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The novel was a major milestone in Soviet sci-fi literature, which, in Stalin's era, became a symbol of the new technology era. Translated from Russian by George Hanna with decorations and cover art by Grishin.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1957
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About the author
Ivan Efremov
98 books85 followersIvan Antonovich (real patronymic Antipovich) Yefremov (Russian: Иван Ефремов; April 22, 1908–October 5, 1972), last sometimes spelled Efremov, was a Soviet paleontologist, science fiction author and social thinker. He originated taphonomy, the study of fossilization patterns.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 24, 2016
No, it does not present a communist utopia. It presents an utopia that (by definition) is full of socialist elements. Stating that "Nebula Andromeda" is soviet propaganda is missing the whole point of the novel. Anyone could say that many books of these days are just capitalist propaganda, and the absurd would be exactly the same.
In my opinion this is a wonderful book, extremely well written and for sure it will stay with me forever. Across it there is a blend of peace, harmony and optimistic view on society as a whole that hardly the reader will forget.
In my opinion this is a wonderful book, extremely well written and for sure it will stay with me forever. Across it there is a blend of peace, harmony and optimistic view on society as a whole that hardly the reader will forget.
August 15, 2017
While full of communist cliches and propaganda, and quite dated today, I read this book when i was maybe 12 or 13 (sometime in the early 80's) and it was the first modern (with spaceships, galaxies etc) space operas I read so it impressed me deeply and made me fan of the genre as very little western sf was translated under communist rule in my childhood (Van Vogt space Beagle was the only western space opera I remember reading in those years, but I read Andromeda earlier), so like with many books, it all depends when you are exposed to them
October 13, 2018
One of the most imaginative sci-fi books I've ever read - set in a world several hundred of years in the future, when there is one government for the entire planet Earth, and interstellar space travel has become a semi-regular occurrence. What I had to keep reminding myself is that the book was published in 1957 - before the launch of the first Sputnik.
Actually, the majority of the novel's fifteen chapters occur not in outer space but on Earth, and the story reads more like an updated - and much more realistic - take on More's Utopia or Plato's Republic. The government of the planet is carried on by different Councils - one for economics, one for education, one for scientific research and so on. There is even a Council of Joy and Sorrow to assess the emotional impact of social and cultural phenomena as well as an Academy on Stochastics and Prognostication to help predict the future (shades of Asmiov's Foundation!) In fact, the various Councils are designed as an overall government in the way in which they mimic what has become known as the various spheres of activity in the human brain.
Children are educated by the society as a whole, and have only brief contact with their birth parents. In fact, one of the main characters in the story, the commander of Cosmic voyage 37 - Erg Noor, has to confess that his parents broke the law by educating him themselves. Upon reaching maturity, both females and males undergo certain rites of passage - for boys, it is the self-chosen twelve 'Labours of Hercules' - various socially beneficial activities they choose to perform of both a physical and an intellectual nature. Upon completion of these, they get a job. This occurs relatively easily by contacting a Registrar and asking for the desired assignment. Human longevity has improved to about 130 years, with 300 not being beyond the range of possibility.
The polar ice caps have been considerably melted so that the agricultural production of the temperate zones may be improved. Most of the population now live in the areas by the equator so that harsh living conditions are a thing of the past. Discussion is even underway to adjust the angle of inclination of the Earth's axis to bring about further desirable economic results. Still, the overwhelming focus of most human activity is now on scientific research.
For all this information on geopolitical social and economic developments, the story nonetheless develops some major characters. Erg Noor is in love with Nisa Creet, who sacrifices herself when he is attacked by an alien being on a planet orbiting an iron, or T, star. She is paralyzed and in a coma while they return to Earth, but Noor never loses hope in her eventual recovery. Darr Veter is a Director of the Outer Stations, but he gives up this highly taxing job and is replaced by Mven Mass, an African scientist. Darr is in love with Veda Kong, a historian, whose lecture on recent Earth history - particularly on the transition from the end of the Era of Disunity during which separate nations with different ideologies struggled against one another to the Era of the Great Circle, in which Earth as one is attempting to extend its contacts throughout its solar system, its galaxy and even beyond. Cart Sann is an artist whose paintings of various stereotypical female types (Mediterranean, African and Northern) are designed as preliminaries to his attempting a synthesis of all of them. His model for the African woman, Chara Nadi, is an interpretative dancer, who is in love with Mven Mass. Evda Nahl is a psychiatrist who gets Chara to bring Mven back from the Isle of Oblivion, where he has gone in self-imposed exile after an unapproved experiment of his went wrong.
The problems of the Noor's spaceship Tantra are quite challenging ones, but the adversities they faced were nowhere near serious enough to prevent the plan going ahead to send out three new expeditions - each to a different part of the galaxy - as the novel closes. Their thirst for new frontiers for knowledge goes hand and hand with their excitement over the contact with other galaxies - both in terms of an alien ship encountered by the Tantra and in a brief message from the Andromeda Nebula received in the novel's final chapter even though it was sent tens of millions of years ago, before man even evolved on his planet. Pluto is discovered to be a planet captured by our sun from another solar system.
These highlights reveal the 'scifi' part of the book, but even more important is the manner in which the author describes a possible future of human development on this planet. Several hints at the basis for this development are given throughout its pages. It is argued that 'everything moves and develops in a spiral ... the more difficult the biological or human development, the tighter the spiral is twisted' and 'the basis of culture is an understanding of moderation in all things'. An old proverb argues that one should 'sow a fault and reap a habit, then sow a habit and reap a character and finally sow a character and reap a fate.' The novel was written in the Soviet Union, and pays a certain but far from major respect to the tenets of communism in its ideal world, but it does so more in terms of its dialectical reasoning than in any overt description of the new world.
To conclude, this was not an easy book to read - often, I would take one or two cups of black coffee while digesting some of its longer chapters. Yet, it was very, very worth the effort. Highly recommended. A thinking man (or woman)'s scifi.
Actually, the majority of the novel's fifteen chapters occur not in outer space but on Earth, and the story reads more like an updated - and much more realistic - take on More's Utopia or Plato's Republic. The government of the planet is carried on by different Councils - one for economics, one for education, one for scientific research and so on. There is even a Council of Joy and Sorrow to assess the emotional impact of social and cultural phenomena as well as an Academy on Stochastics and Prognostication to help predict the future (shades of Asmiov's Foundation!) In fact, the various Councils are designed as an overall government in the way in which they mimic what has become known as the various spheres of activity in the human brain.
Children are educated by the society as a whole, and have only brief contact with their birth parents. In fact, one of the main characters in the story, the commander of Cosmic voyage 37 - Erg Noor, has to confess that his parents broke the law by educating him themselves. Upon reaching maturity, both females and males undergo certain rites of passage - for boys, it is the self-chosen twelve 'Labours of Hercules' - various socially beneficial activities they choose to perform of both a physical and an intellectual nature. Upon completion of these, they get a job. This occurs relatively easily by contacting a Registrar and asking for the desired assignment. Human longevity has improved to about 130 years, with 300 not being beyond the range of possibility.
The polar ice caps have been considerably melted so that the agricultural production of the temperate zones may be improved. Most of the population now live in the areas by the equator so that harsh living conditions are a thing of the past. Discussion is even underway to adjust the angle of inclination of the Earth's axis to bring about further desirable economic results. Still, the overwhelming focus of most human activity is now on scientific research.
For all this information on geopolitical social and economic developments, the story nonetheless develops some major characters. Erg Noor is in love with Nisa Creet, who sacrifices herself when he is attacked by an alien being on a planet orbiting an iron, or T, star. She is paralyzed and in a coma while they return to Earth, but Noor never loses hope in her eventual recovery. Darr Veter is a Director of the Outer Stations, but he gives up this highly taxing job and is replaced by Mven Mass, an African scientist. Darr is in love with Veda Kong, a historian, whose lecture on recent Earth history - particularly on the transition from the end of the Era of Disunity during which separate nations with different ideologies struggled against one another to the Era of the Great Circle, in which Earth as one is attempting to extend its contacts throughout its solar system, its galaxy and even beyond. Cart Sann is an artist whose paintings of various stereotypical female types (Mediterranean, African and Northern) are designed as preliminaries to his attempting a synthesis of all of them. His model for the African woman, Chara Nadi, is an interpretative dancer, who is in love with Mven Mass. Evda Nahl is a psychiatrist who gets Chara to bring Mven back from the Isle of Oblivion, where he has gone in self-imposed exile after an unapproved experiment of his went wrong.
