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The Saliva Tree and Other Strange Growths
Brian Aldiss marked the centenary year of H G Wells' birth with this ingenious novella combining comedy, terror and, intriguingly, late nineteenth-century period charm. In a sleepy East Anglian town we meet Bruce Fox and Gregory Rolles - two young men who have sworn to Think Large in order to distinguish themselves from the masses of Cottersall. When a meteor lands in the pond of a local farm, Gregory seeks the advice of Mr Wells. Nine short stories complete the collection, including the highly autobiographical 'Girl and Robot With Flowers', which was taken up as a seminal story demarcating the new SF from the saliva tree --Danger, religion! --The lonely habit --A pleasure shared --One role with relish --Legends of Smith's Burst --Day of the doomed king --Paternal care --The girl and the robot with flowers.
253 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1966
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About the author
Brian W. Aldiss
834 books673 followersPseudonyms: Jael Cracken, Peter Pica, John Runciman, C.C. Shackleton, Arch Mendicant, & "Doc" Peristyle.
Brian Wilson Aldiss was one of the most important voices in science fiction writing today. He wrote his first novel while working as a bookseller in Oxford. Shortly afterwards he wrote his first work of science fiction and soon gained international recognition. Adored for his innovative literary techniques, evocative plots and irresistible characters, he became a Grand Master of Science Fiction in 1999.
Brian Aldiss died on August 19, 2017, just after celebrating his 92nd birthday with his family and closest friends.
Brian W. Aldiss Group on Good Reads
Brian Wilson Aldiss was one of the most important voices in science fiction writing today. He wrote his first novel while working as a bookseller in Oxford. Shortly afterwards he wrote his first work of science fiction and soon gained international recognition. Adored for his innovative literary techniques, evocative plots and irresistible characters, he became a Grand Master of Science Fiction in 1999.
Brian Aldiss died on August 19, 2017, just after celebrating his 92nd birthday with his family and closest friends.
Brian W. Aldiss Group on Good Reads
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 24, 2023
Note - this review is only for 1964 novella - "The Salivia Tree".
In 1965 Brian W. Aldiss won a Nebula for Best Novella for his story “The Saliva Tree”. It originally appeared In a September 1964 edition of Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine (Isaac Asimov was Science Editor). The story is a loving homage to H.G. Wells. Aldiss later became a vice president of the international HG. Wells Society. The story is told very much in the style of Well’s “War of the Worlds” and maybe even “The Time Machine”.
The story itself plays out somewhat like “War of the Worlds”. An extraterrestrial object crashes into a farmer’s pond. Our main character, Gregory, speculates on whether the object is a meteor or a visitor from another world, maybe even utopian socialists, who’ve come to show Earth the way. When Gregory finally blunders into the large invisible aliens, he gets a hint that they may not be the wonderful creature he thinks they are. The story moves from quickly from speculation and wonder, to a chilling, evolving tale of horror. Like “War of the Worlds” the visitors have a significant impact on the ecology around them and their nature and intentions are slowly revealed over the length of the story. The plot itself is enriched with some strong character development, including a love interest for Gregory, the farmer’s daughter, of course. I’ll say no more of the plot, it’s easily experienced through a quick read of this novella.
I would like to say the story includes some social commentary on the dangers of genetically modified crops, but it was written in the mid-1960’s, so I’m probably just projecting. The real value and charm of this story is Aldiss’ ability to write and recapture in the H.G. Wells style. However, the slow reveal of an increasing horror is fantastic as 'well.' A 'well' told tale, 'well' deserving of a Nebula.
In 1965 Brian W. Aldiss won a Nebula for Best Novella for his story “The Saliva Tree”. It originally appeared In a September 1964 edition of Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine (Isaac Asimov was Science Editor). The story is a loving homage to H.G. Wells. Aldiss later became a vice president of the international HG. Wells Society. The story is told very much in the style of Well’s “War of the Worlds” and maybe even “The Time Machine”.
The story itself plays out somewhat like “War of the Worlds”. An extraterrestrial object crashes into a farmer’s pond. Our main character, Gregory, speculates on whether the object is a meteor or a visitor from another world, maybe even utopian socialists, who’ve come to show Earth the way. When Gregory finally blunders into the large invisible aliens, he gets a hint that they may not be the wonderful creature he thinks they are. The story moves from quickly from speculation and wonder, to a chilling, evolving tale of horror. Like “War of the Worlds” the visitors have a significant impact on the ecology around them and their nature and intentions are slowly revealed over the length of the story. The plot itself is enriched with some strong character development, including a love interest for Gregory, the farmer’s daughter, of course. I’ll say no more of the plot, it’s easily experienced through a quick read of this novella.
I would like to say the story includes some social commentary on the dangers of genetically modified crops, but it was written in the mid-1960’s, so I’m probably just projecting. The real value and charm of this story is Aldiss’ ability to write and recapture in the H.G. Wells style. However, the slow reveal of an increasing horror is fantastic as 'well.' A 'well' told tale, 'well' deserving of a Nebula.
October 1, 2012
This was the book that kindled my life-long passion for the genre.
Setting: small dusty provinical library, 15 year old girl who was an avid reader from age 3 (seriously), in possession of 6 adult library cards (3 mine, 3 my mother's), that had to be begged for with Special Permission. I'd read every children's book in the place and adult cards were only issued at age 18. I was in a supernatural story phase, and this was sitting next to a Paul Gallico, in the short story shelf.
Thinking it was ghost stories, I trudged up the hill with my weekly 6 books and my next memory is a vivid OMFG THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR!!!!
And I've been reading mainly sci-fi every since, watching the genre evolve.
Setting: small dusty provinical library, 15 year old girl who was an avid reader from age 3 (seriously), in possession of 6 adult library cards (3 mine, 3 my mother's), that had to be begged for with Special Permission. I'd read every children's book in the place and adult cards were only issued at age 18. I was in a supernatural story phase, and this was sitting next to a Paul Gallico, in the short story shelf.
Thinking it was ghost stories, I trudged up the hill with my weekly 6 books and my next memory is a vivid OMFG THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR!!!!
And I've been reading mainly sci-fi every since, watching the genre evolve.
March 10, 2011
The original invisible alien vampire steam-punk story. Accept no imitations.
November 16, 2014
-En mi opinión, homenaje a la Ciencia-Ficción y algunos de sus autores de principio a fin.-
Género. Relatos.
Lo que nos cuenta. Recopilación de diez relatos del autor, incluyendo al que da nombre a la recopilación, conocido y premiado, que tocan temas tan diferentes como la creación literaria y el estado vital, realidades paralelas, la visión de sí mismo y de sus crímenes de un asesino y lo que es más importante para la Humanidad para unos y para otros, entre otros temas.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Relatos.
Lo que nos cuenta. Recopilación de diez relatos del autor, incluyendo al que da nombre a la recopilación, conocido y premiado, que tocan temas tan diferentes como la creación literaria y el estado vital, realidades paralelas, la visión de sí mismo y de sus crímenes de un asesino y lo que es más importante para la Humanidad para unos y para otros, entre otros temas.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
February 22, 2025
Det här är en märklig bok, eller kanske snarare en kortroman/novell.
