Category Archives: Science

Triad

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Claire L. Evans

Illustration by the great Jim Burns. Triad, 80s oeuvre of Sheila Finch, is unbelievably beautiful. It takes place on an extraordinarily sumptuous alien planet called Chameleon, or Omareemee,  which changes color every time it’s perceived; sometimes it’s described as being … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Man In The High Castle

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Claire L. Evans

At this point it’s impossible to say anything new about Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle, so I’ll start by saying something really old: this is a fantastic book. It’s deep, man. In brief: the Allied forces … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Word for World is Forest

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Claire L. Evans

Ursula K. Le Guin wrote that writing The Word for World is Forest was “like taking dictation from a boss with ulcers.” Eager to play around with the ideas of pioneering sleep researcher Dr. William C. Dement, she intended to … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Realware

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Claire L. Evans

Occasionally, I pick up a book without knowing a thing about it — because it looks interesting, because I’ve heard about the author, or because it’s a handsome edition. After my Id-devastating experience with Semiotext(e) SF, I was eager for … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dr. Bloodmoney

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Claire L. Evans

Dawn of society: happened once, then Repeated. Bombs, Limbs, Obscurity, Oh, nuclear Destruction! Gone are Marin, San Francisco, Berkeley… One by one, the people along this Newly Emptied coast Yoke together to survive. Of course, they are all Radioactive. Haplessly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Packing for Mars

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Claire L. Evans

OK, this isn’t explicitly a science-fiction book. Aaaand I promised myself I wouldn’t make many diversions along my path through the Space Canon, but I can’t help that we live in an age where truth is, if not stranger than … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Early Pohl

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Claire L. Evans

Frederik Pohl is a lesser Grand Master. Lifelong nerd, proto-fanboy, editor of old-timey pulp rags, union president, he is one of those eminently readable, largely innocuous fiction writers who has slogged his way into the canon via sheer persistence. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Margaret Atwood & Ursula K. Le Guin

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Claire L. Evans

Earlier this year, when I went to an event to meet NASA astronaut Jim Dutton at my local science museum, I was the only person in attendance over twelve. Last night, when I went to see Ursula K. Le Guin … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Semiotext(e) SF

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Claire L. Evans

“What’s the most cyberpunk Photoshop filter?” “Oh, definitely Find Edges.” [Before I even begin, let me say this. BUY THIS BOOK BUY THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW! Honestly, if you’re not willing to drop $20 on a piece of pure, actual … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Greks Bring Gifts

Posted on September 15, 2010 by Claire L. Evans

I had planned, for this review, to fall asleep reading Murray Leinster‘s 1963 novella The Greks Bring Gifts and write about my dreams immediately the next morning. As it turns out, I’ve woken up fuzzy; not only do I not … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments