What do you think?
Rate this book
A World Between
Since its colonization by Earth, Pacifica has flourished. Now, under the guidance of Chairman Carlotta Madigan and her lover and Minister of Media, Royce Lindbold, it is the galaxy's supreme electronic democracy, a Utopian world where both sexes equally serve and are served by the Media.
But there are those who would have it otherwise, who have come to Pacifica to turn its very freedom into an instrument of its bondage, who have launched a devastating media war on Pacifica to divide... and conquer.
But there are those who would have it otherwise, who have come to Pacifica to turn its very freedom into an instrument of its bondage, who have launched a devastating media war on Pacifica to divide... and conquer.
343 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
3 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Norman Spinrad
365 books219 followersBorn in New York in 1940, Norman Spinrad is an acclaimed SF writer.
Norman Spinrad, born in New York City, is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science. In 1957 he entered City College of New York and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree as a pre-law major. In 1966 he moved to San Francisco, then to Los Angeles, and now lives in Paris. He married fellow novelist N. Lee Wood in 1990; they divorced in 2005. They had no children. Spinrad served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) from 1980 to 1982 and again from 2001 to 2002.
Norman Spinrad, born in New York City, is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science. In 1957 he entered City College of New York and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree as a pre-law major. In 1966 he moved to San Francisco, then to Los Angeles, and now lives in Paris. He married fellow novelist N. Lee Wood in 1990; they divorced in 2005. They had no children. Spinrad served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) from 1980 to 1982 and again from 2001 to 2002.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 26, 2023
This is definitely a book worth reading, and a book of surprising relevance especially for today. In short, it describes the planet Pacifica, a world that, while not perfect, certainly is a positive utopia. It is sparsely populated, and heavy industry is operating only in the high antarctic region, leaving the rest of the planet nearly pristine. But more importantly, the government is selected and controlled by "electronic democracy", is financed by monopolies on mining and energy production, and runs at a surplus, paying a "citizens dividend" to the inhabitants. Spinrad to a certain degree satirises modern western society - in theory, men and women on Pacifica have equal rights, but in practice, women are somewhat more frequent in positions of power, and many men ("buckos" in the local vernacular) do tend to dress and act provocatively, trying to attract the attention of somewhat older and influential women. But this is a mild effect - the "chairman" of the government is a women, but several ministers are men.
This quite idyllic society is put to a stress test when two spaceships from different sides of the "pink and blue war" arrive and try to convert the planet to their respective ideologies - the "transcendent scientists", a highly patriarchal society with advanced scientific knowledge, and the "femocrats", representatives of a radical feminist culture that reduced men ("breeders") to an extremely subordinate role (and mostly got rid of them entirely). Both use Pacifica's extreme free-speech laws to wage a propaganda war. This is where Spinrad really shines - he gives us the respective propaganda via "show, don't tell", and he often manages to come up with surprisingly effective techniques for selling even the most absurd positions. He does show how even a stable, informed democracy can be destabilised by the media. I won't spoil the end.
The book is not without some problems. Spinrad always was and still is a provocative, no-holds-barred author - his Bug Jack Barron was boycotted by W.H. Smith in the UK, The Iron Dream pretends to be a thinly wrapped splatter-SF-novel from the sick brain of Adolf Hitler, and in Riding the Torch, God and the Devil conspire to screw over humanity (and fail). In this book, there are some sex scenes that are definitely cringe-worthy from a modern perspective (and probably also from a 1979 perspective), and some of the scenes in the propaganda movies he describes are quite graphic. Also, the book, predating modern perspectives on gender diversity, has an extremely binary perspective on gender - not as a conscious choice, I think, but simply as a reflection of societal awareness in the 1970s. It does give a quite reasonable representation to queer characters, especially considering the age of the book.
Also, I have the feeling that the book is maybe 20% too long - the resolution has a few more steps than necessary, and the end feels a bit too neat.
Overall, a very quick and enjoyable read. If you are super-sensitive about sexual topics, some discretion may be advised. But I think the book is well worth that risk, and it does have to say important things about modern society (even if the computer systems and nets, super-advanced by 1979 standard, feel somewhat quaint today).
This quite idyllic society is put to a stress test when two spaceships from different sides of the "pink and blue war" arrive and try to convert the planet to their respective ideologies - the "transcendent scientists", a highly patriarchal society with advanced scientific knowledge, and the "femocrats", representatives of a radical feminist culture that reduced men ("breeders") to an extremely subordinate role (and mostly got rid of them entirely). Both use Pacifica's extreme free-speech laws to wage a propaganda war. This is where Spinrad really shines - he gives us the respective propaganda via "show, don't tell", and he often manages to come up with surprisingly effective techniques for selling even the most absurd positions. He does show how even a stable, informed democracy can be destabilised by the media. I won't spoil the end.
The book is not without some problems. Spinrad always was and still is a provocative, no-holds-barred author - his Bug Jack Barron was boycotted by W.H. Smith in the UK, The Iron Dream pretends to be a thinly wrapped splatter-SF-novel from the sick brain of Adolf Hitler, and in Riding the Torch, God and the Devil conspire to screw over humanity (and fail). In this book, there are some sex scenes that are definitely cringe-worthy from a modern perspective (and probably also from a 1979 perspective), and some of the scenes in the propaganda movies he describes are quite graphic. Also, the book, predating modern perspectives on gender diversity, has an extremely binary perspective on gender - not as a conscious choice, I think, but simply as a reflection of societal awareness in the 1970s. It does give a quite reasonable representation to queer characters, especially considering the age of the book.
Also, I have the feeling that the book is maybe 20% too long - the resolution has a few more steps than necessary, and the end feels a bit too neat.
Overall, a very quick and enjoyable read. If you are super-sensitive about sexual topics, some discretion may be advised. But I think the book is well worth that risk, and it does have to say important things about modern society (even if the computer systems and nets, super-advanced by 1979 standard, feel somewhat quaint today).
March 1, 2023
Was für ein schlechter Roman. Verliert sich in Klischees, langweilig und unlogisch. Spinrad verliert sich in seinen Fantasien ohne eine Begründung der Auswirkungen zu liefern. Mußte mich durchquälen, um rechtzeitig zur Besprechung fertig zu werden.
April 2, 2023
Geschafft!
Beim Lesen hat sich bei mir immer mehr der Eindruck verfestigt, dass bei dem Konflikt (Vorherrschaftstreben?) zwischen Femokratie und Transzendaler Wissenschaft auf dem Boden der offenen Gesellschaft von Pacifica nicht um die große Weltpolitik oder um die USA als Vorbild von Pacifica, sondern in erster Linie um die SF-Community der 70er und 80er Jahre geht. Denn hier gab es Vertreterinnen eines radikalen Feminismus und auf der anderen Seite die männich geprägten Technik und Wissenschaftsoptimismus der alten und neuen Schule in der SF, die Vertreter der Hardscience, die von der Beherrschung des Universums träumten. Der Roman spiegelt wohl die Sicht Spinrads.
So kann man den Roman auch als Satire auffassen, wie das auf dem Buchrücken ein Zitat aus einer Kritik tut. Ja, durch die Überzeichung wirken beide Bewegungen eher satirisch und wenig realistisch.
Das Poltitische und Demokratisch-Prozesshafte weiß Spinrad hier sehr gut einzubauen, und das macht auch ein großes Plus des Buches in meinen Augen aus. Das macht die Spannung des Buchs aus, nicht der Ausgang. Wie auch die Figuren recht gut geworden sind. Die Femokraten sind Spinrad aber am wenigsten gelungen, das ist ein Schwachpunkt des Romans. Ebenso wie die Manos, die Macho-Schwulen im Gebirge, die fand ich auch zu sehr verzerrtes Klischee.
Das Ende ist optimistisch, und ich hatte nie Zweifel, wie der Roman endet, Royce Windblad und Carlotta Madigan - wie Pacifica insgesamt - gehörte von Beginn an die Sympathie Spinrads.