Brian W. Aldiss är en av de stora inom brittisk science fiction, känd för sin förmåga att kombinera spekulativa idéer med djup psykologisk insikt. Salivträdet (The Saliva Tree) är en av hans mest kända berättelser. Salivträdet vann Nebulapriset 1965 och är en hyllning till H.G. Wells, med en berättelse som fångar en viktoriansk känsla samtidigt som den utforskar teman om vetenskap, kolonialism och det okända.
Historien tar sin början i en en engelsk småstad där märkliga händelser börjar ske efter att en meteorit kraschat i närheten. Huvudpersonerna, två unga vetenskapsmän (inspirerade av Wells och Darwin?), försöker förstå vad som händer – men verkligheten visar sig vara mer utmanande än de först trott. Aldiss leker med klassiska science fiction-motiv men ger dem en modern tvist genom ett psykologiskt djup och en reflektion över mänsklig hybris.
Det förvånar mig att boken är så Lovecraftiansk, fyndig och med en lite knäpp underfundig humor. Samtidigt är den också ganska vidrig och udda. Bara en sådan sak som att författaren H.G Wells är med i den och att tonen är lite sådär gammaldags viktoriansk samtidigt som den är som den värsta skräckfilm gör att den känns oväntat modern.
Jag förstår att det är en klassiker.
Det som har åldrat lite mindre väl är kanske att ämnet är lite uttjatat och den har också drag av att vara lite banal i sin förklaring (men eventuellt är det ett litet inslag av humor.)
Personligen vill jag ändå ge den en femma bara för att den är så jäkla wierd.
Brian W. Aldiss är en av de stora inom brittisk science fiction, känd för sin förmåga att kombinera spekulativa idéer med djup psykologisk insikt. Salivträdet (The Saliva Tree) är en av hans mest kända berättelser. Salivträdet vann Nebulapriset 1965 och är en hyllning till H.G. Wells, med en berättelse som fångar en viktoriansk känsla samtidigt som den utforskar teman om vetenskap, kolonialism och det okända.
Historien tar sin början i en en engelsk småstad där märkliga händelser börjar ske efter att en meteorit kraschat i närheten. Huvudpersonerna, två unga vetenskapsmän (inspirerade av Wells och Darwin?), försöker förstå vad som händer – men verkligheten visar sig vara mer utmanande än de först trott. Aldiss leker med klassiska science fiction-motiv men ger dem en modern tvist genom ett psykologiskt djup och en reflektion över mänsklig hybris.
Det förvånar mig att boken är så Lovecraftiansk, fyndig och med en lite knäpp underfundig humor. Samtidigt är den också ganska vidrig och udda. Bara en sådan sak som att författaren H.G Wells är med i den och att tonen är lite sådär gammaldags viktoriansk samtidigt som den är som den värsta skräckfilm gör att den känns oväntat modern.
Jag förstår att det är en klassiker.
Det som har åldrat lite mindre väl är kanske att ämnet är lite uttjatat och den har också drag av att vara lite banal i sin förklaring (men eventuellt är det ett litet inslag av humor.)
Personligen vill jag ändå ge den en femma bara för att den är så jäkla wierd.
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November 12, 2024Lesenotizen
Titelerzählung: THE SALIVA TREE
Ein interessantes Konzept; Aldiss schreibt eine "historische SF-Erzählung", die in den letzten Jahren des 19. Jahrhunderts angesiedelt ist. Die Ausgangssituation ist angelehnt an HPLs FARBE AUS DEM ALL, zeitlich dem Vorbild jedoch drei Jahrzehnte vorausgehend. Nachdem die klassische SF durch die technische Entwicklung in Sachen "science" ohnehin überholt ist, warum nicht bewusst eine Story ansiedeln in einer Zeit, in der die Elektrifizierung im ländlichen Osten Englands noch Zukunftsmusik ist? Gregory Rolles, der Hauptprotagonist und sozialistischer Naturalist, ist ein junger Mann, der trotz seiner Bildung in vielem naiv wirkt. Er ist ein Bewunderer H.G. Wells, der seine Interessen - Literatur und Wissenschaft - verbindet. Als ein Meteor in einem Teich auf Grendons Farm bei Cottersall, zwischen Marsch und den Fenlands, landet, entzündet sich seine Begeisterung. Stammt der Himmelskörper von einem "sozialistischen Stern", wie Rolles Freund Fox ihn neckt? Besser jedenfalls als von einem, auf dem das Evangelium gepredigt wird, entgegnet Rolles.
Die Dinge nehmen ihren Lauf, wie in der Vorlage von Lovecraft. Es ist klar, dass Aldiss zwar auf einen damals schon jahrzehntealten Stoff zurückgreift, der 1927 im Pulp Magazin AMAZING STORIES veröffentlicht wurde, aber eine andere erzählerische Intention hat, die wahrscheinlich mehr will, als nur ein Pastiche sein. Trotz und vielleicht auch wegen des modernen Ansatzes vermittelt SALIVA TREE nicht den stimmungsvollen Horror des Vorbilds und bleibt deutlich dahinter zurück. Es ist schwer zu sagen, wie beunruhigend die Handlung auf einen Leser wirkt, der DIE FARBE AUS DEM ALL nicht kennt, aber bis Seite 50 zumindest wirkt das Jonglieren mit Lovecraft und Wells nicht wirklich überzeugend.
Auf Seite 61 angekommen gefällt mir die Erzählung immer schlechter. Aldiss greift die Grundidee von Lovecrafts kosmischen Horror auf, dass nämlich die Außerirdischen nicht bösartig handeln, sondern schlicht gleichgültig sind gegenüber Mensch und Tier, die ihnen als Nahrung dienen. Erzählerisch und sprachlich liest sich das aber eher wie ein Groschenroman und verdeutlicht, ein wie guter Autor Lovecraft war.
Um Längen zu vermeiden, geht Aldiss den einfachsten Weg: Als die unmittelbare Bedrohung von Mensch und Tier auf der Farm durch die Aurigans dem Höhepunkt zustrebt, lässt Gregory seine geliebte Nancy dort zurück und macht sich auf den Heimweg, nachdem er sie noch mit gutem Ratschlag versorgt hat. So kann Aldiss komfortabel einen Szenenwechsel bewerkstelligen, aber auf Kosten der Glaubwürdigkeit. Gibt es von Anfang an nur eine sehr oberflächliche Charakterausgestaltung, geraten die Personen zu reinen Pappkameraden und Handlungsträgern. Was man den Pulps der 20er Jahre nachsieht, wirkt bei einem Erneuerer der britischen SF in den 60er Jahren nicht überzeugend. Es stellt sich die Frage, ob SALIVA TREE nicht eine Satire auf Lovecraft ist. In BILLION YEAR SPREE schreibt Aldiss über Lovecraft: "Horror, the abnegation of personality, seems to be his only permanent interest. Although horror can make a good literary seasoning if sparingly used, like salt it makes an indigestible banquet". Ein eigenartiger Befund. Was Aldiss rundheraus als "abnegation of personality" bezeichnet, benennt Dietmar Dath sehr viel reflektierter in NIEGESCHCHICHTE mit "Depersonalisationserlebnissen" (77) und kommt zu ganz anderen Schlüssen bezüglich der Qualitat von Lovecrafts Texten.
