Update: Recent Science Fiction Acquisitions N. VIII

August 1, 2011August 16, 2011 / Joachim Boaz / 2 Comments

My month of infrequent posts is over — I’ve returned to Austin after a month long sojourn across Colorado, New Mexico, France and Italy…. So, what do I do in my jet lagged state? Head to the Half Price Books. Not the best haul this time but a few potentially interesting reads.

1. Witch World (1963), Andre Norton

I’ve yet to read any of Andre Norton’s immense number of novels. Not knowing exactly where to start I picked up what is generally considered among her best works — Witch World (1963). It was nominated for the 1964 Hugo award for Best novel and often places in best Fantasy/Sci-fi lists. And the cover is Continue reading →

Book Review: To Live Again, Robert Silverberg (1969)

July 20, 2011August 1, 2011 / Joachim Boaz / 5 Comments

3/5 (Average)

To Live Again (1969) is a flawed work from a very fruitful period of Robert Silverberg’s career. The ideas are original and well-conceived but a downright disgusting strain of misogyny and sexism permeates virtually every page. Bluntly put, I cannot recall a single instance where a female character does anything without the shape, size, and clothed or unclothed state of her breasts Continue reading →

Book Review: The Last Starship From Earth, John Boyd (1968)

July 17, 2011August 1, 2011 / Joachim Boaz / 13 Comments

2.5/5 (Bad)

John Boyd’s The Last Starship from Earth (1968) is a forgettable and predictable alternative history/science fiction novel incorrectly described by some reviewers as a lost classic. The basic divergent point in history (which is only mentioned near the end) is the only redeeming feature of the work because the society he’s created becomes slightly more cohesive and realized. However, Boyd’s reliance on time-travel Continue reading →

Updates: Recent Science Fiction Acquisitions N. VII

July 13, 2011September 27, 2011 / Joachim Boaz / 7 Comments

Austin’s Half Price Books will be my downfall. I’ve broken my promise not to buy any more science fiction books this summer…

1. The Big Jump (1955), Leigh Brackett (MY REVIEW)

I’ve yet to read a work by the famous female sci-fi writer and screenwriter (The Big Sleep, The Empire Strikes Back, Rio Bravo, El Dorado) Leigh Brackett. I look forward to this “pulp” work with great Continue reading →

Updates: Recent Science Fiction Acquisitions N. VI

June 20, 2011November 23, 2012 / Joachim Boaz / 4 Comments

I’ve held to my promise not to buy any more books this summer considering I have at least 40 unread sci-fi books looming over my shoulder. However, other people are welcome to procure books FOR me! And they have — all of the following were gifts! Thank you!

1. The Last Starship from Earth (1968), John Boyd (MY REVIEW)

I’ve read multiple reviews which claim that John Boyd’s The Last Starship from Earth is a lost classic. However, opinion are far from unanimous (for example, the sci-fi author Joanna Russ wrote a scathing review blaming the publishers for subjecting her and fellow readers to Continue reading →

Book Review: The Quality of Mercy, D. G. Compton (1965)

June 13, 2011June 18, 2019 / Joachim Boaz / 4 Comments

4/5 (Good)

D. G. Compton’s first science fiction novel, The Quality of Mercy (1965), is a forgotten work which deserves to be read along with the rest of his canon. I’ve found Compton’s lesser known works to be on the whole quite solid — with the dismal The Missionaries (1972) the lone exception so far. Both Synthajoy (1968) and The Steel Crocodile (1970) are among my top reads of this year. I’m keeping his acknowledged masterpiece Continue reading →

Book Review: The Star Dwellers, James Blish (1961)

June 2, 2011August 1, 2011 / Joachim Boaz / 11 Comments

3/5 (Average)

James Blish’s The Star Dwellers (1961) is a quality sci-fi novel (for younger readers) easily comparable to some of Heinlein’s juveniles. The plot is straightforward/predictable yet still engaging. Of course, Jack, our seventeen year old hero, saves the day! Unlike the best “alien encounter” sci-fi novels which convey a certain sense of convincing “reality,” The Star Dwellers demands Continue reading →

Update: Recent Science Fiction Acquisitions N. V

May 31, 2011October 7, 2012 / Joachim Boaz / 14 Comments

I promised not to buy any more books over the summer unless I ran out — alas, Memorial Day Sale at one of the best Half Price Books in the country (Austin) is a “bad” combination. I had to reduce my gigantic pile by half before I dared approach the buy counter….

I’m proud of this haul!

1. Hawksbill Station (1968), Robert Silverberg (MY REVIEW)

I’ve wanted to procure Hawksbill Station for quite a while — the premise is fantastic, five dangerous prisoners are held at Hawksbill Station located in the Cambrian era… One bizarre use of time travel! I hope Silverberg is at his best à la The World Inside and Downward to the Earth.

2. Master of Life and Death, Robert Continue reading →

Book Review: The Time Hoppers, Robert Silverberg (1967)

May 13, 2011August 1, 2011 / Joachim Boaz / 4 Comments

2.5/5 (Average)

For me Robert Silverberg has finally lost his aura. I knew it would happen eventually if I delved into his lesser read 60s works — but I’d been impressed recently with a string of his best (Thorns, Downward to the Earth, The World Inside) which created the aforementioned aura. I believe in the demystification of an author (for nebulous reasons) however painful the reader’s experience might be — at least The Time Hoppers (1967) clocks in at a mere 182 pages.

The Time Hoppers takes place in an overpopulated world Continue reading →