Beim Lesen hat sich bei mir immer mehr der Eindruck verfestigt, dass bei dem Konflikt (Vorherrschaftstreben?) zwischen Femokratie und Transzendaler Wissenschaft auf dem Boden der offenen Gesellschaft von Pacifica nicht um die große Weltpolitik oder um die USA als Vorbild von Pacifica, sondern in erster Linie um die SF-Community der 70er und 80er Jahre geht. Denn hier gab es Vertreterinnen eines radikalen Feminismus und auf der anderen Seite die männich geprägten Technik und Wissenschaftsoptimismus der alten und neuen Schule in der SF, die Vertreter der Hardscience, die von der Beherrschung des Universums träumten. Der Roman spiegelt wohl die Sicht Spinrads.
So kann man den Roman auch als Satire auffassen, wie das auf dem Buchrücken ein Zitat aus einer Kritik tut. Ja, durch die Überzeichung wirken beide Bewegungen eher satirisch und wenig realistisch.
Das Poltitische und Demokratisch-Prozesshafte weiß Spinrad hier sehr gut einzubauen, und das macht auch ein großes Plus des Buches in meinen Augen aus. Das macht die Spannung des Buchs aus, nicht der Ausgang. Wie auch die Figuren recht gut geworden sind. Die Femokraten sind Spinrad aber am wenigsten gelungen, das ist ein Schwachpunkt des Romans. Ebenso wie die Manos, die Macho-Schwulen im Gebirge, die fand ich auch zu sehr verzerrtes Klischee.
Das Ende ist optimistisch, und ich hatte nie Zweifel, wie der Roman endet, Royce Windblad und Carlotta Madigan - wie Pacifica insgesamt - gehörte von Beginn an die Sympathie Spinrads.
December 24, 2024
Pintaba libro de ciencia ficción pero de eso solamente tiene el contexto, luego es un libro sobre política psicosexual bastante árido y que avanza poco en la trama. Los personajes están bien (unos pocos) y tienen debates e interacciones interesantes pero me caen mal todos así que se siente.
May 6, 2025
(αποθέωση στα ελληνικά λίγο πιο χαμηλά)
A World Between by Norman Spinrad: A Prophetic Political Utopia – A Forecast that, Unfortunately, Came True 200% (in its “bad” aspects)
From its early chapters, A World Between is not merely a work of science fiction—it is a bold, prophetic, and captivating political manifesto disguised as a novel. Norman Spinrad creates a world that ensnares you with its intelligence, insight, and fearless social critique.
The setting is that of a utopian planetary state, a society where direct democracy—via an advanced digital communication platform—has reached its zenith. At a time when technology was only beginning to tentatively influence Earth’s political scene, Spinrad, in 1983 (damn it, there wasn't even an internet back then, let alone networking platforms and Insta polls), predicted, in an utterly prophetic way, our addiction to communication and interaction mediums, the power of imagery, and the clash between politics and media personas.
The characters are crafted with masterful precision. They are not merely vehicles for ideas but fully realized, multidimensional human beings with passions, fears, and ambitions. The conflicts between them are far more than political disputes; they are a philosophical battle for the soul of the world.
Spinrad does not shy away from tackling difficult topics: sexual freedom, technocracy, fascism, populism, and the fine line between democracy and autocracy through popular acceptance. The result is a work brimming with ideas, passion, and intellectual challenge.
His language is rich and theatrical, often poetic. The world he creates is vibrant, complex, and unpredictable. If there has ever been a novel deserving of the title "manual" for future political governance in cyberspace, it is this one, damn Orwell (okay, fine, I love Orwell).
In an era of fake news and algorithms that shape our consciousness, A World Between is more relevant than ever. It is a work that does not simply engage with you; it challenges you, captivates you, and changes you.
If there ever was a perfect ten, à la Komanechi, in prophetic science fiction, this is it.
P.S. Spinrad is the kind of author whose shopping list you'd read, and we've said this before and will probably say it again.
Μια επική πολιτική ουτοπία – A World Between του Norman Spinrad, μια προφητεία που… δυστυχώς βγήκε 200% (στα «κακά» της)
Από τα πρώτα του κεφάλαια, το A World Between δεν είναι απλώς ένα έργο επιστημονικής φαντασίας — είναι ένα τολμηρό, προφητικό και σαγηνευτικό πολιτικό μανιφέστο μεταμφιεσμένο σε μυθιστόρημα. Ο Norman Spinrad δημιουργεί έναν κόσμο που σε αιχμαλωτίζει με την ευφυΐα, τη διορατικότητα και την ατρόμητη κοινωνική του κριτική.
Το πλαίσιο είναι το ουτοπικό πλανητικό κράτος, μια κοινωνία όπου η άμεση δημοκρατία —μέσω μιας εξελιγμένης ψηφιακής πλατφόρμας επικοινωνίας, έχει φτάσει στο απόγειο της. Σε μια εποχή που η τεχνολογία αρχίζει δειλά να επηρεάζει την πολιτική σκηνή της Γης, ο Spinrad το 1983 (γαμώ το θεό μου δεν υπήρχε καν ίντερνετ τότε, πόσο μάλλον πλατφόρμες δικτύωσης και Insta polls) προβλέπει με ΑΠΟΛΥΤΑ ΓΑΜΗΜΕΝΑ ΠΡΟΦΗΤΙΚΟ ΤΡΟΠΟ τον εθισμό μας στα μέσα επικοινωνίας και διάδρασης, τη δύναμη της εικόνας και τη σύγκρουση πολιτικής και μιντιακής περσόνας.
Οι χαρακτήρες είναι σχεδιασμένοι με μαεστρία. Δεν είναι απλά φορείς ιδεών, αλλά ζωντανοί, πολυδιάστατοι άνθρωποι με πάθη, φόβους και φιλοδοξίες. Η μεταξύ τους διαμάχη είναι πολύ περισσότερο από μια πολιτική σύγκρουση· είναι μια φιλοσοφική μάχη για την ψυχή του κόσμου.
Ο Spinrad δεν φοβάται να καταπιαστεί με δύσκολα θέματα: σεξουαλική ελευθερία, τεχνοκρατία, φασισμός, λαϊκισμός και η λεπτή γραμμή ανάμεσα στη δημοκρατία και την απολυταρχία μέσω της λαϊκής αποδοχής. Το αποτέλεσμα είναι ένα έργο που σφύζει από ιδέες, πάθος και διανοητική πρόκληση.
Η γλώσσα του είναι πλούσια και θεατρική, συχνά ποιητική. Ο κόσμος του είναι πολύχρωμος, σύνθετος και απρόβλεπτος. Αν υπήρξε ποτέ μυθιστόρημα που αξίζει να χαρακτηριστεί ως "manual" για τη μελλοντική πολιτική διακυβέρνηση στον κυβερνοχώρο, είναι αυτό, γαμώ τον Όργουελ (όχι, εντάξει, αγαπώ τον Όργουελ).
Σε μια εποχή fake news και αλγόριθμων που διαμορφώνουν συνειδήσεις, το A World Between γίνεται πιο επίκαιρο από ποτέ. Είναι ένα έργο που δεν διαβάζεται απλώς· σε προκαλεί, σε συνεπαίρνει, σε αλλάζει.
Αν υπάρχει απόλυτο δεκάρι τύπου Κομανέτσι στην προφητική Ε.Φ. είναι αυτό.
Υ.Γ. Ο Spinrad είναι το είδος συγγραφέα που διαβάζεις μέχρι και τη λίστα για τα ψώνια του, του έχουμε ξαναπεί, και μάλλον θα το ξαναπούμε.
A World Between by Norman Spinrad: A Prophetic Political Utopia – A Forecast that, Unfortunately, Came True 200% (in its “bad” aspects)
From its early chapters, A World Between is not merely a work of science fiction—it is a bold, prophetic, and captivating political manifesto disguised as a novel. Norman Spinrad creates a world that ensnares you with its intelligence, insight, and fearless social critique.
The setting is that of a utopian planetary state, a society where direct democracy—via an advanced digital communication platform—has reached its zenith. At a time when technology was only beginning to tentatively influence Earth’s political scene, Spinrad, in 1983 (damn it, there wasn't even an internet back then, let alone networking platforms and Insta polls), predicted, in an utterly prophetic way, our addiction to communication and interaction mediums, the power of imagery, and the clash between politics and media personas.
The characters are crafted with masterful precision. They are not merely vehicles for ideas but fully realized, multidimensional human beings with passions, fears, and ambitions. The conflicts between them are far more than political disputes; they are a philosophical battle for the soul of the world.
