06-30-2008, 02:46 AM | #1 |
Now you lishen here...
Posts: 2,494
Karma: 479498
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Seattle-ish
Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire
|
Rolling Thunder - John Varley
I have always loved John Varley's work, and I have very much enjoyed Red Thunder and Red Lightening, but... ( you had to know a "but" was coming) I found this latest edition to be half good.
The first 40% is actually enjoyable (I speak in "%" because I read it on my beloved Kindle, and with a Kindle, you can only speak in "%"). The first approximately half is entertaining and a great tour of the Jovian System. I mean "tour" in the best and most explicit sense. The protagonist is a Mars Navy draftee who is traveling the Jovian system as a singer in a jazz band. I really enjoyed the travelogue. And then something really bad happens. The bad stuff is well portrayed and well written. Then there is the last 40% of the book. That is boring as hell. Old characters are altered (Jubal is rewritten in a way I approve of, but still it is not convincing) and things happen slowly. I passed through many pages just skimming, waiting for something to happen. I almost wish the book had stopped half way through. But I read it all. And I hope, if Varley continues the journey, his next book is more enthralling, because this one was difficult to read to the end. |
06-30-2008, 06:40 AM | #2 |
Sir Penguin of Edinburgh
Posts: 12,375
Karma: 23555235
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DC Metro area
Device: Shake a stick plus 1
|
I liked Thunder, but not Lightning. I'm not going to read the third book.
I don't know if it's true, but I've heard that he wrote the series in the style of Heinlein juveniles. If so, then Mr. Varley goofed. Each Heinlein juvenile stands alone. |
Advert | |
|
07-01-2008, 01:25 PM | #3 | |
New York Editor
Posts: 6,384
Karma: 16540415
Join Date: Aug 2007
Device: PalmTX, Pocket eDGe, Alcatel Fierce 4, RCA Viking Pro 10, Nexus 7
|
Quote:
If RAH were writing this sort of thing now, he'd face the same pressures. ______ Dennis |
|
07-01-2008, 01:33 PM | #4 | |
Sir Penguin of Edinburgh
Posts: 12,375
Karma: 23555235
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DC Metro area
Device: Shake a stick plus 1
|
Quote:
One of my copies of "Podkayne of Mars" is a paperback, and it includes both the ending he wrote as well as the ending that was originally published. Did you know that he killed off Podkayne? The book also has a personal letter in which he explains why he killed her. I'd quote it to you, but I don't have it (my teenage brother is reading it). |
|
07-01-2008, 02:03 PM | #5 | |||
New York Editor
Posts: 6,384
Karma: 16540415
Join Date: Aug 2007
Device: PalmTX, Pocket eDGe, Alcatel Fierce 4, RCA Viking Pro 10, Nexus 7
|
Quote:
Quote:
Very few authors are in a position to reject an editorial request for changes. They can, and then try to sell the book elsewhere, but it might not sell elsewhere, and might PO the editor and make it harder to sell to that house again. The trick is to make sure you and the editor are on the same page about what the book will be, so nothing in the revision letter will come as an unpleasant surprise like "Change the ending!". Quote:
Mind you, Heinlein brings Poddy back (though he doesn't name her) at the end of _The Number of the Beast_. ______ Dennis |
|||
Advert | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
New Recipe: Rolling Stones | TonytheBookworm | Recipes | 5 | 10-14-2010 01:32 PM |
Science Fiction Hickey, H. B: Beyond The Thunder. V1. 14 Sep 2010 | crutledge | Kindle Books (offline) | 0 | 09-14-2010 11:16 AM |
Science Fiction Hickey, H. B: Beyond The Thunder. V1. 14 Sep 2010 | crutledge | ePub Books (offline) | 0 | 09-14-2010 11:13 AM |
I know it's only rolling rock | ardeegee | Lounge | 1 | 07-11-2010 11:25 PM |
Rolling Stone New Web Model | Fat Abe | News | 2 | 04-18-2010 11:00 AM |