SF-LOVERS Digest Friday, 5 Feb 1993 Volume 18 : Issue 73 Today's Topics: Books - Modesitt (5 msgs) & Rawn (3 msgs) & Spider Robinson (4 msgs) & Tepper & Tubb (3 msgs) & Paul O. Williams (2 msgs) & Wingrove (2 msgs) & Womack & Request --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 25 Jan 93 02:36:27 GMT From: jonathan.deitch@p7.f411.n133.z1.fidonet.org (Jonathan Deitch) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: The Towers of the Sunset (Magic of Recluce prequel) Has anyone read The Towers of the Sunset by L.E. Modesitt yet ? It's a prequel to Magic of Recluce, taking place at the time the island of Recluce was originally settled. It's quite interesting. What do ya'll think of it ... and Magic of Recluce as well... I know they're some of the few books I've bought where I've gone back to the bookstore and special ordered hardcover copies of them. Does anyone else get tired of Modesitt's written sound effects ? Jonathan musjndx@gsusgi2.gsu.edu ------------------------------ Date: 29 Jan 93 22:19:18 GMT From: dwl@watson.ibm.com (David W. Levine) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: The Towers of the Sunset (Magic of Recluce prequel) Yeah, the sound effects don't add that much after the third or fourth time we're treated to them. I don't think they really hurt, but they don't help much. I also think that Modesitt draws his distinctions between "good" and "bad" people with a bit too much of a sledgehammer. We're rarely given any insight into the motivations of the Chaos Wielders, or how, given their nature they form such a powerful and even, dare I say, "orderly" council and city. There are hints of Order wizards who work with them, but almost no insight into why... Still, good and interesting reads that I've enjoyed quite a bit but... David W. Levine IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center dwl@watson.ibm.com ------------------------------ Date: 29 Jan 93 15:16:57 GMT From: qvortrup@inf.ethz.ch (Michael Qvortrup) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: The Towers of the Sunset (Magic of Recluce prequel) jonathan.deitch@p7.f411.n133.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Jonathan Deitch) writes: >[...] >and Magic of Recluce as well ... Good book, but that isn't what's on my mind right now ... >I know they're some of the few books I've bought where I've gone back to >the bookstore and special ordered hardcover copies of them. This is: do you mean to imply that _The Towers of the Sunset_ are out in paperback now? Michael Christian Heide Qvortrup Inst. of Scientific Computation ETH, Zuerich Switzerland qvortrup@inf.ethz.ch ------------------------------ Date: 29 Jan 93 18:10:06 GMT From: cozzlab@garnet.berkeley.edu Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: The Towers of the Sunset (Magic of Recluce prequel) jonathan.deitch@p7.f411.n133.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Jonathan Deitch) writes: >Has anyone read The Towers of the Sunset by L.E. Modesitt yet ? What do >ya'll think of it ... and Magic of Recluce as well ... Yeah, I read it. It's OK, though I got _awfully_ tired of the hero and the heroine standing at arms' length, wistfully snarling at each other, wondering if they're ever going to get together, when the even semi- intelligent reader KNOWS they will, for most of the length of the book. Now I've read both of the Recluce books a couple times apiece, and you know what sticks with me? The opening chapters of "Magic," the simple life in Recluce with everything as neat, tidy, and orderly as possible. It may be enough to bore the socks off a sixteen-year-old young tomcat like the hero, but believe me, to a fifty-year-old secretary/housewife it sounds just like heaven. >Does anyone else get tired of Modesitt's written sound effects ? YES!!! (_stomp,_choke,_throttle,_ka-blam_) Dorothy J. Heydt UC Berkeley cozzlab@garnet.berkeley.edu ------------------------------ Date: 1 Feb 93 19:35:10 GMT From: jonathan.deitch@p7.f411.n133.z1.fidonet.org (Jonathan Deitch) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: The Towers of the Sunset (Magic of Recluce prequel) qvortrup@inf.ethz.ch writes: >This is: do you mean to imply that _The Towers of the Sunset_ are >out in paperback now? Well ... I guess I wasn't specific enough ... I liked Recluce enough that I went out and bought the hardback, Towers was just published and isn't out in paper yet. I bought the hardback when it was published, based on how much