Spinrad does not shy away from tackling difficult topics: sexual freedom, technocracy, fascism, populism, and the fine line between democracy and autocracy through popular acceptance. The result is a work brimming with ideas, passion, and intellectual challenge.
His language is rich and theatrical, often poetic. The world he creates is vibrant, complex, and unpredictable. If there has ever been a novel deserving of the title "manual" for future political governance in cyberspace, it is this one, damn Orwell (okay, fine, I love Orwell).
In an era of fake news and algorithms that shape our consciousness, A World Between is more relevant than ever. It is a work that does not simply engage with you; it challenges you, captivates you, and changes you.
If there ever was a perfect ten, à la Komanechi, in prophetic science fiction, this is it.
P.S. Spinrad is the kind of author whose shopping list you'd read, and we've said this before and will probably say it again.
Μια επική πολιτική ουτοπία – A World Between του Norman Spinrad, μια προφητεία που… δυστυχώς βγήκε 200% (στα «κακά» της)
Από τα πρώτα του κεφάλαια, το A World Between δεν είναι απλώς ένα έργο επιστημονικής φαντασίας — είναι ένα τολμηρό, προφητικό και σαγηνευτικό πολιτικό μανιφέστο μεταμφιεσμένο σε μυθιστόρημα. Ο Norman Spinrad δημιουργεί έναν κόσμο που σε αιχμαλωτίζει με την ευφυΐα, τη διορατικότητα και την ατρόμητη κοινωνική του κριτική.
Το πλαίσιο είναι το ουτοπικό πλανητικό κράτος, μια κοινωνία όπου η άμεση δημοκρατία —μέσω μιας εξελιγμένης ψηφιακής πλατφόρμας επικοινωνίας, έχει φτάσει στο απόγειο της. Σε μια εποχή που η τεχνολογία αρχίζει δειλά να επηρεάζει την πολιτική σκηνή της Γης, ο Spinrad το 1983 (γαμώ το θεό μου δεν υπήρχε καν ίντερνετ τότε, πόσο μάλλον πλατφόρμες δικτύωσης και Insta polls) προβλέπει με ΑΠΟΛΥΤΑ ΓΑΜΗΜΕΝΑ ΠΡΟΦΗΤΙΚΟ ΤΡΟΠΟ τον εθισμό μας στα μέσα επικοινωνίας και διάδρασης, τη δύναμη της εικόνας και τη σύγκρουση πολιτικής και μιντιακής περσόνας.
Οι χαρακτήρες είναι σχεδιασμένοι με μαεστρία. Δεν είναι απλά φορείς ιδεών, αλλά ζωντανοί, πολυδιάστατοι άνθρωποι με πάθη, φόβους και φιλοδοξίες. Η μεταξύ τους διαμάχη είναι πολύ περισσότερο από μια πολιτική σύγκρουση· είναι μια φιλοσοφική μάχη για την ψυχή του κόσμου.
Ο Spinrad δεν φοβάται να καταπιαστεί με δύσκολα θέματα: σεξουαλική ελευθερία, τεχνοκρατία, φασισμός, λαϊκισμός και η λεπτή γραμμή ανάμεσα στη δημοκρατία και την απολυταρχία μέσω της λαϊκής αποδοχής. Το αποτέλεσμα είναι ένα έργο που σφύζει από ιδέες, πάθος και διανοητική πρόκληση.
Η γλώσσα του είναι πλούσια και θεατρική, συχνά ποιητική. Ο κόσμος του είναι πολύχρωμος, σύνθετος και απρόβλεπτος. Αν υπήρξε ποτέ μυθιστόρημα που αξίζει να χαρακτηριστεί ως "manual" για τη μελλοντική πολιτική διακυβέρνηση στον κυβερνοχώρο, είναι αυτό, γαμώ τον Όργουελ (όχι, εντάξει, αγαπώ τον Όργουελ).
Σε μια εποχή fake news και αλγόριθμων που διαμορφώνουν συνειδήσεις, το A World Between γίνεται πιο επίκαιρο από ποτέ. Είναι ένα έργο που δεν διαβάζεται απλώς· σε προκαλεί, σε συνεπαίρνει, σε αλλάζει.
Αν υπάρχει απόλυτο δεκάρι τύπου Κομανέτσι στην προφητική Ε.Φ. είναι αυτό.
Υ.Γ. Ο Spinrad είναι το είδος συγγραφέα που διαβάζεις μέχρι και τη λίστα για τα ψώνια του, του έχουμε ξαναπεί, και μάλλον θα το ξαναπούμε.
April 11, 2018
I’ll start with this. Spinrad is not everyone’s cup of tea. I definitely wouldn’t call him in any way main stream (actually this book is probably his most main stream...).
His works can be quite graphical sexually, and in some cases quite violent. But the sex is typically less titillating than purposely graphic, and the violence in his works is not the cartoonish graphical violence that seems to pervade most action movies these days but rather a violence calculated to shock, dismay, or even disgust the reader by turns.
That said, this is not one of Spinrad’s violent works, and far from the most sexually graphic. If you are looking for one of those, try “The men in the Jungle” for truly shocking violence (seriously you’ve been warned) or “Void Captain’s Tale” for very explicit fascination with sex (a fascinating book but perhaps Spinrad’s least approachable read).
So why 4 stars for this one?
Enjoyed the story.
Enjoyed the Pacifica world concept.
Felt the world net and electronic democracy concepts were quite well realized in the telling.
Why not 5?
Pretty ham-handed story telling at times. One too many times I felt like I was getting smacked in the face rhetorically.
The Femocrats could have been presented a bit less extreme and still have been effective.
Other Spinrad I’ve enjoyed for different reasons:
Bug Jack Barron - Creepy. An early success. Feels a bit too realistic at times really...
Void Captain’s Tale - Very challenging read given Spinrad pretty much invents a new language so a significant “energy” investment to read it. And yet, I’ve read it a few times now. A fascinating conception, and Spinrad commits 100% to his world and the story premise. I’ll mention in a similar universe, but a very different type of story is “Child of Fortune” which unfortunately I found to be way to long, super self indulgent, and seriously drug induced. Painful rather than challenging. The section where the main character spends half the book wandering through a psychotropic forest I personally found unreadable.
His works can be quite graphical sexually, and in some cases quite violent. But the sex is typically less titillating than purposely graphic, and the violence in his works is not the cartoonish graphical violence that seems to pervade most action movies these days but rather a violence calculated to shock, dismay, or even disgust the reader by turns.
That said, this is not one of Spinrad’s violent works, and far from the most sexually graphic. If you are looking for one of those, try “The men in the Jungle” for truly shocking violence (seriously you’ve been warned) or “Void Captain’s Tale” for very explicit fascination with sex (a fascinating book but perhaps Spinrad’s least approachable read).
So why 4 stars for this one?
Enjoyed the story.
Enjoyed the Pacifica world concept.
Felt the world net and electronic democracy concepts were quite well realized in the telling.
Why not 5?
Pretty ham-handed story telling at times. One too many times I felt like I was getting smacked in the face rhetorically.
The Femocrats could have been presented a bit less extreme and still have been effective.
Other Spinrad I’ve enjoyed for different reasons:
Bug Jack Barron - Creepy. An early success. Feels a bit too realistic at times really...
Void Captain’s Tale - Very challenging read given Spinrad pretty much invents a new language so a significant “energy” investment to read it. And yet, I’ve read it a few times now. A fascinating conception, and Spinrad commits 100% to his world and the story premise. I’ll mention in a similar universe, but a very different type of story is “Child of Fortune” which unfortunately I found to be way to long, super self indulgent, and seriously drug induced. Painful rather than challenging. The section where the main character spends half the book wandering through a psychotropic forest I personally found unreadable.
November 3, 2009
Spinrad is so spot on at predicting the future. This book describes an electronic democracy so well that it is amazing that our world isn't exactly like the one he pictures. This certainly belongs with other great Spinrad novels like Pictures at 11 and Russian Spring. This guy is so underrated that it's a crime.
August 11, 2016
Alternative title: sisterhood of man. A real psywar manual for further study but at the same time a lovely story of what a man and a woman can do together. 4 stars because the plot was a bit monotonous but entertaining
February 15, 2023
Nicht ganz 4 Sterne.
