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OtherRealms Issue 06 Part 02
OtherRealms
A Fanzine for the Non-Fan
"Where FIJAGH Becomes a Way of Life"
Volume 1, Number 6
July, 1986
Part 2
Pico Reviews
by
Our Readers
Ratings:
[*****] A classic, must read book
[****] Well above average, don't miss
[***] A good book, probably worth reading
[**] Book has its moments, but is flawed
[*] Not recommended, flawed
[] A book to avoid
ALWAYS COMING HOME by Ursula K. LeGuin [****]
Harper & Row, $24.95
Cultural anthropology of a small California society during a period
long after a nuclear holocaust (which is only strongly implied).
Tales, songs, poems, and tidbits, written as if the author was an
anthropologist contemporary with the setting. Well done, and certainly
quite novel work by the daughter of a famous anthropologist (K. is for
Kroeber). Not for the faint hearted; needs to be read in small
chunks. Also carries a hefty price tag (circa $20).
-- Jeff Myers
uwvax!uwmacc!myers
THE ANARCHIST COOKBOOK by William Powell [not rated]
Lyle Stuart, $19.95 (paperback)
If you can find a copy of this book, buy it. If you do, however,
you'll probably end up on the FBI subversive list. This book contains
step by step instructions for everything from growing marijuana and
purifying peyote to building bombs and blowing up bridges. The
politics are ludicrous, but the information is a godsend for an author
trying to figure out whether a character can make something that will
blow up. Almost everything in this book is illegal, and it was written
specifically to help foster an Anarchist Revolution (whatever that is)
but it can be a real hoot and a real help at the same time. (Kids,
don't try this at home....)
-- chuq von rospach
BEYOND SANTUARY by Janet Morris []
Ace Fantasy, $2.95
The first of the _Thieves' World_ novels, now out in paperback. The
first third is pulled almost verbatim from stories in the anthologies.
The second third is so slow and terribly boring I didn't read the third
third. By far the worst book in the series so far, readable only by
_Thieves' World_ completists and addicts. Avoid.
-- chuq von rospach
BEYOND THE VEIL by Janet Morris [***]
Baen Books [SFBC]
Much better than _Beyond Sanctuary._ Not really a sequel, you can read
and enjoy this without plowing through the first novel. Santuary is
left behind, and you follow Tempus into new adventures and intrigue in
a land called Tyse, which is just as nasty and disgusting a city as
Sanctuary was. An average book in the series.
-- chuq von rospach
THE BLUE SWORD by Robin McKinley [****]
Berkley Books, 248 pp., $2.75
THE BLUE SWORD is a marvelous fantasy adventure story set in a
non-existent land that I strongly identify with Kipling's
India/Afghanistan. The plot is actually very straight forward, with an
innocent foreigner caught up in events beyond her control, and
eventually becoming the hero of the day. Maybe it was the
characterizations, maybe it was the vivid descriptions, maybe it was
the use of animals as full-fledged characters. In any case, THE BLUE
SWORD is on of the best reads I've savored in a long time. Enjoy!
--Russ Jernigan
oliveb!olivej!barb
THE BLUE SWORD by Robin McKinley [****]
Berkley Books, 248 pp., $2.75
THE BLUE SWORD is a great read, though I'm not sure I'm as passionate
about it as Russ. McKinley's is an engaging style, full of likable,
believable, FUN characters (human and non-human). Her female
protagonists and I share the same soul (even if they're not _all_
red-heads)(!). The plots are the stuff of faery-tales, straight from
the bow to the target. No profundities here, just a rollicking good
tale well told. Enjoy!
--Barb Jernigan
oliveb!olivej!barb
THE BURNT LANDS by Richard Elliot []
The second novel by Richard Geis and Elton Elliot, this is the sequel
to _The Sword of Allah_. This is a post apocalyptic suspense novel
interesting mostly to those who appreciate excruciatingly bad writing,
obligatory sex, lame plotting, and pulpish characters. Authors should
definitely study this book as an example of what to avoid.
-- chuq von rospach
CIRCUIT by Melinda Snodgrass [**]
Berkeley 1986
Politics and politicians against a backdrop of Lunar and Lagrangian
colonies. The earthbound politicians do all they can to cramp the
free-living colonists so it's no surprise when even the patriots turn
their backs on Terra. This will probably be in the running for the
Prometheus award, solely on its consistent anti-government bias. The
writing isn't up to the award, though.
