sturlington's reviews from LibraryThing

Idoru by William Gibson

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:04:36 -0400

sturlington's review: "The second book in the Bridge trilogy. Completely unmemorable. Read in the 1990s."

The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:13:32 -0400

sturlington's review: "The Stars My Destination is a science-fictional retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, that also anticipated the cyberpunk movement. It introduces the concept of teleportation, or jaunting, from one physical location to another, now an SF trope. An influential book and an important read, but the character of Gully Foyle is not at all likable, and an early rape scene is a turn-off. A candidate for rereading, if I can get past that scene. Gully Foyle is my name And Terra is my nation Deep space is my dwelling place The stars my destination Read in the 1990s."
Vintage Books (1996), 1st Vintage Books ed., Trade paperback

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:48:06 -0500

sturlington's review: "Fusion of Hindu/Buddhist religions, mythology and gods with science fiction and space colonies. One attempted reading, could not get into it at all, had to put it down. I will probably try again, as this does seem up my alley."

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:55:30 -0500

sturlington's review: "Stephenson's first major book, as I recall, which established him as an important science fiction writer. It introduces the Metaverse, a 3D virtual space that is the next evolution of the Internet. Possible candidate for rereading, although I am now more interested in Stephenson's later novels. Read in the 1990s."

The Diamond Age, or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:02:56 -0500

sturlington's review: "This is a post-cyberpunk novel and a coming-of-age story, set in a world where nanotechnology affects all aspects of life. It deals with the themes of post-scarcity economics and the nature of artificial intelligence. Read long ago, this may be due for a reread. Read in the 1990s."

The Practice Effect by David Brin

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:34:36 -0400

sturlington's review: "On an alien planet, instead of objects wearing out as you use them, they improve, a phenomenon known as the "practice effect." Light and entertaining, more like fantasy than science fiction; however, when I lost the book midway through, I didn't feel compelled to find another copy and finish it."

A Case Of Conscience by James Blish

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:00:44 -0500

sturlington's review: "Uses the trope of first contact with an alien race to explore religious themes, which I normally like in science fiction, but didn't here. I didn't finish the book."

A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:36:13 -0400

sturlington's review: "A loose prequel to the earlier novel, A Fire Upon the Deep, about the discovery of an intelligent alien species. It's highly rated and reviewed, but I could not engage with the dense writing style and didn't finish the book."

Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 06:52:58 -0400

sturlington's review: "In the future, genetic engineering is a reality, producing the Sleepless, a superior form of human. All men are not created equal, not anymore. What do the productive and responsible members of society owe the "beggars in Spain," those unproductive masses? The book grapples with the ideals of Ayn Rand on the one hand and Ursula K. Le Guin on the other. Interesting themes and predictions of emerging technologies and social structures make this one a good candidate for a reread. Read in the 1990s."

Virtual Light by William Gibson

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:59:08 -0400

sturlington's review: "This is the first book in the Bridge Trilogy, set in a dystopian, cyberpunk future. The principal theme is class conflict. I read this book long ago and it did not make a big impression on me, which I find is typical of Gibson's books. They require at least one reread, possibly more, to "stick," and may not be worth that level of effort. Read in the 1990s."

Footfall by Larry Niven

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:29:28 -0400

sturlington's review: "A lightweight military sci-fi adventure about an alien invasion. Entertaining, but not terribly memorable or significant. Read in the 1990s."

He, She and It by Marge Piercy

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:53:34 -0400

sturlington's review: "The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic America in which power is held by a few multi-national corporations and depicts a romance between a woman and a cyborg designed to protect her community against corporate raiders. It has strong feminist and environmental themes, and examines gender roles, human identity and artificial intelligence. Read long ago, this is a somewhat memorable book. Read in the 1990s."

The Pesthouse by Jim Crace

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:36:49 -0500

sturlington's review: "A post-apocalyptic novel. It did not engage my attention, and I didn't finish it."

Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:54:55 -0500

sturlington's review: "A dystopian novel set on an over-populated future Earth. Stand on Zanzibar is innovative for mixing narrative with chapters made up of slogans, advertising, songs, extracts from newspapers or books, and other cultural detritus to provide historical background and for world-building. The entire effect is of information overload. The writing style did not appeal to me, and I did not finish the book."

Dreamsnake by Vonda McIntyre

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:57:03 -0500

sturlington's review: "A post-apocalyptic novel that won many awards. It read too much like fantasy for my tastes. Didn't finish."

The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:53:01 -0400

sturlington's review: "This is the second novel featuring the character of Professor Challenger, although I read this one long before I read The Lost World, as a child. It is an early entry in the apocalyptic fiction sub-genre."

The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:24:40 -0500

sturlington's review: "The Drowned World is a post-apocalyptic novel that features a central character who is enraptured by the chaotic reality of the post-apocalypse, and so presents a different point of view for the sub-genre. Read long ago due to my interest in apocalyptic fiction."

Riddley Walker, Expanded Edition by Russell Hoban

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:36:12 -0400

sturlington's review: "Riddley Walker differs from similar post-apocalyptic novels, such as A Canticle for Leibowitz, in that it is written entirely in dialect, a fictional form of English, in which many modern words have changed meanings. Which makes it a challenge for the reader. The story draws on religious and mystical allusions, including Celtic mythology. Read long, long ago due to my interest in apocalyptic fiction."
Indiana University Press (1998), E-book

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:13:59 -0400

sturlington's review: "A Canticle for Leibowitz is a classic of science fiction and considered one of the best novels to be written about nuclear apocalypse. Its central theme is the cyclical nature of technological progress and regression depicted in a narrative that spans centuries. Read because of my interest in apocalyptic literature (1990s)."
Eos (2006), Trade paperback, Later printing

Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

Thu, 13 May 2010 15:19:48 -0400

sturlington's review: "Alas, Babylon is significant because it was one of the first apocalyptic books of the nuclear age. It deals with the effects of a nuclear war on a small town in Florida. Read due to my interest in apocalyptic fiction (1990s)."
Harper Perennial Modern Classics (2005), Later printing, Trade paperback