Liest man in SPREE weiter, wird Aldiss Geringschätzung, ja Abneigung gegen Lovecraft deutlich und Aldiss ergänzt, dass auch Clark Ashton Smith unlesbar sei, ganz anders als August Derleth! Der Anspruch, den Aldiss an Kunst - auch im Genre - richtet, kehrt sich hier gegen ihn selbst.
Auch das Element des Sozialismus, das wohl auf H.G. Wells verweist, ist nicht aufschlussreich und hat kaum Relevanz für die Story und wartet mit Platitüden auf: Grendon, der Farmer und Nancys Vater, "(...) just isn't imaginative enough to see what he can do but carry on working as hard as possible."
Titelerzählung: THE SALIVA TREE
Ein interessantes Konzept; Aldiss schreibt eine "historische SF-Erzählung", die in den letzten Jahren des 19. Jahrhunderts angesiedelt ist. Die Ausgangssituation ist angelehnt an HPLs FARBE AUS DEM ALL, zeitlich dem Vorbild jedoch drei Jahrzehnte vorausgehend. Nachdem die klassische SF durch die technische Entwicklung in Sachen "science" ohnehin überholt ist, warum nicht bewusst eine Story ansiedeln in einer Zeit, in der die Elektrifizierung im ländlichen Osten Englands noch Zukunftsmusik ist? Gregory Rolles, der Hauptprotagonist und sozialistischer Naturalist, ist ein junger Mann, der trotz seiner Bildung in vielem naiv wirkt. Er ist ein Bewunderer H.G. Wells, der seine Interessen - Literatur und Wissenschaft - verbindet. Als ein Meteor in einem Teich auf Grendons Farm bei Cottersall, zwischen Marsch und den Fenlands, landet, entzündet sich seine Begeisterung. Stammt der Himmelskörper von einem "sozialistischen Stern", wie Rolles Freund Fox ihn neckt? Besser jedenfalls als von einem, auf dem das Evangelium gepredigt wird, entgegnet Rolles.
Die Dinge nehmen ihren Lauf, wie in der Vorlage von Lovecraft. Es ist klar, dass Aldiss zwar auf einen damals schon jahrzehntealten Stoff zurückgreift, der 1927 im Pulp Magazin AMAZING STORIES veröffentlicht wurde, aber eine andere erzählerische Intention hat, die wahrscheinlich mehr will, als nur ein Pastiche sein. Trotz und vielleicht auch wegen des modernen Ansatzes vermittelt SALIVA TREE nicht den stimmungsvollen Horror des Vorbilds und bleibt deutlich dahinter zurück. Es ist schwer zu sagen, wie beunruhigend die Handlung auf einen Leser wirkt, der DIE FARBE AUS DEM ALL nicht kennt, aber bis Seite 50 zumindest wirkt das Jonglieren mit Lovecraft und Wells nicht wirklich überzeugend.
Auf Seite 61 angekommen gefällt mir die Erzählung immer schlechter. Aldiss greift die Grundidee von Lovecrafts kosmischen Horror auf, dass nämlich die Außerirdischen nicht bösartig handeln, sondern schlicht gleichgültig sind gegenüber Mensch und Tier, die ihnen als Nahrung dienen. Erzählerisch und sprachlich liest sich das aber eher wie ein Groschenroman und verdeutlicht, ein wie guter Autor Lovecraft war.
Um Längen zu vermeiden, geht Aldiss den einfachsten Weg: Als die unmittelbare Bedrohung von Mensch und Tier auf der Farm durch die Aurigans dem Höhepunkt zustrebt, lässt Gregory seine geliebte Nancy dort zurück und macht sich auf den Heimweg, nachdem er sie noch mit gutem Ratschlag versorgt hat. So kann Aldiss komfortabel einen Szenenwechsel bewerkstelligen, aber auf Kosten der Glaubwürdigkeit. Gibt es von Anfang an nur eine sehr oberflächliche Charakterausgestaltung, geraten die Personen zu reinen Pappkameraden und Handlungsträgern. Was man den Pulps der 20er Jahre nachsieht, wirkt bei einem Erneuerer der britischen SF in den 60er Jahren nicht überzeugend. Es stellt sich die Frage, ob SALIVA TREE nicht eine Satire auf Lovecraft ist. In BILLION YEAR SPREE schreibt Aldiss über Lovecraft: "Horror, the abnegation of personality, seems to be his only permanent interest. Although horror can make a good literary seasoning if sparingly used, like salt it makes an indigestible banquet". Ein eigenartiger Befund. Was Aldiss rundheraus als "abnegation of personality" bezeichnet, benennt Dietmar Dath sehr viel reflektierter in NIEGESCHCHICHTE mit "Depersonalisationserlebnissen" (77) und kommt zu ganz anderen Schlüssen bezüglich der Qualitat von Lovecrafts Texten.
Liest man in SPREE weiter, wird Aldiss Geringschätzung, ja Abneigung gegen Lovecraft deutlich und Aldiss ergänzt, dass auch Clark Ashton Smith unlesbar sei, ganz anders als August Derleth! Der Anspruch, den Aldiss an Kunst - auch im Genre - richtet, kehrt sich hier gegen ihn selbst.
Auch das Element des Sozialismus, das wohl auf H.G. Wells verweist, ist nicht aufschlussreich und hat kaum Relevanz für die Story und wartet mit Platitüden auf: Grendon, der Farmer und Nancys Vater, "(...) just isn't imaginative enough to see what he can do but carry on working as hard as possible."
January 23, 2023
Where have these stories been?
I stumbled across this book quite by a wonderful accidental turn of events. I was looking at the Pop Sugar reading challenge for 2023 and was looking for a book published in my birth year. My googling of yearly lists led me eventually to a list of Nebula awards given for a recent year. My curiosity was piqued. I started at the first year the Nebula awards were given & read the lists through. The title of this book won the short story award.
I laughed at the rather terrible (to me) title. On a lark, I looked up the story on amazon. It was part of a collections of short stories by Brian Aldiss. I read the first paragraph in the sample and was hooked. I bought the ebook and commenced reading.
How the title story hasn’t been made into a sweeping epic of a sci-fi film by now is beyond me. That story will stick with me all the rest of my days. The imagery. The story. Scary. Brilliant. Original and unique even now- almost 60 years later.
As for the rest of the stories. I loved all but two. Two of the stories weren’t to my liking. I loved all the rest. The sense of whimsy mixed with darkness mixed with sarcastic wit permeates almost every story to its benefit.
I highly recommend this book though I caution that these are not stories for the faint-hearted. These stories are as much horror as they are sci-fi.
