Kirsten Reviews: Science Fiction 101 Edited by Robert Silverburg

Science Fiction 101 Edited by Robert Silverburg

If you read or write science fiction, here is the best introduction to the secrets, the craft and the art of science fiction. Included are thirteen classic works of modern sf; wondrous stories by Alfred Bester, Philip K. Dick, Jack Vance, Frederick Pohl and many others. If you love science fiction, read how a young fan grew up to become one of the most honored masters in the history of the field, as told in his own words.

Science Fiction 101, edited by Robert Silverberg is a volume of science fiction first published in 1987 as Worlds of Wonder that, in all likelihood will have something that appeals to every sci-fi fan. These 13 stories stories from the 1940s-1960s, include works by Phillip K. Dick, Jack Vance, and others, as well as Silverberg’s introduction The Making of a Science Fiction Writer, which is an interesting read and an interesting prelude to the stories.

Silverberg makes the argument that science fiction belongs within the bounds of the fantasy genre, and backs this up with several stories that have none of the expected trappings of science fiction. He further expounds on science fiction in essays that follow each story, which offer background to the author, stories, and other elements that readers may find interesting.

Most importantly, this is not a collection of what Silverberg considers to be the best science fiction writing of all time. Instead, this is a more personal volume, as the stories selected are those that moved SIlverberg, and that insight makes them all the more interesting.

While anyone who dislikes anthologies may not immediately pick this book up, if they have any interest in science fiction, they should give it a chance.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Kirsten Reviews: Tales of Majipoor by Robert Silverberg

Tales of Majipoor by Robert Silverberg

Hailed as “one of the most fully realized worlds of modern science fiction,”(Booklist) Majipoor is a planet unlike any other, with countless untold stories. Now, available for the first time in one volume, science fiction grand master Robert Silverberg presents seven tales that chronicle thousands of years of Majipoor’s history, from the arrival of the settlers of Old Earth, to the expansion of vast cities, to the extraordinary life of Lord Valentine. Within these stories lie the secrets of Majipoor, a wondrous world of incredible imagination...




Tales of Majipoor by Robert Silverberg is a somewhat uneven collection of seven stories that are set in his world ‘Majipoor.’ They are set in different time periods, some at the beginning of colonization, and others set during key events in Majipoor’s history. Others are more intimate stories, and there’s even one featuring Lord Valentine. In this review, I’ll discuss the first three stories, and leave the rest for the readers to discover on their own.

If you haven’t read any other books set in this world, there are some details that will escape you, and even some parts of the stories that may be a little frustrating. That being said, for the most part these stories stand fairly well on their own, and are a nice cross-section of different time periods and people in Majipoor.

There’s a prologue that gives new readers a brief background of Majipoor, the colonization that took place despite the presence of natives, the fact that other alien species eventually settled on Majipoor, and other details. The use of magic and technology didn’t always seem well-explained for newcomers, and it might be confusing without additional background. In fact, it seemed that at times, science fiction and fantasy were being juggled, and no balance between the two was adequately reached in any of the stories.

End of the Line Gives readers insight into how Lord Stiamot (this is where having background in the Majipoor series is helpful) became Coronal. While he has different problems in this story, he’s ultimately likeable, and by setting this as the first story, it makes later references to him as an important figure in history more interesting, because the audience has seen him before myth turned him into a symbol.

The Book of Changes features Aithin Furvain, a character much less mythic than the previous protagonist. He finds himself the ‘puppet’ responsible for authoring an epic poem about the world. He finds his cues in strange visions of a man named Valentine, and is literally given ‘notes’ on what to write. Valentine’s story comes up again, and the theme is once again ‘myth vs. reality,’ or herein ‘write your own propaganda if you want people to believe something is the truth.’

The Tomb of Pontifex Dvorn continues the theme of history. An archaeologist receives an enticing offer: being able to excavate the tomb of Dvorn, the first Pontifex, AKA, the ruler of Majipoor. While this story again lets readers gain insight into different historical events, the literary style makes it seem like something being related to an audience, and therefore isn’t easy to empathize with characters because they almost seem like characters on a stage.

This is common in several other stories, as is the abrupt inclusion of religion, magic, and the sparing use of technology, although in such a large timespan as the one covered in these stories, it seems that it would have made a much earlier appearance. Ultimately, it’s the emotional distance and uneven portrayal of the above elements that makes this collection uneven, and new readers would be advised to start with an earlier installment in the series.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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