The problems of the Noor's spaceship Tantra are quite challenging ones, but the adversities they faced were nowhere near serious enough to prevent the plan going ahead to send out three new expeditions - each to a different part of the galaxy - as the novel closes. Their thirst for new frontiers for knowledge goes hand and hand with their excitement over the contact with other galaxies - both in terms of an alien ship encountered by the Tantra and in a brief message from the Andromeda Nebula received in the novel's final chapter even though it was sent tens of millions of years ago, before man even evolved on his planet. Pluto is discovered to be a planet captured by our sun from another solar system.
These highlights reveal the 'scifi' part of the book, but even more important is the manner in which the author describes a possible future of human development on this planet. Several hints at the basis for this development are given throughout its pages. It is argued that 'everything moves and develops in a spiral ... the more difficult the biological or human development, the tighter the spiral is twisted' and 'the basis of culture is an understanding of moderation in all things'. An old proverb argues that one should 'sow a fault and reap a habit, then sow a habit and reap a character and finally sow a character and reap a fate.' The novel was written in the Soviet Union, and pays a certain but far from major respect to the tenets of communism in its ideal world, but it does so more in terms of its dialectical reasoning than in any overt description of the new world.
To conclude, this was not an easy book to read - often, I would take one or two cups of black coffee while digesting some of its longer chapters. Yet, it was very, very worth the effort. Highly recommended. A thinking man (or woman)'s scifi.
December 15, 2016
Якщо Азімов - то моя запізніла любов, то Іван Єфремов - дитяча. Була...
Я не можу точно згадати, скільки разів у дитячому віці я перечитувала цю книжку. Судячи з її потріпаного стану. мабуть, багато :) Втім, навіть тоді були нюанси. Сюжет "Туманності Андромеди" складається з двох ліній - космічної і земної (з перекосом у земну сторону). В дитинстві космічна виглядала мені дуже цікавою, а земна нудною, тому земну я перегортала, а щоб було швидше, то на початку кожного розділу поробила була помітки: К і З. Власне. я чогось думала, що в дорослому віці земні розділи стануть мені більш цікавими. Але...
Якщо космос тут цілком нормальний фантастичний масліт - зореліт, вимушена посадка, страшні небезпечні "аборигени", ледве звідтам втікли (впізнаєте "Чужого", "Прометея" і інших?) - то Земля - це особлива історія. Тут автор малює утопію майбутнього комуністичного суспільства, де кожен віддає всього себе роботі, а діти виховуються окремо від батьків, де людство подолало жагу грошей і влади Ери роз'єднаного світу (нашої з вами) ну і всяке таке. Така собі планетарна цивілізація з комуністичним осердям. Дуже так утопічненько, і вкрай непереконливо. Ні-ні та й чекаєш, що ось зараз вилізе з цього утопічного болота нормальна людина, охоча жити по-людськи, мати свої переживання і неврози і ростити дітей самостійно. Але нє, для таких автор придумав острови-резервації, куди охочі можуть собі подауншифтити хоч усе життя.
"Туманність Андромеди" - роман, написаний 60 років тому. І в багато чому він дуже архаїчний. Приміром, замість придумати якісь бомбові назви для вигаданих ним приладів, він час від часу пише "вимірювальні прилади", і то при тому, що іншим разом успішно вигадує анамезонні двигуни і передачі по кільцю і все таке. А ще вік роману видає риторика підкорення природи і перетворення Землі і клімату: розтопили полярні шапки, аби змінити клімат, винищили всіх великих хижаків у морях і ще повно такого, ніякого тобі розуміння цілісності екосистеми; а до того його суспільство не вважає цінності історичних артефактів. Ну, словом така характерна радянська риторика.
Читати? А воно вам нада? ;)
Я не можу точно згадати, скільки разів у дитячому віці я перечитувала цю книжку. Судячи з її потріпаного стану. мабуть, багато :) Втім, навіть тоді були нюанси. Сюжет "Туманності Андромеди" складається з двох ліній - космічної і земної (з перекосом у земну сторону). В дитинстві космічна виглядала мені дуже цікавою, а земна нудною, тому земну я перегортала, а щоб було швидше, то на початку кожного розділу поробила була помітки: К і З. Власне. я чогось думала, що в дорослому віці земні розділи стануть мені більш цікавими. Але...
Якщо космос тут цілком нормальний фантастичний масліт - зореліт, вимушена посадка, страшні небезпечні "аборигени", ледве звідтам втікли (впізнаєте "Чужого", "Прометея" і інших?) - то Земля - це особлива історія. Тут автор малює утопію майбутнього комуністичного суспільства, де кожен віддає всього себе роботі, а діти виховуються окремо від батьків, де людство подолало жагу грошей і влади Ери роз'єднаного світу (нашої з вами) ну і всяке таке. Така собі планетарна цивілізація з комуністичним осердям. Дуже так утопічненько, і вкрай непереконливо. Ні-ні та й чекаєш, що ось зараз вилізе з цього утопічного болота нормальна людина, охоча жити по-людськи, мати свої переживання і неврози і ростити дітей самостійно. Але нє, для таких автор придумав острови-резервації, куди охочі можуть собі подауншифтити хоч усе життя.
"Туманність Андромеди" - роман, написаний 60 років тому. І в багато чому він дуже архаїчний. Приміром, замість придумати якісь бомбові назви для вигаданих ним приладів, він час від часу пише "вимірювальні прилади", і то при тому, що іншим разом успішно вигадує анамезонні двигуни і передачі по кільцю і все таке. А ще вік роману видає риторика підкорення природи і перетворення Землі і клімату: розтопили полярні шапки, аби змінити клімат, винищили всіх великих хижаків у морях і ще повно такого, ніякого тобі розуміння цілісності екосистеми; а до того його суспільство не вважає цінності історичних артефактів. Ну, словом така характерна радянська риторика.
Читати? А воно вам нада? ;)
June 6, 2019
Kitap ilk başta oldukça heyecanlı bir başlangıç yapıyor. Uzayda yolculuk yapan bir gemide başlayan hikaye bir gezegene iniş yapma zorunluluğu ile tehlikeli ve heyecanlı bir an alırken birden o da ne!
Anlamsız bir sürü olaylar dizisi, dünyaya geliş, hikayede ve karakterlerde kopukluklar olarak devam ediyor. "Sayfa mı atladım? Daha üç sayfa önce bambaşka şeyler vardı bu ne alaka? Ben mi anlamıyorum?" şeklinde bir okuma yaptım.
İvan Yefremov okuduğum en SİYASİ bilimkurguyu yazmış.
Kitabın arka kapağında bir "komünist ütopya" olarak tanımlanan bu kitap bence gerçek anlamda bir "sovyet rüyası"ndan ibaret.
Anlamsız bir sürü olaylar dizisi, dünyaya geliş, hikayede ve karakterlerde kopukluklar olarak devam ediyor. "Sayfa mı atladım? Daha üç sayfa önce bambaşka şeyler vardı bu ne alaka? Ben mi anlamıyorum?" şeklinde bir okuma yaptım.
İvan Yefremov okuduğum en SİYASİ bilimkurguyu yazmış.
Kitabın arka kapağında bir "komünist ütopya" olarak tanımlanan bu kitap bence gerçek anlamda bir "sovyet rüyası"ndan ibaret.
November 19, 2011
One of the best hard SF I ever read. It was responsible for my several sleepless nights when I was in high school.Years later even now I still remember how excited I was vividly.
September 23, 2013
I must say I am rather disappointed by this novel as my standards for Russian authors is sensible higher. I was expecting something in the same league with Isaac Asimov or Yevgeny Zamyatin. Also when I have found out that Yefremov was an actual scientist, not only a writer, I hoped more than from his fellow sci-fi novelists with Russian origins.
First of all, what it is obvious from reading other reviews, the author uses the novel to convey his political views, which I always hate. He was probably one of the few that lived in 20th century communist country for more than couple of years and still believed that this is the future of humanity. I speak also in deep knowledge of the subject, as I was born and lived my childhood in a communist country.
Secondly, the characters and the novel is quite dull and cardboard-like. The characters are more like lobotomized humans. They are more ideas and idealism than normal human beings. I believe that despite any technological advances, humans will remain humans.
Third point is that the novel abuses with scientific terms, some from author contemporaneity, others invented. Nevertheless, abuse of any kind is bad for a novel.
All in all, I found it hard to digest and despite some positives, I could not rate it higher.
First of all, what it is obvious from reading other reviews, the author uses the novel to convey his political views, which I always hate. He was probably one of the few that lived in 20th century communist country for more than couple of years and still believed that this is the future of humanity. I speak also in deep knowledge of the subject, as I was born and lived my childhood in a communist country.
Secondly, the characters and the novel is quite dull and cardboard-like. The characters are more like lobotomized humans. They are more ideas and idealism than normal human beings. I believe that despite any technological advances, humans will remain humans.
Third point is that the novel abuses with scientific terms, some from author contemporaneity, others invented. Nevertheless, abuse of any kind is bad for a novel.
