- Hardcover: 245 pages
- Publisher: Scribner; 1st Edition edition (Nov 1972)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0684130831
- ISBN-13: 978-0684130835
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,488,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Dying Inside (S.F. Masterworks)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Imagine what it would be like if you could tell what the innermost thoughts and feelings of those around you were. Imagine if, as you reached middle age, you lost that ability. What would it do to you to be like everyone else?
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
Robert Silverberg (1935 - ) Robert Silverberg was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1935, and is one of the most prolific authors of all time, writing not just SF & Fantasy, but extensive non-fiction and a large number of pseudonymously published erotica novels. In his first years as a professional writer, his output regularly exceeded a million words per year. He has won and been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards dozens of times as both writer and editor, and in 2004 received the SFWA Grand Master Award. Among his many acclaimed and bestselling novels are A Time of Changes, The Book of Skulls, Dying Inside and Lord Valentine's Castle. Robert Silverberg lives on the West Coast of the United States with his wife, author, editor and art critic, Karen Haber.
--This text refers to the
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Dying Inside is a brilliant snapshot of a telepath on the verge of losing his powers. There isn’t much of a plot but the protagonist David Selig and his relationships are so interesting that you don’t really need one. I don’t enjoy reading about heroes and how they save the world from doom. This story is one of those novels about the ‘lazy-bum’ anti-hero that I like and his downtrodden, self-loathing attitude appeals to my sense of justice and underdog spirit.
David Selig makes his money by writing lazy Columbia students’ term papers for them. By reading their minds he can quickly learn about their writing styles and the capacity with which they would be able to write it if they did it themselves. Through flashbacks we learn of Selig’s previous relationships especially with his sister. Here Silverberg is spot on in his wry observations of adoption and how it affects step-siblings.
David Selig makes his money by writing lazy Columbia students’ term papers for them. By reading their minds he can quickly learn about their writing styles and the capacity with which they would be able to write it if they did it themselves. Through flashbacks we learn of Selig’s previous relationships especially with his sister. Here Silverberg is spot on in his wry observations of adoption and how it affects step-siblings.
The best parts of the novel are where we get to see Selig make use of his telepathy. One of his ‘customers’ is a giant, black, basketball player. Through probing his mind we see the burning hatred inside him (a black being put down by a Jew in his opinion) which touches on race issues but never becomes preachy. Also there is a flashback to his youth where he has to fight a much larger opponent in a boxing match. He uses his power effectively to dodge the punches but his satisfaction is muted by the fact that the other kids think him weird. (Kinda like in Spiderman when Tobey Maguire beats somebody up in the school hallway).
Overall very good – 8.5/10
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am certain that everyone has at some point wished that they could read minds, it's one of those childhood dreams that often sticks way into adulthood when we still wonder about what each other is really thinking about. Dying Inside shows the torment that such a power could bring, as the main character David, upon realising that his power is abating speaks about how his life has been affected and in some ways ruined by it.
This book was far more intimate and emotional than I had initially expected. David recalls his life in a very matter-of-fact sort of a way, which is probably what gives the novel its power because it seems all the more real that way, the way things are explained suggests the inhuman apathy that a telepath could inhibit. What is steadily revealed is that his ability prevents him from being close to any other person, and in the same breath omnipotently intimate and aware of their most private thoughts. What makes the story even more real is that David is not an especially pitiable nor likeable person. The story demonstrates that his power manages to alienate him from society rendering him a mere supernatural voyeur who in spite of his intelligence lives a very meagre and solitary life.
I found this book an unexpected pleasure, even though in some places it can be quite sexually graphic, and some may say that the story does not go anywhere, it is more about becoming aquainted with David's personality, so you can understand just what it is that he is loosing.
This book was far more intimate and emotional than I had initially expected. David recalls his life in a very matter-of-fact sort of a way, which is probably what gives the novel its power because it seems all the more real that way, the way things are explained suggests the inhuman apathy that a telepath could inhibit. What is steadily revealed is that his ability prevents him from being close to any other person, and in the same breath omnipotently intimate and aware of their most private thoughts. What makes the story even more real is that David is not an especially pitiable nor likeable person. The story demonstrates that his power manages to alienate him from society rendering him a mere supernatural voyeur who in spite of his intelligence lives a very meagre and solitary life.
