Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan (Giants, #1)

 (I know there could be some mistakes in this review. I’m trying to improve my English, thanks)

I admit that I enjoyed this classic science fiction novel. Classic at an unusual time, I must say, since it was published in 1977; that is, at the height of the New Wave; but in any case, as I say, with an absolutely classic flavor. The intrigue of ‘Inherit the Stars’ deals (you can read more in the synopsis of the book) about the discovery on our Moon of a human astronaut who was buried 50,000 years ago!

Thus, with this captivating enigma - and others that emerge - the novel
develops. When I say a classic aftertaste, I mean that the author dedicates himself to solving this enigma as if it were a mystery novel, but instead of police clues in this case we have scientific ones, which leads him to long and passionate digressions on various scientific aspects (Isaac Asimov style explanations, to understand us, and of course reflecting the state of the art in 1977).

It has not been difficult for me to read it, on the contrary, as I say I have enjoyed it, among other things for the difference with much of the literature that I'm currently reading, but that it may serve as a warning for readers. Another issue that I must warn is that it is also absolutely classic with gender relations: that is, for example, that men have logical thinking and women have feminine intuition, and so on...

In short, an absolutely optimistic novel regarding the benefits of science and technology. Also with a good ending that improves the entire novel.

At the moment I don't know yet if I will read the sequels.

Moonraker by Ian Fleming

(I know there could be some mistakes in this review. I’m trying to improve my English, thanks)

Having seen all the movies, this is my first James Bond novel and I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining it was the reading. I started with Moonraker because it is the highest rated in the series. 

To begin I must say that the book is very different from the movie. In this regard, contrary to many opinions, I liked Roger Moore's film (it might have something to do with the fact that it was science fiction ;-).

First paperback edition UK (1961)

About the book, I check that Ian Fleming knew how to set a spy novel, or more specifically a spy fiction novel or “Spy-Fi”. For example, the technical descriptions are good, specifically in the case of the missile that gives its name to the novel (more similar to a World War II V2 than a current rocket); although today they are somewhat outdated, they complement the novel well and currently give it a touch "retro" which I find delightful.

On the other hand, I was very intrigued by the treatment of women in the 007 novels. Well, no surprise here, the man commands and disposes, in accordance with the prevailing ideas of the time (the novel was published in 1955). However, it should be noted that the heroine, Miss Gala Brand, actively participates in the plot and, by the way, she resists the charms of James Bond (but because she is engaged to another man). More peculiar is the author description -in the mouth of James Bond- of the women who work as MI5 secretaries, destined to be "spinsters", since a love relationship is incompatible with the necessary discretion in their work, which is not the case with the men.

No surprise either with 007's main adversary, Hugo Drax, as evil as you would expect.

On the recent controversy (see link below) that it is planned to correct the James Bond novels, particularly for some racist aspects, I prefer to read them as they were written, with their original doses of racism, colonialism and machismo. They were simply other times, in which there were acceptable things that now -fortunately- they are not. In other words, what was tolerated 70 years ago is not accepted today, and some that is currently being accepted in our time it will not be so in 70 years from now (if the planet holds out, of course). On the other hand, about the disclaimer by the editors: This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace, I find it correct and the explanation could even be expanded further highlighting these undesirable aspects of the novel, but I not agree with correcting the original work. After all, I think that it should be the reader himself (or herself) who should criticize and judge whether these aspects of the novel are appropriate or not.

You can see the news mentioned here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/feb/27/james-bond-novels-to-be-reissued-with-racial-references-removed

Celestial by M. D. Lachlan

(I know there could be some mistakes in this review. I’m trying to improve my English, thanks)

A peculiar reading, with a taste of New Wave but adapted to current times. I started reading this book because a known author recommended it. So I started without even having read the synopsis and I must confess that my expectation was one and the reading experience has been quite different. When I started reading I thought it was a hard alternative history novel about the Space Race between the United States of America and the Soviet Union, Ian Sales style, and I found a very different story; although some aspect that Mr. Sales develops in The Apollo Quartet stories (highly recommended by the way) is also present here but... my lips are sealed.

I must say that the development has been a bit long for me and maybe some of the situations created by the characters could have been shortened. So most of the book is like a lysergic trip that lasts a little too long… So along the way I have had time to think about… a flawed novel? But not really. An excessive plot pretentiousness? In the end, I verify that neither is the case.