All in all, I found it hard to digest and despite some positives, I could not rate it higher.
April 24, 2020
ENGLISH: A novel whose main objective is USSR communist propaganda. I didn't like the style either, there were too many adjectives.
ESPAÑOL: Una novela cuyo objetivo principal es hacer propaganda comunista de la URSS. Tampoco me gustó el estilo, utiliza demasiados adjetivos.
ESPAÑOL: Una novela cuyo objetivo principal es hacer propaganda comunista de la URSS. Tampoco me gustó el estilo, utiliza demasiados adjetivos.
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June 3, 2022The book presents a view of a possible future humanity. There are references that explicitly indicate it is a post-capitalist future. Other times, there are descriptions or discussions which suggest a more advanced society / culture without such definite indication of socio-economic organization. It could be referred to as "post-scarcity society," but one in which it is believed the well-being of people benefits from continuing human labor. The characters we see apparently go through a period of more demanding physical labor in their younger years, then after that time of life periodically change occupations including professional jobs and (at least for some) some physical labor.
The book begins bouncing back and forth between an interstellar exploratory spaceship and some people on a project on Earth. About halfway through the book the spaceship returns to Earth and the characters from the two threads interact.
The book has more plot and description than 19th century utopian books which are more like a tour of a society. However, there are various points in the book where dialog or narrative give a brief lecture on one aspect or another.
While the society is utopian, some bad events occur. The exploratory spaceship encounters deadly alien animals, and a scientific experiment on Earth ends in disaster. It's not all pretty.
The book begins bouncing back and forth between an interstellar exploratory spaceship and some people on a project on Earth. About halfway through the book the spaceship returns to Earth and the characters from the two threads interact.
The book has more plot and description than 19th century utopian books which are more like a tour of a society. However, there are various points in the book where dialog or narrative give a brief lecture on one aspect or another.
While the society is utopian, some bad events occur. The exploratory spaceship encounters deadly alien animals, and a scientific experiment on Earth ends in disaster. It's not all pretty.
August 15, 2022
La utopía comunista del futuro representada en la Era del Gran Circuito. Todos los hombres tienen el propósito de servir a la Tierra de la mejor forma posible, viven hasta los doscientos años, ejercen varios trabajos, se mantienen en forma, no hay violencia ni pobreza. Se ha modificado la Tierra, se han eliminado ciertos alimentos perjudiciales, y además tienen enlaces con otros mundos, lo que llena sus vidas.
Lo mejor, el viaje a la Estrella de Hierro y el innumerable caudal de datos técnicos (sobre todo astronómicos).
Lo peor, la inocencia de los personajes, la ausencia de factores religiosos y la excesiva permanencia en la Tierra.
Lo mejor, el viaje a la Estrella de Hierro y el innumerable caudal de datos técnicos (sobre todo astronómicos).
Lo peor, la inocencia de los personajes, la ausencia de factores religiosos y la excesiva permanencia en la Tierra.
January 23, 2020
Bazı bilimkurgu kitaplarını okuyabilmek için gerçekten kondisyonlu olmak gerekiyor. Bu kitap da bunlardan bir tanesi.
1957 yılında yazılmış bir Sovyet bilim kurgusu olan Andromeda Nebulası, gelecekte hayat olan yakın gezegenler ile Büyük Yüzük Birliği kurulmuş ve dünya komunizm altında altın çağını yaşamaktadır.
Kitap, Erg Noor komutasındaki 37. uzay seferinden dönen ekibin, varlığı daha önce bilinmeyen bir demir yıldıza yapılan mecburi iniş ile başlıyor. Kitap bu yıldızdan kurtuluşa kadar geçen ilk kısımlarda gerçekten heyecan verici.
Ancak sonrasında dünyada geçen bölümler, sınırların kalktığı ve emeğin çok kıymetli olduğu ilginç bir gelecekte geçse de ilk bölümlere göre daha yavaş. Kitapta çok fazla kopuk hikaye var, bazılarının sonu gelmiyor, bazılarının ise kitaba neredeyse hiç bir katkısı yok.
Yine de uzay yolculuklarının başladığı zamanlar öncesinde yazılmış, bu ilginç Rus eseri, bilim kurgu sevenler için okumaya değer.
1957 yılında yazılmış bir Sovyet bilim kurgusu olan Andromeda Nebulası, gelecekte hayat olan yakın gezegenler ile Büyük Yüzük Birliği kurulmuş ve dünya komunizm altında altın çağını yaşamaktadır.
Kitap, Erg Noor komutasındaki 37. uzay seferinden dönen ekibin, varlığı daha önce bilinmeyen bir demir yıldıza yapılan mecburi iniş ile başlıyor. Kitap bu yıldızdan kurtuluşa kadar geçen ilk kısımlarda gerçekten heyecan verici.
Ancak sonrasında dünyada geçen bölümler, sınırların kalktığı ve emeğin çok kıymetli olduğu ilginç bir gelecekte geçse de ilk bölümlere göre daha yavaş. Kitapta çok fazla kopuk hikaye var, bazılarının sonu gelmiyor, bazılarının ise kitaba neredeyse hiç bir katkısı yok.
Yine de uzay yolculuklarının başladığı zamanlar öncesinde yazılmış, bu ilginç Rus eseri, bilim kurgu sevenler için okumaya değer.
February 5, 2023
I first attempted to read this book when I was very little. Obviously, I couldn’t finish it. Now, at my quite adult life, I finally read it.
What impressed me most of all: living now in 2023, having lived through what I and my country are going through, knowing what war, desolation, destruction and utmost hatred mean… I would like to be the part of this utopian world depicted in this book. Yes, a tinge of communist propaganda and condemnation of Western decaying capitalism are fairly tangible on the pages of the book. However, they don’t spoil the feeling of melancholic yearning. You want to be the part of the world which managed to stop wars, which destroyed all weapons, where people just live enjoying exploration and science, where you really feel that people around care. As much as you care about other people.
That’s why utopias are unreachable.
What impressed me most of all: living now in 2023, having lived through what I and my country are going through, knowing what war, desolation, destruction and utmost hatred mean… I would like to be the part of this utopian world depicted in this book. Yes, a tinge of communist propaganda and condemnation of Western decaying capitalism are fairly tangible on the pages of the book. However, they don’t spoil the feeling of melancholic yearning. You want to be the part of the world which managed to stop wars, which destroyed all weapons, where people just live enjoying exploration and science, where you really feel that people around care. As much as you care about other people.
That’s why utopias are unreachable.
January 20, 2022
Cred că motivul pentru care romanul ăsta nu se mai reeditează e mesajul de propagandă care nu putea lipsi din cărțile sovietice în acea perioadă (a apărut in 1962). Iar Efremov a fost suficient de abil să nu facă abuz de el. Altfel, este un roman SF așa cum ar trebui să fie unul, al descoperirii lente a cosmosului, al explorării molcome, la capătul opus al operelor spațiale cu nave, lasere și viteză care se scriu acum. Ritmul este unul perfect, ai senzația că te avânți în galaxie împreună cu echipajul navei, iar terminologia științifică este atent explicată în notele de subsol. Un roman SF cum rar se mai scrie azi.
August 12, 2019
Komünist sistem güzellemeli bilimkurgu. Tabii doğa katliamı komünizmin temel direği ise. Tam anlamıyla bütünlüklü bir hikayenin varlığından söz edemiyorum. Bir başlangıç ve gelişme var ama sonuç yok.
1. Basım tonlarca yazım hatası içeriyor ve eminim ki İthaki 5-6 basım daha bu hataları düzeltmeyecek, sonrasıda da basım duracak.
Öznel yargıma göre kitap eleştirilmeye bile değecek durumda değil.
1. Basım tonlarca yazım hatası içeriyor ve eminim ki İthaki 5-6 basım daha bu hataları düzeltmeyecek, sonrasıda da basım duracak.
Öznel yargıma göre kitap eleştirilmeye bile değecek durumda değil.
October 4, 2021
Disappointing. Started off good then went downhill. Most of the story took place on Earth. None of it actually took place in the Andromeda Nebula. (But the nebula did play a small part in the story.) And there was way too much blah, blah, blah.
July 25, 2021
The book starts off promising as it deals with two particular groups and their adventures. One group is venturing into unknown parts of space where they encounter deadly aliens, black holes, and so forth. The other group is closer to home and deals with a particularly dangerous idea that two scientists want to try out. Both of these for the first few chapters grip the reader, and at first I could not put the book down.
As you get further into the book though the book begins to get dull. The excitement and action of the first few chapters is replaced by endless dialogue and at times full diatribes of how society has changed, and what was done to get society where it is now. Basically it has a lot of communist jargon thrown into the mix. I don't usually mind political commentary in the books, but to go from dealing with aliens trying to eat the crew to conversations about the development of families under communism can be a bit of a downer. I also felt that the book dragged on for too long. The book at one point reached a healthy conclusion and if the book had ended there I would have probably given this a higher rater. Unfortunately however, the author chose to continue the story in events completely related to the now resolved issues from the beginning of the story.