The writing was beautiful and lyrical. The stories each memorable. The most famous story by this writer (the inspiration for Kubrick’s A.I.) was not in this collection yet the stories therein were quite excellent.
I stumbled across this book quite by a wonderful accidental turn of events. I was looking at the Pop Sugar reading challenge for 2023 and was looking for a book published in my birth year. My googling of yearly lists led me eventually to a list of Nebula awards given for a recent year. My curiosity was piqued. I started at the first year the Nebula awards were given & read the lists through. The title of this book won the short story award.
I laughed at the rather terrible (to me) title. On a lark, I looked up the story on amazon. It was part of a collections of short stories by Brian Aldiss. I read the first paragraph in the sample and was hooked. I bought the ebook and commenced reading.
How the title story hasn’t been made into a sweeping epic of a sci-fi film by now is beyond me. That story will stick with me all the rest of my days. The imagery. The story. Scary. Brilliant. Original and unique even now- almost 60 years later.
As for the rest of the stories. I loved all but two. Two of the stories weren’t to my liking. I loved all the rest. The sense of whimsy mixed with darkness mixed with sarcastic wit permeates almost every story to its benefit.
I highly recommend this book though I caution that these are not stories for the faint-hearted. These stories are as much horror as they are sci-fi.
The writing was beautiful and lyrical. The stories each memorable. The most famous story by this writer (the inspiration for Kubrick’s A.I.) was not in this collection yet the stories therein were quite excellent.
June 6, 2010
För att vara en såpass mångbottnad och tydlig berättelse, är Salivträdet förvånansvärt dåligt skriven. De många bottnarna är övertydliga, ramberättelsen fånig och den enda karaktär som är verkligt intressant passerar revy i form av en bifigur. Ja, jag menar hjältens kärleks pappa, bonden Grendon. Det är i hans damm rymdvarelserna landar och det är hans gård (och familj) som råkar ut för alla otäckheter och det är hans sätt att handskas med det som väcker i princip det enda intresse jag förmår ge den här berättelsen. Förutom beskrivningen av monstren, förstås, som för ett ögonblick kastar in mig i Lovecraftskt territorium med Cthulhu-referenser och tentakler.
Jag trodde Brian W. Aldiss om mer...
Jag trodde Brian W. Aldiss om mer...
January 18, 2010
I'm not too bothered about the rest of the stories in this book but the title novella is superb! Its a homage to H G Wells and also reads a little like John Wyndham's Midwich Cuckoos.
September 24, 2023
"Eres..., bueno, no diré que eres un fracaso, porque creo que ningún hombre es un fracaso sino cuando se considera a sí mismo como tal. Pero has fallado en el principal objetivo de tu vida: guiarnos instintivamente hacia la cumbre de la grandeza humana."
Un recopilatorio de historias de ciencia ficción de todos los tintes imaginables. La verdad, es que poco a poco empiezo a descubrir una faceta mía en la que no soy muy partidario de los compendios de varias historias inconexas, ya que en 10 páginas no me da tiempo o no conecto con los personajes ni con la historia que se cuenta, y termino desconectando del libro. De ahí las dos estrellas, simplemente porque yo no he sido capaz de conectar (ni en las historias más largas), no porque en ellas no haya calidad o entretenimiento. Las hay de mejores y peores, también hay que decir.
Un recopilatorio de historias de ciencia ficción de todos los tintes imaginables. La verdad, es que poco a poco empiezo a descubrir una faceta mía en la que no soy muy partidario de los compendios de varias historias inconexas, ya que en 10 páginas no me da tiempo o no conecto con los personajes ni con la historia que se cuenta, y termino desconectando del libro. De ahí las dos estrellas, simplemente porque yo no he sido capaz de conectar (ni en las historias más largas), no porque en ellas no haya calidad o entretenimiento. Las hay de mejores y peores, también hay que decir.
April 1, 2024
Conocí la pluma de Aldiss hace años, cuando leí el cuento “cómo se puede reemplazar a un hombre?” Y quedé maravillado. No logré dar con otra obra del autor hasta esta y, penosamente, no logró seducirme.
El árbol de saliva; cuento que da el nombre a la colección, no cumplió con lo que prometía. Para peor, el resto del conjunto son un par de relatos más de CF muy parecidos a la CF clásica (con ideas marchistas y naves de latón) y otro par de cuentos de asesinos bastante misóginos. El cuento final es un retrato realista que, a pesar de ser interesante, se siente más como una despedida del autor del género.
El árbol de saliva; cuento que da el nombre a la colección, no cumplió con lo que prometía. Para peor, el resto del conjunto son un par de relatos más de CF muy parecidos a la CF clásica (con ideas marchistas y naves de latón) y otro par de cuentos de asesinos bastante misóginos. El cuento final es un retrato realista que, a pesar de ser interesante, se siente más como una despedida del autor del género.
March 3, 2013
Es un libro con altibajos. Cuentos buenos, cuentos regulates, cuentos largos y tediosos. Tiene de todo. La narracion cumple, pero no va mas alla de lo esperado.
Es un libro mas del genero, pero, tiene sus momentos memorables.
Lo recomendaria para pasar un rato sin muchas pretenciones.
Cuentos recomendados:
*Peligro: Religion: El cuento que mas disfrute. Tiene una buena premisa.
*Leyendas de la constelacion smith: Entretenido y bien narrado. Nada de rodeos
*El dia fatidico: Me gustan los finales ironicos, aunque sean ya demasiado obvios.
*El arbol de saliva: Por la inclusion de H. G. Wells
Es un libro mas del genero, pero, tiene sus momentos memorables.
Lo recomendaria para pasar un rato sin muchas pretenciones.
Cuentos recomendados:
*Peligro: Religion: El cuento que mas disfrute. Tiene una buena premisa.
*Leyendas de la constelacion smith: Entretenido y bien narrado. Nada de rodeos
*El dia fatidico: Me gustan los finales ironicos, aunque sean ya demasiado obvios.
*El arbol de saliva: Por la inclusion de H. G. Wells
April 8, 2009
http://nhw.livejournal.com/314018.html[return][return]Actually a collection, including the title story which shared a Nebula with Zelazny's "He Who Shapes" (later expanded to The Dream Master). Several of the stories are non-sf - two about serial killers, which slightly surprised me, and one about the death of the medieval Serbian ruler Vukasin Mrnjavcevic. All exceedingly good stuff if you like your Aldiss, which I do.
October 20, 2011
The first thing that struck me about this collection was the variety of styles, tones and subject matters, almost as if Aldiss were keen to show off his range. There are also several non-SF stories, which was a surprise. What mainly comes across is the fertility of Aldiss' imagination, even if some of the pieces don't entirely work on a narrative level. The title story is memorably surreal and horrific, and the two serial killer stories are darkly comic.
