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Merlin #2 - Minla's Flowers
Thousandth Night / Minla's Flowers
Alternate Tête-bêche Cover edition for ISBN: 1596062592 (ISBN13: 9781596062597)
For many of us, the Ace Double Novels of the 50s and 60s have long been a source both of pleasure and nostalgia. This new double volume from Subterranean Press stands squarely in that distinguished tradition, offering a pair of colorful, fast-paced stories from the reigning master of the intergalactic space opera: Alastair Reynolds.
Thousandth Night, the genesis for the epic novel House of Suns, is quintessential Reynolds. A visionary account of intrigue, ambition, and technological marvels set within a beautifully realized far-future milieu, it combines world-class storytelling with a provocative meditation on the mystery, grandeur, and inconceivable immensity of the universe.
The masterful novella Minla s Flowers features Merlin, a familiar figure to Reynolds s readers. Diverted by technical difficulties to a planet known as Lecythus, Merlin finds himself forced to play a part in the moral and military dilemmas of a world on the verge of extinction.
For many of us, the Ace Double Novels of the 50s and 60s have long been a source both of pleasure and nostalgia. This new double volume from Subterranean Press stands squarely in that distinguished tradition, offering a pair of colorful, fast-paced stories from the reigning master of the intergalactic space opera: Alastair Reynolds.
Thousandth Night, the genesis for the epic novel House of Suns, is quintessential Reynolds. A visionary account of intrigue, ambition, and technological marvels set within a beautifully realized far-future milieu, it combines world-class storytelling with a provocative meditation on the mystery, grandeur, and inconceivable immensity of the universe.
The masterful novella Minla s Flowers features Merlin, a familiar figure to Reynolds s readers. Diverted by technical difficulties to a planet known as Lecythus, Merlin finds himself forced to play a part in the moral and military dilemmas of a world on the verge of extinction.
84 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2009
5 people are currently reading
969 people want to read
About the author
Alastair Reynolds
315 books9,385 followersI'm Al, I used to be a space scientist, and now I'm a writer, although for a time the two careers ran in parallel. I started off publishing short stories in the British SF magazine Interzone in the early 90s, then eventually branched into novels. I write about a novel a year and try to write a few short stories as well. Some of my books and stories are set in a consistent future named after Revelation Space, the first novel, but I've done a lot of other things as well and I like to keep things fresh between books.
I was born in Wales, but raised in Cornwall, and then spent time in the north of England and Scotland. I moved to the Netherlands to continue my science career and stayed there for a very long time, before eventually returning to Wales.
In my spare time I am a very keen runner, and I also enjoying hill-walking, birdwatching, horse-riding, guitar and model-making. I also dabble with paints now and then. I met my wife in the Netherlands through a mutual interest in climbing and we married back in Wales. We live surrounded by hills, woods and wildlife, and not too much excitement.
I was born in Wales, but raised in Cornwall, and then spent time in the north of England and Scotland. I moved to the Netherlands to continue my science career and stayed there for a very long time, before eventually returning to Wales.
In my spare time I am a very keen runner, and I also enjoying hill-walking, birdwatching, horse-riding, guitar and model-making. I also dabble with paints now and then. I met my wife in the Netherlands through a mutual interest in climbing and we married back in Wales. We live surrounded by hills, woods and wildlife, and not too much excitement.
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April 5, 2017This copy is signed by Alastair Reynolds.
January 5, 2020
3.5 stars
It's nice to see Purslane and Campion again, but this is only a short novella with limited plot. There is some additional world-building of the Gentian universe, and some nice secondary characters and cleverness. I am glad Reynolds did not try to turn this "single mystery" story into a 500 page verbal diarrhea monster!
Minla's Flowers
A short novella, but good, sad, and instructive. Even with the best of intentions and efforts, we cannot save people, we can only help them save themselves.