A promising book that just got too tied up with political ideology, and the author's need to keep writing when in this case less would have been better.
As you get further into the book though the book begins to get dull. The excitement and action of the first few chapters is replaced by endless dialogue and at times full diatribes of how society has changed, and what was done to get society where it is now. Basically it has a lot of communist jargon thrown into the mix. I don't usually mind political commentary in the books, but to go from dealing with aliens trying to eat the crew to conversations about the development of families under communism can be a bit of a downer. I also felt that the book dragged on for too long. The book at one point reached a healthy conclusion and if the book had ended there I would have probably given this a higher rater. Unfortunately however, the author chose to continue the story in events completely related to the now resolved issues from the beginning of the story.
A promising book that just got too tied up with political ideology, and the author's need to keep writing when in this case less would have been better.
July 28, 2025
Boring
January 16, 2024
“The Nebula from Andromeda” is a 1955 book by the Russian writer Ivan Efremov, who was also a scientist. I’ve been reading a 1966 Romanian translation, and I have to say it’s a book I had in my library forever, always wanted to read it, but never got the chance.
The name “Andromeda” was what caught my attention initially, but much to my surprise, most events take place on Earth, as prerequisites for an expedition that leaves for Andromeda at the end of the book.
So no events are occurring in the nebula, with very little occurring in space whatsoever...
What’s interesting about it is the socialist vision of the future the author had. He imagined a future where money was obsolete, people only worked for their ideals, and there were no more nations and countries. Globalization at its finest.
It was sort of like an utopia, where things like current world problems (equally those from 1955 and these from now, 2023) are non-existent. The characters were all savants and held very elevated conversations in every context of their lives. Children had scientists, doctors, and historians as idols.
Probably the biggest problem of this book is that the author uses words that are too complicated and it would pose a problem to the casual reader. Not only that, but the author also invents complex notions and then uses them in the story, making it even more confusing.
I believe this is a great story, with compelling characters and a fascinating setting, drawn back by the complex technobabble and the overall narrative style.
I wouldn’t recommend it to casual readers, but to Hard SF readers who are up to a challenge.
The name “Andromeda” was what caught my attention initially, but much to my surprise, most events take place on Earth, as prerequisites for an expedition that leaves for Andromeda at the end of the book.
So no events are occurring in the nebula, with very little occurring in space whatsoever...
What’s interesting about it is the socialist vision of the future the author had. He imagined a future where money was obsolete, people only worked for their ideals, and there were no more nations and countries. Globalization at its finest.
It was sort of like an utopia, where things like current world problems (equally those from 1955 and these from now, 2023) are non-existent. The characters were all savants and held very elevated conversations in every context of their lives. Children had scientists, doctors, and historians as idols.
Probably the biggest problem of this book is that the author uses words that are too complicated and it would pose a problem to the casual reader. Not only that, but the author also invents complex notions and then uses them in the story, making it even more confusing.
I believe this is a great story, with compelling characters and a fascinating setting, drawn back by the complex technobabble and the overall narrative style.
I wouldn’t recommend it to casual readers, but to Hard SF readers who are up to a challenge.
April 9, 2017
Living in Russia has brought me to this book as I wanted to read some science-fiction written in my native language. Incredulously ignoring my friend's advice to never go near Russian science-fiction and boldly relying on the book's Wikipedia page, that is, it's profuse praises amongst Russian/Soviet people and critics, I decided to give it a try. O what a blunder that was!
Firstly, as a science-fiction novel it has many points that seems to me superfluous and rather unsound. Given science-fiction as a genre, Efremov somewhat loses the 'science' part of it and focuses too much on a futuristic and fictitious, that is fiction: one can see the bizarre character names and inexplicable made up technology throughout the whole book. Oh, and before you attack me on a technology thing, I admit there are several courageous predictions Mr. Efremov made that turned out to be true, but this is not exactly my point. I respect and avidly read science-fiction novels because of it's power and potential to expand one's mind and give poetic insights in science one could not find anywhere else. Considering Andromeda as a science-fiction novel, this is not at all what I intented to read; it is exactly what it's title says - a tale.
Secondly, one would be remiss not to mention a society of Mr. Efremov's tale. Presenting itself as a communist utopia I'm sure any Marxist having read it would be woefully disappointed. It reeks of stalinism propaganda very badly. It is a view of the society confined to an entrenched Soviet framework of thinking; a society not working in entirely different astonishing principal, like of Mr. Huxley, but revolving around the renown slogan "He who does not work, neither shall he eat". It is the Brave New World for one who could see it through.
But the only thing that kept me turning to the next page, albeit feeling of being deceit more and more once I did it, was perhaps the engrossing style of writing of Mr. Efremov, but don't let it get in a way of the ideas and intentions that lay behind it.
Firstly, as a science-fiction novel it has many points that seems to me superfluous and rather unsound. Given science-fiction as a genre, Efremov somewhat loses the 'science' part of it and focuses too much on a futuristic and fictitious, that is fiction: one can see the bizarre character names and inexplicable made up technology throughout the whole book. Oh, and before you attack me on a technology thing, I admit there are several courageous predictions Mr. Efremov made that turned out to be true, but this is not exactly my point. I respect and avidly read science-fiction novels because of it's power and potential to expand one's mind and give poetic insights in science one could not find anywhere else. Considering Andromeda as a science-fiction novel, this is not at all what I intented to read; it is exactly what it's title says - a tale.
Secondly, one would be remiss not to mention a society of Mr. Efremov's tale. Presenting itself as a communist utopia I'm sure any Marxist having read it would be woefully disappointed. It reeks of stalinism propaganda very badly. It is a view of the society confined to an entrenched Soviet framework of thinking; a society not working in entirely different astonishing principal, like of Mr. Huxley, but revolving around the renown slogan "He who does not work, neither shall he eat". It is the Brave New World for one who could see it through.
But the only thing that kept me turning to the next page, albeit feeling of being deceit more and more once I did it, was perhaps the engrossing style of writing of Mr. Efremov, but don't let it get in a way of the ideas and intentions that lay behind it.
November 24, 2024
Selle raamatu tõttu ma üldse kogu Seiklusjuttude sarja ette võtsin, sest mul oli jäänud mulje, et siit on leida ohtralt teadusfantastikat. Komsoseseiklusi on kogu sarja peale ainult 2 teost. Ja selgus, et too käesolev makulatuur pole eriti sedagi, vaid pigem üks õudne sotsiaal-ulme imelisest kommunismitulevikust, mida nii puiselt ja igavalt suudetakse ette kanda, et ma maadlesin sellega julgelt üle kuu aja.
Epistli lugemine ja infodump. Kogu inimajalugu jutustatakse igava ajalooraamatu ühtlase jauramise tempos läbi kommunismiülistusprisma, mis on aidanud kogu inimkonna ümber kujundada. Või noh, mitte ainult inimkonda, vaid pooluste kohale olla mingid kuumapallikesed tekitatud, et need poolused üles sulataksid, maailmamere pinda tõstaks ning lisaks olla mägesid madalamaks viilitud, et õhumassid ühtlasemalt saaks rännata ümber maakera.
Kogu inimkond elavat soojadel laiuskraadidel, sellest põhja poole kasvatatakse ühtse imelise utoopiana miljonipealiseid koduloomakarju. Lõuna poole oli vist efektiivse puidu kasvatamise metsad või mingi selline ülim plaanimajanduse soga. Autor on võtnud tolle aja seitsmenda klassi loodusõpetuse raamatu ette ja seal värvipliiatsi suurte ebatäpsete tõmmetega songerdama hakanud. Päris elus on kahjuks rohkem detailsust ja erandeid.
Aga alguses raamat tegelikult pole üldse sellest, vaid tähtedevahelisest lennust, mis kursilt kõrvale kaldub. Saad sa aru, suur ülimate tehnoloogiliste inimeste suursaavutus, aga infrapunaandur jäi koju. Autori tehno-mulast vist keegi peale tema enda küll aru ei saa, sest ta mõtleb robinal fantaasiatermineid välja. Lisaks raamat aastast 1961 ongi täis igast jaburat retro-tehnoloogiat. Näiteks leheküljel 67 arutatakse, et alla heideti just "füüsikajaam" ja kas ikka tasub "robot-televiisorit" järele alla visata, sest neid olevat ainult kaks tükki. Kasutusel on "elektronfilm", mis kõlab vingelt, kuid seda peab ikka ilmutama keemiaga ja rullima. "Akumulaatorauto" kõlab nagu elektrisõiduk? "Stereotelevisiofon" olla aparaat kõnede ja ühtlasi ka stereoskoopiliste kujutiste edastamiseks?
