Highlights and Lowlights - September-October 2024

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

Tony Nance

2024-11-11 15:48:11 UTC

Highlights and Lowlights - September-October 2024

Books are rated using a very primitive rating system:
“+” are good, and more “+” are better
“-” are not good, and more “-” are worse

I’m happy to answer questions about anything here.

My annual dip in fall reading done dipped real good - just five here
over the course of two months.

Highlights - all five were fine

Lowlights - none

October
( +++ ) The Spiral Labyrinth - Hughes [Hengis Hapthorne]
( +++ ) Fair Trade - Lee & Miller [Liaden #24]
( +++ ) Cast in Wisdom - Sagara [Elantra #15]
( ++ 1/2) The Stainless Steel Rat’s Revenge - Harrison [Stainless Steel
Rat #2]

September
( +++ ) The Stainless Steel Rat - Harrison [Stainless Steel Rat #1]

Now Reading:
Long work - The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World - Harrison
Collection - The Best Time Travel Stories Of All Time ed. by Malzberg

===========================================
September-October 2024
( +++ ) The Spiral Labyrinth - Hughes [Hengis Hapthorne]
This one picks up immediately after “Majestrum”, and we see Hapthorne
pulled forward through time into the era where magic and will hold sway,
and Hapthorne’s logic and reasoning are mythic things of the past that
seem to have no effect. His previously internal “intuitional self” has
become a real person who has significant skills in this era, though he
is new to them. Hapthorne’s AI assistant has also become sentient,
manifesting as a member of a highly prized and rare species. Hapthorne
is desperate to get back to his home and time, AND deal with the entity
that pulled him forward, as they have bad intentions for the entire
universe.

( +++ ) Fair Trade - Lee & Miller [Liaden #24]
This is a Jethri Gobelyn book, picking up immediately after “Trade
Secret”. As such it occurs a hella long time ago in the Liaden Universe
(i.e. long before Val Con, Miri, etc), and picks up as Jethri begins his
time on a new ship with new responsibilities. The overall plot driver is
a gigantic meeting about a civilization-wide proposal (written by Jethri
and his late father) concerning trade between planets, and it’s pretty
easy to make the connections with this proposal and the way the
“current” Liaden Universe is set. It finishes up in a mildly incomplete
spot, where I fully expect “Trade Lanes” to address. All good stuff, as
you’d expect Liaden stuff to be.

( +++ ) Cast in Wisdom - Sagara [Elantra #15]
Nice that this one actually doesn’t require Kaylin to save the world.
It’s focused almost entirely on Kaylin and many companions investigating
the border zones between the fiefs, trying to figure out what the heck
is going on in these strange gray areas. We learn a lot, of course, and
some major things happen to a few characters. These are always fun
reads, and I’ll surely keep moving forward.

( ++ 1/2) The Stainless Steel Rat’s Revenge - Harrison [Stainless Steel
Rat #2]
( +++ ) The Stainless Steel Rat - Harrison [Stainless Steel Rat #1]
I was surprised to discover I hadn’t read any novels by Harrison, and I
decided to remedy that by reading a 3-in-1 collection of The Stainless
Steel Rat. It’s neat what Harrison points out, alludes to, mentions,
etc. He writes in a smooth voice and with humor, both obvious and wry.
As most (all?) of you know, The Stainless Steel Rat is “Slippery” Jim
DiGriz, a master thief in a far future universe where thieving is almost
impossible to do. He makes mistakes, and gets thwarted occasionally, but
eventually comes out on top. By the end of the first one, he has been
co-opted into joining what amounts to a space police force as a special
investigator. These first two (and the third I’m in the middle of) see
him on dangerous missions where he uses his thieving and planning skills
to try to thwart others. These were really well written, and I’ll be
reading more Harrison as I move forward.

Now Reading:
Long work - The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World - Harrison
Collection - The Best Time Travel Stories Of All Time ed. by Malzberg

