Category Archives: Fiction

Book review: “Diving into the Wreck” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

I’ve been reading a lot more fiction since my Covid-19 lockdown began on 13th March. My interests are quite varied but I often return to my first love, science fiction – and I’m pleased to say that this 2013 tale from Kristine Kathryn Rusch did not disappoint! I’ve had a soft spot for stories likeContinue reading “Book review: “Diving into the Wreck” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch”

I was determined to finish reading “The Best of Isaac Asimov” before Christmas…

From my earlier blog on 24/12/19: … and I really enoyed it! I have a huge soft spot for early, post-WW2 SF, and this collection, chosen by Asimov, did not disappoint. The book collects 12 stories from 1939 to 1972 that he considered to be good stories spanning three decades of writing: “… two earlyContinue reading “I was determined to finish reading “The Best of Isaac Asimov” before Christmas…”

I enjoyed re-reading Nigel Kneale’s 1979 novel “Quatermass”.

from my original blog on 12/12/19: I first encountered this story as the TV serial that is advertised on the front cover. To my childhood eyes it seemed quite possible for Britain in the late ’70s and early ’80s to collapse into the anarchic state being shown. Five years of Labour Party governance (Harold WilsonContinue reading “I enjoyed re-reading Nigel Kneale’s 1979 novel “Quatermass”.”

I have just re-read Michael Crichton’s “The Andromeda Strain” (1969) and totally enjoyed it…

from my original blog on 1/12/19:  I first became aware of Michael Crichton’s story “The Andromeda Strain” through the 1971 film starring Arthur Hill, David Wayne, James Olsen and Kate Reid. Having seen the film, I wanted to read the book, and was not disappopinted with it! I’ve just read it again about thirty yearsContinue reading “I have just re-read Michael Crichton’s “The Andromeda Strain” (1969) and totally enjoyed it…”

Alien 3 – The Unproduced Screenplay…

From my earlier blog on 23/11/19: I thought I had missed getting a first edition copy of this but found one by chance in a local bookstore today – fantastic! I like the filmed version of Alien 3 – it felt rather British, which appealed to me. I also enjoyed reading Gibson’s script and nowContinue reading “Alien 3 – The Unproduced Screenplay…”

I have just finished reading “Gravity” (1999) by Tess Gerritsen – I’m so pleased that I did, it is one of the very best science fiction novels I have ever read!

from my original blog on 8/10/19:  However, it’s a miracle that I ever picked this wonderful book up. What were Harper thinking when they published it in this cover? That image speaks to no genre, certainly not sci fi (in my opinion). Even today HarperCollins still seem to be misplacing this book. Amazon lists itContinue reading “I have just finished reading “Gravity” (1999) by Tess Gerritsen – I’m so pleased that I did, it is one of the very best science fiction novels I have ever read!”

I’ve just re-read James Herbet’s 1975 novel ‘The Fog’…

from my original blog on 20/8/19: 35 years ago I would have been about 16 years old when I first read this story. I’d wanted to read it again for some time, it had stuck in my mind as something worth re-visiting. Unfortunately I found that, for me, the story has not stood up wellContinue reading “I’ve just re-read James Herbet’s 1975 novel ‘The Fog’…”

I finally read William Gibson’s “Neuromancer”, and it’s awesome!

From my earlier blog on 7/7/19: There are gaps in my sci-fi reading from about ’83-’85, when I was finishing sixth form studies and starting work, through 2002, when I finished my distance-learning BSc. I’m still making my way through that back-list and have just been BLOWN AWAY by William Gibson’s “Neuromancer” from 1984. I’dContinue reading “I finally read William Gibson’s “Neuromancer”, and it’s awesome!”

After nearly forty years of trying, I have just finished reading Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”

From my earlier blog on 11/5/19: Written in 1897, ‘Dracula’ is both a progressive piece of fiction as well as ‘a book of its time’. When I was around 10 years old I was given a copy as part of a set of classics as a Christmas present. I’m not surprised that I gave upContinue reading “After nearly forty years of trying, I have just finished reading Bram Stoker’s “Dracula””

“Jem” – Frederik Pohl

I’ve just enjoyed reading Frederik Pohl’s 1979 novel “Jem”. Pohl was a prolific author- first published in 1937, with a final novel (‘All the Lives He Led’, 2011), and a collection of essays in 2012 – he died in 2013. I’ve been reading SF for about forty years and was aware of Pohl but neverContinue reading ““Jem” – Frederik Pohl”