Küll siin raamatus kõik muudkui imestavad. Kuidas inimesel ikka on nii imeline võim looduse üle. Nagu reaalses elus kõik muudkui istuksid ja imestaksid, mis hea riigikord ja valitsemine meil ikka on ja kuidas taskus ja kodus ikka nii vinge tehnoloogia on. Leia mulle inimene, kes pole esimese paari päevaga oma uue auto, arvuti, telefoni, misiganes vidinaga ära harjunud ja sealt edasi pigem vigu ja virinat ei tooda. See on vast isegi kõige ulmelisem, et mitte öelda ebausutavam aspekt - inimeste ajusurnud puuslikena kujutamine.
Raamat on kirjutatud napilt enne mõiste "must auk" laiemat kasutuselevõttu, millest annab tunnistust järgmine järjekordne eriti igavalt kirja pandud heietav epistel, mis on kokku miksitud tõenäoliselt autori poolt loetud täheõpiku ja teadusartiklite pealt. Raamat olla kirjutatud 1961 ja Wiki järgi terminit "must auk" kasutati ajakirjas Time esimest korda 1963.
Epistli lugemine ja infodump. Kogu inimajalugu jutustatakse igava ajalooraamatu ühtlase jauramise tempos läbi kommunismiülistusprisma, mis on aidanud kogu inimkonna ümber kujundada. Või noh, mitte ainult inimkonda, vaid pooluste kohale olla mingid kuumapallikesed tekitatud, et need poolused üles sulataksid, maailmamere pinda tõstaks ning lisaks olla mägesid madalamaks viilitud, et õhumassid ühtlasemalt saaks rännata ümber maakera.
Kogu inimkond elavat soojadel laiuskraadidel, sellest põhja poole kasvatatakse ühtse imelise utoopiana miljonipealiseid koduloomakarju. Lõuna poole oli vist efektiivse puidu kasvatamise metsad või mingi selline ülim plaanimajanduse soga. Autor on võtnud tolle aja seitsmenda klassi loodusõpetuse raamatu ette ja seal värvipliiatsi suurte ebatäpsete tõmmetega songerdama hakanud. Päris elus on kahjuks rohkem detailsust ja erandeid.
Aga alguses raamat tegelikult pole üldse sellest, vaid tähtedevahelisest lennust, mis kursilt kõrvale kaldub. Saad sa aru, suur ülimate tehnoloogiliste inimeste suursaavutus, aga infrapunaandur jäi koju. Autori tehno-mulast vist keegi peale tema enda küll aru ei saa, sest ta mõtleb robinal fantaasiatermineid välja. Lisaks raamat aastast 1961 ongi täis igast jaburat retro-tehnoloogiat. Näiteks leheküljel 67 arutatakse, et alla heideti just "füüsikajaam" ja kas ikka tasub "robot-televiisorit" järele alla visata, sest neid olevat ainult kaks tükki. Kasutusel on "elektronfilm", mis kõlab vingelt, kuid seda peab ikka ilmutama keemiaga ja rullima. "Akumulaatorauto" kõlab nagu elektrisõiduk? "Stereotelevisiofon" olla aparaat kõnede ja ühtlasi ka stereoskoopiliste kujutiste edastamiseks?
Küll siin raamatus kõik muudkui imestavad. Kuidas inimesel ikka on nii imeline võim looduse üle. Nagu reaalses elus kõik muudkui istuksid ja imestaksid, mis hea riigikord ja valitsemine meil ikka on ja kuidas taskus ja kodus ikka nii vinge tehnoloogia on. Leia mulle inimene, kes pole esimese paari päevaga oma uue auto, arvuti, telefoni, misiganes vidinaga ära harjunud ja sealt edasi pigem vigu ja virinat ei tooda. See on vast isegi kõige ulmelisem, et mitte öelda ebausutavam aspekt - inimeste ajusurnud puuslikena kujutamine.
Lõhenemise ajal teravnes võitlus vanade ja uute ideede vahel ning viis selleni, et kogu maailm jagunes kahte erineva majandussüsteemiga leeri - vanadeks, kapitalistlikeks, ja uuteks, sotsialistlikeks riikideks...
Inimese võim looduse üle hakkas hiiglaslike sammudega kasvama...
Ainuüksi minevikusajandite uskumatu toiduraiskamise kaotamine tagas toidu miljarditele inimestele. Kõik ühiskonna jõud, mis muistsel ajal olid kulunud sõjamasinate loomisele, kasulikust tööst eemal seisvate tohutute armeede ülalpidamisele, poliitilisele propagandale ja võltshiilgusele, suunati nüüd elu korraldamisele ja teaduse arendamisele.
... piki kolmekümnendaid laiuskraade tähistavad soojade merede kallastele, pehme, ilma talveta kliima vöötmesse koondatud linnade pidevat ahelat. Inimkond ei tarvitse enam raisata kolossaalset energiat elamute soojendamiseks talveperioodidel ja kohmakate riiete valmistamiseks...
Nüüd keerleb ümber kogu planeedi Spiraaltee, mis hiigelsildadega üle väinade ühendab kõiki mandreid.
Näis uskumatu, et säärased olendid võisid seista ühes reas inimese esivanematega - inimese, kelle ilus keha võimaldab nii hämmastavat liikuvust ja liigutuste täpsust.
Roheliste kontsentriliste ringidena asetsesid stepis lüpsilabürindid, millest piimakarjad kaks korda päevas läbi aeti. Piim, mis ei läinud hapuks nagu Aafrika antiloopidelgi, voolas kokku ja külmus sealsamas maaalustes jahutites ning piim säilis väga kaua.
Raamat on kirjutatud napilt enne mõiste "must auk" laiemat kasutuselevõttu, millest annab tunnistust järgmine järjekordne eriti igavalt kirja pandud heietav epistel, mis on kokku miksitud tõenäoliselt autori poolt loetud täheõpiku ja teadusartiklite pealt. Raamat olla kirjutatud 1961 ja Wiki järgi terminit "must auk" kasutati ajakirjas Time esimest korda 1963.
Maa teadlaste liigituse järgi kuulusid need tähed klassi E, mis oli oma nimetuse saanud muinasaja suurima füüsiku Einsteini auks, kes aimas selliste tähtede olemasolu, kuigi hiljem vaieldi sellele kaua vastu ja määrati isegi kindlaks tähtede massi piir, mis on tuntud Tšandrasekari piiri nime all. Kuid see muistne astrofüüsik lähtus oma arvutustes üksnes elementaarsest gravitatsioonimehaanikast ja üldisest termodünaamikast, võtmata arvesse hiid- ja ülihiidtähtede keerukat elektromagnetilist struktuuri... Niisuguse tähe hiiglaslik külgetõmbejõud peatas kiirguse, laskmata valgusel tähest lahkuda ja maailmaruumi tungida...
Üks inimkonna ülevamaid saavutusi on võit pimeda emainstinkti üle, arusaamine, et ainult laste kollektiivne kasvatamine spetsiaalselt õpetatud ja valitud inimeste poolt suudab meie ühiskonna inimest luua. ... Ja sellepärast ongi kadunud instinktiivne ahviarmastus, mis tekkis loomalikust hirmust oma lapsukese pärast.
Hea veel, et Dar Veter oli imuunne väljaspool atmosfääri töötajate hulgas levinud psühhooside - ultravioletse unehaiguse ja infrapunase marutõve suhtes.
October 22, 2025
Pentru anul 1956, când nici măcar primul satelit – Sputnik – nu fusese lansat, Nebuloasa din Andromeda este un roman remarcabil de inovator. E adevărat că unele concepte prezentate s-au dovedit între timp greșite, însă multe dintre previziunile autorului s-au confirmat surprinzător de bine. Ce nu mi-a plăcut a fost insistența lui Efremov pe explicații și descrieri care, din punctul meu de vedere, nu își au rostul. De exemplu, există câteva pagini dedicate descrierii unei simfonii - oricât ai încerca, o melodie nu poate fi redată doar prin cuvinte.
Am citit și alte recenzii care afirmă că întreaga carte ar fi o propagandă comunistă. Da, se fac referiri la comunism, dar autorul nu pune accentul pe asta, iar mie nu mi s-a părut deloc propagandistică. Pământul este condus de mai multe consilii, nu există un „lider suprem”, iar acest detaliu spune multe. Să nu uităm că Efremov a trăit în plin comunism, iar o carte, ca să fie publicată, trecea prin nenumărate filtre ideologice - deci e firesc ca anumite pasaje să poarte amprenta epocii.