September 11, 2011
Pacifica is a peaceful planet, masters of the Galactic Media Web and rightly proud of their democratic, almost anarchic, government. Then a spaceship enters the system and although its message is peaceful, it could shatter the Pacifican way of life.
There were some interesting ideas in this book, such as the rather shrewd prediction of a global communications network (even called the Web) and the importance of the media in politics, but this was more then counter-balanced by a crude and awfully simplistic level of gender politics.
On the one side you've got the Transcendental Scientists, noble scientist types, with a large dose of chauvinism, but just about believable as an ideology, and on the other you've got the most caricatured crypto-feminists I've ever read. Every caricature of feminism is there (lesbians: check, man-haters: check, wanting to eliminate all men and use cloning to reproduce: check), with a side-order of communism to boot. The simplification and caricature of what could be a very interesting subject - the balance of male and female and their roles in society - completely ruined this book for me. I kept going until the end since I wanted to see how the Pacificans solved the problem introduced by these two competing ideologies, but the book is definitely not worth it overall.
Although the importance of the media and a global electronic network is well-predicted in this book, Spinrad somehow fails to predict the vast number of cat pictures that infest the real Web, instead favouring a total politics immersion, making the Pacificans extremely savvy in their politics and making for a (not quite) perfect electronic democracy. I'd have liked to have seen more of that rather than the crass gender divide that the book actually focused on.
There were some interesting ideas in this book, such as the rather shrewd prediction of a global communications network (even called the Web) and the importance of the media in politics, but this was more then counter-balanced by a crude and awfully simplistic level of gender politics.
On the one side you've got the Transcendental Scientists, noble scientist types, with a large dose of chauvinism, but just about believable as an ideology, and on the other you've got the most caricatured crypto-feminists I've ever read. Every caricature of feminism is there (lesbians: check, man-haters: check, wanting to eliminate all men and use cloning to reproduce: check), with a side-order of communism to boot. The simplification and caricature of what could be a very interesting subject - the balance of male and female and their roles in society - completely ruined this book for me. I kept going until the end since I wanted to see how the Pacificans solved the problem introduced by these two competing ideologies, but the book is definitely not worth it overall.
Although the importance of the media and a global electronic network is well-predicted in this book, Spinrad somehow fails to predict the vast number of cat pictures that infest the real Web, instead favouring a total politics immersion, making the Pacificans extremely savvy in their politics and making for a (not quite) perfect electronic democracy. I'd have liked to have seen more of that rather than the crass gender divide that the book actually focused on.
October 14, 2013
Normally I try to finish everything I start reading in hopes that it would get better if in fact it does begin somewhat terrible right from the start. This one I got to page 90 before getting disgusted enough to continue any further.
Thanks to this book's storyline, I created a new shelf for my Goodreads tags: porno_sf.
This got to be too much. I am not a prude, but I can only take so much of overly descriptive sexual encounters in literature and this novel borders on an excessive amount of literary-porn in a science fiction setting.
Not truly impressed, considering I had heard Spinrad was a classic Sci-Fi author. Not the smut that was written into this novel. Apparently it's claimed that sex sells, yet not here, and not to me.
Thanks to this book's storyline, I created a new shelf for my Goodreads tags: porno_sf.
This got to be too much. I am not a prude, but I can only take so much of overly descriptive sexual encounters in literature and this novel borders on an excessive amount of literary-porn in a science fiction setting.
Not truly impressed, considering I had heard Spinrad was a classic Sci-Fi author. Not the smut that was written into this novel. Apparently it's claimed that sex sells, yet not here, and not to me.
December 1, 2019
„Democraţia este cel mai prost dintre toate sistemele politice – cu excepţia celorlalte!”
Cine a zis asta? Churchill, normal
Pacifica, colonizata de 300 de ani, e o planeta aproape mirifica, la 50 de ani lumina de pamant, un fel de Hawaii la scara extinsa a planetei, cu 12 milioane de locuitori, cu democratie participativa si vot de la distanta electronic (au reteaua, un fel de Internet din ziua de azi, Pacifica fiind centrul retelei mass media galactice), in care libertatea mass mediei e sfanta. Statul lasa piata libera sa se ajusteze singura si intervine cand e cazul prin crearea de companii guvernamentale in sectoarele cu probleme.
Iar in situatia asta care pare un pic prea roz, ca prea e bine in lumea asta, apare o nava interstelara: Arkologia Ştiinţei Transcendentale Heisenberg.
Planeta de origine e undeva in Tau Ceti unde un grup de savanti geniali si un pic dusi au infiintat primul Institut de Stiinta Transcedentala si de acolo au inceput sa colonizeze in stanga si in dreapta folosind mici lumi artificiale numite arkologii pentru a-si impune ideologia lor bazata pe stiinta si tehnologie (in detrimentul stiintelor umaniste).
Transcedentalii vin pe planeta de colonizat, infiinteaza institutul corespunzator dupa care planeta inceteaza comertul interplanetar cu stiinta si tehnologie iar accesul pe planetele alea nu mai e permis. Se stie ca au un avans tehnologic : viteze mari de deplasare, apropiate de viteza luminii, acceleratii mari la care sunt supusi fara urmari pe lumile artificiale cu care se deplaseaza si se mai banuieste tot felul de chestii neverificate.
Transcedentalii erau partea Albastra in razboiul nedeclarat si informal dintre Roz si Albastri.
Iar partea roz erau feministele militante de pe Pamant, care preluasera puterea pe planeta de bastina a omenirii si au impus o societate dogmatica, un fel de matriarhat absurd. Colonizau planete in incercarea de a isi impune ideologia care semana mai mult cu o religie.
Si transcedentalii si femocratele vor pe Pacifica. Pare ca si cum o tara nealiniata cu o democratie functionala si cu o economie infloritoare, cu o balanta excedentara, se trezeste prinsa la mijloc intre doua rele; est vs vest sau capitalism vs comunism (nu e foarte clar care e unul si care e celalalt). Nu se zice nimic nicaieri de fortele armate, astea nu exista in peisaj, se poarta altfel de razboaie, pe frontul ideologic
Transcedentalii aveau anabioza (suspendarea vietii in timpul lungilor ani de zbor interplanetar), vroiau sa faca omul nou - Homo Galacticus, puneau accent pe eficienta si eficacitate (nu stiu exact care e diferenta dar mi-a placut cand am citit-o undeva :)) si mai putin pe partea cu sufletul. Se pare ca au si un fel de IA. Erau foarte tari la chestii de psihologie , psihopolitologie, tehnici de negociere, toate astea obtinute prin tehnologie
Vor folosi retelele sociale si internetul (sau ma rog, ceva similar, ca nu stiu cand e scrisa cartea) pentru manipulare si pentru a intoarce opinia majoritara impotriva lor intr-una pro-transcedentalizare.
Vorbim de razboi psi, razboi asimetric, fake news, manipulare prin media; folosesc inclusiv chestii de orientare sexuala sau de gen ca sa dezechilibreze si destabilizeze jocul democratic de pe Pacifica. Vin si lesbienele - sau mai bine spus feministele ca sa fim politically corect - si sa te tii razboi si contrarazboi psi.
Transcedentalii considera ca Femocratia arunca omenirea inapoi iar ei o arunca inainte spre homo galacticus, infruntare de ideologii folosind psi-razboiul adica manipularea. Inspirat din razboiul rece si lupta celor doua superputeri pt a atrage tarile pe orbitele corespunzatoare numai ca nu avem un razboi rece clasic cu muschi nucleari ci unul din viitor(ul cartii adica ceva foarte asemanator prezentului nostru) care nu are in spate arme nucleare sau conventionale ci ceea ce denumesc ei psi-razboi.