October 14, 2015
Excellent short story about aliens creating exceptional growth in earths nature
January 1, 2025
I'm always excited to be reading any material by Brian Aldiss, an astonishing writer full of innovative ideas and who is excellent at world building and strong characterization. The saliva tree and other strange growths is a collection of weird and wonderful short stories with the feature novella being (The saliva tree) which regrettably didn't exactly wow me. All in all this is a real strong collection of imaginative tales by Aldiss which is categorised as science fiction and while many of the stories are there are many which aren't not to put you off because they are weirdly wonderful all the same. There were of course a few which didn't quite hit the mark with me but that's purely personal preference and not a quibble with the standard of writing here by Aldiss but I will list the standouts as always below.👇
(The Saliva tree)- The focal point of the book, feature novella and love letter to H.G Wells.Aldiss marked the centenary year of H G Wells' birth with this unconventional novella combining comedy, terror and late nineteenth-century period setting charm. Set within a sleepy East Anglian town lives Bruce Fox and Gregory Rolles who are two big thinkers who regularly gaze in wonder at the starry night skies. Both men are largely distinguished from the regular Cottersall town folk, both men are met with more than they had bargained for when a meteor lands in the pond of a local farm,Gregory seeks the advice of Mr H.G Wells. While the saliva tree is uniquely imaginative in the sense of combining late 19th century charm and science fiction I found myself drifting mid point, it's one of those that I wanted to like more than I did but please don't let that put you off of entering the wonderful mind of Brian Aldiss.
(The lonely habit)- One which isn't science fiction themed but a dark tale of a meticulous loner who once served in the navy and has an unhealthy appetite for murder. A very clever, punchy short which shows Aldiss range within short fiction telling.
(A pleasure shared)- Another non-science fiction tale of 3 tenants living within an apartment block in London during a cold winter month where all 3 become interweved in a chain of events which lead to a more than satisfactory ending.
(One roll with relish)- Two men meet at a dentist's waiting room, both men leave but one waits for the other, Mr Stoneward becomes a bit over familiar with Hector Bottralls personal life and his wife Penelope. This one is uncomfortable but in the most complimentary way to Aldiss, cutting edge, sharp short.
(Legends of Smith's burst)- My personal favourite of the book and in my opinion the strongest of all the offerings here. It's difficult to world build in a short story but Aldiss has proven that you can and in the most flawless way. This science fiction fantasy short masterpiece is written as a memoir from an earth man space traveller, Jamie Lancelot Lowther who has become a slave on a planet referred to as Glumpalt which is 1.57 light years across within the alpha arm of the galaxy. Glumpalt doesn't adhere to the laws of nature we are used to and is filled with every kind of half breed creature you can think of not to mention the black sun which causes havoc every time it rises at an unknown hour. I couldn't get enough of this offering by Aldiss, as I've said the world building is simply superb, the colourful characters and inhabitants visualized here due to Brian's knack of bringing them to life are second to none, the spider crab creature was my favourite. Again let's not forget that Aldiss achieved all of this in 38 and a half pages, 38 and half pages of sheer delight may I add.
(The girl and the robot with flowers)- A light hearted concluding short to finish the collection, 7 pages of idyllic charm and poetic science fiction story telling. A budding science fiction writer decides to change his style of approach but seeks the advice of wife (Marion) 10 minutes before leaving for a picnic.
In concluding the review, the saliva tree and other strange growths is a diverse collection of short stories with range and pure imagination. As I've stated there were numerous ones which didn't really do much for me, a few being the historical setting offerings. While I loved the fantasy science fiction novel (The Malicia tapestry) I just feel Aldiss missed the beat here with the Byzantium themed shorts. The featured novella (The saliva tree) is objectively excellent yet as I've said I just drifted midway unfortunately but can see why it's loved by many. If you love Aldiss and haven't read this yet then ask yourself why, it's a must but don't expect a full science fiction collection because it's not. A solid 4 easily for me.
(The Saliva tree)- The focal point of the book, feature novella and love letter to H.G Wells.Aldiss marked the centenary year of H G Wells' birth with this unconventional novella combining comedy, terror and late nineteenth-century period setting charm. Set within a sleepy East Anglian town lives Bruce Fox and Gregory Rolles who are two big thinkers who regularly gaze in wonder at the starry night skies. Both men are largely distinguished from the regular Cottersall town folk, both men are met with more than they had bargained for when a meteor lands in the pond of a local farm,Gregory seeks the advice of Mr H.G Wells. While the saliva tree is uniquely imaginative in the sense of combining late 19th century charm and science fiction I found myself drifting mid point, it's one of those that I wanted to like more than I did but please don't let that put you off of entering the wonderful mind of Brian Aldiss.
(The lonely habit)- One which isn't science fiction themed but a dark tale of a meticulous loner who once served in the navy and has an unhealthy appetite for murder. A very clever, punchy short which shows Aldiss range within short fiction telling.
(A pleasure shared)- Another non-science fiction tale of 3 tenants living within an apartment block in London during a cold winter month where all 3 become interweved in a chain of events which lead to a more than satisfactory ending.
(One roll with relish)- Two men meet at a dentist's waiting room, both men leave but one waits for the other, Mr Stoneward becomes a bit over familiar with Hector Bottralls personal life and his wife Penelope. This one is uncomfortable but in the most complimentary way to Aldiss, cutting edge, sharp short.
(Legends of Smith's burst)- My personal favourite of the book and in my opinion the strongest of all the offerings here. It's difficult to world build in a short story but Aldiss has proven that you can and in the most flawless way. This science fiction fantasy short masterpiece is written as a memoir from an earth man space traveller, Jamie Lancelot Lowther who has become a slave on a planet referred to as Glumpalt which is 1.57 light years across within the alpha arm of the galaxy. Glumpalt doesn't adhere to the laws of nature we are used to and is filled with every kind of half breed creature you can think of not to mention the black sun which causes havoc every time it rises at an unknown hour. I couldn't get enough of this offering by Aldiss, as I've said the world building is simply superb, the colourful characters and inhabitants visualized here due to Brian's knack of bringing them to life are second to none, the spider crab creature was my favourite. Again let's not forget that Aldiss achieved all of this in 38 and a half pages, 38 and half pages of sheer delight may I add.
(The girl and the robot with flowers)- A light hearted concluding short to finish the collection, 7 pages of idyllic charm and poetic science fiction story telling. A budding science fiction writer decides to change his style of approach but seeks the advice of wife (Marion) 10 minutes before leaving for a picnic.
In concluding the review, the saliva tree and other strange growths is a diverse collection of short stories with range and pure imagination. As I've stated there were numerous ones which didn't really do much for me, a few being the historical setting offerings. While I loved the fantasy science fiction novel (The Malicia tapestry) I just feel Aldiss missed the beat here with the Byzantium themed shorts. The featured novella (The saliva tree) is objectively excellent yet as I've said I just drifted midway unfortunately but can see why it's loved by many. If you love Aldiss and haven't read this yet then ask yourself why, it's a must but don't expect a full science fiction collection because it's not. A solid 4 easily for me.