-- Hibbert.pa@Xerox.COM
COUNT ZERO by William Gibson [****+]
Arbor House, 1986
Set in the same future as _Neuromancer_, but with much better characterization
(Case was too depressing for me). One of the things I like most about
Gibson's stories are that things never work out the way the protagonists
planned. In _Count Zero_, three separate plots weave into one, and the
three protagonists get caught up in events beyond their control. Something
strange and ominous is happening in the grid, because of the seed planted
in _Neuromancer_. A strong candidate for the Hugo/Nebula.
-- Brian Yost
infopro!bty!yost
THE EARTH BOOK OF STORMGATE by Poul Anderson [***+]
Berkley, 1978
This is a collection of reprinted short stories from the Polesotechnic
League series with a narrator added to make it resemble a single story.
The quality is good with occasional stars. "Margin of Profit" and
"The Man who Counts" are classics, but then I like Merchant-Prince
Van Rijn's free market methods. If you like stories that depend on
reasoning out the point of misunderstanding between cultures or engineering
a solution to a complex problem, then this collection is for you.
-- Hibbert.pa@Xerox.COM
EMPRISE by Michael P. Kube-McDowell [***]
Berkley, 304 pages, $2.95
The writer's blurb concluding EMPRISE says this is the author's first
novel. All that I can say is that it sure was a good first try! The
book opens in the Post-Holocaust genre. It is not nuclear war in this case
but the collapse of technology. The remainder is a first Alien contact
story. Some interesting surprises throughout. By the way, the cover
reads "Book one of the Trigon Disunity", but fear not! No cliff-hanger
here. A good read.
--Russ Jernigan
idi!oliveb!olivej!barb
ENCHANTED APPLES OF OZ by Eric Shanower [****]
First Comics, $7.95
A graphic novel format book with an original OZ story about the apple tree
that contains the magic that sustains OZ. Art is based on early edition
woodcuts from Baum books, and is rather well done throughout with the
exception of Dorothy. The story is interesting and stays well within the
OZ universe and feel. Like most graphic novels, it is more graphic than
novel with a typically short storyline, but is enjoyable all the same.
-- chuq von rospach
FREE LIVE FREE by Gene Wolfe [**]
1985, Tor, 403 pp, $15.95
This is Wolfe's experiment at writing a comedy/detective novel, though
the cover blurb describes it as a "major work of science fiction" and
doesn't even hint that it's a comedy. The first 50 pages start out as
a serious mystery, with fascinating, sharply defined characters. It
gradually turns into a comedy, and the characters become less real as
it descends into slapstick. The ending is SF, and though far-fetched,
manages to tie everything together. This bears little resemblance to
Wolfe's other books, and I didn't find the comedy that amusing.
-- George Walker
tektronix!tekig4!georgew
FREE, LIVE FREE by Gene Wolfe [*]
Tor 1984
A Prometheus Award Nominee. This is not good Gene Wolfe. There's a deus ex
machina ending and it revolves more around the occult than SF. I did like
the characters though--they're probably the reason for the nomination.
-- Hibbert.pa@Xerox.COM
LIAVEK: THE PLAYERS OF LUCK by Will Shetterly and Emma Bull [****]
Ace Fantasy, $2.95
The second book in the Liavek series, a collaborative novel/anthology
in which different authors share the same universe in a tangled
storyline. As such, it is very similar to the _Thieves' World_ series,
but in my eye it is much better. _Thieves' World_ is very dark and
depressing; Liavek is a more balanced society and a lot more fun to be
part of. Definitely a series to watch for.
-- chuq von rospach
THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE by Phillip K. Dick [****]
A witty and thought-provoking novel about US society under the
assumption that the Axis won WWII. The interesting thing about this
one, aside from the excellent characterizations and Dick's terse style,
is that it is really a novel about two books: the ancient Chinese
oracle, the I CHING, and about itself! A good introduction to Dick if
you haven't read any.