It's nice to see Purslane and Campion again, but this is only a short novella with limited plot. There is some additional world-building of the Gentian universe, and some nice secondary characters and cleverness. I am glad Reynolds did not try to turn this "single mystery" story into a 500 page verbal diarrhea monster!
Minla's Flowers
A short novella, but good, sad, and instructive. Even with the best of intentions and efforts, we cannot save people, we can only help them save themselves.
December 8, 2016
A solo captain on a mission unexpectedly falls out of warp drive near an unknown system. In search of repairs, he finds a planet which has been out of touch with the rest of human civilization for millennia. His visit seems almost like a pastoral idyll, a time-out from the larger universe of vicious war with nasty aliens - until he discovers that this planet is running on borrowed time: a 'natural' disaster looms in the near future.
What he chooses to do next will affect the fate of the entire planet...
A sadly believable, but ultimately satisfying tale.
What he chooses to do next will affect the fate of the entire planet...
A sadly believable, but ultimately satisfying tale.
December 13, 2016
Thousandth Night
In an extreme far-future, humanity has spread throughout the galaxy, splitting and dividing into different cultures and civilisations, adapting itself to wildly multifarious forms of existence. One strand of humanity originated with one individual in the distant past. Cloning herself, she then sent her clones out to range the stars, exploring and pursuing their separate interests. But at set times, they all return to share their experiences and memories. It's become an ancient tradition.
But at this one reunion, two of these posthuman individuals, who are especially close to one another, begin to suspect that someone is breaking the rules - and that something is being hidden from them. Investigating the omissions and disparities will uncover something bigger than they could have guessed.
A nice example of an accessibly-sized story set against an epic backdrop.
____
Minla's Flowers
A solo captain on a mission unexpectedly falls out of warp drive near an unknown system. In search of repairs, he finds a planet which has been out of touch with the rest of human civilization for millennia. His visit seems almost like a pastoral idyll, a time-out from the larger universe of vicious war with nasty aliens - until he discovers that this planet is running on borrowed time: a 'natural' disaster looms in the near future.
What he chooses to do next will affect the fate of the entire planet...
A sadly believable, but ultimately satisfying tale.
In an extreme far-future, humanity has spread throughout the galaxy, splitting and dividing into different cultures and civilisations, adapting itself to wildly multifarious forms of existence. One strand of humanity originated with one individual in the distant past. Cloning herself, she then sent her clones out to range the stars, exploring and pursuing their separate interests. But at set times, they all return to share their experiences and memories. It's become an ancient tradition.
But at this one reunion, two of these posthuman individuals, who are especially close to one another, begin to suspect that someone is breaking the rules - and that something is being hidden from them. Investigating the omissions and disparities will uncover something bigger than they could have guessed.
A nice example of an accessibly-sized story set against an epic backdrop.
____
Minla's Flowers
A solo captain on a mission unexpectedly falls out of warp drive near an unknown system. In search of repairs, he finds a planet which has been out of touch with the rest of human civilization for millennia. His visit seems almost like a pastoral idyll, a time-out from the larger universe of vicious war with nasty aliens - until he discovers that this planet is running on borrowed time: a 'natural' disaster looms in the near future.
What he chooses to do next will affect the fate of the entire planet...
A sadly believable, but ultimately satisfying tale.
June 9, 2024
Με μόλις μισό νεφρό (για μεταχειρισμένο αντίτυπο) έχετε δύο νουβέλες του Alastair Reynolds που καταλαμβάνουν συνολικά 186 σελίδες μαζί με τις λευκές ενδιάμεσα.
Thousandth Night ⭐⭐⭐
Στο πολύ-πολύ μακρινό μέλλον, σε μια ελαφρώς εναλλακτική προσέγγιση του στο σύμπαντος του House of the Seven Suns η ανθρωπότητα έχει κατακτήσει όλο το γαλαξία και έχει διαιρεθεί σε διαφορετικούς και διακριτούς πολιτισμούς, προσαρμοζόμενη σε διαφορετικά ανά περιστάσεις μοτίβα ύπαρξης.