February 16, 2025
I'm always excited to be reading any material by Brian Aldiss, an astonishing writer full of innovative ideas and who is excellent at world building and strong characterization. The saliva tree and other strange growths is a collection of weird and wonderful short stories with the feature novella being (The saliva tree) which regrettably didn't exactly wow me. All in all this is a real strong collection of imaginative tales by Aldiss which is categorised as science fiction and while many of the stories are there are many which aren't not to put you off because they are weirdly wonderful all the same. There were of course a few which didn't quite hit the mark with me but that's purely personal preference and not a quibble with the standard of writing here by Aldiss but I will list the standouts as always below.👇
(The Saliva tree)- The focal point of the book, feature novella and love letter to H.G Wells.Aldiss marked the centenary year of H G Wells' birth with this unconventional novella combining comedy, terror and late nineteenth-century period setting charm. Set within a sleepy East Anglian town lives Bruce Fox and Gregory Rolles who are two big thinkers who regularly gaze in wonder at the starry night skies. Both men are largely distinguished from the regular Cottersall town folk, both men are met with more than they had bargained for when a meteor lands in the pond of a local farm,Gregory seeks the advice of Mr H.G Wells. While the saliva tree is uniquely imaginative in the sense of combining late 19th century charm and science fiction I found myself drifting mid point, it's one of those that I wanted to like more than I did but please don't let that put you off of entering the wonderful mind of Brian Aldiss.
(The lonely habit)- One which isn't science fiction themed but a dark tale of a meticulous loner who once served in the navy and has an unhealthy appetite for murder. A very clever, punchy short which shows Aldiss range within short fiction telling.
(A pleasure shared)- Another non-science fiction tale of 3 tenants living within an apartment block in London during a cold winter month where all 3 become interweved in a chain of events which lead to a more than satisfactory ending.
(One roll with relish)- Two men meet at a dentist's waiting room, both men leave but one waits for the other, Mr Stoneward becomes a bit over familiar with Hector Bottralls personal life and his wife Penelope. This one is uncomfortable but in the most complimentary way to Aldiss, cutting edge, sharp short.
(Legends of Smith's burst)- My personal favourite of the book and in my opinion the strongest of all the offerings here. It's difficult to world build in a short story but Aldiss has proven that you can and in the most flawless way. This science fiction fantasy short masterpiece is written as a memoir from an earth man space traveller, Jamie Lancelot Lowther who has become a slave on a planet referred to as Glumpalt which is 1.57 light years across within the alpha arm of the galaxy. Glumpalt doesn't adhere to the laws of nature we are used to and is filled with every kind of half breed creature you can think of not to mention the black sun which causes havoc every time it rises at an unknown hour. I couldn't get enough of this offering by Aldiss, as I've said the world building is simply superb, the colourful characters and inhabitants visualized here due to Brian's knack of bringing them to life are second to none, the spider crab creature was my favourite. Again let's not forget that Aldiss achieved all of this in 38 and a half pages, 38 and half pages of sheer delight may I add.
(The girl and the robot with flowers)- A light hearted concluding short to finish the collection, 7 pages of idyllic charm and poetic science fiction story telling. A budding science fiction writer decides to change his style of approach but seeks the advice of wife (Marion) 10 minutes before leaving for a picnic.
In concluding the review, the saliva tree and other strange growths is a diverse collection of short stories with range and pure imagination. As I've stated there were numerous ones which didn't really do much for me, a few being the historical setting offerings. While I loved the fantasy science fiction novel (The Malicia tapestry) I just feel Aldiss missed the beat here with the Byzantium themed shorts. The featured novella (The saliva tree) is objectively excellent yet as I've said I just drifted midway unfortunately but can see why it's loved by many. If you love Aldiss and haven't read this yet then ask yourself why, it's a must but don't expect a full science fiction collection because it's not. A solid 4 easily for me.
(The Saliva tree)- The focal point of the book, feature novella and love letter to H.G Wells.Aldiss marked the centenary year of H G Wells' birth with this unconventional novella combining comedy, terror and late nineteenth-century period setting charm. Set within a sleepy East Anglian town lives Bruce Fox and Gregory Rolles who are two big thinkers who regularly gaze in wonder at the starry night skies. Both men are largely distinguished from the regular Cottersall town folk, both men are met with more than they had bargained for when a meteor lands in the pond of a local farm,Gregory seeks the advice of Mr H.G Wells. While the saliva tree is uniquely imaginative in the sense of combining late 19th century charm and science fiction I found myself drifting mid point, it's one of those that I wanted to like more than I did but please don't let that put you off of entering the wonderful mind of Brian Aldiss.
(The lonely habit)- One which isn't science fiction themed but a dark tale of a meticulous loner who once served in the navy and has an unhealthy appetite for murder. A very clever, punchy short which shows Aldiss range within short fiction telling.
(A pleasure shared)- Another non-science fiction tale of 3 tenants living within an apartment block in London during a cold winter month where all 3 become interweved in a chain of events which lead to a more than satisfactory ending.
(One roll with relish)- Two men meet at a dentist's waiting room, both men leave but one waits for the other, Mr Stoneward becomes a bit over familiar with Hector Bottralls personal life and his wife Penelope. This one is uncomfortable but in the most complimentary way to Aldiss, cutting edge, sharp short.
(Legends of Smith's burst)- My personal favourite of the book and in my opinion the strongest of all the offerings here. It's difficult to world build in a short story but Aldiss has proven that you can and in the most flawless way. This science fiction fantasy short masterpiece is written as a memoir from an earth man space traveller, Jamie Lancelot Lowther who has become a slave on a planet referred to as Glumpalt which is 1.57 light years across within the alpha arm of the galaxy. Glumpalt doesn't adhere to the laws of nature we are used to and is filled with every kind of half breed creature you can think of not to mention the black sun which causes havoc every time it rises at an unknown hour. I couldn't get enough of this offering by Aldiss, as I've said the world building is simply superb, the colourful characters and inhabitants visualized here due to Brian's knack of bringing them to life are second to none, the spider crab creature was my favourite. Again let's not forget that Aldiss achieved all of this in 38 and a half pages, 38 and half pages of sheer delight may I add.
(The girl and the robot with flowers)- A light hearted concluding short to finish the collection, 7 pages of idyllic charm and poetic science fiction story telling. A budding science fiction writer decides to change his style of approach but seeks the advice of wife (Marion) 10 minutes before leaving for a picnic.
In concluding the review, the saliva tree and other strange growths is a diverse collection of short stories with range and pure imagination. As I've stated there were numerous ones which didn't really do much for me, a few being the historical setting offerings. While I loved the fantasy science fiction novel (The Malicia tapestry) I just feel Aldiss missed the beat here with the Byzantium themed shorts. The featured novella (The saliva tree) is objectively excellent yet as I've said I just drifted midway unfortunately but can see why it's loved by many. If you love Aldiss and haven't read this yet then ask yourself why, it's a must but don't expect a full science fiction collection because it's not. A solid 4 easily for me.
