Now reading...

[BillF]

James Blish, Cities in Flight.

How is it? This one's sitting on my shelf waiting (along with a stack of other Blish) for me to get the urge.

Very readable. Have started, as the introduction recommended, with the second of the four novellas that make up the volume. I like this format: 100-150 pages. (Don't be put off by the fact that the volume looks like it's a 650 page novel!)

He writes with such confidence, which I suppose was possible in SF then (1950s). In comparison, something like Margaret Attwood's recent Oryx and Crake seems so tentative.

[BruceH]

James Blish, Cities in Flight.

How is it? This one's sitting on my shelf waiting (along with a stack of other Blish) for me to get the urge.

I always kind of liked Titan's Daughter.

The Cities In Flight tetralogy is one of those sf series that you read once, and ONLY once.

I vaguely recall reading Cities In Flight in the '70s as a dutiful young SF fan. And I recall almost nothing else about the four books except that, A: There were cities in them and, B: They were flying (On planets through space. Under domes?). Not sure it was worth the time.

I recall that much of the stories involved the the island of Manhattan, which had been uprooted through the use of some sort of paragravity space-drive, and was making it's way through the galaxy. I also recall that much of it was a bit of a chore to get through, accomplished mainly because I was also a dutiful young SF fan. (That's also the only way I got through Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, which was still, THANK GOD, a trilogy back then.)

[Larry Kart]

Haven't read it for years, but I recall thinking that Blish's "A Case of Conscience" was very good.

I'm reading Balzac's "Beatrix" -- my second Balzac in a row, after "The Gondreville Mystery." My first two Balzacs also. Was drawn to these lesser known books because I had reason to feel confident about the translations, believing that with Balzac this was especially crucial. I think I was right on both counts. Balzac is amazing/overwhelming -- semi-insane too, but that's part of the deal; he's unlike any other novelist I know.

Here's the IMO very compelling opening of "Beatrix" (1957, Elek Press) trans. by Rosamund and Simon Harcourt-Smith, which I think shows the nature of that British publisher's house style with Balzac translations (they did about six or so, by various hands) -- among other things, retain the knobby, gritty stuff at all costs; ironed-out Balzac is pointless:

"Even to this day you find towns in France, and particularly in Brittany, standing completely aloof from the stream of social progress which is a peculiar characteristic of the nineteenth century. Lacking swift and regular communications with Paris, barely linked by abominable roads with the seat of the sub-prefecture of with the principal town of the district from which they draw their life-blood, these town observe the progress of our civilization as if it were a peep-show, gaping at it without necessarily applauding, and because it apparently inspires in them fright or derision, they cling to the ancient customs which are part of their being."

It's almost a novel in itself.

[Van Basten II]

Not much reading but more looking at

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/...jazz_covers.htm

[BillF]

Haven't read it for years, but I recall thinking that Blish's "A Case of Conscience" was very good.

I also read A Case of Conscience a few months ago, but its theological slant wasn't my cup of tea, leaving Cities in Flight as the preferred read.

[A Lark Ascending]

With Sweden left littered with corpses I thought I move somewhere else Nordic. If anything this one, set in Iceland, is even more gloomy!

[Serioza]

The Razor's Edge

by W. Somerset Maugham

[Jazzmoose]

Haven't read it for years, but I recall thinking that Blish's "A Case of Conscience" was very good.

I also read A Case of Conscience a few months ago, but its theological slant wasn't my cup of tea, leaving Cities in Flight as the preferred read.

I read A Case of Conscience years ago and remember liking it. So, finally convinced, I started on the Cities in Flight books (I have the four old Avon paperbacks) today.

[ejp626]

Haven't read it for years, but I recall thinking that Blish's "A Case of Conscience" was very good.

I also read A Case of Conscience a few months ago, but its theological slant wasn't my cup of tea, leaving Cities in Flight as the preferred read.

I read A Case of Conscience years ago and remember liking it. So, finally convinced, I started on the Cities in Flight books (I have the four old Avon paperbacks) today.

That's funny. I hated A Case of Conscience, specifically because of the conceit that an entire planet of non-religious reptilian aliens essentially existed solely to "test" the faith of a Catholic priest. Might as well call it St. Anthony in Space. I probably mentioned that I am boycotting G.K. Chesterton for similar reasons.

[Jazzmoose]

I also recall that much of it was a bit of a chore to get through, accomplished mainly because I was also a dutiful young SF fan. (That's also the only way I got through Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, which was still, THANK GOD, a trilogy back then.)

Wow. I've read the Foundation Trilogy many times. I guess you're not much on the "hard SF" stuff, eh?

Speaking of which, has anyone here read Hal Clement's A Mission of Gravity? It was a real struggle for me to read, and I have hopes that I'll never get the urge again, but in spite of that, I think it's one of the true classics of the field.