Transcedentalii pun placa cu noi avem stiinta si tehnologie avansate dar nu o punem la dispozitia oricui ca poate duce la dezastre daca incape pe mainile cui nu trebuie. Stiinta si tehnologie avansate, genetica, clonare, prelungirea vietii,zbor cu viteze mari si eventual cu viteze luminice sau supra luminice. Daca vreti ce avem noi trebuie sa deveniti mai intai ce suntem noi, si va transformam noi, fie ca vreti fie ca nu. E senzatia aia de Mowgli si Ka, cand esti hipnotizat si ti se invart ochii in cap si incepe sa te stranga si tu ai privirea aia de tamp surazator....si nu se stie daca e vreo Baaghera prin preajma. Cumpara un canal mass media si dau tot felul de chestii de la sitcomuri de prost gust dar care au niste mesaje subliminale pana la "raspundem in direct telespectatorilor nostri". Binenteles ca transcedentali ii trateaza medical pe localnici si le flutura pe la nas realizarile stiintei, intinerirea etc
Apar si femocratele (lesbiene care pentru inmultire tin barbatii ca masculii reproducatori in tarcuri) dar transcedentalii au un oarece avantaj deja stabilind un cap de pod prin mass media si deja au un curent de opinie favorabil lor. Femocratele sunt mai fanatice si mai obtuze decat transcedentalii, pare mai degraba o religie care trebuie impusa. Au si un mentor care e un fel de comisar al poporului care trebuie sa se asigure ca doctrina nu este incalcata si care are puteri mai mari decat sefa oficiala a misiunii (un fel de secretar de partid pe post de loctiitor de comandant). Au sloganuri de tip "fascho-şovinismul animalic al prăsitorilor, ce a fost pe punctul de a distruge Pământul"
Razboiul sexelor pe fundal politic si cumva ideologic, femocratele versus transcedentali, fiecare dorind sa isi impuna doctrina / ideologia si folosind pentru asta mass media (au libertate totala de access la mass media platind timp de antena) lipsa cenzurii si democratia usor impinsa la extrem pot duce la nasterea unor monstri , nu numai somnul ratiunii (sau a natiunii)
Balanta politico-sociala e intr-un echilibru fragil si e de vazut daca poate fi sparta folosind procedee democratice - accesul neingradit la mass media si democratia electronica cu voturi de incredere ale parlamentului planetar apoi chiar vot de incredere la nivel planetar.
Dacă strigi o minciună suficient de tare şi de des în urechile oamenilor, în cele din urmă ei o vor crede... Minciuna repetata la nesfarsit devine adevar...
Si cum pacificanii erau asi in politica , fac un compromis de ii pun in cap si pe femocrate si pe transcedentali si incearca sa obtina maximum din situatie: un institut transcedental si cu stiinta lui embedded plus rejectarea ambelor tabere
Discutam despre cum constitutia si democratia se transforma intr-o capcana cand ideologia si doctrina folosesc libertatea accesului la mass media pentru propaganda si manipulare. Cam multa politica totusi, cam multa manipulare, cam multa bla bla, ar fi putut comprima un pic toate astea planuri si contraplanuri si raspunsuri la contraplanuri
Spinrad foloseste aici tehnica colajului imbinand in scriitura citate/descrieri ale emisiunilor de tv (publicitate, documentare, sondaje ,etc - toate mai mult manipulatorii bagate in retea de una sau alta din partile aflate in conflict); de asemenea foloseste tehnici din film sau televiziune (decupaj, travelling, stop cadru , etc precizand expres in text acest lucru). Tehnica asta a colajului, a decupajelor din clipuri electorale (chiar daca josnice si vulgare) are totusi un alt efect asupra cititorului decat la Brunner, nu sunt niste decupaje disparate, deseori care par fara legatura, ca acolo, se imbina parca mai bine si mai clar decat la Brunner cel putin mie asa mi se par.
Are un stil degraba exageratoriu, parca vrea sa te forteze cu tot dinadinsul sa intelegi .... cand crezi ca in sfarsit o sa te lase in pace, mai vine cu asupra de masura si iti indeasa pe gat idei, argumente, imagini, sentimente din aceeasi zona: ca si cum ar zice "s-o crezi tu ca am terminat cu asta ……… mai ia de aici si inca si inca". Si ca si in Visul de Fier si Alte Americi, Spinrad impinge scriitura pana la limita grotescului si vulgaritatii pentru a sublinia manipularea celor doua tabere in razboiul intersexe.
Cunoasterea si stiinta trebuie sa fie impartasita tuturor si nu tinuta sub cheie in scopuri doctrinare sau ideologice, numai ca trebuie construite mecanisme care sa te asigure ca partea intunecata a fortei nu se foloseste de aceasta cunoastere & stiinta la liber pentru a arunca in aer omenirea la propriu si in cele mai figurate moduri la care ne putem gandi
Ce vrea sa arate Spinrad aici e ca democratia e o chestie fragila care, supusa la presiuni si manipulari, poate ceda. Vorbim de presiuni si manipulari subtile (cel putin la inceput) nu din alea de tip #noaptea_ca_hotii, cand sutul virtual in gura justitie, a libertatii de exprimare, constituirea de catre cei alesi sau numiti a unor GIO-uri etc, pun democratia pe butuci fara discutie.
Un SF politic as zice eu de trei stele clar; cumva se explica de ce Spinrad nu a luat nici unul din premiile importante: scrie bine, e mare in unele momente, dar pare ca nu are acea scanteie, acel zvac, acel ceva necesar sa se impuna... a tot fost nominalizat la Hugo, Nebula, BSFA etc dar numai de la francezi a luat marile premi ca si cum anglo- saxonii nu l-au iertat ca a taiat-o si a trait in Franta/Europa ... in plus cred ca e si felul lui de a fi si a scrie un fel de Paul Goma al SF-ului luandu-se in tabarca cu toti si toate.
... si vreme(a) e ca sa citim
Cine a zis asta? Churchill, normal
Pacifica, colonizata de 300 de ani, e o planeta aproape mirifica, la 50 de ani lumina de pamant, un fel de Hawaii la scara extinsa a planetei, cu 12 milioane de locuitori, cu democratie participativa si vot de la distanta electronic (au reteaua, un fel de Internet din ziua de azi, Pacifica fiind centrul retelei mass media galactice), in care libertatea mass mediei e sfanta. Statul lasa piata libera sa se ajusteze singura si intervine cand e cazul prin crearea de companii guvernamentale in sectoarele cu probleme.
Iar in situatia asta care pare un pic prea roz, ca prea e bine in lumea asta, apare o nava interstelara: Arkologia Ştiinţei Transcendentale Heisenberg.
Planeta de origine e undeva in Tau Ceti unde un grup de savanti geniali si un pic dusi au infiintat primul Institut de Stiinta Transcedentala si de acolo au inceput sa colonizeze in stanga si in dreapta folosind mici lumi artificiale numite arkologii pentru a-si impune ideologia lor bazata pe stiinta si tehnologie (in detrimentul stiintelor umaniste).
Transcedentalii vin pe planeta de colonizat, infiinteaza institutul corespunzator dupa care planeta inceteaza comertul interplanetar cu stiinta si tehnologie iar accesul pe planetele alea nu mai e permis. Se stie ca au un avans tehnologic : viteze mari de deplasare, apropiate de viteza luminii, acceleratii mari la care sunt supusi fara urmari pe lumile artificiale cu care se deplaseaza si se mai banuieste tot felul de chestii neverificate.
Transcedentalii erau partea Albastra in razboiul nedeclarat si informal dintre Roz si Albastri.
Iar partea roz erau feministele militante de pe Pamant, care preluasera puterea pe planeta de bastina a omenirii si au impus o societate dogmatica, un fel de matriarhat absurd. Colonizau planete in incercarea de a isi impune ideologia care semana mai mult cu o religie.
Si transcedentalii si femocratele vor pe Pacifica. Pare ca si cum o tara nealiniata cu o democratie functionala si cu o economie infloritoare, cu o balanta excedentara, se trezeste prinsa la mijloc intre doua rele; est vs vest sau capitalism vs comunism (nu e foarte clar care e unul si care e celalalt). Nu se zice nimic nicaieri de fortele armate, astea nu exista in peisaj, se poarta altfel de razboaie, pe frontul ideologic
Transcedentalii aveau anabioza (suspendarea vietii in timpul lungilor ani de zbor interplanetar), vroiau sa faca omul nou - Homo Galacticus, puneau accent pe eficienta si eficacitate (nu stiu exact care e diferenta dar mi-a placut cand am citit-o undeva :)) si mai putin pe partea cu sufletul. Se pare ca au si un fel de IA. Erau foarte tari la chestii de psihologie , psihopolitologie, tehnici de negociere, toate astea obtinute prin tehnologie
Vor folosi retelele sociale si internetul (sau ma rog, ceva similar, ca nu stiu cand e scrisa cartea) pentru manipulare si pentru a intoarce opinia majoritara impotriva lor intr-una pro-transcedentalizare.