I found this book an unexpected pleasure, even though in some places it can be quite sexually graphic, and some may say that the story does not go anywhere, it is more about becoming aquainted with David's personality, so you can understand just what it is that he is loosing.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I initially read this book about four years ago and it made a lasting impression, so I re-read it again recently and found it just as absorbing.
One thing should be pointed out from the start as one reviewer has noted, this isn't full-on SF. Steer clear if that's what you're looking for (incidentally there are other books in S.F. Masterworks series that are not hard SF e.g. I am Legend). I should also add that I do not personally believe in the existence of powers such as telepathy or ESP! So, to the book itself...
Dying Inside charts the life of 41 year old David Selig and his gift/curse of being able to read people's minds. It explores his struggle for self-understanding and the manner in which his ability both elevates and alienates him from humanity. The story is told through a variety of narrative devices such as the re-reading of old letters, flashbacks to past events, and Selig's present situation as his power begins to ebb away. The themes dealt with in the novel are intensely human and concern love, rejection and acceptance, ageing, and what it means to understand and know others. I found Silverberg's approach to the concept of telepathy to be intensely vivid and convincing, as Selig veers from God-like omnipotence with his power through to being a despairing misfit; all of which is expressed through Selig's day-to-day life and encounters, such as his relationships, work and social identity.
In structure the novel does not follow any real plot and at times it lacks cohesion, but this seems to work in the novel's favour as it mirrors and reflects Selig's character. It also contains some beautiful descriptive writing (particularly toward the end of the novel). To put the novel into context, it was published in 1972 in a decade where the author hit a rich vein of form, with books such as The Man in the Maze and The Stochastic Man.
Overall, on a personal level this remains one of my favourite SF novels. If you're looking for a futuristic storyline, built around science and technology then this won't be for you. But if this and the other reviews intrigue you then I'd certainly recommend you give it a read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The essential early mid-life crisis sci-fi novel
Let's be honest - it's a guys book.
But what a book.
If you're male, over 30, read it.
Fantastic.
But what a book.
If you're male, over 30, read it.
Fantastic.
Published 4 months ago by Dr. At Morley
Brilliant
I had never heard of this book and only stumbled upon it when checking out which of the SF Masterworks series were available to Download to my newly purchased Kindle. Read more
Published 6 months ago by A. C. Green
Among the Finest Novels of Science Fiction: A Most Gripping and...
Long hailed as a classic of 1970s science fiction literature, Robert Silverberg's "Dying Inside" is an emotionally riveting character study of a telepath confronting the loss of... Read more
Published 18 months ago by John Kwok
Almost one of a kind, and a good read as well
This is not a standard science fiction book, if indeed there is any such thing. For this reason some may dismiss it merely on the grounds that does not fit into neat categories. Read more
Published on 3 May 2009 by D. D. Stretch
Excellent
One of the finest SF novels in the SF masterworks series. This is not hard-science SF, it is more human based rather than science. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2009 by Johnny London
Serious work of "Inner Space" fiction
Anyone who likes science fiction which is a platform for strongly characterised, introspective point of view fiction should check out this book. Fans of I Am Legend (S.F. Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2008 by Lark
dying inside
I really enjoyed this novel about a man (David Selig) who has the ability to read peoples minds, it shows the advantages and disadvantages of this ability, it's a very interesting... Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2008 by Mr. A. Jones
Great SF Novel
I really love the SF Masterworks collection. This book was a present from my wife as she know I love science fiction. Read more
Published on 28 April 2007 by Mr. C. J. Starkey
Dying Inside - I was after reading this
How do the publishers claim that this is science fiction?. There is no science in this book at all, just the story of a neurotic mind reader. Read more
Published on 12 May 2005 by "johnfrederickwhite"
Good on every level
It is Manhattan, 1976 and David Selig is looking back on his life, a story which is delivered to us in first person, sometimes personally addressing a long-lost love in the hope... Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2003 by Rod Williams
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