I discovered Bob Shaw in 1984 when I was 16, when I purchased and read Orbitsville, which looked really cool as a Granada paperback with a Tim White cover. It was the most profound reaction to an SF novel I had had, up to that point. I read Night Walk, The Two Timers, Ground Zero Man, Who Goes Here?, The Ragged Astronauts - and a Wreath of Stars - not long after, and Bob Shaw became my favourite SF writer for the longest time. Only Shadow of Heaven really disappointed me, among that first early batch of Bob Shaw books I found - I learned that he wasn't going to impress me every single time, but certainly most of the time. Vertigo is another one that didn't really work for me...but in contrast to that, some of his lesser-known, lesser-revered books work better for me than a lot of readers: Medusa's Children, The Ceres Solution, Fire Pattern, Orbitsville sequels. Is Shaw my fave SF writer, as of 2024? I guess he has managed to stay put, at the top, if I think of how much by any author I have read, versus my reactions to their books. Many of my favourite SF novels that compete with Shaw are cases where I have not read much else, or maybe anything, by whichever author. A re-read of Orbitsville - not to mention Dagger of the Mind, and Other Days, Other Eyes - has shown me some blemishes that were not picked up by 16-year-old me - but I certainly agree with you...the writing style is endearing, refreshing, at times sublime.
I was so impressed - but then I read Ground Zero Man and it really, really did not work for me at all. Not giving up on Shaw, because his writing is so nice, but I will approach my next Shaw with caution. It is interesting how influential an early read can be, one that catches you at just the right time, especially early in you reading career. I have several books I adored without reservation when I was a teenager. Now, as an adult I can see the flaws but then it was just one's mind being opened in a whole new direction.
I discovered Bob Shaw in 1984 when I was 16, when I purchased and read Orbitsville, which looked really cool as a Granada paperback with a Tim White cover. It was the most profound reaction to an SF novel I had had, up to that point. I read Night Walk, The Two Timers, Ground Zero Man, Who Goes Here?, The Ragged Astronauts - and a Wreath of Stars - not long after, and Bob Shaw became my favourite SF writer for the longest time. Only Shadow of Heaven really disappointed me, among that first early batch of Bob Shaw books I found - I learned that he wasn't going to impress me every single time, but certainly most of the time. Vertigo is another one that didn't really work for me...but in contrast to that, some of his lesser-known, lesser-revered books work better for me than a lot of readers: Medusa's Children, The Ceres Solution, Fire Pattern, Orbitsville sequels.
Is Shaw my fave SF writer, as of 2024? I guess he has managed to stay put, at the top, if I think of how much by any author I have read, versus my reactions to their books. Many of my favourite SF novels that compete with Shaw are cases where I have not read much else, or maybe anything, by whichever author. A re-read of Orbitsville - not to mention Dagger of the Mind, and Other Days, Other Eyes - has shown me some blemishes that were not picked up by 16-year-old me - but I certainly agree with you...the writing style is endearing, refreshing, at times sublime.
I was so impressed - but then I read Ground Zero Man and it really, really did not work for me at all. Not giving up on Shaw, because his writing is so nice, but I will approach my next Shaw with caution.
It is interesting how influential an early read can be, one that catches you at just the right time, especially early in you reading career. I have several books I adored without reservation when I was a teenager. Now, as an adult I can see the flaws but then it was just one's mind being opened in a whole new direction.
Ashamed to say I've never read any Shaw and him an Irish like myself. Will keep my eye out for him now.
This one was certainly a great read - I have two more on the shelf to go.