Tony

Ted Nolan <tednolan>

2024-11-11 16:57:25 UTC

Permalink

Post by Tony Nance
Highlights and Lowlights - September-October 2024
â+â are good, and more â+â are better
â-â are not good, and more â-â are worse
Iâm happy to answer questions about anything here.
My annual dip in fall reading done dipped real good - just five here
over the course of two months.
Highlights - all five were fine
Lowlights -Â none
October
( +++ ) The Spiral Labyrinth - Hughes [Hengis Hapthorne]
( +++ ) Fair Trade - Lee & Miller [Liaden #24]
( +++ ) Cast in Wisdom - Sagara [Elantra #15]
( ++ 1/2) The Stainless Steel Ratâs Revenge - Harrison [Stainless Steel
Rat #2]
September
( +++ ) The Stainless Steel Rat - Harrison [Stainless Steel Rat #1]
Long work - The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World - Harrison
Collection - The Best Time Travel Stories Of All Time ed. by Malzberg
===========================================
September-October 2024
( +++ ) The Spiral Labyrinth - Hughes [Hengis Hapthorne]
This one picks up immediately after âMajestrumâ, and we see Hapthorne
pulled forward through time into the era where magic and will hold sway,
and Hapthorneâs logic and reasoning are mythic things of the past that
seem to have no effect. His previously internal âintuitional selfâ has
become a real person who has significant skills in this era, though he
is new to them. Hapthorneâs AI assistant has also become sentient,
manifesting as a member of a highly prized and rare species. Hapthorne
is desperate to get back to his home and time, AND deal with the entity
that pulled him forward, as they have bad intentions for the entire
universe.
( +++ ) Fair Trade - Lee & Miller [Liaden #24]
This is a Jethri Gobelyn book, picking up immediately after âTrade
Secretâ. As such it occurs a hella long time ago in the Liaden Universe
(i.e. long before Val Con, Miri, etc), and picks up as Jethri begins his
time on a new ship with new responsibilities. The overall plot driver is
a gigantic meeting about a civilization-wide proposal (written by Jethri
and his late father) concerning trade between planets, and itâs pretty
easy to make the connections with this proposal and the way the
âcurrentâ Liaden Universe is set. It finishes up in a mildly incomplete
spot, where I fully expect âTrade Lanesâ to address. All good stuff, as
youâd expect Liaden stuff to be.
( +++ ) Cast in Wisdom - Sagara [Elantra #15]
Nice that this one actually doesnât require Kaylin to save the world.
Itâs focused almost entirely on Kaylin and many companions investigating
the border zones between the fiefs, trying to figure out what the heck
is going on in these strange gray areas. We learn a lot, of course, and
some major things happen to a few characters. These are always fun
reads, and Iâll surely keep moving forward.
( ++ 1/2) The Stainless Steel Ratâs Revenge - Harrison [Stainless Steel
Rat #2]
( +++ ) The Stainless Steel Rat - Harrison [Stainless Steel Rat #1]
I was surprised to discover I hadnât read any novels by Harrison, and I
decided to remedy that by reading a 3-in-1 collection of The Stainless
Steel Rat. Itâs neat what Harrison points out, alludes to, mentions,
etc. He writes in a smooth voice and with humor, both obvious and wry.
As most (all?) of you know, The Stainless Steel Rat is âSlipperyâ Jim
DiGriz, a master thief in a far future universe where thieving is almost
impossible to do. He makes mistakes, and gets thwarted occasionally, but
eventually comes out on top. By the end of the first one, he has been
co-opted into joining what amounts to a space police force as a special
investigator. These first two (and the third Iâm in the middle of) see
him on dangerous missions where he uses his thieving and planning skills
to try to thwart others. These were really well written, and Iâll be
reading more Harrison as I move forward.
Long work - The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World - Harrison
Collection - The Best Time Travel Stories Of All Time ed. by Malzberg
Tony

Thanks, as usual!

Still way behind on Liad & Elantra...

I believe I read all the SSR books at one time but I cannot now
recall any specifics beyond the premise. Perhaps time for another
go. As far as Harrison, I recall liking the "Deathword" books,
"Technicolor Time Machine" (though admittedly, it's a one joke
premise) & "Star Smashers Of the Galaxy Rangers". As we discussed
recently here, I read that when I was about 13, and when I looked
at "Bill The Galactic Hero" it seemed very heavy handed to me and
I didn't finish it. I'm a bit scared I would think the same about
Smashers now. Of his late works, I liked the King of the North
series (or whatever it was called) though I suspect a lot of it was
his co-author, and it fell a bit off the rails at the end.

--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..

