Usually like short stories and was looking forward to some fast and sharp looks into Culture culture, but the succession of stories in State of the ArUsually like short stories and was looking forward to some fast and sharp looks into Culture culture, but the succession of stories in State of the Art didn't hold my attention as well as the previous novels in the series did. As the book progressed, the author became more experimental in his style and lost me. I applaud experimentalism, but it must be the mood I'm in these days. Hope to pick it up again some day and enjoy it much more. On to Book #5: Excession....more
extremely tight, engrossing short stories from writers known for their fabulous longer-form writing. I was trying to figure what was the attraction toextremely tight, engrossing short stories from writers known for their fabulous longer-form writing. I was trying to figure what was the attraction to these stories collected under an admittedly fearful, dismal title and it occurred to me the over-arching attraction found throughout the book and in each story is...Hope. Give these 'Stories of the Apocalypse' a read, you won't be wasting your time.
(My favorite of the collection: "The End of The World As We Know It" by Dale Bailey.) ...more
Baxter has a way of focusing on the individual and the details all the while keeping a sense of dread - or hope - humming in the background. The readeBaxter has a way of focusing on the individual and the details all the while keeping a sense of dread - or hope - humming in the background. The reader feels a part of the world the author has created without necessarily knowing everything that is transpiring in that world (very much like living in our own reality). The science is tight, if highly speculative; most of the characters are 3-dimensional: some troubled "bad guys," have redeeming moments and the "good guys" show some disappointing (even appalling) traits. A good part of the middle evolves into an observation of long-term crisis leadership and its effects on the individual (both leader and led).
I found the three-way-split (so to speak) resolution to the novel - not to give any spoilers - unexpected, interesting, and mildly unsatisfying. Unexpected in that it is a risky move for an author to take; interesting in that it allowed Baxter to cover all his bases; unsatisfying for its relative lack of tension and suspense compared to the rest of the novel. ...more
This is an excellent anthology of short stories clinching closely to the definition of "Hard" science fiction. In fact, the very science in each of thThis is an excellent anthology of short stories clinching closely to the definition of "Hard" science fiction. In fact, the very science in each of these stories is crucial to the tale holding together. Very refreshing and uncommon in the genre. Even more wondrous, characterization is not sacrificed to the science.
My favorite: "The Yoke of Inauspicious Stars" by Kate Story. If Shakespeare had placed his iconic tale of young love and tragedy amongst the water miners of Jupiter's ice moon Europa. Cryogenic misdeeds and sound as a life form.
Most intriguing: "A Slow Unfurling of Truth" by Aliette de Brodard. A story covering over 200 years in the Xuyan Universe, a series of tales appearing since the mid 1980's spanning magazines, anthologies, authors, and websites all across the genre. I am now on a hunt to track down all the various tales (chapters?) and read them in chronological order.
These stories are as sharp, solid, and striking as carbide tipped pens. It isn't hard at all, though, to claim this anthology a real star. ...more
Bova writes an easy, clear narrative that allows the reader to see right down into the philosophical heart of the tale. His short stories in this voluBova writes an easy, clear narrative that allows the reader to see right down into the philosophical heart of the tale. His short stories in this volume carry a folkloric quality that gives the reader space to enjoy the "telling" and time to reflect on the message...you might say Mr.Bova is a master of the space-time continuum (sorry, couldn't resist the pun)!
A quick read that you'll find easy to enjoy....more
MATTER is a novel of dazzling wit & serious purpose. An extraordinary feat of storytelling & breathtaking invention on a grand scale, it is a tour de MATTER is a novel of dazzling wit & serious purpose. An extraordinary feat of storytelling & breathtaking invention on a grand scale, it is a tour de force from a writer who has turned sf on its head. ~Taken from the Goodreads blurb.
Quite possibly not the best place to start with Iain M Banks' Culture series, 8 volumes into the series, but still quite an enjoyable blend of unique takes on science fiction tropes echoing trademarks created by Alistair Reynolds, Larry Niven, Douglas Adams, Jules Verne, and others. Granted there is nothing new under the sun (or suns, Rollstar or Fixstar, in this case), but it is a certain kind of brilliance to polish up the old standbys and make them look shiny and new.
Characters are the main tower of this novel, rising from a broad and complicated landscape of locations, actions, cultures, and ideas. I can't say much more without spoiling your read, but whether you are rooting for the "good guys" (not a clear or consistent group) or looking for the "bad guys" (not a clear or consistent group) to meet sweet justice, you may well be surprised, annoyed and shocked....more
Heinlein's most famous (infamous? see the other reviews on goodreads) work starts with a lot of promise and ends with a lot of predictability with a pHeinlein's most famous (infamous? see the other reviews on goodreads) work starts with a lot of promise and ends with a lot of predictability with a progressive amount of pusillanimous palaver connecting the two.