The novel deals about a mysterious discovery on the Moon, but this is actually an excuse for an introspective journey of humanity itself, and particularly of the astronauts and cosmonauts involved in this situation. Recalling a time in my life when I enjoyed meditation - although my knowledge of the subject remains superficial - the novel makes sense and its main premise I think is well-thought-out.

In summary, in my opinion what the author proposes is difficult to achieve, but I believe that he comes out successful with the proposal.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

 

(I know there could be some mistakes in this review. I’m trying to improve my English, thanks)

I assume there is little I can say about this book that has not already been told. My fault for not reading it earlier.

Anyway, a short comment. For me, the achievement of this book is to very cleverly mix a wonderful sense of humor with some tropes of science fiction (such as galactic empires from space opera stories or also artificial intelligence), in a way that may seem like a light reading but that actually contains some bold insights. For example, a resource that the author uses is to show our tiny human problems on a galactic scale, which helps to put everything (philosophically) in perspective. So, in this book, we, the humans, in our unconcerned planetary isolation, understand little of what goes on at the galactic level, including things that can affect us, let's say -ahem!- directly.

So Douglas Adams invites to ask ourselves: What if our beloved and also mistreated planet, often treated as the center of Creation, was just a minuscule curiosity in the galactic order?

I've been told not to bother reading the sequels so I'm keeping the good memories of this one.

The This by Adam Roberts.

(I know there could be some mistakes in this review. I’m trying to improve my English, thanks)

I think I can contribute little to this review. The book begins as one thing and ends as quite another... or not. This "becoming" of the plot is well thought out and if there is something that cannot be discussed about the author, it is his talent.

Along the way I suppose I have missed details, especially in the last part of the novel. A few perhaps? Not too many I hope. In one of these last chapters there is a rather daring twist that leaves me perplexed. A foreign object that apparently clashes with the rest of the novel and that I understand as a tribute to a great classic which fortunately I read very recently (a clue: it starts with 19 and ends with 84). I should also clarify that at the end of the novel everything makes (more) sense.

So what I can say about the book is that the most "tangible" aspect in itself is worth reading: a very incisive critique of how the social networks and their intrinsic perverse side affects us. This is not a book against social networks, far from it: the author enjoys a privileged perspective in terms of diagnosis of our age and at the same time provides us with a fascinating proposal for a possible future of our society: great the concept of Toycene. And of course there is more, but here we enter the realms of... Hegel.

I'm sorry if I've been unclear with this review. Do I recommend it? Yes, but bear in mind that it is an Adam Roberts book.

Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

Even though the main plot looks like a clone sitcom (here you can see the synopsis of the book, but it is a bit spoileous), I almost found more interesting the worldbuilding. That is, for example, when the story explains how the various beachheads -the other colonizing starships- have been able to establish themselves, or have failed to colonize other potentially worlds. The implications that cloning technology has for humanity in general and particularly for the main character in relation to the contract as an expendable person have also seemed well thought out to me. And the planet ecology is well thought out.

That said, it does not mean that the main plot is not entertaining enough to make it worth reading, but at least for me this tone of tragicomedy suits it only partially; specifically in the comedy part, providing some hilarious situations but about the tragic I don't empathize enough with the Mickeys.

So the reading was good enough. With more free time I would read the sequel, but unfortunately this is not the case. 

Our Lady of Artilects by Andrew Gillsmith

Very good! Our Lady of Artilects is one of the most enjoyable reads so far this year, which for me it is more than enough.

Since it gives the impression that it is a first work of an amateur writer and also an edition of few means, automatically I started looking for flaws (it is like one of these fascinating conditioning via neural implants of the book). And flaws it has: the future that is described has some inconsistencies and is outlined in a somewhat simplistic way, and I am not referring to the political situation (captivating but of which it only shows an outline, if you read it you will already understand). Regarding this shocking political situation of the future, at some point the novel evokes the fascinating Too Like the Lightning.

Since I have mentioned Ada Palmer’s novel, I must clarify that Our Lady of Artilects is situated at the antipodes of that one and while the former gets lost in thoughtful disquisitions, this one only tries to tell a story that captivates you and in this undoubtedly it succeeds. I would describe Our Lady of Artilects as a thriller from a more or less distant future (100 years from now approximately), with an original and well-thought-out worldbuilding, but its best quality is that it is highly entertaining. So, I think that the reading should be approached as an action movie of those in which you have a great time, with the logical limitations of a script for this type of cinema.