April 10, 2023
El árbol de saliva es una colección de 10 relatos de Brian W. Aldiss. Aunque quizá hay un par que suenan un poco a relleno, aquí hay un buen puñado de ideas potentes que además van de mano de una narrativa inteligente y ágil. El árbol de saliva es el cuento inicial que abre la colección, prácticamente se trata de una novela corta, ya que tiene unas 130 páginas, es un cuento que ya había leído en otro título de esta colección pero que no recordaba. Curioso porque recuerda a 'El color caído del cielo' de H.P.L., pero no es tan oscuro, además cuenta con un guiñó hacia H.G.Wells. Peligro: Religión es un cuento bastante fuerte, tambien casi una novela corta... creo que no había leído ideas de universos paralelos de Aldiss antes, es un relato oscuro e inteligente. La fuente tiene un caríz antropológico filosófico que supone un cambio de timón importante en el rumbo narrativo. Un hábito solitario, Un placer compartido y Un papel que disfrutar son cuentos que han metido de relleno en un libro que aparentemente era de ciencia ficción. Son una suerte de relatos tipo novela negra que resultan simpáticos, pero no tienen nada más relevante que aportar.
Leyendas de la constelación de Smith si es una pieza fuerte, un relato muy loco que a mí me ha traído a la mente Star Wars y A Princess of Mars.El día del rey predestinado es un relato ficcinado muy interesante del nobel serbio Vukašin Mrnjavčević. A pesar de no tratarse de un relato de ciencia ficción, para mí ha sido uno de los platos fuertes de la antología, que se concluye con Cuidados paternales y La joven y el robot con flores, este último creo que ya se trata de un clásico entre los clásicos por el humor tan fresco con el que sobrevuela el género.
Leyendas de la constelación de Smith si es una pieza fuerte, un relato muy loco que a mí me ha traído a la mente Star Wars y A Princess of Mars.El día del rey predestinado es un relato ficcinado muy interesante del nobel serbio Vukašin Mrnjavčević. A pesar de no tratarse de un relato de ciencia ficción, para mí ha sido uno de los platos fuertes de la antología, que se concluye con Cuidados paternales y La joven y el robot con flores, este último creo que ya se trata de un clásico entre los clásicos por el humor tan fresco con el que sobrevuela el género.
July 8, 2025
A middling Aldiss collection of shorts from mostly the 60s.
1. In the titular Nebula winning novella with a repetitive plot the young socialist Gregory tries to rescue the occupants of a farm slaving in false consciousness under the spell of the invisible hand of the markets, so to speak: 2.5
2. An alternate history/portal fantasy type story with the requisite Christian fascists: 4.
3. An experimental piece that presumably has something to do with Jung's anima and animus theory: 2.
4 & 5. Two bleak serial killer stories: 2.
6. An opaque psychological exploration: 1.5.
7. An adventure on a grimy planet populated by weird creatures: 2.
8. A delicately written piece of historical fiction: 3.
9. An absorbing snapshot of a humdrum scene: 3.
10. Metafiction: 2.5
---
Average score: 2.45.
The cover with the red tentacled Aurigan splashing in the water is by Les Edwards who painted the original HeroQuest illustration.
1. In the titular Nebula winning novella with a repetitive plot the young socialist Gregory tries to rescue the occupants of a farm slaving in false consciousness under the spell of the invisible hand of the markets, so to speak: 2.5
2. An alternate history/portal fantasy type story with the requisite Christian fascists: 4.
3. An experimental piece that presumably has something to do with Jung's anima and animus theory: 2.
4 & 5. Two bleak serial killer stories: 2.
6. An opaque psychological exploration: 1.5.
7. An adventure on a grimy planet populated by weird creatures: 2.
8. A delicately written piece of historical fiction: 3.
9. An absorbing snapshot of a humdrum scene: 3.
10. Metafiction: 2.5
---
Average score: 2.45.
The cover with the red tentacled Aurigan splashing in the water is by Les Edwards who painted the original HeroQuest illustration.
September 24, 2020
Súper homosexual con Wells y eso me ha hecho mucha gracia (de cierta forma también le da puntos adicionales). Dos relatos me parecieron especialmente buenos: Un hábito solitario y Un placer compartido. Ambos son del mismo estilo, aunque la narración es distinta (el segundo es muy gracioso y carismático, por cierto).
Mención especial para Peligro: Religión, que también es gracioso y es curioso cómo uno interpreta las cosas, aunque me habría gustado conocer un poco más sobre otras matrices. Un papel a disfrutar tiene lo suyo igual.
El árbol de saliva sí suena bastante siglo XIX y tiene un ritmo adecuado para todo lo que ocurre.
Mención especial para Peligro: Religión, que también es gracioso y es curioso cómo uno interpreta las cosas, aunque me habría gustado conocer un poco más sobre otras matrices. Un papel a disfrutar tiene lo suyo igual.
El árbol de saliva sí suena bastante siglo XIX y tiene un ritmo adecuado para todo lo que ocurre.
July 11, 2024
The novella in the title is good, more reminiscent of John Wyndham than Aldiss. The short stories that follow are weaker, a couple are fantasy types, a couple more murder/thrillers and one autobiographical story. It feels like Aldiss was experimenting with thick collection.
(My Sphere paperback copy from 1973 doesn't have the 'Other strange growths' part of the title.
(My Sphere paperback copy from 1973 doesn't have the 'Other strange growths' part of the title.
April 20, 2021
Conjures some memorably horrible images, but otherwise a rather clumsy fusion of horror, comedy and olde worlde englande, in which none of the characters behaves in a remotely believable fashion, that hasn't been treated well by the passage of time.
April 13, 2020
The HG Wells homage story was great but most of the others were quite dull.
November 2, 2021
✔ "The Saliva Tree"
July 7, 2023
Aldiss was the king of weird SF and this book proves it. Excellent collection of short stories, each uniquely strange.
March 7, 2024
Excellent classic Sci-Fi
Aldiss is the master!
Aldiss is the master!
December 22, 2025
Algunos cuentos me gustaron mucho, pero otros en cambio no me gustaron para nada. En general la narración es sencilla y digerible y me gustó mucho.
November 10, 2013
Tendo em conta que foi criada como parte da comemoração do centenário do nascimento de de H.G. Wells não é de admirar que o primeiro conto desta mini-antologia, “A Árvores da Saliva”, seja uma versão light com um twist extraterrestre de “The Food Of The Goods”. Tanto como homenagem, como por si só, é um bom conto, com uma premissa interessante e bem exposta (coisa que nem sempre Aldiss consegue). Melhor seria se o meteorito fosse a única coisa a cair do céu na narrativa…
Falo, em primeiro lugar, do repentino interesse amoroso de Greg por Nancy, que embora extremamente útil para a evolução da história, não só não tem qualquer base, como vai contra a toda tendência do que o autor se esforçou para apresentar.
O segundo elemento “caído do céu” é a correspondência entre Greg e próprio Wells, que não traz absolutamente nada de relevante para a evolução da narrativa e parece ter sido colocado com o único propósito de nos “esfregar na cara” que o conto foi feito para homenagear o autor. Acho que Aldiss teria ganho em ser mais subtil e deixar núcleo duro da narrativa falar por si só. Acima de tudo, escusava de ter prolongado a história além da sua conclusão, em detrimento desta obsessiva tendência de chover no molhado.
