Rating: 
Summary: probably the best SF author of all time
Review: All the world created by C.S. is full of human feeling, something not much found un the world of SF. Every story is the expresion of your mental state, independly of the time. Is LITERATURE, NOT ONLY STORIES OF COHETES.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest
Review: As another reviewer noted, it is too bad that the complete works of this great man are not fully available. I discovered him quite by accident in an "annual" of short stories. "A Planet Called Shayol" was the only science fiction story I've ever read that brought tears to my eyes; I had to close the book for a while. That doesn't often happen when reading any book, much less science fiction work.I stongly recommend "Quest of the Three Worlds"; unbelievable that someone could imagine that universe and then write about it so well. That said, Norstrilia is a rolicking good time book with rich underlying stories-within-stories. Fun, but deep stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading at all schools!
Review: As well as agreeing with the other reviews, I would like to comment on the 'feel' of the universe created by the author. It is not just a setting for stories, but a rich tapestry of the evolution of human emotion and understanding. From the first story 'No, No, Not Rogov' to the final 'The lords of the afternoon', it shows the triumph of the homan spirit. These stories move me like no others have. Read his books and you will be changed forever.
Rating:
Summary: An Undiscovered Classic
Review: Cordwainer Smith belongs to a rare group of truly original voices in the world of speculative fiction. In real life, a covert operative, graduate instructor of international studies at Johns Hopkins, advisor to the President, and all around worldly fellow (right down to the eye patch)...in fiction, a gifted writer of short stories and this one novel...a novel I've read many times over the years and each time I find new marvels...if you haven't discovered CS, read Nostrillia, then move on to his short stories...how i envy the discovery that awaits you.
Rating:
Summary: An Undiscovered Classic
Review: Cordwainer Smith belongs to a rare group of truly original voices in the world of speculative fiction. In real life, a covert operative, graduate instructor of international studies at Johns Hopkins, advisor to the President, and all around worldly fellow (right down to the eye patch)...in fiction, a gifted writer of short stories and this one novel...a novel I've read many times over the years and each time I find new marvels...if you haven't discovered CS, read Nostrillia, then move on to his short stories...how i envy the discovery that awaits you.
Rating:
Summary: An imaginative and poetic work, highly recommended
Review: Cordwainer Smith creates a fascinating universe filled with curiosities for us to wonder at. From Stroon, the drug that prolongs life, to Norstrilia itself, the planet protected by "Mother Hutton's Littul Kittons". Rob, a broadbander, the Onseck his enemy who wants to kill him and the Girly-Girl C'mell all run together to form a exquisite wine that can be drunk over and over. The book is imaginative and surprising, an example the idea of using a slave of Snake and Human genetics to prevent people eavesdropping on a conversation because it would frighten them too much! I first read this book over 10 years ago and immeadiately fell in love with Cordwainer's writing. If you like your books to be filled with gore, Smith is not for you. If you love poetry, Smith excels at that. Read the book, I feel certain that you will be as engrossed as I was the first time I read it!
Rating:
Summary: A tragedy there's only one novel from this genius
Review: Cordwainer Smith deserves the widest possible recognition. Perhaps the most highly literary of all science fiction writers before the New Wave of the sixties (and still, for my money, a better read than most of that failed revolutionary literature), Smith's single novel "Norstrilia" is utterly unlike any other science fiction novel. Rod McBan becomes the richest man in the universe through the economic warfare of his inherited computer; the novel largely concerns itself with the need to survive the acquisition of wealth. Funny, poetic, and touching, "Norstrilia" is a bittersweet read, because it starts to show how Smith would have continued the expansion and collation of his future history, the Instrumentality of Mankind. Unfortunately, his early death deprived us of what would have been the most lyrical of all future histories. At least we have his stories, which is where any new reader should start (there's a new collection in print now); much of the emotional resonance of the novel comes from recognizing characters from the shorter works, especially the cat-girl C'mell. When you're done with those shorter glories, then come to "Norstrilia" and experience the longest swim in Smith's pool. You won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: A tragedy there's only one novel from this genius
Review: Cordwainer Smith deserves the widest possible recognition. Perhaps the most highly literary of all science fiction writers before the New Wave of the sixties (and still, for my money, a better read than most of that failed revolutionary literature), Smith's single novel "Norstrilia" is utterly unlike any other science fiction novel. Rod McBan becomes the richest man in the universe through the economic warfare of his inherited computer; the novel largely concerns itself with the need to survive the acquisition of wealth. Funny, poetic, and touching, "Norstrilia" is a bittersweet read, because it starts to show how Smith would have continued the expansion and collation of his future history, the Instrumentality of Mankind. Unfortunately, his early death deprived us of what would have been the most lyrical of all future histories. At least we have his stories, which is where any new reader should start (there's a new collection in print now); much of the emotional resonance of the novel comes from recognizing characters from the shorter works, especially the cat-girl C'mell. When you're done with those shorter glories, then come to "Norstrilia" and experience the longest swim in Smith's pool. You won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: One of the finest SF novels of all time
Review: Cordwainer Smith was a lot of things in real life --
a professor of Eastern studies at Johns Hopkins by day,
a consultant to the CIA by night. Author of the
definitive book on psychological warfare. A committed
Christian. And a guy who wrote science fiction
in his spare time.
In terms of sheer imaginative energy, it doesn't get any
better than this.
Ross Pavlac
Rating:
Summary: One of the finest SF novels of all time
Review: Cordwainer Smith was a lot of things in real life --a professor of Eastern studies at Johns Hopkins by day,a consultant to the CIA by night. Author of the definitive book on psychological warfare. A committed Christian. And a guy who wrote science fiction in his spare time. In terms of sheer imaginative energy, it doesn't get any better than this. Ross Pavlac
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