Ένα κομμάτι της ανθρωπότητας, προήλθε από ένα και μόνο άτομο, μια γυναίκα που κλωνοποίησε τον εαυτό της και έστειλε τους κλώνους να κατακτήσουν και να εξερευνήσουν τα αστέρια. Και σύμφωνα με την παράδοση, σε συγκεκριμένες στιγμές επιστρέφουν και μοιράζονται εμπειρίες και αναμνήσεις.
Ωστόσο, αυτή τη φορά, στην συγκεκριμένη συνάντηση κάτι δεν πάει καλά. Δύο από τους μετα-ανθρώπους που έχουν προκύψει από την κλωνοποίηση της γενάρχη και που έχουν έρθει εξαιρετικά κοντά μεταξύ τους (σε σημείο να μη συμμετέχουν στα όργια των υπολοίπων -true story) ερευνούν και ανακαλύπτουν αλήθειες που δε φαντάζονταν, αλλά και ένα φρικαλέο μυστικό. Στο τέλος, εκτός από γιορτή επανένωσης, είναι και ώρα δράσης και λήψης αποφάσεων.
Όχι η καλύτερη στιγμή του συγγραφέα, αλλά όχι και κακό. Τίμιο τριάρι. Ίσως ήθελε ανάπτυξη σε κανονικό μυθιστόρημα, γιατί κάποια στιγμή ο Alastair σε χτυπάει σα χταπόδι με exposition.
Minla's Flowers ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Για καλύτερη κατανόηση του κόσμου του διηγήματος, ο αναγνώστης καλό είναι να έχει διαβάσει προηγουμένως το διήγημα Hideaway (πρώτο μέρος μιας τριλογίας, της οποίας το τελευταίο είναι το Merlin's Gun). Όχι ότι δε διαβάζεται και με άγνοια των λοιπών συνθηκών, αλλά θα έχετε μια πιο μεστή εικόνα και λιγότερες απορίες. Οπότε, κάντε μια παλικαριά, κατεβάστε το Zima Blue (που περιέχει το Hideaway), από το ράφι και μετά επανέρχεστε. Τι; Δεν έχετε το Zima Blue; Λυπάμαι, αυτό ήταν κάτι το οποίο οι editors του βιβλίου δεν υπολόγισαν…
Στην ιστορία μας τώρα… το πλοίο του Μέρλιν έχει ζημιές και αναγκάζεται να καταφύγει στον πλησιέστερο πλανήτη, τον Lecythus (Λήκυθος, τύπος κεραμικού αγγείου που αποτελείται από στενό σώμα, λεπτό και μακρύ λαιμό και μια λαβή που συνδέει το λαιμό με το σώμα. Συνήθης χρήση του ήταν η τοποθέτησή του -μαζί με το ελαιόλαδο- στον τάφο ανύπανδρων νεκρών. Αν το δείτε, θα πείτε «α, αμφορέας», αλλά δεν είναι, thankyouverymuch). Ο Πλανήτης αυτός έχει τεχνολογία αντίστοιχη με αυτή του 20ού αιώνα στη γη όπως την ξέρουμε, καθώς μετά τον αποικισμό του έχασε επαφή με την αποδέλοιπη ανθρωπότητα και προφανώς οπισθοδρόμησε τεχνολογικά. Το πρόβλημα είναι ότι σε 70 περίπου χρόνια ο ήλιος του πλανήτη θα αποτελεί παρελθόν και προσπαθεί να βοηθήσει τους ανθρώπους του Λήκυθου να αναβαθμιστούν τεχνολογικά για να διαφύγουν.
Όχι, δεν είναι περιπέτεια. Η ιστρία έχει να κάνει με την ηθική και τις παρεμβάσεις σε κουλτούρες και πολιτισμούς κατώτερης τεχνολογίας, την εμμονή των ανθρώπων να εφαρμόζουν πρώτα στον πόλεμο όλες τις καινοτομίες και αν ο σκοπός αγιάζει τα μέσα ή τέλος πάντων τι μπορεί να δικαιολογηθεί στην προσπάθεια επίτευξης ενός μεγάλου στόχου (εν προκειμένω η επιβίωση του πληθυσμού ενός πλανήτη).
