I am mixing up Austin and Byatt.
I did wonder - in fact, I'd made a note to see if Byatt had a new book out, maybe a riff on my favourite and One True Austen.
Inara: Mal, this isn't the ancient sea. You don't have to go down with your ship. Mal: She ain't going down. She ain't going anywhere.
'Out Of Gas'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
deborah grabien - Jan 15, 2004 2:15:06 pm PST #577 of 10002
It really doesn't matter. It's just an opinion. Don't worry about it. Not worth the hassle.
Volans - Jan 15, 2004 4:52:38 pm PST #578 of 10002
move out and draw fire
In between Bujold books, I just re-read Starguard by Andre Norton. This morning. I don't think I could tell you the main character's name. The book was more of a study on whether aggression is a racial trait rather than an individual trait.
Now, 30-40 years later, science fiction seems more about following a character rather than exploring an idea in metaphor. Any ideas why? Not saying one way is superior to the other, just wondering why consumer/author/publisher tastes have changed.
Gus - Jan 15, 2004 5:41:59 pm PST #579 of 10002
Bag the crypto. Say what is on your mind.
"New Wave" SF of the early seventies (Delaney, Tiptree) is where it started. "Why" might have to do with the gradual adoption of SF as a "legit" form getting underway. $.02
Consuela - Jan 15, 2004 8:07:14 pm PST #580 of 10002
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix
The book was more of a study on whether aggression is a racial trait rather than an individual trait.
Huh. It's been so long since I read that, I have barely any recollection. Is that the one where all that Terra has to export is soldiers? And everyone goes offplanet as mercenaries?
She did hit some real downers in the 60s, as I recall. Dark Piper was another one that felt terribly bleak.
Hmm, I picked up a Norton two-fer when I was in Boston. Voodoo Planet and Star Hunter, neither of which I've ever read. And the first one is a Solar Queen story, yay!
msbelle - Jan 16, 2004 5:50:04 am PST #581 of 10002
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb
My friend just sent me Ayun Halliday's No Touch Monkey! And Other Travel Lessons Learned Too Late for Christmas, and I am all excited to read it.
I bought this for my brother.
Kate P. - Jan 16, 2004 7:42:27 am PST #582 of 10002
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
msbelle, it's very good so far--funny, and a pretty quick read. I'm enjoying it a lot.
Frankenbuddha - Jan 16, 2004 9:26:10 am PST #583 of 10002
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
My friend just sent me Ayun Halliday's No Touch Monkey! And Other Travel Lessons Learned Too Late for Christmas, and I am all excited to read it.
Sounds like a book that Gus could have written.
deborah grabien - Jan 16, 2004 10:25:11 am PST #584 of 10002
It really doesn't matter. It's just an opinion. Don't worry about it. Not worth the hassle.
Nutty - Jan 16, 2004 10:50:59 am PST #585 of 10002
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
Reasons not to have a face lift.
science fiction seems more about following a character rather than exploring an idea in metaphor. Any ideas why?
I'm not sure I 100% agree with the premise, but I will say, the 'idea' SF from the 50s also tends -- from my exposire to the "greats" of that era -- to have been written more drily than an advanced calculus book. So, if the New Wave is responsible for the shift in writing ability, in addition to the different trend in subject matter, then I can do nothing but thank the New Wave.
Actually, you know, the 50s weren't so much with the metaphor, were they? Just exploring the idea. Exactly what kinds of examples are you talking about, when you say "idea in metaphor" vs. character-based stories?
erikaj - Jan 16, 2004 11:22:33 am PST #586 of 10002
Always Anti-fascist!
God! Also like something she would put in her books.(swallowing inappropriate laughter) Will Philip Roth die of priapism following a viagra accident?