Per ansamblu, pentru mine a fost un hard SF oarecum greu de parcurs, dar am dus lectura până la capăt. Nu pot spune că m-a impresionat, dar nici nu regret deloc că am citit-o. Este o lectură interesantă pentru oricine vrea să vadă cum arăta viitorul imaginat de știința și ideologia anilor ’50.
Am citit și alte recenzii care afirmă că întreaga carte ar fi o propagandă comunistă. Da, se fac referiri la comunism, dar autorul nu pune accentul pe asta, iar mie nu mi s-a părut deloc propagandistică. Pământul este condus de mai multe consilii, nu există un „lider suprem”, iar acest detaliu spune multe. Să nu uităm că Efremov a trăit în plin comunism, iar o carte, ca să fie publicată, trecea prin nenumărate filtre ideologice - deci e firesc ca anumite pasaje să poarte amprenta epocii.
Per ansamblu, pentru mine a fost un hard SF oarecum greu de parcurs, dar am dus lectura până la capăt. Nu pot spune că m-a impresionat, dar nici nu regret deloc că am citit-o. Este o lectură interesantă pentru oricine vrea să vadă cum arăta viitorul imaginat de știința și ideologia anilor ’50.
September 2, 2024
İthaki yayınlarının Bilimkurgu Klasikleri serisinde şimdiye kadar okuduğum yaklaşık 50 kitap içerisinde okuması en zor 3 kitaptan biri oldu.
Kitap ilk bölümüyle çok güzel bir giriş yapıyor. 2. bölümde ne oluyor 1. bölümle alakası ne derken, 3. bölüm 1. bölümün kaldığı yerden güzel bir hikayeyle devam ediyor. Kitabın bundan sonrasıysa bir yere bağlanmayan, uzadıkça uzayan(sayfalarca süren tasvirler) tam anlamıyla gereksiz bölümlerle dolu.
15 bölümlük, 396 sayfalık kitabı tam 12 günde ittire ittire bitirebildim.
Kitabın sonu neticede bir yere bağlanıyor, hikaye toparlanıyor ama ilk bölümlerden sonra daha fazlasını beklerdim açıkçası.
Yine de yazıldığı döneme ve şartlarına istinaden yazarı tebrik etmek gerek. Ne kadar sovyet rüyası bir roman olarak yazılmış olsa da geleceğe dair ilginç fikirler barındırıyor.
Ayrıca kitapta bilimsel terimler yoğun şekilde kullanılıyor.
Kitabın ismi ile ilgisi son 10 sayfada açığa çıkıyor. Bu açıdan da biraz hayal kırıklığı oluşturdu.
Kitap ilk bölümüyle çok güzel bir giriş yapıyor. 2. bölümde ne oluyor 1. bölümle alakası ne derken, 3. bölüm 1. bölümün kaldığı yerden güzel bir hikayeyle devam ediyor. Kitabın bundan sonrasıysa bir yere bağlanmayan, uzadıkça uzayan(sayfalarca süren tasvirler) tam anlamıyla gereksiz bölümlerle dolu.
15 bölümlük, 396 sayfalık kitabı tam 12 günde ittire ittire bitirebildim.
Kitabın sonu neticede bir yere bağlanıyor, hikaye toparlanıyor ama ilk bölümlerden sonra daha fazlasını beklerdim açıkçası.
Yine de yazıldığı döneme ve şartlarına istinaden yazarı tebrik etmek gerek. Ne kadar sovyet rüyası bir roman olarak yazılmış olsa da geleceğe dair ilginç fikirler barındırıyor.
Ayrıca kitapta bilimsel terimler yoğun şekilde kullanılıyor.
Kitabın ismi ile ilgisi son 10 sayfada açığa çıkıyor. Bu açıdan da biraz hayal kırıklığı oluşturdu.
August 5, 2017
É só mais ou menos. nos primeiros capítulos acontecem coisas que parecem apontar para o desenvolvimento da acção, que posteriormente não desenrola. As personagens passeiam e conversam e passam por situações que parecem apontar a alguma coisa, mas não há culminar nenhum, são só situações relativament soltas que permitem ao autor desenvolver a teoria de sociedade utópica que apresenta aqui. Ainda assim tem pormenores interessantes e a parte científica da ficção bem mais esmiuçada do que outras obras.
February 26, 2019
На час прочитання книги на початку 80-років минулого століття була дуже цікавою, якщо відкинути деякі ідеологічні аспекти. Роман має дві сюжетні лінії: про пригоди екіпажу "Тантри" на темній планеті, зустріч з невідомими агресивними та небезпечними створіннями, а також про наукові дослідження на Землі, отримання сигналу від таємничої цивілізації. В умовах тогочасної відсутності класики світової фантастики роман здавався вершиною жанру...
March 6, 2012
Изключително смела визия за бъдещето, с мащабите на серията за Ъплифта на Дейвид Брин и „Реквием за Хомо сапиенс“ на Дейвид Зиндел. Все пак е писана преди 50 години и има сериозни проблеми с по-сложните процеси, като екосистемите и микрокосмоса „човек“, които едва започваме да разбираме.
Размишления съм събрал тук: http://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtopi...
Размишления съм събрал тук: http://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtopi...
April 3, 2021
Read for a class. Basically what would happen if a socialist utopia collectively got together and tried to make peaceful contact with other worlds. Intergalactic communication, information sharing, and a sense of the common good for human society. It's very well written and addresses a lot of interesting themes.
April 25, 2025
Абсолютно абиологичный и практически антиэволюционный текст за счёт таких идей, как "чем труднее и дольше был слепой эволюционный путь отбора, тем прекраснее получались формы высших, мыслящих существ" [sic] и деление животных на "вредных" и "безвредных". Оголтелый антропоцентризм старой фантастики подзаебал уже окончательно. Автор может помыслить небелковые мыслящие формы жизни, но на негуманоидных воображалка ломается.
С одной стороны, приятно взять в руки утопию, которая не пытается обмануть твоих ожиданий и оказаться антиутопией. С другой, в который раз убеждаюсь, что утопии хочу читать только в исполнении Урсулы Ле Гуин. Через сотню-другую страниц восторженный тон Ефремова навязает патокой в зубах, а пространные многоступенчатые экспозиционные монологи героев выносить становится всё труднее.
Части про Дар Ветра хотелось нещадно скипать. Его невыносимо скучный гетерастский флирт с — как её там? Вегой? — просто обоссаца какое унылое говно. Все сопутствующие "дочери" Тетисов и Гондван читаются как слюнявое, стёршее ладошки инцельство. Все без исключения женщины в романе — куклы из Геншина. У Низы с Эргом хотя бы spicy age gap и неуставные отношения.
Теперь про интересное:
Городское устройство у Ефремова удивительно созвучно идее Нового Элемента Расселения с его спиралями и пирамидами, руслами и Великими Дорогами. Уж не зачитывался ли Ефремов дипломками Гутнова и Лежавы? Если так, то погружение в их идеи получается просто первоклассное — и эксклюзивное, так как они были опубликованы на целых четыре года позже публикации романа. 10/10, рекомендую всем заценить иллюстрации для дипломных работ и Триеннале:
В одной из глав фигурирует свежеобнаруженная древняя статуя из тяжелейшего сплава, покоившаяся на морском дне столетиями. После спектрального анализа выясняется, что под слоем неприглядного защитного слоя статуя отлита из чистого золота! Герои поясняют взаимосвязь с древней загадкой исчезновения золотого запаса ныне несуществующей страны — очевидная отсылка на хищение золота Колчака белыми военными силами в ходе революции 1917.
Звёздные и экзопланетарные исследования описаны необычайно увлекательно, методики сканирования, анализа светимости, проб почвы и воздуха отличаются от большинства тех, которые встречаются в фантастике. Например, для почвенного и прочего физического анализа астролётчики используют бомбовые станции, взрывающие породы и закапывающиеся глубоко под поверхность. Первые главы с участием "Тантры" выполнены по всем канонам классических "Чужих", от них захватывает дух.
Облегчением явился тот факт, что автор романа в себе не признаёт писателя, а в первую очередь учёного-геолога, что нашло отражение в персонаже Веды Конг. Огорчением явился тот факт, что автор считает этот роман преуспевшим в исследовании человеческих эмоций.
Видно между строк, как несовершенный разум автора — человека Эры Разобщённости Мира — борется со сложной концепцией горизонтали власти Эры Мирового Воссоединения. С одной стороны, его герои вдохновенно вещают о невозможности главенства одной госструктуры над другой, с другой — рассказчик лихо клеймит Совет Экономики главным мозгом планеты. То персонажи уверяют, что решения по любому профвопросу принимаются равновесно и коллективно, а лидеры необходимы только для исключительно опасных миссий, то среди них обнаруживаются какие-то председатели и руководители. Вообще складывается ощущение, что Ефремов писал о вулканском обществе, а не о нашем. Это объяснило бы и утомительную речь всех присутствующих, и, господи прости, юношеские подвиги Геракла.