If you are curious to see how the author manages to combine religion in a more or less distant future and at the same time robots and exorcism, you should read this novel.

Mr. Gillsmith, write more stories please!

The Prestige by Christopher Priest

It is a shame but it was my first Christopher Priest reading. Well, I'm impressed.

First of all I must say that it has been a delight to listen to this audiobook, congratulations to the narrator, Mr. Simon Vance (and of course the author, but I will say this later). I had heard a lot about this novel but really I knew little about the plot apart from the rivalry between the two magicians. Also, I have not seen the movie either, which I am told is quite different from the novel. Better this way, I can read it without preconceived ideas, something difficult in a book as well known as this one.

Cover from the Audible edition

About my reading, sorry, about my listening I can say that it has managed to captivate me from the first moment. It is not the typical novel with an intrigue that catches you but the events and how the author narrates them, with so many exquisite details about the time and particularly about the world of illusionism, immediately leave their mark on you. So I have been fascinated by the study of illusionism in itself, with a whole subculture based on perception deception; but more than that, in which the spectators collaborate without realizing it. Really impressive.

One aspect to highlight is the development of the plot. Until almost the end the author does not put his cards on the table -if I may use this prestidigitator expression-, but I must clarify that it is not a question of playing misdirection like a… illusionist; or yes, perhaps it is: so you simply must participate -as a reader- in this (literary) magic show and wait to see what the magician/author pulls out of his hat. Also there is an astonishing ending, which I have been anticipating throughout the novel (you just must read the index) but you can not imagine how it will impact you.

Needless to say, this will not be my last reading of the author.

Spaceling by Doris Piserchia

A curious novel, totally New Wave (first published in 1978).

Synopsis: Adventures and intrigues in which a 15-year-old girl finds herself involved, in a future where some humans can travel interdimensionally. In other dimensions the human body transforms into a totally different being, adapted to the new environment. For example, in a volcanic world uninhabitable for humans, the character becomes a sort of giant otter (see the hardcover edition art below).

It gets a little confusing with all the interdimensional back and forth and also for all the characters and how they come in and out of the story. At some point the story evokes or suggests to me what I assume would be an astral travel or a drug-type experience.

An interesting author, until now I had not read any of her works, but I plan to read more of hers.

R.U.R. by Karel Čapek

 

On summer holidays I take the opportunity to dedicate myself to some science fiction classics that I have pending to read. I had heard so much about this theatrical play written in 1920 but this has not prevented me from being surprised in some aspects.

The first part of the book is fascinating, I think it is the most worthwhile for today's reader, the creation of robots and their function to serve humanity. This part shows a clear influence of the current of economic thought of Taylorism and in turn it can be glimpsed a criticism of the unbridled production of consumer goods that ultimately, although it would not lead to a robots revolt, would be one of the triggering factors of the Wall Street Crash of 1929.

Also noteworthy, following the aforementioned industrialist ideas of the time -for example, Taylorism had great influence on the development of the Soviet State-, the dehumanized thoughts by the managers of Rossum Universal Robots and, in contrast, the most humanitarian and secondary role, absolutely sentimental, by the only woman in the cast; although in the end these feelings become more important as a path to a future redemption... I think this female role would clearly influence the woman/robot in the novel and film Metropolis (Thea Von Harbow, Fritz Lang, 1925/1927).

About the second and third parts of the book one must accept them as they are: some dialogues seem absurd to me, or at least incomprehensible in today stardards; it looks like an acid sitcom in which humanity ends up extinguished by its own creations.

In short, a worthwhile reading, a work of great influence on science fiction, inaugurating the subgenre of robots. For example, to take into account -with the permission of Mr. Isaac Asimov and his Laws of Robotics- the magnificent development of some of the issues dealt in this book in The Humanoids (1948) by Jack Williamson.

Undersea Quest, by Frederik Pohl & Jack Williamson

(I know there could be some mistakes in this review. I’m trying to improve my English, thanks)

(También puedes leer esta reseña en castellano aquí)

As I explained in the first post, I intend to read three submarine science fiction books. Maybe I must have read this one first, because it is an anterior work than Creatures of the Abyss (1961) but it does not matter: the two novels deal with different topics.

