Rating: 
Summary: Second Majipoor book fills in some gaps left by the 1st...
Review: A collection of short stories, Silverberg uses this book as a way to fill in or explore some historical gaps left in his first Majipoor novel. As with any collection of short stories, some will delight you, others will leave you flat, and some won't affect you at all. I can't honestly say that I disliked any of the stories contained within, but I definately liked some more than others. I especially enjoyed how the author continually reminded us that things didn't always happen the way the history books say they did. If only we had a Register of Souls here on earth!Looking at the other reviews, I would say that I am not as enthusiastic about these novels as other people, but I don't hate them either. I have only read the first three so far, but I feel that some of the shortcomings pointed out by others (i.e., poorly developed characters, over simplistic plots, etc.) do have validity, but I feel that the good points of the books far outweigh the bad. In the Majipoor novels Silverberg makes us confront some of the darker aspects of mankind and grapple with our response to them. I liked the second book the most out of the first three. Try it, and see what you think!
Rating:
Summary: Second Majipoor book fills in some gaps left by the 1st...
Review: A collection of short stories, Silverberg uses this book as a way to fill in or explore some historical gaps left in his first Majipoor novel. As with any collection of short stories, some will delight you, others will leave you flat, and some won't affect you at all. I can't honestly say that I disliked any of the stories contained within, but I definately liked some more than others. I especially enjoyed how the author continually reminded us that things didn't always happen the way the history books say they did. If only we had a Register of Souls here on earth! Looking at the other reviews, I would say that I am not as enthusiastic about these novels as other people, but I don't hate them either. I have only read the first three so far, but I feel that some of the shortcomings pointed out by others (i.e., poorly developed characters, over simplistic plots, etc.) do have validity, but I feel that the good points of the books far outweigh the bad. In the Majipoor novels Silverberg makes us confront some of the darker aspects of mankind and grapple with our response to them. I liked the second book the most out of the first three. Try it, and see what you think!
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Way to Learn About Majipoor
Review: Here Silverberg offers us the chance to experience first-person vignettes from across the thousands of years of Majipoor's history. Silverberg does an outstanding job of making historical personages come alive in such a way that, when you encounter oblique references to them in later novels you feel as if someone has just mentioned an old friend. In addition, Silverberg takes you behind the scenes at some of the pivotal moments in Majipoor's past. He crafts those events with insight and cleverness (and throws in a few surprises). The complicated and seductive world of Majipoor is even more so after the glimpses which Silverberg offers. Every story in this collection would stand alone as an enjoyable and thought-provoking reading experience. Together, they are a must-have for fans and non-fans alike.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Way to Learn About Majipoor
Review: Here Silverberg offers us the chance to experience first-person vignettes from across the thousands of years of Majipoor's history. Silverberg does an outstanding job of making historical personages come alive in such a way that, when you encounter oblique references to them in later novels you feel as if someone has just mentioned an old friend. In addition, Silverberg takes you behind the scenes at some of the pivotal moments in Majipoor's past. He crafts those events with insight and cleverness (and throws in a few surprises). The complicated and seductive world of Majipoor is even more so after the glimpses which Silverberg offers. Every story in this collection would stand alone as an enjoyable and thought-provoking reading experience. Together, they are a must-have for fans and non-fans alike.
Rating:
Summary: The best science fiction book that I have ever read.
Review: I have read this book at least 5 times. I keep going back to it because it is so rich and vivid. It is made up of several stories from different time periods on Silverbergs planet, Majipoor. Some characters are alien & some are human, but each story has a universal truth to it that is haunting. Parts of this book just stayed with me. It is truly beautiful. Robert Silverberg is a great writer and this is a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Majipoor Chronicles is Breathtaking!
Review: I loved Lord Valentine's Castle, and figured that this installment in the Majipoor series would only be a necessary stepping stone before reading another book about Valentine. Little did I know how incredible and thorough this book would be, or how deeply affected I would be by the wonderful memories of the characters in the Registry of Souls. All of the stories are wonderful, though Inyanna Forlana's and Arioc's are by far my favorites. And the broad view of Majipoor you get through this book is perfect preparation for Valentine Pontifex. Silverberg's story-telling is rich, vivid, and complex, and this book will remain one of my favorites for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Majipoor Chronicles is Breathtaking!
Review: I loved Lord Valentine's Castle, and figured that this installment in the Majipoor series would only be a necessary stepping stone before reading another book about Valentine. Little did I know how incredible and thorough this book would be, or how deeply affected I would be by the wonderful memories of the characters in the Registry of Souls. All of the stories are wonderful, though Inyanna Forlana's and Arioc's are by far my favorites. And the broad view of Majipoor you get through this book is perfect preparation for Valentine Pontifex. Silverberg's story-telling is rich, vivid, and complex, and this book will remain one of my favorites for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful
Review: I stumbled across this second book in the Majipoor series, and read it before I read the other books in the series. What an introduction! When Silverberg is on, there is no greater science fiction/fantasy writer, which is, obviously, high praise indeed. After letting this book sit on the shelf a few years, I lent it out to a 'friend'. Of course, I never got it back, so I had to hunt it down again. And when I got it for the second time, I thought I'd leaf through it again. A week of intermittent reading later, I finished it for the second time. It was not a disappointment. Wow. This is as good as SF gets. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful
Review: I stumbled across this second book in the Majipoor series, and read it before I read the other books in the series. What an introduction! When Silverberg is on, there is no greater science fiction/fantasy writer, which is, obviously, high praise indeed. After letting this book sit on the shelf a few years, I lent it out to a 'friend'. Of course, I never got it back, so I had to hunt it down again. And when I got it for the second time, I thought I'd leaf through it again. A week of intermittent reading later, I finished it for the second time. It was not a disappointment. Wow. This is as good as SF gets. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Majipoor is Great!
Review: Over the course of 20 years of my occasional forays into SF, Silverberg's "Majipoor Chronicles" stands out for me as one of the best I have read. In the fascinating world of Majipoor, Silverberg has created a huge canvas on which to paint numerous fascinating stories that cover a wide range of emotion and adventure. I have read this book numerous times, and find it fascinating each time.
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