chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Chuq Von Rospach) (09/09/85)
A few more titles from the backlist...
The Book of Kells by R.A.MacAvoy (Bantam Spectra, $3.50) Rating: **
Dying of the Light, by George R.R. Martin (Simon and Schuster) Rating: ****
Courtship Rite by Donald Kingsbury (SFBook Club) Rating: <none>
Ratings:
***** - a classic work (Shadow of the Torturer)
**** - a Must Buy (Peace War)
*** - an average work, you may or may not like it (Ringworld)
** - doesn't live up to its expectations (Trumps of Doom)
* - avoid at all costs (Bearing an Hourglass)
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The Book of Kells by R.A.MacAvoy (Bantam Spectra, $3.50) Rating: **
The latest book by Ms. MacAvoy is a fairly well written but empty story of
ancient ireland and the celts. Even a bad book by MacAvoy has its own
charms, but this book isn't a "Tea with the Black Dragon" or "Damiano". I
found that halfway through the book I simply didn't care about anything
that was happening, and that is a good reason to just put the book down,
which I did. Others will probably like it much more -- if you like MacAvoy
or that flavor of historical fantasy, try it and see, but be prepared to be
disappointed.
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Dying of the Light, by George R.R. Martin (Simon and Schuster) Rating: ****
I recently found a hardback book of this on the local remainders, and
snapped it up since it is more or less out of print now. Martin has come up
with a strong book (the best of his work since "A Song for Lya" about the
goings on around a dying party world called Worlorn. It was a pleasure to
read it originally when a friend lent me his copy, it was more of a
pleasure to re-read it again.
Worlorn was put together as an interplanetary exposition where the planets
of the galaxy could show off its finery. As the rogue is leaving the star
system, the exposition is closed and the planet is again dying. With this
backdrop Martin explores both society and marriage while tossing off a very
well done travelogue.
Dirk T'larien comes to Worlorn following a call from an old lover, Gwen.
Gwen is now bound to a nobleman from the planet of High Kavalaan, where
honor is bound by love and protected by violence. The nobleman is there in
an attempt to protect some of the stragglers -- humans who didn't leave
when the planet closed -- from another Kavalaan clan that has come here for
the sport of hunting these 'mockmen.' An outsider, Dirk steps on toes
through the ignorance of the uninformed in a society where ignorance is not
permitted, and sets off a very complex series of events that culminate in
world spanning chases and confrontations with both the people and with the
societies they represent. Martin is really taking a look at the darker
sides of our own society, and the result is both unnerving and compelling.
This book ought to make you think; it is also quite entertaining as well,
but is definitely not a light read. If you can find a copy, by all means
grab it.
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Courtship Rite by Donald Kingsbury (SFBook Club) Rating: <none>
I'm specifically NOT rating this book (that is not a rating of zero, but no
rating, a small but semantically important difference). This is another
book that I stopped halfway through, and while the book is well written, I
simply found myself unable to tolerate some of the strong and rather
graphic concepts it was dealing with.
On the planet of Geta, in times of famine the weak feed the strong.
Literally. The human's (evidently a semi-failed colony or some such)
has evolved into a highly ritualized canabalistic society because of the
poisonous content of the world around them. Everything on Geta is deadly to
them (some quicker than others) and the only food that is safely eaten is
themselves. The culture evolved is violent, highly structured, and has a
strong element of self-mutilation (ornamental and religious tatooing taken
to an extreme) as well as the cannibalization. The book is rather graphic,
quite intense, and doesn't pull its punches. If you can handle the subject
matter, I think you're in for a treat, but this book is definitely not for
the weak of heart or full of stomach.
--
Chuq Von Rospach nsc!chuqui@decwrl.ARPA {decwrl,hplabs,ihnp4}!nsc!chuqui
An uninformed opinion is no opinion at all. If you dont know what you're
talking about, please try to do it quietly.zuker@cxsea.UUCP (Hunter Zuker) (09/17/85)
> Courtship Rite by Donald Kingsbury (SFBook Club) Rating: <none> > > I'm specifically NOT rating this book (that is not a rating of zero, but no > rating, a small but semantically important difference). This is another > book that I stopped halfway through, and while the book is well written, I > simply found myself unable to tolerate some of the strong and rather > graphic concepts it was dealing with. > > . . . The book is rather graphic, > quite intense, and doesn't pull its punches. If you can handle the subject > matter, I think you're in for a treat, but this book is definitely not for > the weak of heart or full of stomach. All true, yet there is a lot about love and affinity in this book. I felt it was a well balanced book. I would highly recommend it for those who enjoy reading about well thought out and consistent cultures. It's one of my favorites. Hunter Zuker Computer X, Inc. Kent, Wa. {{uw-beaver!ssc-vax}|mnetor}!cxsea!muaddib!zuker