
Highly recommended for any sci-fi fan.
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