Ефремов стал прототипом для Фёдора Симеоновича Киврина из "Понедельника" Стругацких — благодушного заики, заведующего отделом Линейного Счастья, когда-то сожжённого Малютой Скуратовым, пытанного батогами, кусанного ядовитыми змеями, обезноздренного и сосланного в каторгу. Его литература во многом напоминает экзальтированный оптимизм Киврина, который, пусть местами и скучен, но всё-таки стал глотком свежего воздуха в эру кибертраков, рецессий и псевдо-мыслящего ИИ.
Избранные цитаты:
С одной стороны, приятно взять в руки утопию, которая не пытается обмануть твоих ожиданий и оказаться антиутопией. С другой, в который раз убеждаюсь, что утопии хочу читать только в исполнении Урсулы Ле Гуин. Через сотню-другую страниц восторженный тон Ефремова навязает патокой в зубах, а пространные многоступенчатые экспозиционные монологи героев выносить становится всё труднее.
Части про Дар Ветра хотелось нещадно скипать. Его невыносимо скучный гетерастский флирт с — как её там? Вегой? — просто обоссаца какое унылое говно. Все сопутствующие "дочери" Тетисов и Гондван читаются как слюнявое, стёршее ладошки инцельство. Все без исключения женщины в романе — куклы из Геншина. У Низы с Эргом хотя бы spicy age gap и неуставные отношения.
Теперь про интересное:
Городское устройство у Ефремова удивительно созвучно идее Нового Элемента Расселения с его спиралями и пирамидами, руслами и Великими Дорогами. Уж не зачитывался ли Ефремов дипломками Гутнова и Лежавы? Если так, то погружение в их идеи получается просто первоклассное — и эксклюзивное, так как они были опубликованы на целых четыре года позже публикации романа. 10/10, рекомендую всем заценить иллюстрации для дипломных работ и Триеннале:
В одной из глав фигурирует свежеобнаруженная древняя статуя из тяжелейшего сплава, покоившаяся на морском дне столетиями. После спектрального анализа выясняется, что под слоем неприглядного защитного слоя статуя отлита из чистого золота! Герои поясняют взаимосвязь с древней загадкой исчезновения золотого запаса ныне несуществующей страны — очевидная отсылка на хищение золота Колчака белыми военными силами в ходе революции 1917.
Звёздные и экзопланетарные исследования описаны необычайно увлекательно, методики сканирования, анализа светимости, проб почвы и воздуха отличаются от большинства тех, которые встречаются в фантастике. Например, для почвенного и прочего физического анализа астролётчики используют бомбовые станции, взрывающие породы и закапывающиеся глубоко под поверхность. Первые главы с участием "Тантры" выполнены по всем канонам классических "Чужих", от них захватывает дух.
Облегчением явился тот факт, что автор романа в себе не признаёт писателя, а в первую очередь учёного-геолога, что нашло отражение в персонаже Веды Конг. Огорчением явился тот факт, что автор считает этот роман преуспевшим в исследовании человеческих эмоций.
Видно между строк, как несовершенный разум автора — человека Эры Разобщённости Мира — борется со сложной концепцией горизонтали власти Эры Мирового Воссоединения. С одной стороны, его герои вдохновенно вещают о невозможности главенства одной госструктуры над другой, с другой — рассказчик лихо клеймит Совет Экономики главным мозгом планеты. То персонажи уверяют, что решения по любому профвопросу принимаются равновесно и коллективно, а лидеры необходимы только для исключительно опасных миссий, то среди них обнаруживаются какие-то председатели и руководители. Вообще складывается ощущение, что Ефремов писал о вулканском обществе, а не о нашем. Это объяснило бы и утомительную речь всех присутствующих, и, господи прости, юношеские подвиги Геракла.
Ефремов стал прототипом для Фёдора Симеоновича Киврина из "Понедельника" Стругацких — благодушного заики, заведующего отделом Линейного Счастья, когда-то сожжённого Малютой Скуратовым, пытанного батогами, кусанного ядовитыми змеями, обезноздренного и сосланного в каторгу. Его литература во многом напоминает экзальтированный оптимизм Киврина, который, пусть местами и скучен, но всё-таки стал глотком свежего воздуха в эру кибертраков, рецессий и псевдо-мыслящего ИИ.
Избранные цитаты:
"Океан — прозрачный, сияющий, не загрязняемый более отбросами, очищенный от хищных акул, ядовитых рыб, моллюсков и опасных медуз, как очищена жизнь современного человека от злобы и страха прежних веков. Но где-то в необъятных просторах океана есть тайные уголки, в которых прорастают семена вредной жизни, и только бдительности истребительных отрядов мы обязаны безопасностью и чистотой океанских вод."— Really? Right in front of my Earth Day? А это точно не антиутопия? Потому что когда Ефремов заводит разговор об экологии, то превращается в законченного фашика.
"Слабый звук и тяжёлый удар — это упала крышка водяного бака внутри руфолюцитовой камеры. Знакомое мерцание коричневых вспышек — это щупальца чёрного чудовища появились над краем бака. Внезапным прыжком оно взлетело вверх, простираясь покрывалом тьмы на всю площадь руфолюцитовой камеры, и ударилось о прозрачный потолок. Тысячи коричневых звёздочек заструились по телу медузы, покрывало выпучилось куполом, как от дуновения снизу, и медуза упёрлась в дно камеры собранными пучком щупальцами. Таким же чёрным призраком поднялось из бака второе чудовище, невольно внушая страх своими быстрыми и беззвучными движениями. Но здесь, за прочными стенами опытной камеры, окружённые управляемыми на расстоянии приборами, порождения планеты мрака были бессильны."
December 25, 2017
Pikk ja vaevaline lugemine. Lugesin seda kunagi lapsena ja siis ta mulle meeldis. Meeldis ka nüüd, aga oodatust keerulisem oli kah. Kas ma ikka lapsena sain päris hästi aru kõigest, mida ma lugesin? Joonealused viited ilukirjanduses ajavad mind ikka korralikult närvi...
June 19, 2024
Un roman atipic al SF-ul sovietic, spune povestea unei civilizatii terestre utopice comuniste, infometata de calatoriile spatiale. Cartea este descrisa ca manuscris greoi, filozofic socialist, hard-SF cu parti predominant tehnice despre astrofizica si matematica, facand cititorul curios de faptul ca autorul a fost paleontolog si nu expert al problemelor cosmice. Asadar, cartea descrie parte dintr-o lume utopica (ingrozitoare pentru mine), caci ea e descrisa de-un control absurd, in care viata si placerile umane sunt limitate, dragostea si emotiile sunt slab prezentate, in schimb domina frica personajelor pentru somn, pentru odihna care intareste sistemul uman, dar imbratiseaza in extrem munca. Si nu ma refer la orice tip de munca, ci munca cea mai grea, cea mai istovitoare; caci ei doar prin munca se pot simti mai aproape de adevar.
Tind sa cred ca lumea aceasta niciodata nu va putea sa impuna asternerea unei utopii, poate mai degraba o distopie in urma unor manifeste anarhice, dar catre imposibil una comunista. Pasajele descrise de autor, par cumva fixate pe unele idei, totusi, cumva, cititorul gaseste o fisura gaunoasa unde se revarsa toata aceasta lauda. Astfel, chiar daca lumea e roz si fericita, e doar de fatada, defapt miezul e putred, insa nu apare scris in roman, ramand la alegerea cititorului. Cartea se incheie cu o alta explorare a spatiului; ceea ce sunt de acord, in a explora, dar nu fara cap, adica nu doar de dragul explorarii. Si apoi se tot vorbeste de lumea cea mai buna, cea mai perfecta, si ma gandesc, daca e atat de buna, dupa ce mama naibii explorezi locuri unde abia si lumina poate patrunde?! Dupa toate aceste explorari, ce ar vrea omul sa dovedeasca? Caci, Efremov prezinta in Era Lumii Dezunite cum oamenii pradau carburantul otraviind atmosfera acestui Pamant, cum se petreceau razboaie, cum se naruiau orase sub exploatari masive de metale rare...dar ei ce fac cand exploateaza alte planete si materiile prime le prelucreaza pe Terra, nu tot poluare se numeste?
Maniera acestui SF este deseori contradictorie, vorba aia "zice una, face alta", prezentand unele dintre activitatile oamenilor din acea societate foarte sterpe, livide, cu o educatie mai mult fortata (caci toti ceilalti cu deformitati sau handicap sunt eliminati), o iubire parentala si interpersonala foarte limitata (mamelor le e interzis sa-si ingrijeasca copii, iar munca asta e vazuta ca pe ceva inferior) si unde conteaza doar munca si iar munca. Nu tu emotii, ganduri sau vise. Totul e sfarmat si securizat. Daca vreodata mi-am imaginat sau am visat sa traiesc in lumile fantastice ale unei carti, chiar nu-mi doresc sa fi fost aceasta.
