Updates: Recent Science Fiction Purchases No. CCCXLII (Robert Silverberg, C. L. Moore, Henry Kuttner, Peter Tate, and Thomas Burnett Swann)

Which books/covers/authors intrigue you? Which have you read? Disliked? Enjoyed?

1. Tom O’Bedlam, Robert Silverberg (1985)

• Jim Burns’ cover for the 1986 edition

From the back cover: “MESSIAH OR MADMAN? It is 2103 and Tom O’Bedlam, madman, prophet, and visionary, wanders through California, dwelling place of the last humans on a continent decimated by radioactive dust. Tom, caught up in a living vision of distant worlds ruled by godlike beings, is the herald of a new age, a herald no one wants to hear until others too begin to dream of salvation beyond the stars. Yet while many dream, only tom has the power to make the wondrous visions real, to give people the ultimate escape they desire. Across the universe they must go… if Tom is humanity’s last hope–and not its final destroyer.”

Initial Thoughts: Just rounding out my pre-1985 Silverberg collection as he’s a favorite of mine!

2. Line to Tomorrow, C. L. Moore and Henry Kuttner (as Lewis Padgett) (1954)

• Mitchell Hooks’ cover for the 1st edition

Inside description: “The world of Lewis Padgett-a world where anything can happen and usually does–where the unreal is made real–the improbably made possible.

Where ordinary people do extraordinary things–where a man can own a radio that washes dishes, father a superman, or eavesdrop on a telephone conversation between people who haven’t been born.

It’s a weird, wild, but strangely real world. Once you enter it, you won’t want to leave.”

Contents: “Line to Tomorrow” (1945), “A Gnome There Was” (1950), “What You Need” (1945), “Private Eye” (1949), “The Twonky” (1942), “Compliments of the Author” (1942), “When the Bough Breaks” (1944).

Initial Thoughts: Ever since I read their collection Clash by Night and Other Stories (1980) (and the joys of the 1946 shocker “Vintage Season”) I’ve been eager to track down more of their co-written fiction. Despite my dislike of “When the Bough Breaks” (1944)…

3. How Are the Mighty Fallen, Thomas Burnett Swann (1974)

• George Barr’s cover for the 1974 edition

Back Cover: “Cyclops and sirens, halfmen and godlings… That of which myths are made and that from which worship arises–these are the materials Thomas Burnett Swann weaves together in the fantasy-historical tapestry of this new novel, which he considers to be his most important work to date.

For the author of Green Phoenix and The Forest of Forever now tells of a queen of ancient Judea who was more than human, of her son who became legend, of their cyclopean nemesis whose name became synonymous with colossus, and of loves and loyalties and combats fixed forever in the foundations of human society.

The ever-growing audience that Thomas Burnett Swann has gathered for his unique novels will find How Are the Mighty Fallen a new fantasy fiction experience.”

Initial Thoughts: I still have yet to read any of his work. I saw reference to his brand of fantasy crop up in a few articles about sexuality in SF — he seemed very open to integrating gay characters.

4. The Thinking Seat, Peter Tate (magazine 1966, novelized 1967)

• John Faragasso’s cover for the 1969 edition

From the back cover: “It is only 1973. Yet the beautiful California coast has undergone a tragic metamorphosis. Progress has arrived in the form of a large desalinization plant transforming the majestic tides into fresh water units, the rugged coastline into lush, green Edens. Most people accept the change as a necessity for survival.

Then a man named Simeon and a devoted girl disciple arrived in the coastal town of Playa 9. Simeon begins to preach against man’s subjugation of nature. Soon he becomes the prophet of a counter-culture group called the Budkins. Most of the other citizens regard him as a harmless nut… except the powerful group of men who all themselves Co-Ordinated Interest Association. For them Simeon represents an encroching [sic] menace that must be stopped.”

Initial Thoughts: Tate is a New Wave author whom I have only recently had my eyes on. I am all for SF that engages (in positive or negative ways) with the Counterculture so I hope to get to this one this year. For the Galactic Journey‘s take–here.

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#1950s #1960s #1980s #bookReviews #CLMoore #HenryKuttner #PeterTate #RobertSilverberg #sciFi #scienceFiction #ThomasBurnettSwann