[net.sf-lovers] arts in SF

mberkman@bbnccs (07/22/85)

From: Melinda Berkman <mberkman@bbnccs.ARPA>


I am surprised that no one mentioned Lloyd Biggle Jr. in the discussion
of the arts in sf.  Several of his books deal with art or music themes.
I read them years ago from a library and don't remember them well, but I
seem to recall at least two like this.  "The Small Still Sound of Trumpets"
dealt with the effects of musical innovation on a society (I think this
was a sort of 'how can we get around the Prime Directive' type story).
"The Light That Never Was" answered the question "If an animal creates
art, does that make it an artist?" and extended the discussion to treatment
of non-human sentients by a dominant human race.  I remember thinking at
the time that the author HAD to be an art major to have written such
art-oriented work.  There might have been one or two other books.  The
only book of Biggle's that I've found used is "Monument", which doesn't
deal with art at all but which I've enjoyed every time I reread it and
would heartily recommend.  Unfortunately I think that all his work is out
of print.

Melinda Berkman (mberkman@bbnccs.ARPA)