-- Jeff Myers
uwvax!uwmacc!myers
MISS MANNERS' GUIDE TO EXCRUCIATINGLY CORRECT BEHAVIOR [*****]
by Judith Martin
Warner Books, $12.50 (paperback)
Miss Manners is truly from an Alternate Universe. This book is chock full
of the things you always wished Dear Abby would have the nerve to say.
-- chuq von rospach
THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle [****+]
Pocket Books, 560 pages, $3.50
MOTE may just possibly be the best treatment ever of the first contact
between mankind and alien. The alien culture and physiology is not a
form of slightly warped human but is... ALIEN. The human culture in
MOTE is equally interesting as the aliens'. For those of you who have
never read MOTE, do. For those that already have, it loses nothing
upon rereading. GREAT BOOK!
--Russ Jernigan
idi!oliveb!olivej!barb
MYTHAGO WOOD by Robert Holdstock [****+]
Arbor House, 1984. $14.95 (hardback, also in paperback)
Well written, with an original premise. A magic wood in England has
the ability to materialize mythic stereotypes from the subconscious of
those who explore it, but holds unexpected perils. Holdstock
skillfully weaves many strands from British and Celtic mythology into
something resembling a unified whole, with numerous intentional loose
ends. Not quite carried off to the point of greatness, but head and
shoulders over most of today's stereotyped fantasy.
-- Peter Reiher
reiher@LOCUS.UCLA.EDU
RE-ENTRY by Paul Pruess [*]
Bantam Books, 212 pp., $2.95
A "paradox of time travel" book. The protagonist figures out a way to
go back into the past in order to change his own past life.
Predictably, the results are not what he hoped for. A rather preachy
book with no outstanding plot or writing.
--Russ Jernigan
idi!oliveb!olivej!barb
RHIALTO THE MARVELLOUS by Jack Vance [**+]
Baen Books, 1984, 219 pp, $3.50.
A substandard Dying Earth book, advertised as a novel but actually composed
of two longish short stories (both weak) and a novella (fair). The main
character isn't very interesting, and the world is less vividly painted
than before. Looks like it was written solely because Vance knew it would
sell. But Vance still writes well, and it's amusing in parts.
-- Peter Reiher
reiher@LOCUS.UCLA.EDU
SCIENCE MADE STUPID by Tom Weller [*****]
Houghton Mifflin Company, $6.95
Hugo nominee for Non-fiction this year, it should win running away.
This is despite the fact that it doesn't really qualify as
non-fiction. It doesn't really qualify for any Hugo category, but it
should win something! A truly deranged look at the world around us, it
blows away everything from Astronomy ("Plane of the Eclectic") to
Archaeology ("The Cretinous Era"). Includes instructions for building
your own nuclear power generator to keep your hot tub warm, and the
definitive answer to Creationism versus Evolution.
-- chuq von rospach
THE SNOW QUEEN by Joan D. Vinge [*****]
Dell books, 1980, $3.95, 536 pp
From the title and the cover blurbs, it's OBVIOUS this is just a
fantasy/romance, which I avoid like the plague. But Chuq gave it his
highest rating, so I decided to take a look. What can I add to Chuq's
review except "don't judge a book by its cover"? This has the plot
complexity of Herbert, the character development of of Le Guin, and the
imagery of Wolfe. Classic.
-- George Walker
tektronix!tekig4!georgew
SON OF IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT compiled by Scott Rice [***+]
Penguin Books, $4.95
The second volume of the best worst opening sentences written, this is
a collection of entries to the Bullwer-Lytton contest. This volume is
weaker that the first, mainly because it only had one year of the
contest to choose from. You have to read these things to believe
them. Truly bad, truly funny. Truly worth tracking down.
-- chuq von rospach
SPACE FOR HIRE by William E. Nolan [**-]
International Polygonics, Ltd. $4.95
This is an Edgar (Mystery Writers Nominee) by the author of _Logan's Run._
The lead character is Sam Space, private eye, which would lead you to
believe it is a SF parody of hardboiled detective novels. It is a good
parody of detective novels, but a lousy piece of SF, and I couldn't finish
it. Someone with a stronger stomach for SF cliches will probably love it.
