It is a great concept to explore in a SF setting. The first half reads a bit like fantasy, which makes me want to read some of his fantasy novels. One thing is for sure, he is a great writer, great prose and easy to read, at least for me.
The first Silverberg that took the top of my head off. I video reviewed this a while back in my members area. It made a huge impression on me in 1986 in the Gollancz Classic SF edition and is up there with 'The Book of Skulls', 'Dying Inside' and 'Downward to the Earth'.
I think that if I read this 20 years ago I would have had a deeper connection with the themes, it was still great though. For me I really connected with 'Dying Inside', I think due to my age and where I'm at in my life.
I'd be curious to read some of his fantasy novels, but for the moment I have too many of his SF books to read. Someday though. I'd assume Lord Valentine would be the best place to start?
Lord Valentine's Castle is where I plan to start when I get around to trying Silverberg. So many good authors, I just want to read them all at once! Glad you enjoyed it, that makes me hopeful. I love me some science fantasy.
I am stopping @3:30 this is one I really want to read and I have still not found a copy. I will take your recommendation and read it blind when I find it.
thanks for the review. I enjoyed it. It’s stuck with me over time, but I still prefer a couple of Silverberg’s other books, namely Downward to the Earth and The Book of Skulls. I think Silverberg’s strong suit is exploring the individual’s journey through pivotal experiences rather than epic struggles or grand narratives with many threads. So, I think it’s important to approach his work with that distinction in mind.
I really enjoyed the individuals journey in Dying Inside, I think he nailed that one. This was a very unique novel, you got to love Silverberg for that. Cheers.
I was looking forward to hearing what you had to say, but I'll take you at your word and jump away. (Guess I've got to move this up the reading list too.)
All the Silverberg I’ve read has self discovery and a kind of struggle towards enlightenment theme. I usually like it but it does seem like his endings have a underwhelming quality. It’s great you found some interesting reasons for why this book may have done that. I’ll definitely have to keep it in mind. Great review!!
I think this self discovery/enlightenment theme is a very difficult thing to convincingly write about. It's something I really like reading about and I think Silverberg does a great job with it.
I loved this one but there's a moment that should have had a massive emotional impact and it didn't land for me. I won't elaborate more than that but I think you can guess what I'm talking about.
Dudes, check this out, like... Ira wears his hat facing backwards, and I wear my hat facing forwards... it's a 180 degree angle... a line... and a line stretches into infinity... this is the Enlightenment!
I'm no expert and have only read a hand full of his works but most people agree he hit his SF writing stride from the late 60's though the 70's. Maybe someone else could offer a recommendation on a great place to start but you could probably pick anything from that time period with the caveat that it might take a few novels to find a banger. My first as an adult was Dying Inside (probably one of his most well know from that period), it is hard to really classify it as SF but there are elements of SF to it. There are also some problems with the novel but I think its still my favorite of his so far.
It’s maybe unfortunate that drugs are so central to the plot of the book, because that isn’t really its message. It’s really looking at what it means to be fulfilled as a human being and how society often tries to thwart the true self.
![The Black Cloud by Fred Hoyle [Spoiler Light Review][Masterpieces of SF Ep. 78]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0o-LjYLCAIc/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Black Cloud by Fred Hoyle [Spoiler Light Review][Masterpieces of SF Ep. 78]](/img/tr.png)
Haven't read this one yet, but would definitely like to. The concepts and themes sound pretty fascinating.
It is a great concept to explore in a SF setting. The first half reads a bit like fantasy, which makes me want to read some of his fantasy novels. One thing is for sure, he is a great writer, great prose and easy to read, at least for me.
The first Silverberg that took the top of my head off. I video reviewed this a while back in my members area. It made a huge impression on me in 1986 in the Gollancz Classic SF edition and is up there with 'The Book of Skulls', 'Dying Inside' and 'Downward to the Earth'.
I think that if I read this 20 years ago I would have had a deeper connection with the themes, it was still great though. For me I really connected with 'Dying Inside', I think due to my age and where I'm at in my life.
This was my first Silverberg and I think still my favourite of the ones of his that I have read. 👍
It seems like its hard to go wrong with Silverberg during his late 60's and 70's period. Cheers Jon.
I read Lord Valentine's Castle last trip to Texas. I read it last thirty years ago. Still terrific. It's like the Stations of the Cross.
I'd be curious to read some of his fantasy novels, but for the moment I have too many of his SF books to read. Someday though. I'd assume Lord Valentine would be the best place to start?
Lord Valentine's Castle is where I plan to start when I get around to trying Silverberg. So many good authors, I just want to read them all at once! Glad you enjoyed it, that makes me hopeful. I love me some science fantasy.
@@CptSamelsSigils LVC is great, one of my faves from 2024.
I am stopping @3:30 this is one I really want to read and I have still not found a copy. I will take your recommendation and read it blind when I find it.
A classic book with a ground-breaking idea.
It was awesome to have a SF book go over some of these themes and ideas. Great read for sure.
Ira. For the Black Cloud, we're gonna shroom it up to enlighten and then discuss.
I'm down for a mind meld Nick. If Fred Hoyle was still around I'm sure he'd be down as well. You know how those astronomers like to party.
thanks for the review. I enjoyed it. It’s stuck with me over time, but I still prefer a couple of Silverberg’s other books, namely Downward to the Earth and The Book of Skulls. I think Silverberg’s strong suit is exploring the individual’s journey through pivotal experiences rather than epic struggles or grand narratives with many threads. So, I think it’s important to approach his work with that distinction in mind.
I really enjoyed the individuals journey in Dying Inside, I think he nailed that one. This was a very unique novel, you got to love Silverberg for that. Cheers.
I was looking forward to hearing what you had to say, but I'll take you at your word and jump away.
(Guess I've got to move this up the reading list too.)
I think this one would be more engaging, especially in the first half, if you go in cold. Will be interested to hear your thoughts after you read it.
All the Silverberg I’ve read has self discovery and a kind of struggle towards enlightenment theme. I usually like it but it does seem like his endings have a underwhelming quality. It’s great you found some interesting reasons for why this book may have done that. I’ll definitely have to keep it in mind. Great review!!
I think this self discovery/enlightenment theme is a very difficult thing to convincingly write about. It's something I really like reading about and I think Silverberg does a great job with it.
@@sfwordsofwonder I agree. I've read 5 or 6 of his novels and enjoyed them all.
I loved this one but there's a moment that should have had a massive emotional impact and it didn't land for me. I won't elaborate more than that but I think you can guess what I'm talking about.
Yes, I think we had some of the same thoughts. Still a great, interesting novel.
Dudes, check this out, like... Ira wears his hat facing backwards, and I wear my hat facing forwards... it's a 180 degree angle... a line... and a line stretches into infinity... this is the Enlightenment!
Now I can never turn my hat forwards.... it would break the space time continuum.
I need to find a place to start with Silverberg. I have never read anything by him.
I'm no expert and have only read a hand full of his works but most people agree he hit his SF writing stride from the late 60's though the 70's.
Maybe someone else could offer a recommendation on a great place to start but you could probably pick anything from that time period with the caveat that it might take a few novels to find a banger.
My first as an adult was Dying Inside (probably one of his most well know from that period), it is hard to really classify it as SF but there are elements of SF to it. There are also some problems with the novel but I think its still my favorite of his so far.
It’s maybe unfortunate that drugs are so central to the plot of the book, because that isn’t really its message. It’s really looking at what it means to be fulfilled as a human being and how society often tries to thwart the true self.
I like novels like this where people can pull different themes out of the story, Silverberg seems great at this kind of stuff.