chuqui@cae780.UUCP (12/16/83)
Since James Hogan was GOH at Baycon, I decided that I should probably read some of his work (someone, obviously likes him). Well, I got ahold of a copy of 'Inherit the Stars' and dived in... James Hogan writes hard SF. He writes what used to be known as Cambellian SF, although I don't think Campbell would have liked Inherit the Stars. Its not a bad book if you like technology, because what he has done is set up an impossible fact and let the scientific world try to explain it. This he does very well. Unfortunately, I got the feeling from the book that there was simply no plot. You went from discussion to discussion until the entire mystery is solved. There was also very little time for minor things like character development (many of them existed solely to divulge their special bits of knowledge). Overall, I was disappointed, because while Hogan can obviously write well, this book was very lopsided, since it was so strong on the technology but very weak in the other areas of storytelling. If he can get that tendency under control, he might be a very good writer. From what I have heard of his other books, he hasn't yet, and I, frankly, have other authors I'd rather read...
jon@hp-pcd.UUCP (Jon Brewster) (12/20/83)
#R:cae780:-21600:hp-pcd:8200020:000:402 hp-pcd!jon Dec 19 13:00:00 1983 You should note that Inherit The Stars is the first book of a trilogy, and as such leaves many loose ends hanging. Gentle Giants Of Gannymede, and Giants Star complete the set. These other books are written in the same style as the first. I happen to like this style, but I have no complaints about the basenote critique. I did find that obtaining final plot closure was pretty satisfying. Jon B
hakanson@orstcs.UUCP (12/24/83)
#R:cae780:-21600:orstcs:11600022:000:465
orstcs!hakanson Dec 21 09:05:00 1983
As a previous response mentioned, if you think the mystery was solved in
"Inherit the Stars," you'd better read "The Gentle Giants of Ganymede"
and "Giants' Star" to *really* find the answers.
I also agree that Hogan's style leaves a little to be desired in the way
of humanity, but I think he's getting better. And for some reason I can't
keep away from his books....
Marion Hakanson CSnet: hakanson@oregon-state
UUCP : {hp-pcd,teklabs}!orstcs!hakansonrdg@hpcnoa.UUCP (01/02/84)
#R:cae780:-21600:hpcnoa:28800001:000:351
hpcnoa!rdg Dec 30 11:34:00 1983
I agree that Inherit the Stars didn't have much of a plot, but
I think the book was excellent overall; The sequels were pretty
good also.
How about Hogan's "Genesis Machine?" Now there's a book with plot,
science,adventure, etc!
I find myself going back to the bookstore for more Hogan
books often.
Rob Gardner
{hpfcla,hp-pcd,csu-cs}!hpcnoa!rdg