Tony Nance

2024-11-14 01:15:50 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>

Post by Tony Nance
Highlights and Lowlights - September-October 2024
“+” are good, and more “+” are better
“-” are not good, and more “-” are worse
I’m happy to answer questions about anything here.
My annual dip in fall reading done dipped real good - just five here
over the course of two months.
Highlights - all five were fine
Lowlights - none
October
( +++ ) The Spiral Labyrinth - Hughes [Hengis Hapthorne]
( +++ ) Fair Trade - Lee & Miller [Liaden #24]
( +++ ) Cast in Wisdom - Sagara [Elantra #15]
( ++ 1/2) The Stainless Steel Rat’s Revenge - Harrison [Stainless Steel
Rat #2]
September
( +++ ) The Stainless Steel Rat - Harrison [Stainless Steel Rat #1]
Long work - The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World - Harrison
Collection - The Best Time Travel Stories Of All Time ed. by Malzberg
===========================================
September-October 2024
( +++ ) The Spiral Labyrinth - Hughes [Hengis Hapthorne]
This one picks up immediately after “Majestrum”, and we see Hapthorne
pulled forward through time into the era where magic and will hold sway,
and Hapthorne’s logic and reasoning are mythic things of the past that
seem to have no effect. His previously internal “intuitional self” has
become a real person who has significant skills in this era, though he
is new to them. Hapthorne’s AI assistant has also become sentient,
manifesting as a member of a highly prized and rare species. Hapthorne
is desperate to get back to his home and time, AND deal with the entity
that pulled him forward, as they have bad intentions for the entire
universe.
( +++ ) Fair Trade - Lee & Miller [Liaden #24]
This is a Jethri Gobelyn book, picking up immediately after “Trade
Secret”. As such it occurs a hella long time ago in the Liaden Universe
(i.e. long before Val Con, Miri, etc), and picks up as Jethri begins his
time on a new ship with new responsibilities. The overall plot driver is
a gigantic meeting about a civilization-wide proposal (written by Jethri
and his late father) concerning trade between planets, and it’s pretty
easy to make the connections with this proposal and the way the
“current” Liaden Universe is set. It finishes up in a mildly incomplete
spot, where I fully expect “Trade Lanes” to address. All good stuff, as
you’d expect Liaden stuff to be.
( +++ ) Cast in Wisdom - Sagara [Elantra #15]
Nice that this one actually doesn’t require Kaylin to save the world.
It’s focused almost entirely on Kaylin and many companions investigating
the border zones between the fiefs, trying to figure out what the heck
is going on in these strange gray areas. We learn a lot, of course, and
some major things happen to a few characters. These are always fun
reads, and I’ll surely keep moving forward.
( ++ 1/2) The Stainless Steel Rat’s Revenge - Harrison [Stainless Steel
Rat #2]
( +++ ) The Stainless Steel Rat - Harrison [Stainless Steel Rat #1]
I was surprised to discover I hadn’t read any novels by Harrison, and I
decided to remedy that by reading a 3-in-1 collection of The Stainless
Steel Rat. It’s neat what Harrison points out, alludes to, mentions,
etc. He writes in a smooth voice and with humor, both obvious and wry.
As most (all?) of you know, The Stainless Steel Rat is “Slippery” Jim
DiGriz, a master thief in a far future universe where thieving is almost
impossible to do. He makes mistakes, and gets thwarted occasionally, but
eventually comes out on top. By the end of the first one, he has been
co-opted into joining what amounts to a space police force as a special
investigator. These first two (and the third I’m in the middle of) see
him on dangerous missions where he uses his thieving and planning skills
to try to thwart others. These were really well written, and I’ll be
reading more Harrison as I move forward.
Long work - The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World - Harrison
Collection - The Best Time Travel Stories Of All Time ed. by Malzberg
Tony

Thanks, as usual!
Still way behind on Liad & Elantra...
I believe I read all the SSR books at one time but I cannot now
recall any specifics beyond the premise. Perhaps time for another
go. As far as Harrison, I recall liking the "Deathword" books,
"Technicolor Time Machine" (though admittedly, it's a one joke
premise) & "Star Smashers Of the Galaxy Rangers". As we discussed
recently here, I read that when I was about 13, and when I looked
at "Bill The Galactic Hero" it seemed very heavy handed to me and
I didn't finish it. I'm a bit scared I would think the same about
Smashers now. Of his late works, I liked the King of the North
series (or whatever it was called) though I suspect a lot of it was
his co-author, and it fell a bit off the rails at the end.

Interesting! I have the Deathworld trilogy, and Star Smashers... and
Bill... and I was thinking of doing Deathworld next. I'd never even
heard of the "King..." books. If I'm guessing right, isfdb calls it "The
Hammer and the Cross".