Vorbim de razboi psi, razboi asimetric, fake news, manipulare prin media; folosesc inclusiv chestii de orientare sexuala sau de gen ca sa dezechilibreze si destabilizeze jocul democratic de pe Pacifica. Vin si lesbienele - sau mai bine spus feministele ca sa fim politically corect - si sa te tii razboi si contrarazboi psi.
Transcedentalii considera ca Femocratia arunca omenirea inapoi iar ei o arunca inainte spre homo galacticus, infruntare de ideologii folosind psi-razboiul adica manipularea. Inspirat din razboiul rece si lupta celor doua superputeri pt a atrage tarile pe orbitele corespunzatoare numai ca nu avem un razboi rece clasic cu muschi nucleari ci unul din viitor(ul cartii adica ceva foarte asemanator prezentului nostru) care nu are in spate arme nucleare sau conventionale ci ceea ce denumesc ei psi-razboi.
Transcedentalii pun placa cu noi avem stiinta si tehnologie avansate dar nu o punem la dispozitia oricui ca poate duce la dezastre daca incape pe mainile cui nu trebuie. Stiinta si tehnologie avansate, genetica, clonare, prelungirea vietii,zbor cu viteze mari si eventual cu viteze luminice sau supra luminice. Daca vreti ce avem noi trebuie sa deveniti mai intai ce suntem noi, si va transformam noi, fie ca vreti fie ca nu. E senzatia aia de Mowgli si Ka, cand esti hipnotizat si ti se invart ochii in cap si incepe sa te stranga si tu ai privirea aia de tamp surazator....si nu se stie daca e vreo Baaghera prin preajma. Cumpara un canal mass media si dau tot felul de chestii de la sitcomuri de prost gust dar care au niste mesaje subliminale pana la "raspundem in direct telespectatorilor nostri". Binenteles ca transcedentali ii trateaza medical pe localnici si le flutura pe la nas realizarile stiintei, intinerirea etc
Apar si femocratele (lesbiene care pentru inmultire tin barbatii ca masculii reproducatori in tarcuri) dar transcedentalii au un oarece avantaj deja stabilind un cap de pod prin mass media si deja au un curent de opinie favorabil lor. Femocratele sunt mai fanatice si mai obtuze decat transcedentalii, pare mai degraba o religie care trebuie impusa. Au si un mentor care e un fel de comisar al poporului care trebuie sa se asigure ca doctrina nu este incalcata si care are puteri mai mari decat sefa oficiala a misiunii (un fel de secretar de partid pe post de loctiitor de comandant). Au sloganuri de tip "fascho-şovinismul animalic al prăsitorilor, ce a fost pe punctul de a distruge Pământul"
Razboiul sexelor pe fundal politic si cumva ideologic, femocratele versus transcedentali, fiecare dorind sa isi impuna doctrina / ideologia si folosind pentru asta mass media (au libertate totala de access la mass media platind timp de antena) lipsa cenzurii si democratia usor impinsa la extrem pot duce la nasterea unor monstri , nu numai somnul ratiunii (sau a natiunii)
Balanta politico-sociala e intr-un echilibru fragil si e de vazut daca poate fi sparta folosind procedee democratice - accesul neingradit la mass media si democratia electronica cu voturi de incredere ale parlamentului planetar apoi chiar vot de incredere la nivel planetar.
Dacă strigi o minciună suficient de tare şi de des în urechile oamenilor, în cele din urmă ei o vor crede... Minciuna repetata la nesfarsit devine adevar...
Si cum pacificanii erau asi in politica , fac un compromis de ii pun in cap si pe femocrate si pe transcedentali si incearca sa obtina maximum din situatie: un institut transcedental si cu stiinta lui embedded plus rejectarea ambelor tabere
Discutam despre cum constitutia si democratia se transforma intr-o capcana cand ideologia si doctrina folosesc libertatea accesului la mass media pentru propaganda si manipulare. Cam multa politica totusi, cam multa manipulare, cam multa bla bla, ar fi putut comprima un pic toate astea planuri si contraplanuri si raspunsuri la contraplanuri
Spinrad foloseste aici tehnica colajului imbinand in scriitura citate/descrieri ale emisiunilor de tv (publicitate, documentare, sondaje ,etc - toate mai mult manipulatorii bagate in retea de una sau alta din partile aflate in conflict); de asemenea foloseste tehnici din film sau televiziune (decupaj, travelling, stop cadru , etc precizand expres in text acest lucru). Tehnica asta a colajului, a decupajelor din clipuri electorale (chiar daca josnice si vulgare) are totusi un alt efect asupra cititorului decat la Brunner, nu sunt niste decupaje disparate, deseori care par fara legatura, ca acolo, se imbina parca mai bine si mai clar decat la Brunner cel putin mie asa mi se par.
Are un stil degraba exageratoriu, parca vrea sa te forteze cu tot dinadinsul sa intelegi .... cand crezi ca in sfarsit o sa te lase in pace, mai vine cu asupra de masura si iti indeasa pe gat idei, argumente, imagini, sentimente din aceeasi zona: ca si cum ar zice "s-o crezi tu ca am terminat cu asta ……… mai ia de aici si inca si inca". Si ca si in Visul de Fier si Alte Americi, Spinrad impinge scriitura pana la limita grotescului si vulgaritatii pentru a sublinia manipularea celor doua tabere in razboiul intersexe.
Cunoasterea si stiinta trebuie sa fie impartasita tuturor si nu tinuta sub cheie in scopuri doctrinare sau ideologice, numai ca trebuie construite mecanisme care sa te asigure ca partea intunecata a fortei nu se foloseste de aceasta cunoastere & stiinta la liber pentru a arunca in aer omenirea la propriu si in cele mai figurate moduri la care ne putem gandi
Ce vrea sa arate Spinrad aici e ca democratia e o chestie fragila care, supusa la presiuni si manipulari, poate ceda. Vorbim de presiuni si manipulari subtile (cel putin la inceput) nu din alea de tip #noaptea_ca_hotii, cand sutul virtual in gura justitie, a libertatii de exprimare, constituirea de catre cei alesi sau numiti a unor GIO-uri etc, pun democratia pe butuci fara discutie.
Un SF politic as zice eu de trei stele clar; cumva se explica de ce Spinrad nu a luat nici unul din premiile importante: scrie bine, e mare in unele momente, dar pare ca nu are acea scanteie, acel zvac, acel ceva necesar sa se impuna... a tot fost nominalizat la Hugo, Nebula, BSFA etc dar numai de la francezi a luat marile premi ca si cum anglo- saxonii nu l-au iertat ca a taiat-o si a trait in Franta/Europa ... in plus cred ca e si felul lui de a fi si a scrie un fel de Paul Goma al SF-ului luandu-se in tabarca cu toti si toate.
... si vreme(a) e ca sa citim
March 1, 2023
Trotz Sex und Godzillas bietet das Buch leider nicht mal guten Trash. Stattdessen langweilt es mit Klischees und Banalitäten, die über viel zu viele Seiten breitgetreten werden. Die Plattheit des Inhalts wird dabei nur durch die Selbstgefälligkeit der Präsentation übertroffen. Übrig bleibt am Ende das Erstaunen, auf welch niedrigem Niveau man in der SF selbst 1979 noch über das Verhältnis der Geschlechter schreiben durfte.
Im Roman treffen drei Zivilisationen aufeinander: Eine männlich dominierte, eine von Frauen beherrschte und die namensgebende Welt dazwischen. In letzterer sind Frauen (angeblich) im öffentlichen Bereich etwas dominanter, Männer sind es dafür im Bett. Es kommt zum gewaltfreien Kulturkampf der Zivilisationen, und es ist leider nicht schwer zu erraten, wie dieser ausgeht.
Dass unterschiedliche Zivilisationen auftreten, ist nur vorgeschoben. Es geht dem Autor offensichtlich ausschließlich um die Rolle der Geschlechter. Die gesamte kulturelle und politische Auseinandersetzung wird auf diesen einen Aspekt verengt. Norman Spinrad versucht, mit ewig langen Pseudo-Argumentationsketten über die groteske Unsinnigkeit dieser Zuspitzung hinwegzutäuschen. Dadurch wird das Buch leider nur langweiliger, nicht plausibler.