I like Recluce. Jonathan musjndx@gsusgi2.gsu.edu ------------------------------ Date: 26 Jan 93 16:39:48 GMT From: datta@durban.berkeley.edu (Ruchira Datta) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Skybowl Is Out! I saw the third book in Melanie Rawn's *Dragon Star* trilogy, entitled *Skybowl*, in hardcover at Waldenbooks yesterday, as well as the paperback version of the second book, entitled *The Dragon Token*. I have really enjoyed this series so far. In case anyone doesn't know, this trilogy follows another, the *Dragon Prince* trilogy. But don't take that as an indication that Rawn is "sequelling" - each of her books, so far, has been extremely complex and interesting, IMHO. And don't be put off by the word "Dragon" in the titles (as I have heard some people are) - these books are really about *people*. If you enjoy intricately plotted fantasy with 3-dimensional characters, check these books out. Ruchira datta@math.berkeley.edu ------------------------------ Date: 29 Jan 93 00:59:25 GMT From: datta@beirut.berkeley.edu (Ruchira Datta) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: *Skybowl* Publishing Information Here is the publishing information for *Skybowl*: Series: Dragon Star: Book III Title: *Skybowl* Author: Melanie Rawn Publisher: DAW Books, Inc. 375 Hudson Street New York, NY 10014 ISBN: 0-88677-541-8 Retail Price: U.S. $22.00/Canada $27.50 Length: 672 pages DAW Book Collectors No. 903 (What does this mean? Maybe it's a gimmick to make you think there are such things as DAW Book Collectors, and you might want to be one!) First Printing, February 1993 (Curious, that. I suppose it's not unusual, but it's still rather strange.) Ruchira Datta datta@math.berkeley.edu ------------------------------ Date: 29 Jan 93 19:57:51 GMT From: am@bogart.inmet (Atin Malaviya) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: Skybowl Is Out! Heartily seconded - excellent books! And yes, the stories are about people - - people I could care about (and would give a lot to know :-)). My test for a good book is whether I can read it again and still appreciate it... Well, I have read the first book three times in the last two years, and the others at least once each, and might do so again when I get the latest one (so I can get the full story once again :-) ). My only problem with Melanie Rawn's books has been the fact that it takes so long for the paperbacks to come out (but then even a week would be too long!) Atin Malaviya Software Engineer Intermetrics Inc. 733 Concord Ave. Cambridge, MA 02138 (617) 661-1840 x4575 am@inmet.camb.inmet.com ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jan 93 03:10:41 GMT From: sdavido@opie.bgsu.edu Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: Spider Robinson 00tlstanchfi@leo.bsuvc.bsu.edu writes: > I'm looking for more titles by Spider Robinson. I have two of the > Callahan books (the first and the third, I think) and _Time Travelers > Strictly Cash_ Are there any others? Pub dates? Publishers? > > Any help would be appreciated. Meloncholy Elephants! Solomon ------------------------------ Date: 26 Jan 93 12:56:32 GMT From: ka3ovk!irscscm!jkossoy@tcsc3b2.tcsc.com (Jeff Kossoy) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: Spider Robinson 00tlstanchfi@leo.bsuvc.bsu.edu writes: > I'm looking for more titles by Spider Robinson. I have two of the > Callahan books (the first and the third, I think) and _Time Travelers > Strictly Cash_ Are there any others? Pub dates? Publishers? Another good one is Time Pressure. Jeff Kossoy ------------------------------ Date: 27 Jan 93 04:14:58 GMT From: ka3ovk!irscscm!bogart!phzzzt!mfaurot@tcsc3b2.tcsc.com (Michael Faurot) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: Spider Robinson Telempath is pretty cool and (said with tongue planted firmly in cheek) not much of a "stinker". ;-) Michael Faurot Domain: mfaurot@phzzzt.UUCP UUCP: ...!