Tony

Ted Nolan <tednolan>

2024-11-14 03:43:06 UTC

Permalink

Post by Tony Nance

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>

Thanks, as usual!
Still way behind on Liad & Elantra...
I believe I read all the SSR books at one time but I cannot now
recall any specifics beyond the premise. Perhaps time for another
go. As far as Harrison, I recall liking the "Deathword" books,
"Technicolor Time Machine" (though admittedly, it's a one joke
premise) & "Star Smashers Of the Galaxy Rangers". As we discussed
recently here, I read that when I was about 13, and when I looked
at "Bill The Galactic Hero" it seemed very heavy handed to me and
I didn't finish it. I'm a bit scared I would think the same about
Smashers now. Of his late works, I liked the King of the North
series (or whatever it was called) though I suspect a lot of it was
his co-author, and it fell a bit off the rails at the end.

Yes, "The Hammer & The Cross" would be it. It's an alternate history
where Norse paganism survives alongside Christianity with England united
with the nordic countries for a while and one guy who is cutting a
swathe across the setting and inventing the scientific method as well.
There are also distinct fantasy elements as the Norse gods are real to
some (nebulous) extent and the Holy Grail (which is actually a ladder)
is also involved.

--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..

Ahasuerus

2024-11-18 00:32:41 UTC

Permalink

On 11/11/2024 11:57 AM, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
[snip]

[re: The Stainless Steel Rat books and Harry Harrison]
I believe I read all the SSR books at one time but I cannot now
recall any specifics beyond the premise. Perhaps time for another
go.

I loved the first book (1961) and liked the next two (1970-1972). I
thought that the series began to deteriorate around book 4 (1978).

As far as Harrison, I recall liking the "Deathword" books,

The first book was very nice. The two sequels were not as good, but
still readable.

"Technicolor Time Machine" (though admittedly, it's a one joke
premise) & "Star Smashers Of the Galaxy Rangers". As we discussed
recently here, I read that when I was about 13, and when I looked
at "Bill The Galactic Hero" it seemed very heavy handed to me and
I didn't finish it. I'm a bit scared I would think the same about
Smashers now. Of his late works, I liked the King of the North
series (or whatever it was called) though I suspect a lot of it was
his co-author, and it fell a bit off the rails at the end.

FWIW, I thought that _Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers_ (1973) was
even more heavy-handed than _Bill the Galactic Hero_ (1965), but it's
worth noting that I read _Bill the Galactic Hero_ first. It's possible

Are two types of jokes. One sort goes on being funny forever.
Other sort is funny once. Second time it's dull.

I liked _The Technicolor Time Machine_ (1967) a lot more even though it
was, as you said, a one joke book. (In retrospect, it may have been
inspired by G. C. Edmondson's _The Ship That Sailed the Time Stream_
(1965).)

Scanning the rest of Harrison's output
(https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?28), my recollections are as follows:

1. _Planet of the Damned_ (1962). A passable adventure, but not in the
same league as the first Deathworld novel.

2. _Make Room! Make Room!_ (1966). No introductions are needed since it
was filmed as _Soylent Green_ in 1973

3. _Captive Universe_ (1969). A decent take on Heinlein's _Orphans of
the Sky_.

4. The _Eden_ trilogy (1984-1988). A dinosaurs-vs-humanoids alternative
history. Forgettable writing/characterization, but possibly Harrison's
most ambitious world-building effort.

Tony Nance

2024-11-22 20:47:53 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ahasuerus
[snip]

[re: The Stainless Steel Rat books and Harry Harrison]
I believe I read all the SSR books at one time but I cannot now
recall any specifics beyond the premise. Perhaps time for another
go.

I loved the first book (1961) and liked the next two (1970-1972). I
thought that the series began to deteriorate around book 4 (1978).

Thanks - that's good to know, and is in line with a few other things
I've seen as well. I enjoyed the first three, but to me, the third was a
bit of a step down from the first two.

Post by Ahasuerus

As far as Harrison, I recall liking the "Deathword" books,

The first book was very nice. The two sequels were not as good, but
still readable.

Also good to know. I have all three in one volume, and the first book is
the next Harrison I plan to read.

Post by Ahasuerus

Are two types of jokes. One sort goes on being funny forever.
Other sort is funny once. Second time it's dull.

I have both, have not read either, and I'm only tempted to read
"Bill..." first because it was written first.

And thank you for the info below as well,
Tony

Post by Ahasuerus
I liked _The Technicolor Time Machine_ (1967) a lot more even though it
was, as you said, a one joke book. (In retrospect, it may have been
inspired by G. C. Edmondson's _The Ship That Sailed the Time Stream_
(1965).)
Scanning the rest of Harrison's output
1. _Planet of the Damned_ (1962). A passable adventure, but not in the
same league as the first Deathworld novel.
2. _Make Room! Make Room!_ (1966). No introductions are needed since it
was filmed as _Soylent Green_ in 1973
3. _Captive Universe_ (1969). A decent take on Heinlein's _Orphans of
the Sky_.
4. The _Eden_ trilogy (1984-1988). A dinosaurs-vs-humanoids alternative
history. Forgettable writing/characterization, but possibly Harrison's
most ambitious world-building effort.

