- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: ibooks Inc (17 April 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 074341294X
- ISBN-13: 978-0743412940
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 13.7 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,505,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
"A virtual primer on the writing of science fiction." Publishers Weekly"
Product Description
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.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
I must have been a peculiar little boy. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
I must have been a peculiar little boy. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some classic stories + +,
This review is from: Science Fiction 101: Where to Start Reading and Writing Science Fiction (Paperback)
The covers of the book promised that the book was three books in one. And it is! The included stories are genuine classics, and Robert Silverberg's commentaries afterward definitely added to my enjoyment of them. It is also interesting to read the autobiographical parts of the book, and his noting the techniques which are being used in each story, and how he approached the struggles of teaching himself how to write. Despite being a re-release of a book originally published a few decades ago, it still stands up well today, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to a) read some fine stories like 'Scanners die in vain', 'Monsters', 'No Woman Born' + b) Wants to know a little about the processes/history involved in writing the stories and c) See how Robert Silverberg became a big cheese of science fiction. Recommended!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews) 26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learn from a master.,
By Joe Haldeman - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Science Fiction 101: Where to Start Reading and Writing Science Fiction (Paperback)
I've used this book twice, teaching science fiction writing at MIT, and will use it a third time this year. It's an excellent introduction to "Golden Age" science fiction, with thoughtful analysis of each story by Silverberg, explaining why each was important to his development as a writer.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lessons from a Master,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Science Fiction 101: Where to Start Reading and Writing Science Fiction (Paperback)
As the blurb on the book says, there really is something for any science fiction fan in here. You may choose to skip the first part where Silverberg talks about his entry into the wrold of SF writing, though, as a writer myself, I enjoyed it a great deal. It's a warm reminiscence not onlyof a young writer finding his voice but of those halcyon days of the so-called Golden and Silver Ages of science fiction.The stories themselves are a terrific collection and include some true masterpieces of short story writing, some of which are rarely anthologised. Just go to the sample pages above to check out the contents list. I defy any SF fan not to enjoy most of these stories. Then there are the essays on the stories, where Silverberg deconstructs and analyses the stories (without, I should add, in any way detracting from them). This isn't a case of the illusion being spoiled when you look at how it's done. I came away from them only more admiring of the skills and imaginations of the writers. As to those who accuse this of being an ego exercise by Silverberg I can only say they obviously miss the point. There's a clear love of the craft and art of science fiction at work here. Silverberg tells us plainly that he chose these stories not because they are the all-time greats of the genre necessarily (though some actually are - and for a fuller list of such stories see Silverberg's anthology The Science Fiction Hall of Fame vol.1. The greatest SF short stories as chosen by the SF Writers Association). These are the stories that a fledgling writer was moved by, astounded by, impressed and dazzled by. We all have our own lists of such stories and they often include ones that wouldn't be on anyone else's list. Doesn't make them bad choices, just personal ones. And frankly, if someone as talented as Robert Silverberg, an author and editor who's proven his talent time and again in this field, by any standard, hasn't earned the right after forty years of writing to do a collection like this, then I don't know who has. There are any number of authors who have projected their own egos into their works. Harlan Ellison does it all the time and is wonderfully entertaining at it. The great Isaac Asimov published three thick volumes of autobiography that are a pleasure to read. Any editor who puts together an anthology projects their own tastes into it. The proof is ultimately in the work itself. And it's certainly on display here. End of sermon. Do yourself a favour. Read this book. Maybe, Like Robert Silverberg, some of these stories will inspire you enough to begin writing yourself. Or at least to read more. And that can't be a bad thing. 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Collection,
By "jradoff" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Science Fiction 101: Where to Start Reading and Writing Science Fiction (Paperback)
This is a superb collection of some of the finest short works of science fiction.Some of my favorite stories are included here: "Fondly Fahrenheit," Bester, one of science fiction's most beautiful examples of rhythm and poetic styling. "Hothouse," Aldiss, an example of a future Earth that will fill you with awe. "Day Million," Pohl, the classic boy-meets-girl story of the distant future. The others are good as well, but the above tales are worth the price of the book alone. Add in Silverberg's commentary, and you've got a treasure-trove. |
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