Soldier, Ask Not

"Μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος -- begins the Iliad of Homer, and its story of thirty-four hundred years ago. This is the story of the wrath of Achilles. -- And this is the story of my wrath; I, Earthman, against the people of the two worlds so-called The Friendlies, the conscript, fanatic, black-clad soldiers of Harmony and Association..." How's that for the opening of a science fiction novel? And when's the last time you saw a novel of any kind open with a line from Homer, in Greek? I love sf.

7/10
In this installment of Dickson's Childe Cycle, we learn about the Final Encyclopedia and the man seemingly destined to lead it, Tam Olyn. Turning his heart and unique powers toward "Destruct", Tam roams the galaxy and works his way up the ranks of Newsman's Guild, all the while manipulating people and events as he seeks a very personal revenge with interstellar consequences.

Fast-paced action with philosophical interludes, the book is both interesting and thought-provoking.

Tam Olyn, a newsman and expert human manipulator, seeks vengeance against the fanatic Friendly culture after his brother-in-law is killed, culminating in a complex plot to destroy them.

Following a brutal, unnecessary death in the war on New Earth, Olyn develops an intense hatred for the Friendly mercenaries, a warrior culture motivated by religious zeal. He travels across the 16 splintered human worlds, specifically from Earth to Cassida, Frieland, and New Earth to engineer the downfall of the Friendlies, ultimately finding himself in a war on St. Marie.

Short book, but a long read. Definitely not some of Dickson's finest prose (though possibly not his worst, either). Given that it was written in 1967 and was one of his earliest Dorsai books, I'll have to let that slide.

I mainly read it to fill in the gaps in the Dorsai series, as the main character is central to the later part of the series, and the events in the story are often referred back to. But the protagonist is intentionally unlikeable and unsympathetic up until the last few pages of the book. Though you see that coming a mile away, it still makes it hard to really be too interested in his story.

Plus, Dickson had two cities named "Blauvain". On two different planets. In two different planetary systems.

Blauvain.

This encompasses show more how a good editor could have improved this tale. But I suppose this early in his career, Dickson might have found it difficult to get one (or unnecessary given the quality of the writing of that era).

I'd suggest this book only if you are dedicated to having read the entire Dorsai series, most of which is far more interesting than this tale. show less

This book is very much of its time (originally published in 1967). It tells its story from the perspective of a man who is nearly completely amoral, indifferent to the needs of anyone else except how it impacts his own needs. Unfortunately he tells his story in a very flat, nearly monotonous fashion as little he faces causes him to become enthusiastic or fearful or sympathetic. It's taken me a good 30 years to finally finish it because it is exactly the kind of thing I don't like; I only bothered to keep trying because it's considered a classic. I think it deserves the accolade 'classic' because it was revolutionary when it was first published, but nowadays it would have a difficult time finding a market.

I think this book isbetter than Necromancer, but is not as good as Tactics of Mistake. Tam Olyn's character is a little too insistant on his integrity, especially regarding his objectivity. The validity of faith is finally affirmed at the end, while, for the most part its value is drown in Olyn's perspective. The ending is a little pat, and Olyn's obsession a bit transparent, but the inside depiction of the Friendlies is indespensible to the Childe Cycle. It's possible that even this small group of reporters ... a group that can synthesize the splinters.

It's one of my favorite Dickson books. I often think that, to appreciate most books, especially Science Fiction, you need to read them at the time they were written (or at least try and place yourself in that era). I've read most of the Dorsai novels and stories, but this one was one of the few I kept.

I may revisit this review, but I'm trying to put at least a note on anything I'm adding that deserves the commentary.