Paul S Person

2024-11-23 17:01:52 UTC

Permalink

Post by Tony Nance

Post by Ahasuerus
[snip]

[re: The Stainless Steel Rat books and Harry Harrison]
I believe I read all the SSR books at one time but I cannot now
recall any specifics beyond the premise. Perhaps time for another
go.

I loved the first book (1961) and liked the next two (1970-1972). I
thought that the series began to deteriorate around book 4 (1978).

Thanks - that's good to know, and is in line with a few other things
I've seen as well. I enjoyed the first three, but to me, the third was a
bit of a step down from the first two.

SPI, in its short-lived /Ares Magazine/, published /The Return of the
Stainless Steel Rat/, a board game
[https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3531/the-return-of-the-stainless-steel-rat].

Although confirming this online proved difficult, my recollection is
that Harrison also wrote a short story that appeared in the magazine,
about the same situation as the game.

--
"Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"

Robert Woodward

2024-11-23 17:53:33 UTC

Permalink

Post by Paul S Person

Post by Tony Nance

Post by Ahasuerus
[snip]

[re: The Stainless Steel Rat books and Harry Harrison]
I believe I read all the SSR books at one time but I cannot now
recall any specifics beyond the premise. Perhaps time for another
go.

I loved the first book (1961) and liked the next two (1970-1972). I
thought that the series began to deteriorate around book 4 (1978).

Thanks - that's good to know, and is in line with a few other things
I've seen as well. I enjoyed the first three, but to me, the third was a
bit of a step down from the first two.

SPI, in its short-lived /Ares Magazine/, published /The Return of the
Stainless Steel Rat/, a board game
[https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3531/the-return-of-the-stainless-steel-ra
t].
Although confirming this online proved difficult, my recollection is
that Harrison also wrote a short story that appeared in the magazine,
about the same situation as the game.

While a brief search failed to find my issues of _Ares_, I did find the
ISFDB page for that issue, <https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?411709>
(I used the "Magazine Directory" link in the "Other Pages" box on the
home page). BTW, that is the only appearance of that short story.

--
"We have advanced to new and surprising levels of bafflement."
Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan describes progress in _Komarr_.
-----------------------------------------------------
Robert Woodward ***@drizzle.com

Paul S Person

2024-11-24 16:19:18 UTC

Permalink

On Sat, 23 Nov 2024 09:53:33 -0800, Robert Woodward

Post by Robert Woodward

Post by Paul S Person

Post by Tony Nance

Post by Ahasuerus
[snip]

[re: The Stainless Steel Rat books and Harry Harrison]
I believe I read all the SSR books at one time but I cannot now
recall any specifics beyond the premise. Perhaps time for another
go.

I loved the first book (1961) and liked the next two (1970-1972). I
thought that the series began to deteriorate around book 4 (1978).

Thanks - that's good to know, and is in line with a few other things
I've seen as well. I enjoyed the first three, but to me, the third was a
bit of a step down from the first two.

SPI, in its short-lived /Ares Magazine/, published /The Return of the
Stainless Steel Rat/, a board game
[https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3531/the-return-of-the-stainless-steel-ra
t].
Although confirming this online proved difficult, my recollection is
that Harrison also wrote a short story that appeared in the magazine,
about the same situation as the game.

I'm sure I have my copy (of both magazine and game, separately) around
here /somewhere/, but I didn't even try to find it because I knew it
would be a long and arduous endeaver.

But thanks for the confirmation. The rights probably went into limbo
when SPI was taken over and/or the magazine was scrubbed. The people
behind DG acquired MOVES and S&T and a bunch of classic SPI games. If
the deal included Ares, then DG might hold the rights to the short
story.

--
"Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"

Default User

2024-11-24 04:04:16 UTC

Permalink

Post by Paul S Person
SPI, in its short-lived /Ares Magazine/, published /The Return of the
Stainless Steel Rat/, a board game

Where I am at this moment, the SPI Starforce Trilogy game set is within
4 or 5 feet of me. I am in the (very slow) process of moving from a
house to the Fancy New Apartment. I brought the set with me and it
resides in the closet of the bedroom I am using as an office. So many
things will not make the journey. I have had it since the mid-70s.

Brian