Não obstante tudo isto continua a ser um bom conto. Pena estes pormenores não lhe permitirem ser melhor. 3,5 Estrelas.
“Perigo: religião” Um início muito fraco e desnecessário poderá demover muitos leitores de um conto interessante. Verdade é que até ao momento em que Meacher se encontra com Rastell só temos palha. A partir daí vemos um protagonista com boas intenções a ser arrastado pelas acções dos demais, tendoa temática dos multiversos como pano de fundo. Claro que, como costuma acontecer em narrativas de multiversos, metade da piada estás nas especulações apresentadas e a outra metade em debater a validade das mesmas. Pessoalmente achei que Aldiss usou muita boa vontade e até inocência (a questão dos cigarros chega a ser adorável, mesmo tendo em conta a altura em que foi escrita) em alguns “cálculos”, contudo, tenho de reconhecer compensou com uma boa ambientação. 3,8 Estrelas
“A Origem” Se tivesse seguido o encadeamento quase cómico do tom inicial, poderia ter sido um conto mediano. Neste formato, tornou-se apenas uma perda de tempo, numa narrativa desprovida de objectivo. O último prego no caixão foi mesmo a conclusão de Kervis. Se nos ia dar algo tão incrivelmente cliché e infantil, podia ter feito um melhor trabalho a entreter-nos. 1 Estrela.
“O Hábito Solitário” embora bem escrito e com alguns bons momentos não passa das divagações, particularmente entediantes, de um assassino, durante as quais esperamos por um twist que nunca acontece. Além de a história estar completamente deslocada dos outros 3 contos. 2 Estrelas
Falo, em primeiro lugar, do repentino interesse amoroso de Greg por Nancy, que embora extremamente útil para a evolução da história, não só não tem qualquer base, como vai contra a toda tendência do que o autor se esforçou para apresentar.
O segundo elemento “caído do céu” é a correspondência entre Greg e próprio Wells, que não traz absolutamente nada de relevante para a evolução da narrativa e parece ter sido colocado com o único propósito de nos “esfregar na cara” que o conto foi feito para homenagear o autor. Acho que Aldiss teria ganho em ser mais subtil e deixar núcleo duro da narrativa falar por si só. Acima de tudo, escusava de ter prolongado a história além da sua conclusão, em detrimento desta obsessiva tendência de chover no molhado.
Não obstante tudo isto continua a ser um bom conto. Pena estes pormenores não lhe permitirem ser melhor. 3,5 Estrelas.
“Perigo: religião” Um início muito fraco e desnecessário poderá demover muitos leitores de um conto interessante. Verdade é que até ao momento em que Meacher se encontra com Rastell só temos palha. A partir daí vemos um protagonista com boas intenções a ser arrastado pelas acções dos demais, tendoa temática dos multiversos como pano de fundo. Claro que, como costuma acontecer em narrativas de multiversos, metade da piada estás nas especulações apresentadas e a outra metade em debater a validade das mesmas. Pessoalmente achei que Aldiss usou muita boa vontade e até inocência (a questão dos cigarros chega a ser adorável, mesmo tendo em conta a altura em que foi escrita) em alguns “cálculos”, contudo, tenho de reconhecer compensou com uma boa ambientação. 3,8 Estrelas
“A Origem” Se tivesse seguido o encadeamento quase cómico do tom inicial, poderia ter sido um conto mediano. Neste formato, tornou-se apenas uma perda de tempo, numa narrativa desprovida de objectivo. O último prego no caixão foi mesmo a conclusão de Kervis. Se nos ia dar algo tão incrivelmente cliché e infantil, podia ter feito um melhor trabalho a entreter-nos. 1 Estrela.
“O Hábito Solitário” embora bem escrito e com alguns bons momentos não passa das divagações, particularmente entediantes, de um assassino, durante as quais esperamos por um twist que nunca acontece. Além de a história estar completamente deslocada dos outros 3 contos. 2 Estrelas
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October 30, 20164 stars from Jesse, read the full review at FANTASY LITERATURE
Disclaimer: just so you know, some of the books we review are received free from publishers
In 1966, with the 100th anniversary of H.G. Wells’ birthday approaching, Brian W. Aldiss wrote a story in tribute of one of, if not, the genre’s grandfather. The resulting novella, The Saliva Tree, distills elements of The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds into a suspenseful horror story that has just the socio-political agenda ‘grandpa’ would have approved of.
Set in the late 19th century, The Saliva Tree opens with two “scientifically enlightened” young men standing in the countryside of rural England, watching a meteor shower, and remarking on life. When one of the meteors enters the atmosphere and appears to land at nearby Benford farm, one of the men, Gregory Rolles, declares that the following day he will visit to see the lump of metal for himself. Influencing the scientifically-minded young man is that farmer Benford’s daughter, Miss Nancy Benford, is an attractive, unspoken for young woman. Coming to the farmstead the following day, none of the Benfords appear the least bit interested in what landed in their pond. Borrowing a boat to inspect the strangely opaque waters, Rolles has an experience he can’t explain, and in the days which follow, sees even stranger things. The mysterious death of the Benford’s dog, sows birthing exceptionally large litters, and a strange, musty-smelling dew coating everything, Rolles’ narrow escape from the pond is not enough to set him off investigating the underlying mystery. The reality of the situation is scarier than he imagined — he and the Benford family’s lives are in the greatest of jeopardy. But is Rolles’ “modern” wit enough to sort out the problem?...4 stars from Jesse, read the full review at FANTASY LITERATURE
Disclaimer: just so you know, some of the books we review are received free from publishers
In 1966, with the 100th anniversary of H.G. Wells’ birthday approaching, Brian W. Aldiss wrote a story in tribute of one of, if not, the genre’s grandfather. The resulting novella, The Saliva Tree, distills elements of The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds into a suspenseful horror story that has just the socio-political agenda ‘grandpa’ would have approved of.
Set in the late 19th century, The Saliva Tree opens with two “scientifically enlightened” young men standing in the countryside of rural England, watching a meteor shower, and remarking on life. When one of the meteors enters the atmosphere and appears to land at nearby Benford farm, one of the men, Gregory Rolles, declares that the following day he will visit to see the lump of metal for himself. Influencing the scientifically-minded young man is that farmer Benford’s daughter, Miss Nancy Benford, is an attractive, unspoken for young woman. Coming to the farmstead the following day, none of the Benfords appear the least bit interested in what landed in their pond. Borrowing a boat to inspect the strangely opaque waters, Rolles has an experience he can’t explain, and in the days which follow, sees even stranger things. The mysterious death of the Benford’s dog, sows birthing exceptionally large litters, and a strange, musty-smelling dew coating everything, Rolles’ narrow escape from the pond is not enough to set him off investigating the underlying mystery. The reality of the situation is scarier than he imagined — he and the Benford family’s lives are in the greatest of jeopardy. But is Rolles’ “modern” wit enough to sort out the problem?...4 stars from Jesse, read the full review at FANTASY LITERATURE
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