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2011 Reading 11-14
11: Gerard 0'Neill, The High Frontier
The solution to overcrowding, starvation and the fuel crisis? Build cities in space and escape the planet-centrism we suffer. The argument seems convincing except it sounds too safe and too cheap - and of course we can snigger at his suggestion this will happen by 1980, maybe 1990, definitely 2000 for certain.
12: Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Sfnal sequel -- trying to return to the factory, the Buckets and Wonka end up in space, near a hotel in orbit which has something nasty lurking in the lift shaft. Inspiration for Alien
13: Jan Mark, The Ennead
On a all but totalitarian planet, Isaac plots to kill his master and to negotiate a better life for himself -- which might come when his master dies and his son takes over the household. And when a female sculptor arrives, to carve a work of art, he only has advantages for himself in mind. A puzzling book, which I need to scratch my head over - and read the sequel to. There are a raft of Jewish names and ideas in a puritan background, and there's a metaphor of sorts to unpick.
14: Joan Vinge, The Snow Queen
I've been reading this like forever - a transposition of Andersen's fairy tale to a sword and planet context. I confess it left me a little cold.
The solution to overcrowding, starvation and the fuel crisis? Build cities in space and escape the planet-centrism we suffer. The argument seems convincing except it sounds too safe and too cheap - and of course we can snigger at his suggestion this will happen by 1980, maybe 1990, definitely 2000 for certain.
12: Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Sfnal sequel -- trying to return to the factory, the Buckets and Wonka end up in space, near a hotel in orbit which has something nasty lurking in the lift shaft. Inspiration for Alien
13: Jan Mark, The Ennead
On a all but totalitarian planet, Isaac plots to kill his master and to negotiate a better life for himself -- which might come when his master dies and his son takes over the household. And when a female sculptor arrives, to carve a work of art, he only has advantages for himself in mind. A puzzling book, which I need to scratch my head over - and read the sequel to. There are a raft of Jewish names and ideas in a puritan background, and there's a metaphor of sorts to unpick.
14: Joan Vinge, The Snow Queen
I've been reading this like forever - a transposition of Andersen's fairy tale to a sword and planet context. I confess it left me a little cold.