{irscscm|mimsy}!bogart!phzzzt!mfaurot ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jan 93 13:07:22 GMT From: tmd@austin.lockheed.com (Tom Davis) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: Spider Robinson The "Stardance" series (two books in publication, a third "on the way") is absolutely magnificent. [Alright, alright; so I tend to exaggerate - they're still _really_ good (IMHO).] Tom Davis tmd@austin.lockheed.com ------------------------------ Date: 3 Feb 93 04:55:00 GMT From: djordan@spartan.ac.brocku.ca (David Jordan) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Feminist SF - Sherri Tepper I just finished GRASS by Sherri Tepper. I liked it a lot. Well drawn characters, complex universe, interesting exploration of gender issues and a very solid female protagonist. I needed to get in about 50 pages before I got hooked, but then it was "no stopping." If anyone else has read it, I'd like to hear what you thought. If not, give it a try. David Jordan djordan@spartan.ac.BrockU.ca ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jan 93 00:00:30 GMT From: tokarj@ajpo.sei.cmu.edu (Joyce Tokar) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Dumarest of Terra I am trying to complete my "Dumarest of Terra" collection. I have the list of titles up to number 31. Could anyone knowing the complete list append the final titles (and insert the missing ones). Thanks. 01 The Winds of Gath 17 Prison of Night 02 Derai 18 Incident on Ath 03 Toyman 19 Quillian Sector, The 04 Kalin 20 Web of Sand 05 Jester at Scar 21 Iduna's Universe 06 Lallia 22 Terra Data, The 07 Technos 23 World of Promise 08 Veruchia 24 Nectar of Heaven 09 Mayenne 25 Terridae, The 10 Jondelle 26 Coming Event, The 11 Zenya 27 12 Eloise 28 Melome 13 Eye of the Zodiac 29 Angado 14 Jack of Swords 30 15 Spectrum of a Forgotten Sun 31 Temple of Truth, The 16 Haven of Darkness ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jan 93 07:46:00 GMT From: hughes@dogwood.botany.uga.edu (Wayne Hughes) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: Dumarest of Terra tokarj@ajpo.sei.cmu.edu (Joyce Tokar) writes: >I am trying to complete my "Dumarest of Terra" collection. I have the >list of titles up to number 31. Could anyone knowing the complete list >append the final titles (and insert the missing ones). #27 is Earth is Heaven (none of these "books" requires underlining, you know), in which Dumarest of Terra is once again fooled as to the identity of the planet he is on, thinking (and very nicely according to formula too) that it is Earth. Once again there is a Side Issue that must be resolved before he can find out he was wrong and proceed on to #28. I am astonished, but secretly thrilled, that you collect these. Sorry I can provide no further information. Oh hell, why not. My #27 has a great cover, showing a lean and muscular Dumarest in a skintight suit backed against a rocky ledge with these great looking bat/humanoid looking characters flying at him. It is DAW #510, and Michael Mariano is the artist. None of the other covers is as interesting, all harbor a suitably posing, enticingly buxom victim, with Dumarest standing protectively in the foreground, often wearing bubble helmet and skintight suit (she of course wears no helmet, and very little else). Yet they weren't written *all* that badly, were they. The catch, Joyce, is that you only need one. :) Wayne ------------------------------ Date: 26 Jan 93 03:37:25 GMT From: tokarj@ajpo.sei.cmu.edu (Joyce Tokar) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: Dumarest of Terra hughes@dogwood.botany.uga.edu (Wayne Hughes) writes: >Yet they weren't written *all* that badly, were they. The catch, Joyce, >is that you only need one. :) Thanks for filling in #27, "Earth is Heaven". Actually, because the series is out of print, my husband and I have fun searching out the books in different places on the planet, Terra, I mean :=). We have found copies in the States, Greece, South Africa, England and who knows where next. We look at the series as reasonably good "brain-rot"! Joyce ------------------------------ Date: 1 Feb 93 17:23:37 GMT From: RKOSTER3@ua1vm.ua.edu (Raph Koster) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Paul o. Williams Whatever happened to Paul O. Williams? The last I heard of him was the last book in the Pelbar Cycle, and that was in '85. Raph Koster rkoster3@ua1vm.ua.edu ------------------------------ Date: 2 Feb 93 05:27:03 GMT From: paul@econ.yale.edu (Paul McGuire) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Re: Paul o. Williams RKOSTER3@UA1VM.UA.EDU (Raph Koster) writes: >Whatever happened to Paul O. Williams? The last I heard of him was the >last book in the Pelbar Cycle, and that was in '85. The Gifts of the Gorboduc Vandal came out in '89. I've seen nothing since, which is a shame since I liked the Pelbar Cycle quite a bit (enough to reread it, despite its sunny pollyannaism, and Gifts read like the first of another Cycle. ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jan 93 21:21:27 GMT From: william.johnson@um.cc.umich.edu (William Johnson) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: Chung Kuo Does anyone out there know when the fourth "Chung Kuo" novel is going to be released. (I'm new to this group, so if this question has been asked and answered, have mercy). Thank you in advance. ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jan 93 03:18:55 GMT From: jpark2@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu (John J Park) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: 4? There are 4 Chung-Kuo novels already? Now I know it has been a while since I read about the "Middle Kingdom" but 4?I was patiently waiting for the 2nd to hit our library and/or the local Waldens in Illinois. Now I'm being informed that I have 3 500+ page books to add to my already large skyscraper of sf books waiting patiently to read. *sigh* John Park ------------------------------ Date: 2 Feb 93 19:40:23 GMT From: ecl@mtgzy.att.com (Evelyn C Leeper +1 908 957 2070) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: ELVISSEY by Jack Womack ELVISSEY by Jack Womack A book review by Evelyn C. Leeper Well, I suppose it's only reasonable that after reading three books centering on God and Jesus, I should proceed to a book set in a future where the main religion is the Church of Elvis. And, in fact, the parallels are intriguing, especially with Monteleone's BLOOD OF THE LAMB: both deal with unwilling messiahs, called forth by fallible human beings to save the world. And because those who summon them are fallible, things don't go as planned. ELVISSEY is part of Womack's "Dryco Chronicles," set in a world forty years in the future in which most power is held by Dryco Corporation and Elvis is not just the King, but the Messiah as well. Dryco figures that if they actually had a live Elvis, they could exert even more control, so they decide to pick one up by sending a couple through a "gate" to get Elvis from a parallel world which is eighty years behind and where, in addition, Lincoln was assassinated in 1861, resulting in a somewhat different world than ours - or than the world Dryco knows as its history. Still, John and Isabel manage to cope, right up until they find Elvis standing over the body of his mother, whom he has just shot. Then things get really weird. My main complain is still the futurespeak that Womack has invented (would language really change that much in only forty years?), but it was less annoying than in TERRAPLANE. That may be because I'm getting used to it, or it may be because it's tempered by the need of the main characters to use more understandable language when communicating with people in or from the parallel world. Or maybe it's the wordplay Womack throws in: "Call me Isabel," the main character says at one point. And later, on the telephone, John asks, "Information, help me. Get me Memphis, Tennessee." In any case, it's probably only slightly more difficult than the language in Heinlein's THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS, and easier than that of Russell Hoban's RIDDLEY WALKER. Though part of the "Dryco Chronicles," ELVISSEY can be read as a stand-alone and is, in my opinion, better than the earlier works in the series. Start with this one and then decide if you want to try the other ones. Title: Elvissey Author: Jack Womack City: New York Date: January 1993 Publisher: Tor Comments: trade paperback, US$12.95 Order Number: ISBN 0-312-85202-9 Pages: 319pp Evelyn C. Leeper +1 908 957 2070 ecl@mtgzy.att.com ------------------------------ Date: 23 Jan 93 18:43:29 GMT From: jthorpe1@cc.swarthmore.edu (jere7my tho?rpe) Reply-to: sf-lovers-written@Rutgers.Edu Subject: WANTED: list of post-1981 hard SF A physics professor acquaintance of mine wants to run an SF course here, with an emphasis on the "science" in "science fiction." (I.e. she wants a physics/SF course instead of a literature/SF course.) She's up to date on most of the stuff before 1980, but lost track after that. So, if any of you have thoughts about what hard SF might be good (novels AND short stories, the latter preferably being from one or two easy-to-find anthologies), email me at jthorpe1@cc.swarthmore.edu (Example: _Earth_ by David Brin talks about singularities and gravity lasers and interesting things like that, and even though he may be way off base, it could still be interesting to discuss...) Thanks in advance. ------------------------------ End of SF-LOVERS Digest ***********************