Public Libraries of Suffolk County, New York

American science fiction, four classic novels, 1968-1969, Gary K. Wolfe, editor

eng

Includes bibliographical information (pages 725-742)

contains biographical information

illustrations

no index present

novels

American science fiction

Gary K. Wolfe, editor

Library of America;, 322

four classic novels, 1968-1969

The tumultuous 1960s was a watershed decade for American science fiction. While acknowledged masters from the genre's golden age reached the height of their powers, a new wave of brilliant young voices emerged, upending the genre's pulp conventions with newfound literary sophistication. Amid calls for civil rights and countercultural revolution, female, nonwhite, and other outsider authors broke into the ranks of SF writers, introducing provocative new protagonists and themesPast Master by R. A. Lafferty (1968) — The golden planet of Astrobe, made in the image of Utopia, now faces a crisis which could destroy it forever, yet no one could understand it: In a world where wealth and comfort were free to everyone, why did so many desert the golden cities for the slums of Cathead and the Barrio? Why did they turn away from the Astrobe dream and seek lives of bone-crushing work, squalor, and disease? The rulers of Astrobe didn't know, so they sought in humankind's past for a leader who could give them the answers—and they brought to life the one man out of history who would most want to destroy AstrobePicnic on Paradise by Joanna Russ (1968) — Alyx is a female soldier, survival guide, and agent of the Trans-Temporal Authority. Displaced in time from her ancient Greece, Alyx is tasked with safely leading a group of pampered human vacationers, including some unconventional nuns and a detached teenager known as the Machine, across an uninhabited scenic terrain to a relief station. But the journey proves more challenging than anticipated as they confront one another's failings, the physical dangers of an icy, hostile wilderness, and Alyx's own personal demonsNova by Samuel R. Delany (1968) — The balance of galactic power in the 31st century revolves around Illyrion, the most precious energy source in the universe. The varied and exotic crew who sign up with Captain Lorq van Ray know their mission is dangerous, and they soon learn that they are involved in a deadly race with the charismatic but vicious leader of an opposing space federation. But they have no idea of Lorq's secret obsession: to gather Illyrion at the source by flying through the very heart of an imploding starEmphyrio by Jack Vance (1969) — Halma, a world where humans were ruled by a race of effete and arrogant lords; where a neo-feudal system banned all work by machines; where a mock welfare state rewarded painful hand labor with a pitiful dole. Young Ghyl Tarvok was a rebel. In a pirated spaceship, he began his search through the civilizations of the galaxy, hunting the elusive key to the time-shrouded secret that could free his people. Inexorably he moved toward his last desperate hope: the place his ancestors had left many thousands of years before, the mysterious and terrifying planet called Earth

Introduction / Gary K. Wolfe -- Past master / R. A. Lafferty -- Picnic on paradise / Joanna Russ -- Nova / Samuel R. Delany -- Emphyrio / Jack Vance -- Biographical notes -- Note on the texts -- Notes

adult