I admit that I expected more from the masters Frederik Pohl and Jack Williamson, but it is my fault because Undersea Quest (1954) is juvenile literature. Juvenile literature is that we call today young adult? I think this is not exactly the same: about the former, one can say that is more naive and intentionally more... juvenile; while about the latter, as far as the few books that I have read, the A weighs more than the Y, but maybe the kind readers of this blog could think different…

So, from the firsts pages I know this is a novel for youngsters. The orphan Jim Eden receives a visit from his uncle, who is a great scientist and lives in a submarine city-state called Marinia. Uncle Eden announces to Jim that on his sixteenth birthday he will join the Sub-Sea Academy... and then the adventure starts. As a submarine cadet, Jim will visit astounding undersea cities; he will make friends (and some enemies) and he will face incredible dangers, including some monsters from the unexplored depths (well, this in not true, they are only mentioned, but I hope to see them in the sequels).

The undersea world that Jim and his friends will know is full of technological marvels, with incredible city-states and submarines faster than the surface vessels, but also this future has its own troubles, such as corruption and crime in Marinia; and also, one terrible threat for the entire world: a shortage of uranium! I said in the previous post how the oceans were considered the promise of future for humanity, and there is another trope: in the fifties the nuclear fission was expected as the future energy source. How I love retrofuturism! (No irony here, I am being honest).

The novel is correctly written, it is narrated from the protagonist point of view and maintains the youthful tone at all times. For example, when the story gives clues about what will occur next, such as when Jim Eden says, Soon (in the next chapter) I would discover how wrong I was. This is a curious way to anticipate the plot because... juvenile literature. However, in the third part of the book the pace is faster and the story gains interest.

Summarizing, an entertaining submarine adventure, nostalgic from better times, by the SFWA Grand Masters Frederik Pohl (1919-2013) and Jack williamson (1908-2006), whose prolific and prolonged careers have given us great science fiction stories for almost six decades.

My next and last under the sea science fiction reading will be Starfish by the mad genius Peter Watts. Naivety is over!

Luna: Wolf Moon, Luna trilogy #2, by Ian McDonald

(I know there could be some mistakes in this review. I’m trying to improve my English, thanks)

(También puedes leer esta reseña en castellano aquí)

Reading an Ian McDonald's book is not an easy endeavour for the science fiction fans, frequently used to more lighter novels. It requires carefull attention to not lose the richness and nuances of his prose, and in this case the added difficulty to remember all the dramatis personae. But the effort has its reward: in an unique way the author shows a complex and also a highly believable story about our future Moon.

Of course, like all Ian McDonald's books, to better understand his novel a second reading would be preferable.

About the plot, I just want to say that an elegant change suggests us new possible ways for the third book, while it maintains our attention for the whole story. It is said that the medium book of a trilogy is the most risky, but this is not the case: Wolf Moon maintains the quality of the first novel and needless to say, I highly recommend both novels.

I must comment that, as the previous book, it disappoints me a bit that the ending is an absolute cliffhanger… but I suppose it is the author choice in this trilogy (or perhaps by his publisher, I do not know). 

So, as Master Yoda says: Patience! Wait for the third novel we must... (scheduled for next July).

Creatures of the Abyss, by Murray Leinster

(I know there could be some mistakes in this review. I’m trying to improve my English, thanks)

(También puedes leer esta reseña en castellano aquí)

In the fifties and sixties the sea was seen as the last frontier… on Earth. The oceans were -and they still are, but less- a world to discover, where the overpopulated humanity could someday live, or at least exploit its resources. This was reflected in popular culture and, of course, in science fiction works. I intend to read three books about this subgenre, and the first one is Creatures of the Abyss (1961).

When I was a young space cadet I was fascinated by those science fiction sea adventures (well, actually I was fascinated by all science fiction), seen in movies like Around the World Under the Sea (1966) or the Captain Nemo stories. Creatures of the Abyss (also known as The Listeners) seems like one of those B movies: the hero, the girl, an incredible mystery, etc.

The plot, obviously, deals with some creatures found in the Philippines Deep but this is not all the story. This is how it starts: Terry Holt is a radar expert who, against his will, must joint an exploration mission as crew of the yacht Esperance. The expedition is commanded by Captain Davis and has among their members his beautiful daughter Deirdre. The Esperance must investigate some anomalies in the South China Sea which are also related to a local superstition...

