1960s

Book Review: Beyond the Barrier, Damon Knight (1964)

/ Joachim Boaz / 19 Comments

1/5 (Bad)

Damon Knight’s dismal Beyond the Barrier (1964) is all plot, lacks even the most cursory world development, makes no attempt to construct a “character”, and contains one of the single most ludicrous scenes I’ve encountered.  Knight is considered somewhat of a “master” of sci-fi but his supposed skills are not on show here (short stories?).  Yes, there’s adventure, intrigue, action, bizarre technology, green frog aliens, time travel, Earth core traversing oscillating field machines, and time  Continue reading →

Book Review: Hawksbill Station (variant title: The Anvil of Time), Robert Silverberg (1968)

/ Joachim Boaz / 13 Comments

5/5 (Masterpiece)

Robert Silverberg strikes gold with Hawksbill Station (1968), a dark, restrained, and powerful rumination.  I have found Silverberg’s novels, like those of one of my other sci-fi favorites John Brunner, hit or miss.  The worst of Silverberg’s novels I’ve read, for example The Time Hoppers (1967) and  Master of Life and Death (1957), are cringeworthy.  His best, Downward to the Earth (1970) and The World Inside (1971), rank among my all-time favorites.

Hawksbill Station‘s setting, Earth’s Cambrian era, Continue reading →

Update: Recent Science Fiction Acquisitions N. VIII

/ 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)

/ 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)

/ 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

/ 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

/ 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)

/ 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)

/ 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 →