Ansonsten begnügt der Autor sich mit simplen Stereotypen: einerseits standen offensichtlich Faschisten und ihre Vorstellung vom Übermenschen Pate. Anderseits Kommunisten, die absolute Linientreue einfordern und wirtschaftlich schwach sind. Dazwischen liegt die offene, demokratische Gesellschaft mit freier Wirtschaft und Medienfreiheit - das Selbstbild der USA. Halleluja!
Gut möglich, dass Spinrad tatsächlich glaubte, einen konstruktiven Beitrag zur Diskussion um die Rolle von Frauen in der Gesellschaft zu leisten. Das Buch entstand gegen Ende der „zweiten Welle des Feminismus“, in der es stark um berufliche Chancengleichheit und die sexuelle Befreiung der Frau ging. Beides greift der Roman auf, indem er „eine Position dazwischen“ aufzeigen will, nämlich zwischen den Fronten von Feministinnen und ihren Gegnern.
Leider behauptet das Buch nur, eine mittlere Position zu beziehen. In Wirklichkeit bevorzugt der Autor durchgängig die männliche und heterosexuelle Perspektive. (Was ihm womöglich nicht einmal bewusst war.) Zum Beispiel wird die männlich dominierte Kultur durch ihre Fortschrittsorientierung aufgewertet, während die feministische Kultur aus nichts als bornierten Kampf-Lesben besteht. In der „Welt dazwischen“ wird die Dominanz von Frauen in der demokratischen Öffentlichkeit behauptet, aber nicht gezeigt. Die Form von Sex, die hier als wünschenswerter Mittelweg dargestellt wird, zeigt Frauen beim Oralsex ausschließlich aktiv, ansonsten bleiben sie ausschließlich passiv. Für das männliche Geschlechtsorgan findet der Autor ein breites Spektrum an Synonymen, primäre weibliche Geschlechtsorgane werden hingegen überhaupt nie beim Namen genannt. Männliche Homosexualität wird offen dargestellt, allerdings nur in Bezug auf eine Holzfällerregion, in der es an Frauen mangelt. Anders gesagt: solange die Kerle nur schwul sind, weil ihnen nichts anderes übrigbleibt, ist es okay. Freiwillige weibliche Homosexualität wird auf einer halben Alibi-Seite abgehandelt. „Eine Welt dazwischen“ kann ich in dieser Einseitigkeit beim besten Willen nicht erkennen.
Aus heutiger Sicht könnte man den Roman höchstens als schlechten Scherz gelten lassen. Doch ist er leider nicht mal witzig, und somit einfach nur schlecht.
Im Roman treffen drei Zivilisationen aufeinander: Eine männlich dominierte, eine von Frauen beherrschte und die namensgebende Welt dazwischen. In letzterer sind Frauen (angeblich) im öffentlichen Bereich etwas dominanter, Männer sind es dafür im Bett. Es kommt zum gewaltfreien Kulturkampf der Zivilisationen, und es ist leider nicht schwer zu erraten, wie dieser ausgeht.
Dass unterschiedliche Zivilisationen auftreten, ist nur vorgeschoben. Es geht dem Autor offensichtlich ausschließlich um die Rolle der Geschlechter. Die gesamte kulturelle und politische Auseinandersetzung wird auf diesen einen Aspekt verengt. Norman Spinrad versucht, mit ewig langen Pseudo-Argumentationsketten über die groteske Unsinnigkeit dieser Zuspitzung hinwegzutäuschen. Dadurch wird das Buch leider nur langweiliger, nicht plausibler.
Ansonsten begnügt der Autor sich mit simplen Stereotypen: einerseits standen offensichtlich Faschisten und ihre Vorstellung vom Übermenschen Pate. Anderseits Kommunisten, die absolute Linientreue einfordern und wirtschaftlich schwach sind. Dazwischen liegt die offene, demokratische Gesellschaft mit freier Wirtschaft und Medienfreiheit - das Selbstbild der USA. Halleluja!
Gut möglich, dass Spinrad tatsächlich glaubte, einen konstruktiven Beitrag zur Diskussion um die Rolle von Frauen in der Gesellschaft zu leisten. Das Buch entstand gegen Ende der „zweiten Welle des Feminismus“, in der es stark um berufliche Chancengleichheit und die sexuelle Befreiung der Frau ging. Beides greift der Roman auf, indem er „eine Position dazwischen“ aufzeigen will, nämlich zwischen den Fronten von Feministinnen und ihren Gegnern.
Leider behauptet das Buch nur, eine mittlere Position zu beziehen. In Wirklichkeit bevorzugt der Autor durchgängig die männliche und heterosexuelle Perspektive. (Was ihm womöglich nicht einmal bewusst war.) Zum Beispiel wird die männlich dominierte Kultur durch ihre Fortschrittsorientierung aufgewertet, während die feministische Kultur aus nichts als bornierten Kampf-Lesben besteht. In der „Welt dazwischen“ wird die Dominanz von Frauen in der demokratischen Öffentlichkeit behauptet, aber nicht gezeigt. Die Form von Sex, die hier als wünschenswerter Mittelweg dargestellt wird, zeigt Frauen beim Oralsex ausschließlich aktiv, ansonsten bleiben sie ausschließlich passiv. Für das männliche Geschlechtsorgan findet der Autor ein breites Spektrum an Synonymen, primäre weibliche Geschlechtsorgane werden hingegen überhaupt nie beim Namen genannt. Männliche Homosexualität wird offen dargestellt, allerdings nur in Bezug auf eine Holzfällerregion, in der es an Frauen mangelt. Anders gesagt: solange die Kerle nur schwul sind, weil ihnen nichts anderes übrigbleibt, ist es okay. Freiwillige weibliche Homosexualität wird auf einer halben Alibi-Seite abgehandelt. „Eine Welt dazwischen“ kann ich in dieser Einseitigkeit beim besten Willen nicht erkennen.
Aus heutiger Sicht könnte man den Roman höchstens als schlechten Scherz gelten lassen. Doch ist er leider nicht mal witzig, und somit einfach nur schlecht.
March 3, 2022
…Gonind o dată cu vântul de apus, cu un pas înaintea unei furtuni ce rostogolea tunete ameninţătoare, Royce Lindblad şedea, cu pieptul dezgolit, în cocpitul deschis al lui Davy Jones, cârmindu-şi ambarcaţia cu echea, cu scota ghiului şi cu fundul pantalonilor lui verzi de velur. Fulgerele sfârâiau şi trosneau prin norii întunecaţi dinapoia lui, totuşi nici o picătură de ploaie nu cădea pe suprafaţa azurie şi învolburată a Oceanului Insular. Hăt, deasupra catargului, un stol de păsări-uruitoare, strălucitor de galbene, se foloseau de acelaşi vânt, plutind pe aripile lor uriaşe, imobile şi manifestându-şi încântate sfidarea la adresa elementelor naturii, prin croncăniturile aidoma unor sunete de tubă. Atâta timp cât păsările rămâneau în văzduh, nu exista un pericol iminent ca vijelia să se forme într-o tornadă şi, prin urmare, nu era necesar ca Royce să renunţe la velă şi la catarg şi să pornească motorul.
Decuplat cu bună ştiinţă de la reţeaua de comunicaţii şi de la propriile-i responsabilităţi, ministrul mass-media al Pacificei nu se grăbea câtuşi de puţin să revină acasă, la Carlotta şi la problemele vieţii de familie şi de stat. Deşi de la Gotham şi până în insula Lorien drumul nu dura decât două ore, chiar navigând cu pânze, aici timpul căpăta un alt înţeles; îl puteai comprima sau dilata, după dorinţă. Risipite în oceanul puţin adânc, pe o suprafaţă ce depăşea o jumătate de milion de kilometri pătraţi, miile de insule ce alcătuiau Insularia puteau fi, în funcţie de viteza aleasă, ori nişte suburbii ale Gothamului, ori o vastă întindere de apă, cer şi plaje virgine.
