Tag Archives: classic

Classic review: We by Yevgeny Zamytalin

We is the fundamental dystopian future novel, which served as an inspiration for many of the better known works dealing with totalitarian regimes. Written in 1921 by a Russian author who had first-hand, albeit still brief, experience with life under … Continue reading

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Classic Review: The Invincible by Stanislaw Lem

The Invincible is a truly revolutionary work. It makes bold predictions that have become the norm in later science fiction (and partially in science), serves as one of the best examples of classic idea-driven sci-fi works, and yet it still … Continue reading

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Classic Review: Babel-17 by Samuel L. Delany

This compact novel feels way ahead of its time.  It has an ambiance in the best tradition of Cordwainer Smith, it reminds me of the modern works of Alastair Reynolds, it explores an ancient idea that was immensely popularized in … Continue reading

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Classic review: The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick

What do ogres and Dick’s books have in common?  They are like onions: they have several layers, and when you peel one off, another will lie underneath.  The layers in Dick’s book can be very different: they may have little … Continue reading

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Classic review: City by Clifford Simak

Even after seventy years, City is a divisive work.  Some readers may love it, while others won’t care about it too much.  I not only fall into the first category, but I unashamedly admit that I look down at people … Continue reading

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Flash review: Bears Discover Fire by Terry Bisson

Bears Discover Fire is one of the most decorated science fiction short stories.  It has won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus and Sturgeon awards, among others, and has been nominated for even more.  It is a wonderful bittersweet piece of writing, … Continue reading

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Flash review: A Rose for Ecclesiastes by Roger Zelazny

Roger Zelazny was a master wordsmith, and Rose is one of his early masterpieces.  It is so skillfully written that one doesn’t even notice that it is more akin to a Greek tragedy than to science fiction.  And one doesn’t … Continue reading

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Flash Review: The Little Black Bag by Cyril M. Kornbluth

This highly amusing and cynical short story hits all the right buttons.  It contains a future that may be funny for some and terrifying for others.  It has a highly emotional redemption arc.  And a crime and punishment element so … Continue reading

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Flash review: Scanners Live in Vain by Cordwainer Smith

Before Alastair Reynolds and the Ultras, before the mind-numbing and soul-crushing emptiness of deep space travel, there was Smith and his Scanners.  This is one of the first stories that combine Lovecraftian horror with space travel.  It uses very vivid … Continue reading

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Flash Review: Microcosmic God by Theodore Sturgeon

A few years ago, I got to meet George R. R. Martin at a convention.  My “meeting” was absolutely forgettable for him.  I was one of hundreds of people queuing to get his autograph.  Still, I was one of the … Continue reading

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