-- chuq von rospach
SPEAKER FOR THE DEAD by Orson Scott Card [****+]
Tor, 1986
In this sequel to _Ender's Game_, Ender Wiggin, the hated Xenocide,
gets a chance to repay his debt to humanity. Ironically, Ender is also
the revered Speaker for the Dead, though no one knows his true
identity. Ender travels to Lusitania, the home world of the piggies,
the first sentient alien race contacted since the buggers, in order to
try to save them from humanity. Card's characters are so moving that
this book was an emotional experience for me. He'll have you crying
for the piggies... if you liked _Ender's Game_ (as I did), you'll
*love* _Speaker for the Dead_. There's also an interesting lead in for
the next Card novel. My choice for the Hugo (so far).
-- Brian Yost
infopro!bty!yost
STAR SURGEON by Alan E. Nourse [***+]
Ace, 170 pp., $2.95
This is a reprint of the 1959 novel. Basically intended for the young
adult market, the plot revolves around a young man trying to make his
career in an alien society. Racism and self- reliance are the
underlying themes. A favorite of mine when I was growing up, I found
it just as enjoyable after delightedly discovering the new edition in
the bookstore recently.
--Russ Jernigan
idi!oliveb!olivej!barb
STAYING ALIVE by Norman Spinrad [*****]
Donning, $5.95
This is the definitive practical guide to survival as a writer. A
collection of Spinrad's series of articles in Locus by the same name,
Spinrad tells you everything you need to know about the reality of the
publishing industry. It includes the model paperback book contract
that has been adopted by SFWA, and will tell you in gory detail exactly
how the publisher is mucking with you. A must for SF and Fantasy writers.
-- chuq von rospach
TIMESCAPE by Gregory Benford [****]
Pocket Books, 1980
Future scientists, faced by complete ecological collapse, attempt to
communicate with the past via tachyon emission. They hope to change
the past, and yet not create a "causal-loop" paradox... Excellent prose
and powerful characterization. I couldn't put it down. The resolution
to the paradox problem wasn't the one I'd have chosen, but the manner
in which it was revealed was simply brilliant.
-- Brian Yost
infopro!bty!yost
THE WARLOCK WANDERING by Christopher Stasheff [***]
Ace, 297 pp., $3.50
The latest in the WARLOCK series, detailing the adventures of Rod and
Gwen Gallowglass on and off the planet of Gramarye. A good read, if
not up to the standards of the first books in the series. It is worth
reading for the character of Gwen, if nothing else, who demonstrates
that a female character in fiction can be powerful and assertive while
still remaining every inch a lady. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
--Russ Jernigan
idi!oliveb!olivej!barb
WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE by Theodore M. Bernstein [**]
Atheneum, $4.95
Another grammar book for those serious about the English language.
This one is specifically oriented towards the world of newspaper
journalism, so it is less applicable than many, but if you are amused
by the many ways a reporter can muck things up (all examples are taken
from the New York Times) you can have a real good giggle.
-- chuq von rospach
WRITING AND SELLING SCIENCE FICTION by the SFWA [***]
Writers Digest Books, $7.95
A practical how to on writing good SF with pointers on how to sell it
once you have it written. A good general reference, most of the
material is going to be obvious to a serious reader. Two exceptional
articles worth the price of the book: Jerry Pournelle on logic and
consistency in building worlds and Tom Purdom on politics in SF.
-- chuq von rospach
THE YEAR'S BEST SCIENCE FICTION THIRD ANNUAL COLLECTION [****]
edited by Gardner Dozois
Blue Jay Books $10.95 624pp
This book contains 4 of this year's 5 Hugo nominees for best short
story, 2 of the 5 nominees for best novelette and 3 of the 5 nominees
for best novella. Those nine stories alone make this a worthwhile book
and there are 15 more very good stories in this book. The price is high
but considering the quantity and the quality of the stories, it is one
of the best buys in a book today.
-- Danny Low
hplabs!hpccc!dlow
This magazine is Copyright 1986 by Chuq Von Rospach. One time rights
only have been acquired from the signed or credited contributors. All
rights are hereby assigned to the contributors.
Reproduction rights: Permission is given to reproduce or duplicate
OtherRealms in its entirety for non-commercial uses. Re-use,
reproduction, reprinting or republication of an individual article in
any way or on any media, printed or electronic, is forbidden without
permission of the author.
