Continuum 3

Continuum #3

by Roger Elwood (Editor), Anne McCaffrey (Contributor), Poul Anderson (Contributor)

book, used science fiction novel

Genres: Science Fiction, Anthologies, Fiction

182 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Roger Elwood was an American science fiction writer and editor, perhaps best known for having edited a large number of anthologies and collections for a variety of publishers in the early 1970s. Elwood was also the founding editor of Laser Books and, in more recent years, worked in the evangelical Christian market.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good continues to be good, the bad continues to be dull. I suspect this doesn't deliver on its concept of being a group of short stories that are connected from volume to volume, but that's hard to evaluate since I'm reading through the whole series in order.

Philip Jose Farmer's story started weird and has only gotten weirder. Which I understand to be par for the course with him.

I like Poul Anderson's story more than anything else of his that I've read so far: very grounded and human-feeling stories of interstellar colonization that recalls similar issues in more terrestrial colonizations past.

Chad Oliver's stories of economic exploitation of "primitive" human space colonies don't do as much as they could to explore the dynamic. It's kind of a Prime Directive deal, but with characters who don't really believe in it philosophically.

Thomas N. Scortia's eclectic story continues to disappoint.

Anne McCaffrey's story of crystal-energy-powered technology (crystalpunk?) has been growing on me. It's a little out there, but it's coalescing in the way that I sometimes don't get into a fantasy book until after the first 50-100 pages.

Gene Wolf's story is interestingly experimental. He's probably providing the most varied experience from volume to volume.

Edward Pangborn's post-apocalyptic vignettes feel a bit undercooked.

The story started by Dean Koontz continues to be a hot potato, this time in the hands of a couple of authors. A society of robots have forgotten that they were created by man. You can imagine where things might go, but the exploration of themes is decently fun.

[Paul Wakelam]

I am getting rid of all my SF short storirs and it is sad. :-) it is such good fun to read collections from nearly 45 years ago. John Brunner's advice that all authors receive lots of criticism and rejections and to keep on writing.

[Bill Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories continue - this seems an interesting approach as the tales develop. Looking forward to Part 4.

[William Worsham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may have a higher opinion after reading others in this series. As stand alone tales, there were a couple of high points but most weren't exactly satisfying.