Aici trăiau douăsprezece milioane de oameni, aproape o treime din populaţia planetei, niciunul dintre locuitori neaflându-se la mai mult de o oră şi jumătate de zbor de centrul Gothamului. Din punctul de vedere al unui navetist, aşezările de pe majoritatea insulelor mari, precum şi vilele particulare ce se înălţau pe micuţe petice de uscat, se găseau la o aruncătură de băţ una de cealaltă şi de capitala Pacificei.
Atunci când insula celui mai apropiat vecin e la numai câteva minute de zbor, îţi vine să uiţi că minutele respective pot însemna treizeci de kilometri de ocean. Când în mai puţin de două ore poţi ajunge de la Gotham la cea mai îndepărtată insulă a arhipelagului, îţi vine la fel de uşor să treci cu vederea că toate cele douăsprezece milioane de insulari şi realizările lor nu reprezintă altceva decât o neînsemnată pulbere a omenirii, risipită peste imensitatea virgină a mării şi peste insulele împădurite, h de pe o planetă aflată la cincizeci de ani-lumină de soarele care a dat naştere acelei seminţii.
Decuplat cu bună ştiinţă de la reţeaua de comunicaţii şi de la propriile-i responsabilităţi, ministrul mass-media al Pacificei nu se grăbea câtuşi de puţin să revină acasă, la Carlotta şi la problemele vieţii de familie şi de stat. Deşi de la Gotham şi până în insula Lorien drumul nu dura decât două ore, chiar navigând cu pânze, aici timpul căpăta un alt înţeles; îl puteai comprima sau dilata, după dorinţă. Risipite în oceanul puţin adânc, pe o suprafaţă ce depăşea o jumătate de milion de kilometri pătraţi, miile de insule ce alcătuiau Insularia puteau fi, în funcţie de viteza aleasă, ori nişte suburbii ale Gothamului, ori o vastă întindere de apă, cer şi plaje virgine.
Aici trăiau douăsprezece milioane de oameni, aproape o treime din populaţia planetei, niciunul dintre locuitori neaflându-se la mai mult de o oră şi jumătate de zbor de centrul Gothamului. Din punctul de vedere al unui navetist, aşezările de pe majoritatea insulelor mari, precum şi vilele particulare ce se înălţau pe micuţe petice de uscat, se găseau la o aruncătură de băţ una de cealaltă şi de capitala Pacificei.
Atunci când insula celui mai apropiat vecin e la numai câteva minute de zbor, îţi vine să uiţi că minutele respective pot însemna treizeci de kilometri de ocean. Când în mai puţin de două ore poţi ajunge de la Gotham la cea mai îndepărtată insulă a arhipelagului, îţi vine la fel de uşor să treci cu vederea că toate cele douăsprezece milioane de insulari şi realizările lor nu reprezintă altceva decât o neînsemnată pulbere a omenirii, risipită peste imensitatea virgină a mării şi peste insulele împădurite, h de pe o planetă aflată la cincizeci de ani-lumină de soarele care a dat naştere acelei seminţii.
June 18, 2025
Lucram deja la radio de ceva vreme când am citit “Bug Jack Barron” și fiind apoi interesat și de povestea vieții autorului, am descoperit că înainte de a deveni scriitor de literatură SF, Norman Spinrad fusese gazdă a unor emisiuni radiofonice ce includeau dezbateri cu ascultătorii pe diferite subiecte.
“Între două lumi” nu este o continuare a lui “Bug Jack Barron”, ci doar o nouă dovadă a pasiunii lui Spinrad pentru jurnalism, exprimată de această dată printr-o excepțională analiză a felului în care televiziunea poate manipula marea masă a telespectatorilor în scopuri politice.
Un roman de excepție fără doar și poate, în care Spinrad demonstrează cu argumente perfect logice faptul că nu este neapărat necesar ca emisiunile ce influențează rapid mentalitatea omului de rând să fie elaborate, de multe ori este suficient ca un clip publicitar absolut rudimentar să reprezinte cheia perfectă cu care se deschide poarta ce duce către instinctele primare ale telespectatorului care trăiește cu sentimentul că se află în controlul absolut al propriul destin.
Toată această elaborată - și încântătoare în același timp - examinare a mijloacelor media de dezinformare, deși ar fi putut constitui cu ușurință structura unei lucrări separate, nu reprezintă decât un subiect secundar în romanul “Între două lumi”, pentru că tema principală este alta, cu mult mai complicată.
…și la fel de complicată va fi și aventura literară a cititorului, care se va trezi pus în fața unei confruntări la propriu cosmice între adeptele matriarhatului autoritar și violent și partizanii unui misoginism dus la extrem. Prinsă între aceste două forțe și aflată în fața unui dezastru iminent, planeta Pacifica, un loc idilic în vremurile trecute, ar putea supraviețui doar dacă mintea ordonată și logică a lui Norman Spinrad ar alege să o salveze.
Nota acordată romanului : 9,2
https://www.bucurestifm.ro/2025/06/18...
“Între două lumi” nu este o continuare a lui “Bug Jack Barron”, ci doar o nouă dovadă a pasiunii lui Spinrad pentru jurnalism, exprimată de această dată printr-o excepțională analiză a felului în care televiziunea poate manipula marea masă a telespectatorilor în scopuri politice.
Un roman de excepție fără doar și poate, în care Spinrad demonstrează cu argumente perfect logice faptul că nu este neapărat necesar ca emisiunile ce influențează rapid mentalitatea omului de rând să fie elaborate, de multe ori este suficient ca un clip publicitar absolut rudimentar să reprezinte cheia perfectă cu care se deschide poarta ce duce către instinctele primare ale telespectatorului care trăiește cu sentimentul că se află în controlul absolut al propriul destin.
Toată această elaborată - și încântătoare în același timp - examinare a mijloacelor media de dezinformare, deși ar fi putut constitui cu ușurință structura unei lucrări separate, nu reprezintă decât un subiect secundar în romanul “Între două lumi”, pentru că tema principală este alta, cu mult mai complicată.
…și la fel de complicată va fi și aventura literară a cititorului, care se va trezi pus în fața unei confruntări la propriu cosmice între adeptele matriarhatului autoritar și violent și partizanii unui misoginism dus la extrem. Prinsă între aceste două forțe și aflată în fața unui dezastru iminent, planeta Pacifica, un loc idilic în vremurile trecute, ar putea supraviețui doar dacă mintea ordonată și logică a lui Norman Spinrad ar alege să o salveze.
Nota acordată romanului : 9,2
https://www.bucurestifm.ro/2025/06/18...
December 11, 2025
This book starts painfully slow. Try not to open your book with a character doing a hobby and thinking about the recent past. I was settling into this book as potentially bad when it started to get into the meat of the themes. And then the book predicted something I’ve never seen before: a political battle for control of the alien world in the book begins to swing to the male centric forces by means of baldly idiotic entertainment. The appeal of this intentionally low brow message takes the peoples on the planet by surprise and they don’t react in time. Bucko power is what is being appealed to. The unsophisticated appeal to superficial feel-good irreverence and downright stupidity. Meme culture, this author predicted meme culture as political movement.
So kudos for seeing that possibility mr spinrad.
Side note: That the previous novel I read by thorne smith and this one both feature an obnoxious and loud duck-like pet is a coincidence I’m going to need time to recover from.
So kudos for seeing that possibility mr spinrad.
Side note: That the previous novel I read by thorne smith and this one both feature an obnoxious and loud duck-like pet is a coincidence I’m going to need time to recover from.
June 24, 2010
Really enjoyed the world and backstory, and found the characters interesting.
The problem is, the plot was completely unbelievable...
I don't know how to critique a plot line without filling this with spoilers, so I'll just leave it at this - I can suspend belief to get into a story, I can suspend belief to keep a story going. I can swallow FTL and talking dragons if you do it well enough - but this was just so full of it in spots I really had trouble holding my nose and soldiering on. Only the relationships kept it from a two or less..
The problem is, the plot was completely unbelievable...
I don't know how to critique a plot line without filling this with spoilers, so I'll just leave it at this - I can suspend belief to get into a story, I can suspend belief to keep a story going. I can swallow FTL and talking dragons if you do it well enough - but this was just so full of it in spots I really had trouble holding my nose and soldiering on. Only the relationships kept it from a two or less..
Read
January 13, 2009from Library Thing list
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews