Rating: 
Summary: Best Silverberg novel in years. 4+ stars
Review: _________________________________________
The Alien Years" has been long in gestation - regular Silverberg
readers will recognize parts of at least 5 previously-published
stories [1], dating back to 1987. It's his best SF novel in many
years; maybe his best yet? Silverberg dedicates the book
to HG Wells - this is the centennial year of "War of the
Worlds" - and, in this 10th year after Heinlein's death, it can
hardly be coincidence that the patriarchal protagonist is named "Anson" [2]. The Aliens land "seven years from now", touching off massive
brush fires in the LA basin and, shortly thereafter, seismic changes
in humanity's place on our home planet. The alien Entities pay
little attention to humans, but any attack on them triggers
massive retaliation. Human institutions simply fall apart after the
Conquest. This is a long way from ID4 or the optimistic
Campbellian invasions of yore . Silverberg is working in terrain
similar to Wm. Barton's "When Heaven Fell", but with a more
elegaic tone, something like "Earth Abides" -- or "Nightwings". "The Alien Years" is told thru the viewpoints of the Carmichaels,
an old California clan headed by a patriarchal Vietnam-era
Colonel. Thru 50 years of Entity rule, the Carmichaels never quite
give up hope or the memory of freedom. They are active in a
nominal Resistance, but real resistance is almost unthinkable - the
last, futile military attack on the Entities resulted in the death of
half of humanity. We see the gradual passing of people who grew
up free, and new generations coming of age who have known
nothing but the unpredictable rule and irresistible whims of the
Entities and their quisling government. Silverberg weaves a rich
tapestry of life and love, birth and death, hope and despair. Highly
recommended. Look for it on the award ballots. Silverberg's best work in this decade has been short-form [3] - in
particular the spectacular novellas "Letters from Atlantis" (1990),
"Lion Time in Timbuctoo" (1990), and "Thebes of the Hundred
Gates" (1992) -- historical fantasies all. He has written that he
doesn't really want to keep up with sci/tech to write cutting-edge
sf, but he's zigged before. I'm pleased to see him return to the
heart of his home genre.
----------------
Note 1). The stories I recognized include: The Pardoner's Tale (1987)
Chip Runner (1989)
--the opening chapter, fighting the brushfire, Title??
Beauty in the Night (1997)
On the Inside (1997)
The Colonel in Autumn (1998) As might be expected of an artist of Silverberg's stature, these
stories are seamlessly integrated into the novel. This is not a
"fixup" in the usual sense. Note 2). -- the "A" in "RAH" - as if you didn't know. Note 3). Indeed, I could argue that all of his best work is novella-
length or shorter. My current all-time Silverberg favorite is the
brilliant novelette "Enter a Soldier. Later: Enter Another" (1989). review copyright 1998 by Peter D. Tillman
Rating:
Summary: Best Silverberg novel in years. 4+ stars
Review: _________________________________________
The Alien Years" has been long in gestation - regular Silverberg
readers will recognize parts of at least 5 previously-published
stories [1], dating back to 1987. It's his best SF novel in many
years; maybe his best yet? Silverberg dedicates the book
to HG Wells - this is the centennial year of "War of the
Worlds" - and, in this 10th year after Heinlein's death, it can
hardly be coincidence that the patriarchal protagonist is named "Anson" [2]. The Aliens land "seven years from now", touching off massive
brush fires in the LA basin and, shortly thereafter, seismic changes
in humanity's place on our home planet. The alien Entities pay
little attention to humans, but any attack on them triggers
massive retaliation. Human institutions simply fall apart after the
Conquest. This is a long way from ID4 or the optimistic
Campbellian invasions of yore . Silverberg is working in terrain
similar to Wm. Barton's "When Heaven Fell", but with a more
elegaic tone, something like "Earth Abides" -- or "Nightwings". "The Alien Years" is told thru the viewpoints of the Carmichaels,
an old California clan headed by a patriarchal Vietnam-era
Colonel. Thru 50 years of Entity rule, the Carmichaels never quite
give up hope or the memory of freedom. They are active in a
nominal Resistance, but real resistance is almost unthinkable - the
last, futile military attack on the Entities resulted in the death of
half of humanity. We see the gradual passing of people who grew
up free, and new generations coming of age who have known
nothing but the unpredictable rule and irresistible whims of the
Entities and their quisling government. Silverberg weaves a rich
tapestry of life and love, birth and death, hope and despair. Highly
recommended. Look for it on the award ballots. Silverberg's best work in this decade has been short-form [3] - in
particular the spectacular novellas "Letters from Atlantis" (1990),
"Lion Time in Timbuctoo" (1990), and "Thebes of the Hundred
Gates" (1992) -- historical fantasies all. He has written that he
doesn't really want to keep up with sci/tech to write cutting-edge
sf, but he's zigged before. I'm pleased to see him return to the
heart of his home genre.
----------------
Note 1). The stories I recognized include: The Pardoner's Tale (1987)
Chip Runner (1989)
--the opening chapter, fighting the brushfire, Title??
Beauty in the Night (1997)
On the Inside (1997)
The Colonel in Autumn (1998) As might be expected of an artist of Silverberg's stature, these
stories are seamlessly integrated into the novel. This is not a
"fixup" in the usual sense. Note 2). -- the "A" in "RAH" - as if you didn't know. Note 3). Indeed, I could argue that all of his best work is novella-
length or shorter. My current all-time Silverberg favorite is the
brilliant novelette "Enter a Soldier. Later: Enter Another" (1989). review copyright 1998 by Peter D. Tillman
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