Pentru ideea scrisului nota este foarte buna, in fond nici pentru tema aleasa nu e rea (calatoriile astrale ma pasioneaza dinainte de geografie), dar pana la adaugarea si contradictiile din utopia sovietica. Ca sa fac o mica paranteza, alegand si alti scriitori din sfera Cortinei de Fier, Ivan Efremov e cu mult inferior lui Obrucev (geolog), a fratiilor Strugatki (cred ca, cei mai buni scriitori SF sovietici) sau a preferatului meu, (medicul polonez, specialist in hard SF si filozofie "spatiala") Stanislaw Lem. Prin urmare, opera lui Ivan Efremov, fie ea ca si pioniera a acestui gen, este greoaie si plina de contradictii care definesc o lume lipsita de empatie, bazata pe munca fortata (care el o exprima drept o placere).
Tind sa cred ca lumea aceasta niciodata nu va putea sa impuna asternerea unei utopii, poate mai degraba o distopie in urma unor manifeste anarhice, dar catre imposibil una comunista. Pasajele descrise de autor, par cumva fixate pe unele idei, totusi, cumva, cititorul gaseste o fisura gaunoasa unde se revarsa toata aceasta lauda. Astfel, chiar daca lumea e roz si fericita, e doar de fatada, defapt miezul e putred, insa nu apare scris in roman, ramand la alegerea cititorului. Cartea se incheie cu o alta explorare a spatiului; ceea ce sunt de acord, in a explora, dar nu fara cap, adica nu doar de dragul explorarii. Si apoi se tot vorbeste de lumea cea mai buna, cea mai perfecta, si ma gandesc, daca e atat de buna, dupa ce mama naibii explorezi locuri unde abia si lumina poate patrunde?! Dupa toate aceste explorari, ce ar vrea omul sa dovedeasca? Caci, Efremov prezinta in Era Lumii Dezunite cum oamenii pradau carburantul otraviind atmosfera acestui Pamant, cum se petreceau razboaie, cum se naruiau orase sub exploatari masive de metale rare...dar ei ce fac cand exploateaza alte planete si materiile prime le prelucreaza pe Terra, nu tot poluare se numeste?
Maniera acestui SF este deseori contradictorie, vorba aia "zice una, face alta", prezentand unele dintre activitatile oamenilor din acea societate foarte sterpe, livide, cu o educatie mai mult fortata (caci toti ceilalti cu deformitati sau handicap sunt eliminati), o iubire parentala si interpersonala foarte limitata (mamelor le e interzis sa-si ingrijeasca copii, iar munca asta e vazuta ca pe ceva inferior) si unde conteaza doar munca si iar munca. Nu tu emotii, ganduri sau vise. Totul e sfarmat si securizat. Daca vreodata mi-am imaginat sau am visat sa traiesc in lumile fantastice ale unei carti, chiar nu-mi doresc sa fi fost aceasta.
Pentru ideea scrisului nota este foarte buna, in fond nici pentru tema aleasa nu e rea (calatoriile astrale ma pasioneaza dinainte de geografie), dar pana la adaugarea si contradictiile din utopia sovietica. Ca sa fac o mica paranteza, alegand si alti scriitori din sfera Cortinei de Fier, Ivan Efremov e cu mult inferior lui Obrucev (geolog), a fratiilor Strugatki (cred ca, cei mai buni scriitori SF sovietici) sau a preferatului meu, (medicul polonez, specialist in hard SF si filozofie "spatiala") Stanislaw Lem. Prin urmare, opera lui Ivan Efremov, fie ea ca si pioniera a acestui gen, este greoaie si plina de contradictii care definesc o lume lipsita de empatie, bazata pe munca fortata (care el o exprima drept o placere).
June 16, 2024
Andromeda is 300-something pages long and is composed mostly of outdated "scientific" speculation and discussion of a fictional utopic condition of Humanity, which is carried out in the most unnatural way possible. Everyone is weirdly obsessed with comparing the past to the present, roasting lesser versions of Humanity, and talking at great length about random facets of Human development across time, even though it is supposedly impolite to talk at length about anything.
In this future depiction of Humanity, everyone talks the same way, drugs solve most problems, all of the women are GROUNDBREAKINGLY beautiful, cowards are extinct, the universal worship of SCIENCE unites all of Humanity, and the only things evil left on earth are the sharks, which the vivacious young are diligently working to exterminate. In other words, the world of Andromeda has slightly more personality than the rocks in my front yard.
By far, the most exciting part of this novel is the capture of an invisible flesh-eating jellyfish whose evolutionary co-partner has great powers of hypnotic suggestion. Unfortunately, none of the cardboard-cut-out humans are eaten.
The conflicts are not very compelling and are often immediately resolved. After the first resolution, I realized that the same pattern would repeat because nothing is allowed to go wrong in this world of the future.
"Oh, one of the main characters is paralyzed? I'm sure they'll find a way to fix that."
"Oh, one of the main characters left his love on Earth to go on a long journey and is falling in love with the auburn hair astro-navigator? I'm sure that when they get back everyone will act very adult and be extremely understanding and that the previous love will find someone else to love and that everything will be alright."
"Oh, one of the main characters killed a bunch of people on a satellite trying to create a portal so that he could make love to an extraterrestrial Human with red skin? I'm sure his intentions were pure and that he will be judged accordingly AND that he will be allowed to contribute to society in the way he is uniquely gifted to AND that he will meet a super-hot-dancer-model-person to fall in love with so that he's no longer worried about hot alien chicks."
"Oh, a brilliant mathematician has become a little too egocentric and wants to rape someone? I'm sure after a fifteen-minute conversation and some quick tiger bonding; they will change their ways."
"Oh, one of the main characters is exploring hundreds of meters underground, and there is an earthquake? They'll be fine."
The novel is also just not very well written. To refer to characters, he uses two or three token descriptive phrases CONSTANTLY. Dialogue is cardboard and inhumane. Everyone sounds like the same person, and the characters continuously feed each other convenient bites to drive the conversation wherever the author wants to go. There are too many adjectives, and the transitions are horrible—overall, it's very disappointing, but I probably should give Efremov some slack, given that I'm reading in translation. Perhaps it's better in the original Russian.
Two claps for breaking the pattern of short-aim fiction in the USSR and ushering in a new age of Soviet sci-fi, though.
In this future depiction of Humanity, everyone talks the same way, drugs solve most problems, all of the women are GROUNDBREAKINGLY beautiful, cowards are extinct, the universal worship of SCIENCE unites all of Humanity, and the only things evil left on earth are the sharks, which the vivacious young are diligently working to exterminate. In other words, the world of Andromeda has slightly more personality than the rocks in my front yard.
By far, the most exciting part of this novel is the capture of an invisible flesh-eating jellyfish whose evolutionary co-partner has great powers of hypnotic suggestion. Unfortunately, none of the cardboard-cut-out humans are eaten.
The conflicts are not very compelling and are often immediately resolved. After the first resolution, I realized that the same pattern would repeat because nothing is allowed to go wrong in this world of the future.
"Oh, one of the main characters is paralyzed? I'm sure they'll find a way to fix that."
"Oh, one of the main characters left his love on Earth to go on a long journey and is falling in love with the auburn hair astro-navigator? I'm sure that when they get back everyone will act very adult and be extremely understanding and that the previous love will find someone else to love and that everything will be alright."
"Oh, one of the main characters killed a bunch of people on a satellite trying to create a portal so that he could make love to an extraterrestrial Human with red skin? I'm sure his intentions were pure and that he will be judged accordingly AND that he will be allowed to contribute to society in the way he is uniquely gifted to AND that he will meet a super-hot-dancer-model-person to fall in love with so that he's no longer worried about hot alien chicks."
"Oh, a brilliant mathematician has become a little too egocentric and wants to rape someone? I'm sure after a fifteen-minute conversation and some quick tiger bonding; they will change their ways."
"Oh, one of the main characters is exploring hundreds of meters underground, and there is an earthquake? They'll be fine."
The novel is also just not very well written. To refer to characters, he uses two or three token descriptive phrases CONSTANTLY. Dialogue is cardboard and inhumane. Everyone sounds like the same person, and the characters continuously feed each other convenient bites to drive the conversation wherever the author wants to go. There are too many adjectives, and the transitions are horrible—overall, it's very disappointing, but I probably should give Efremov some slack, given that I'm reading in translation. Perhaps it's better in the original Russian.
Two claps for breaking the pattern of short-aim fiction in the USSR and ushering in a new age of Soviet sci-fi, though.
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