The first two sections where Heinlein catches us up on the future history of the first manned landing on Mars and the unique, individual outcome of this monumental feat, our meeting the Man From Mars, the world's and individual's reactions, and the slow but steady re-education of Valentine Michael Smith paralleling the revelation of the Martian Philosophy: "Thou art God. I am God. All that groks is God" is intriguing and interesting. To use the language of the text: "It is a great goodness."
The next three sections radically shift tone and viewpoint. As "Mike" begins his hunt, in earnest, for understanding what it is to be human, Heinlein retreats into long lectures, disguised as dialogue, that disappointingly reflect the 50's imagination of the author. Most times, an author can't be faulted for reflecting the times in which he lives, but the potentials played with in the first part of this novel - linguistic, sociological, theological, political, sexual, psychological - get swamped and muddied... and predictably tied up.
Still, I really enjoyed "grokking" the "great goodness" and "the wrongness" that Heinlein created here in trying to pull off a genre-breaking,imagination-expanding work, even if it didn't quite achieve all that it could. ...more
Science Fiction has always been known as the literature of awe, wonder, and possibilities; Afrofuturism challenges us to apply the wonder and possibilScience Fiction has always been known as the literature of awe, wonder, and possibilities; Afrofuturism challenges us to apply the wonder and possibilities to social redemption and cultural repossession. Author Ytasha Womack postulates early on that "Blackness is a technology" (p.27) and "race simply didn't exist prior to 500 years ago" (p.42). Tracing current speakers, philosophers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers and their specific contributions, she creates a full and detailed picture of what Afrofuturism is and "just as actions in the present dictate the future, imagining the future can change the present" (p.45). A positive, inciteful read that will spark many conversations.
Some quotes from the book: "But now, someone on the internet whose name you don't know with an online alias can contribute [to the conversation on race]. I think that is afrofuturism." (p.49)
Janelle Monae's ArchOrchestra, Sun Ra's Arkestra, and Outcast's Andre3000 and the intertwining inspiration of the three. (pp.74-76)
"Ethno-gothic is a way of dealing with cultural trauma [speaking of the writings of L.A.Banks and Toni Morrison]. (pp. 102-103)
"Afrofuturist women get a kick out of rewiring their audiences (p.104)...there's a conscious reorientation process that takes place, almost as if you were dropped into a far-off land. But the land feels familiar, a reality that is soothing for some, unsettling for others.(p.105).
Grace Jones, Madame CJ Walker, and Octavia Butler as examples of Afrofuturists and the feminine aspect of the genre/philosophy(pp. 108-109).
"There's something about African American culture in particular that dictates that all cultural hallmarks and personal evolutions are recast in an historical lineage. Just as the right words and actions can speak the future into existence, the same can recast the past, too. This cyclical nature of time and the contemplation of it all is a favorite theme and conversation point for Afrofuturists" (p.153).
Afro-Surreal Manifesto of D. Scott Miller. "Afrosurrealism is the best description to the...twists and turns this 'browning' of White-straight-male-Western-Civilization has produced...Afrosurrealists strive for rococo: the beautiful, the sensuous, and the whimsical...the emphasis on today rather than the future, the minimal tech, heavy folklore, and mystical prism...makes an aesthetic all its own(pp.166-167).
"Leopold Senghor...saw a difference...believing that European Surrealism was 'empirical' while African Surrealism was 'mystical and metaphorical.' What is Afro-surreal? Wale Kehinde's renaissance style paintings; Kara Walker's victorian style silhouettes of slave-era stereotypes; Nick Cave's Soundsuits exhibit; Nicki Minaj's cartoonish high fashion, comical expressions, neon wigs, and multiple personalities; Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained; the mythology in Beasts of the Southern Wild; the irreverent antics in rapper Trinidad Jones' video "All God Everything"(pp.169-170).
"Together Black, Brown, and Beige:Surrealist writings from Africa and the Diaspora [by historian Robin Kelley and surrealist Franklin Rosemont.2009] and "The Afrosurrealism Manifesto" are the pillars of emerging works today"(p.173).
Not having read any of the other Liaden Universe books, and this one being #3 in the series, there is a lot of background and nuance that I'm sue to hNot having read any of the other Liaden Universe books, and this one being #3 in the series, there is a lot of background and nuance that I'm sue to have missed. That being said, Balance of Trade reveals a interstellar society rich in culture and history and sociology. If you enjoy well-developed characters moving within a superbly constructed world whose detail is deliciously paced, then immerse yourself in the trading venues and ships of the humans and Liaden....more
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