[poetrylover3]

I've just opened it and so far the writing is superb. Based on a true story about the murder of an outlaw/entrepreneur by his neighbors in early 20th Century Florida the author creates a powerful sense of immediacy that I look for-and envy- in the finest writing. It appears to offer a bargain in the transaction between author and audience-I have the sense that I'll be more than compensated for any investment of time and attention on my part.

This is my favorite anthology of 19th Century American poetry-especially as it has introduced me to poets who were previously either totally unknown to me or mere names. There are also poems by authors I thought I "knew" that are now a permanent point of reference such as Whittier's immensely powerful Civil War meditation "What The Birds Said". The Library of America editions of American poetry are unsurpassed in their scope and depth and it will take more than a lifetime of reading to enjoy all the benefits of these pages.

Wishing everyone a blessed New Year.

Peace,

Blue Trane

[jazzbo]

I'm continuing a Chandler binge, this time "Playback". . . .

[Jazzmoose]

That's one I actually have on my shelf; how is it?

[BruceH]

I also recall that much of it was a bit of a chore to get through, accomplished mainly because I was also a dutiful young SF fan. (That's also the only way I got through Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, which was still, THANK GOD, a trilogy back then.)

Wow. I've read the Foundation Trilogy many times. I guess you're not much on the "hard SF" stuff, eh?

Speaking of which, has anyone here read Hal Clement's A Mission of Gravity? It was a real struggle for me to read, and I have hopes that I'll never get the urge again, but in spite of that, I think it's one of the true classics of the field.

Actually, back when I was a loyal young sf fan (the 1970's) hard sf was probably my favorite. And I didn't really consider the Foundation Trilogy to be all that "hard." ("Psychohistory" sounded pretty squishy to me.)

I also read Clement's Mission of Gravity and loved it, but as I only read it once, and that was in 8th grade, it's hard to say how I'd like it now. Definitely a classic of its kind, though.

[Jazzmoose]

Actually, back when I was a loyal young sf fan (the 1970's) hard sf was probably my favorite. And I didn't really consider the Foundation Trilogy to be all that "hard." ("Psychohistory" sounded pretty squishy to me.)

Yeah, you're right. I guess I was thinking more of Blish after reading a bit of the first 'Cities in Flight' book.

[Niko]

That's one I actually have on my shelf; how is it?

guess the two strongest are big sleep and lady in the lake but then if i'd say if you like/dislike one of them you'll like/dislike them all (besides i recall my dad saying he stopped reading this type of novel (the chandlers, then the ross mcdonalds...) because every few hours you've finished one and need another one; and i can only second that, they tend to be pretty fast reading, trying playback won't cost you much time)

[jazzbo]

That's one I actually have on my shelf; how is it?

It's certainly not his best. Some plot devices I didn't ever think he'd use, Marlowe is more a stereotypical private eye than ever before. . . but it's still Chandler. It still has some magic. But almost any other Chandler novel would be a better choice.

[BruceH]

I guess I was thinking more of Blish after reading a bit of the first 'Cities in Flight' book.

Speaking of Blish, I've long prefered his short stuff to his novels. (I know I've said this a lot, but it seems to be true of a lot of writers, particularly in the SF field.)

[BillF]

Poul Anderson, Time Patrol.

[Serioza]

The Testament by John Grisham

[BillF]

Philip K Dick, Paycheck (short story collection)

[jazzbo]

Good story that one, mediocre movie.

Started today:

Gnosticism and Christianity in Roman and Coptic Egypt (Studies in Antiquity and Christianity)

by Birger A. Pearson

[Kalo]

I also recall that much of it was a bit of a chore to get through, accomplished mainly because I was also a dutiful young SF fan. (That's also the only way I got through Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, which was still, THANK GOD, a trilogy back then.)

Wow. I've read the Foundation Trilogy many times. I guess you're not much on the "hard SF" stuff, eh?

Speaking of which, has anyone here read Hal Clement's A Mission of Gravity? It was a real struggle for me to read, and I have hopes that I'll never get the urge again, but in spite of that, I think it's one of the true classics of the field.

Actually, back when I was a loyal young sf fan (the 1970's) hard sf was probably my favorite. And I didn't really consider the Foundation Trilogy to be all that "hard." ("Psychohistory" sounded pretty squishy to me.)

I also read Clement's Mission of Gravity and loved it, but as I only read it once, and that was in 8th grade, it's hard to say how I'd like it now. Definitely a classic of its kind, though.

8th grade seems about right as a definition of the "Golden Age of Science Fiction."

[Kalo]

Philip K Dick, Paycheck (short story collection)

I loves me some Dick. (Wait, that didn't come out quite right...)

[jlhoots]

Kate Christensen: The Great Man