Nova

Rating:
Summary: BUY THIS INSTANTLY
Review: Sorry for shouting, but the fact that this book is out of print is simply ludicrous. This is one of the true classics of science fiction, a book good enough to be loved not only by avid SF fans but by any literate person. Nova is one of those books that can be read as a simple adventure story (although the exposition and the social theories are a little excessive for that, the story is at least as exciting as, say, Star Wars), as allegory or as 'conceptual' science fiction. Wonderful obsessed characters that Shakespeare might have written, great predictions of human-machine interfaces in society, and some truly unusual theories about hygiene make this a fantastic read. Get this back in print, and buy it if you can find it.

Rating:
Summary: BUY THIS INSTANTLY
Review: Sorry for shouting, but the fact that this book is out of print is simply ludicrous. This is one of the true classics of science fiction, a book good enough to be loved not only by avid SF fans but by any literate person. Nova is one of those books that can be read as a simple adventure story (although the exposition and the social theories are a little excessive for that, the story is at least as exciting as, say, Star Wars), as allegory or as 'conceptual' science fiction. Wonderful obsessed characters that Shakespeare might have written, great predictions of human-machine interfaces in society, and some truly unusual theories about hygiene make this a fantastic read. Get this back in print, and buy it if you can find it.

Rating:
Summary: Ahead of its Time, and Very Cool.
Review: This is one of my favorite sci-fi novels. I've read it many times and am very fortunate to own a copy. It contains one of the first descriptions of complex man-computer-machine interfaces -- something Herbert alluded to but wouldn't elaborate upon in "Dune". Delany even included some gypsy culture and thieving with the Mouse character. There's also a nice socialite atmosphere. And there's no hesitation about including futuristic drug culture, too. Very believable stuff. It could make a very good film.

Rating:
Summary: Hard to imagine that this is out of print
Review: This is one of the great science fiction novels in the old sense---spaceships and space empires, and the little people against great forces. However, the weird pantheon of characters, proto-cyberpunk elements, sexual undercurrents, and (in places) parody of Galactic Lensman-like space operas, shows the evolution of science fiction. A transitional novel for Samuel Delany.

Rating:
Summary: Delany's Peak
Review: This was the best of Delany's SF books, meaning before the sexual and philosophical excesses took over, ...Delany was at the height of his powers, drunk on language, myth, space opera. This is one of the best SF books ever written--and one of the most fun. We can only wonder what other wonderful gifts Delany might have given us, had he continued in this vein. Instead, he disappointed us all by moving into post-modern, post-sexual, deconstructive claptrap. Such a waste! I can't believe anyone actually ENJOYS "Triton" or "Dhalgren" YUCK!