Science Fiction

Background

First published in 1884, Flatland has been expanding the thoughts of readers for nearly a hundred and fifty years. It is the story of what happens when a two dimensional world discovers a world of three dimensions. It also tries to give us a framework of how we might start to conceive of yet another dimension beyond what we know.

My Thoughts

I remember my friend Chris trying to explain this to me back in the 90s. He was so excited by the concepts and I was interested. Just obviously not interested enough to bother to read the book. It was exciting to read. There was a lot of time and attention given to how the land of one dimension must work. Also how the land of two dimensions would try to cope with what we see as such a huge disadvantage. Part of the charm of the book is it does a good job of showing us how we may be horribly limited and yet not know it.

Recommendation

A great read for everyone

Background

This is the book following the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and picks up right at the end of the previous book. Written in 1980, the book continues with Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, and Trillian finding their way through the Universe almost to the very end.

My Thoughts

As ridiculous as the first, I was entertained throughout the entire book. I didn’t get what the “end of the universe” was until I read the book. That concept had me rethinking how it would work several times.

Recommendation

If you liked the first, you will like the second. Definitely read them in order though as you would be very lost.

Background

Douglas Adams’ classic is read by the comedian Stephen Fry and brings us all back to a time when digital watches were the bleeding edge of technology. The Hitchhiker’s Guide is the first of a series of 5 books first published in 1979. It has since gone on to be a TV series and a full motion picture.

My Thoughts

This book has brought a smile to me several times over my life. I really enjoy the dry wit and the general ridiculousness of each situation. Author’s character keeps getting placed in situations from ridiculousness to impossible. In each situation he somehow maintains his demeanor and sanity. Of course, this simply serves to juxtapose the ridiculousness of our daily lives against the over the top situations presented in the novel. Author somehow moves forward just as we do.

Recommendation

Don’t panic! Just read the book. You’ll enjoy it.

Background

Slaughterhouse-Five is a novel written by Kurt Vonnegut that follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a World War II soldier who becomes “unstuck in time” and experiences his life in a non-linear fashion. The novel explores the themes of the destructiveness of war and the inevitability of fate, while also incorporating elements of science fiction and satire. Billy’s experiences as a prisoner of war and a witness to the bombing of Dresden are juxtaposed with his later life as an optometrist and his encounters with aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. Through Billy’s story, Vonnegut challenges traditional notions of storytelling and the linearity of time, ultimately questioning the human capacity for compassion and understanding in the face of senseless violence.

My Thoughts

I wasn’t impressed with this one. Vonnegut is a master writer to be sure. His method of writing comes across as both easy and sincere and the reader is effortlessly transported to the story.

However, the story was very strange. I actually liked that it was disjointed and the concept of time travel through life moments was a very interesting thought. When put in context of when this book was released, it was lightyears ahead of it’s time (pardon the pun).

My Recommendation

This book belongs to a different era and was written for a different audience. It is great for historical perspective but I didn’t enjoy it. “So it goes.”