The novel is correctly written. A fast and entertaining reading, except for a bit boring moments, such as when the characters insistently are reluctant to admit the astonishing/unbelievable/bla bla bla evidences that are against rational thinking. And of course, you must also forgive some old-fashioned tropes. For example, it is curious how the author describes Deirdre so resourceful but also how the hero insists to protect her (Fortunately they were different times!). However, I must also say that the story has some sparks of talent that should not be underestimated.

This is my first Murray Leinster (1896-1975) book, a prolific author who began publishing in the Golden Age of Science Fiction. He was a regular in pulp magazines such as Argosy, Amazing Stories and Astounding Stories and published a lot of science fiction novels among other things (and was two times Hugo awarded). As I said, I enjoyed Creatures of the Abyss, which is nothing more that escapist literature with a nostalgic value added in this case. However, I want to read more works by the master Leinster.

Next marine science fiction: Undersea Quest, by the SFWA Grand Masters Jack Williamson and Frederik Pohl.

Empty Space: A Haunting, by M. John Harrison

(I know there could be some mistakes in this review. I’m trying to improve my English, thanks)

(También puedes leer esta reseña en castellano aquí)

I liked it, but I don't know why. Maybe if I write a review I will put my thoughts in order. And -maybe- I could explain this to the kind readers of the blog.

Recently I read a conversation about literary and not literary authors in science fiction. M John Harrison undoubtedly belongs to the first group. His science fiction is... hard? I don't think so, but the scientific basis seems solid. Space opera? But he is at light years away from the other authors I know (except, perhaps, the missed Iain Banks). Weird science fiction? Actually the question does not matter: I think this is a good thing that the author is unclassifiable.

I must explain, this is the third novel on a trilogy. The first one is Light (2003), and I agree with one review that says Light is brilliant. About Nova Swing (2007), I confess that I hardly finished the book. So when I tried to read Empty Space: A Haunting (2012) I did with a different attitude: in a less rational way and more about enjoying the reading. And it worked... more or less. Yes, it was a pleasure to read the embellished prose by M. John Harrison but... well, a terrible reading too.

Thanks to my Kindle and his invaluable dictionary (if you read in other languages you must try the Word Wise function as a shortcut for the meanings), but in this case the English language was the easiest of my problems. Frequently I had to use the function Search in this book, looking for words or acronyms, details, meanings or clues, or anything that I could have missed on previous chapters which don't let me understand completely what I was reading. As I said M. John Harrison's works are not an easy experience to the readers. Most au contraire, I think he frequently tries to mislead you.

Plot & characters: In our XXI century, Anna Waterman is an absent-minded and depressed woman in her late fifties who ignores how she can get over with her disastrous marriage with Michael Kearney (a dead character from Light, his mad studies conducted to the discovery of FTL travel). Meanwhile, in a far future, in a very distant place, the assistant knows nothing about herself: she ignores who tailored her granting her incredible skills -such a 27 to 40 GHz radar- and also a total sense of anomie such so that she does not have a name (the author spares some pages explaining all the names the assistant considers). And in the same future, Fat Antoyne, Liv Hula and Irene The Mona, the crew of the K-Ship Nova Swing, have the mystifying mission to collect the spooky alien objects known as mortsafes.

M. John Harrison uses the language, plays with it and forces its meanings in a way that suggests astonishing alien wonders. And also the dialogues are exquisite. I think that the author, before immersing us in this weird universe, knows very well how to describe human nature. He is like the artist who is able to paint a perfect portrait or landscape, but he wants to paint abstract works: he is a genius and he can do anything he desires. The feeling is about a lot of details that only a second or a third lecture will discover. I realize how Mr. Harrison has to be a person so terribly intelligent (and how much I envy him!).

However, I do not want to transmit the feeling that Empty Space: A Haunting is a masterwork. In my opinion it is not a perfect novel, and in the third novel I begin to see some tricks by the author.

So, it is worth the effort? Yes, if you like literature. Yes, if you like to find astonishing sense of wonder moments, but as a science fiction reader I do not know yet if this is a cosmic joke or simply if M. John Harrison is laughing of us.

To a better understanding of the entire trilogy, I must re-read Light (if I have the time). And also I must re-read Nova Swing (a hard work!). And yes, I must re-read this one. But it happens that we (me) are captivated by the novelties and forget to take delight in good literature like M. John Harrison's books (Mr. Harrison: apologies in advance if you ever read this!)

Really I don't know if I should recommend this trilogy, but we can make a deal: if you have not done yet, I highly recommend you Light, which continues being one of my preferred science fiction novels, and the rest is at your risk.