June 2003

Icehenge plot synopsis: a mid-26th century expedition to Pluto discovers a monument--a ring of ice blocks arranged in a pattern reminiscent of Stonehenge. The discovery provokes investigations into possible origins of structure, leading to serious political ramifications for the ruling Committee on Mars. Dr. Hjalmar Nederland proposes a widely accepted theory that Icehenge was constructed by a group associated with the attempted Mars revolution of 2248, but as the implications of this theory lead to embarassment for the ruling autocracy, one begins to wonder why he is being permitted to publish his work--and even helped in his research--and who would stand to gain from the public dissemination of this knowledge. And then the mystery deepens...

But I can't give away too much. Suffice it to say that until about halfway through the book I was fairly certain of what the truth was, and then I was rudely awakened to a myriad alternate possibilities. It kept me guessing until shortly near the end. A decent and well-written book; my only complaint is that Robinson spells things out too clearly in the last few pages; sure, it helps those who may not have *got* the story, but it took too much of the fun out of it to have the author spell everything out.

I'm not going to call this a great book; it is less intriguing than The Chronoliths and more satisfactory (but less original or groundbreaking) than Helliconia Spring. It is competently and clearly written, certainly not as artistic as Hyperion but rather easier to understand. (You get the feeling you're listening a story, whereas in Hyperion it feels more like watching an artist at work.) In the end, Icehenge captured my attention and I feel I can recommend it.

Tower of Glass is a novel in typical Silverberg form. It focuses not on science or technology, but about social and cultural upheavals in a future world. In this case, the culture revolves around the use of androids as a caste of slaves. These androids, artificial people created via genetic engineering by one Simeon Krug, seek freedom from oppression and a recognition of their status as human beings, not as property.

Unfortunately, like most Silverberg books, it is weak on characterization; I simply don't care about the people in the story. Additionally, there is Silverberg's usual pointless graphic sex; while some of it actually advances the plot, I question the need for its inclusion. Many other skilled writers manage to include sex as a significant part of the plot without being particularly graphic. Perhaps it is simply a stylistic difference on Silverberg's part, but if so, it is a style I do not find appealing.

In short, I do not recommend Tower of Glass.

You know, there's a reason Asimov is considered the master of science fiction.

I've finished The Chronoliths and I recommend it. I'm not going to give you a synopsis of the plot because I'm tired of doing that. You can look it up on Amazon or something. Just know that it's a good book. And if you don't like it, at least it's short--around 300 pages.

No Room for Man is a confusing and unsatisfactory story. It speaks of alternate realities and the realms of no-space, but Dickson is unable to make me understand these fantastic concepts. There is little that distinguishes this book from fantasy except the fact that the "magic" is portrayed as a natural phenomenon heretofore untapped due to the limitations of the human mindset.

Fortunately it is short: barely over 150 pages. Even for a novel written in the 1960s it is unusually short.

Plot synopsis: Paul Formain has an unusual *sense* that protects him from danger. After several close brushes with death, one of which results in the loss of an arm, Paul seeks out the Chantry Guild, whose members claim to be adepts in the use of the Alternate Laws. Paul hopes to be able to use the Alternate Laws to regrow his missing limb, but the Chantry Guild has other plans for Paul and his extraordinary sixth sense. Will the Guild succeed in it's diabolical scheme to bring the destruction of mankind? Will Paul Formain outwit Walter Blunt, the Guild's leader? Who will win? Who will prevail? Why should we care?