Fascinated by the trailer for the upcoming film of the same name due to be released in 2018, I bought a copy of this novel by Jeff VanderMeer (who I'vFascinated by the trailer for the upcoming film of the same name due to be released in 2018, I bought a copy of this novel by Jeff VanderMeer (who I've never read before) and devoured it. It works as horror, science fiction, and as a story of profound loss. As others have commented this first book in the Southern Reach trilogy evokes Lovecraftian horror, Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," and just maybe Stephen King's "The Mist." Most of all, some of it's best bits remind me of "Roadside Picnic" by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (and to a lesser degree, "Stalker," the Soviet era Sci-Fi film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, which was based upon it). I'm not sure how the filmmakers will translate the protagonist's internal narration to a visual medium, but if they can get half of VanderMeer's images on the screen it will be an awesome film....more
As with many volumes I finally have made time to read I wish that I'd read this many years ago. It stands as a worthy companion to the works of Rumi, As with many volumes I finally have made time to read I wish that I'd read this many years ago. It stands as a worthy companion to the works of Rumi, Ecclesiastes, and the Tao Te Ching....more
I bought "Stories of Your Life and Others" to read the short story upon which the screenplay for the film "Arrival" was based. It was well worth it foI bought "Stories of Your Life and Others" to read the short story upon which the screenplay for the film "Arrival" was based. It was well worth it for that reason alone, but there are other stories in this collection which are even better. Ted Chiang is whip smart, wicked imaginative, and viciously clever. ...more
Another fine SF novel by Neal Stephenson and the most fun I've had reading him since Cryptonomicon. Highly recommended!Another fine SF novel by Neal Stephenson and the most fun I've had reading him since Cryptonomicon. Highly recommended!...more
This second book of the trilogy dragged for quite a while (I wasn't sure I'd finish let alone buy the third volume) but then it accelerated viciously This second book of the trilogy dragged for quite a while (I wasn't sure I'd finish let alone buy the third volume) but then it accelerated viciously toward the end and came to a satisfying conclusion......more
This was a goodreads giveaway. Lebow's assessment of first order effects were pretty good but as with all such alternative histories the second order This was a goodreads giveaway. Lebow's assessment of first order effects were pretty good but as with all such alternative histories the second order impacts of small changes are anyone's guess. It would benefit from a different style of presentation that made more clear when the author was moving from historical to alternative futures. ...more
Steam-punk, science-fiction, mytho-poetic, horror-fantasy novels aren't my usual thing but China Mieville is so viciously skilled a writer he makes itSteam-punk, science-fiction, mytho-poetic, horror-fantasy novels aren't my usual thing but China Mieville is so viciously skilled a writer he makes it work even for me....more
Intricately and deftly plotted, "Downtiming the Nightside" is among the very few time travel stories I've read or seen that didn't make me roll my eyeIntricately and deftly plotted, "Downtiming the Nightside" is among the very few time travel stories I've read or seen that didn't make me roll my eyes and shake my head. I haven't read any Jack Chalker before but I will be happy to try him again. ...more
"Times Without Number" read like three progressively more complex short stories, each featuring the same protagonist which were later assembled into a"Times Without Number" read like three progressively more complex short stories, each featuring the same protagonist which were later assembled into a single novel. I guessed right. John Brunner published each of the three acts as separate stories in 1962, and the novel in 1969. I enjoy a well done time travel alternative history and these adventures of Don Miguel Navarro, Licentiate in Ordinary of the Society of Time deliver. I won't say more for fear of creating a spoiler paradox. ...more
Octavia Butler had a gift for describing women, issues of race, and the ambivalence of the human experience. In "Dawn" she examined an uneasy mixture Octavia Butler had a gift for describing women, issues of race, and the ambivalence of the human experience. In "Dawn" she examined an uneasy mixture of community, sexuality, individuality, and alienation. What better crucible in which to to ply her trade than science fiction? This is only the second book of hers I've read (I liked "Clay's Ark" even better) but I plan to enjoy her work again....more