Παρακολουθούμε την πορεία του πολιτισμού μέσα από τις αφυπνίσεις του Μέρλιν (και τις σύντομες παραμονές του στο Λήκυθο), που απέχουν μεταξύ τους δεκαετίες, μέχρι το τέλος, όταν η καταστροφή του ήλιου πλησιάζει… Και στο τέλος μαθαίνουμε και κάτι παραπάνω για τα λουλούδια του…
Thousandth Night ⭐⭐⭐
Στο πολύ-πολύ μακρινό μέλλον, σε μια ελαφρώς εναλλακτική προσέγγιση του στο σύμπαντος του House of the Seven Suns η ανθρωπότητα έχει κατακτήσει όλο το γαλαξία και έχει διαιρεθεί σε διαφορετικούς και διακριτούς πολιτισμούς, προσαρμοζόμενη σε διαφορετικά ανά περιστάσεις μοτίβα ύπαρξης.
Ένα κομμάτι της ανθρωπότητας, προήλθε από ένα και μόνο άτομο, μια γυναίκα που κλωνοποίησε τον εαυτό της και έστειλε τους κλώνους να κατακτήσουν και να εξερευνήσουν τα αστέρια. Και σύμφωνα με την παράδοση, σε συγκεκριμένες στιγμές επιστρέφουν και μοιράζονται εμπειρίες και αναμνήσεις.
Ωστόσο, αυτή τη φορά, στην συγκεκριμένη συνάντηση κάτι δεν πάει καλά. Δύο από τους μετα-ανθρώπους που έχουν προκύψει από την κλωνοποίηση της γενάρχη και που έχουν έρθει εξαιρετικά κοντά μεταξύ τους (σε σημείο να μη συμμετέχουν στα όργια των υπολοίπων -true story) ερευνούν και ανακαλύπτουν αλήθειες που δε φαντάζονταν, αλλά και ένα φρικαλέο μυστικό. Στο τέλος, εκτός από γιορτή επανένωσης, είναι και ώρα δράσης και λήψης αποφάσεων.
Όχι η καλύτερη στιγμή του συγγραφέα, αλλά όχι και κακό. Τίμιο τριάρι. Ίσως ήθελε ανάπτυξη σε κανονικό μυθιστόρημα, γιατί κάποια στιγμή ο Alastair σε χτυπάει σα χταπόδι με exposition.
Minla's Flowers ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Για καλύτερη κατανόηση του κόσμου του διηγήματος, ο αναγνώστης καλό είναι να έχει διαβάσει προηγουμένως το διήγημα Hideaway (πρώτο μέρος μιας τριλογίας, της οποίας το τελευταίο είναι το Merlin's Gun). Όχι ότι δε διαβάζεται και με άγνοια των λοιπών συνθηκών, αλλά θα έχετε μια πιο μεστή εικόνα και λιγότερες απορίες. Οπότε, κάντε μια παλικαριά, κατεβάστε το Zima Blue (που περιέχει το Hideaway), από το ράφι και μετά επανέρχεστε. Τι; Δεν έχετε το Zima Blue; Λυπάμαι, αυτό ήταν κάτι το οποίο οι editors του βιβλίου δεν υπολόγισαν…
Στην ιστορία μας τώρα… το πλοίο του Μέρλιν έχει ζημιές και αναγκάζεται να καταφύγει στον πλησιέστερο πλανήτη, τον Lecythus (Λήκυθος, τύπος κεραμικού αγγείου που αποτελείται από στενό σώμα, λεπτό και μακρύ λαιμό και μια λαβή που συνδέει το λαιμό με το σώμα. Συνήθης χρήση του ήταν η τοποθέτησή του -μαζί με το ελαιόλαδο- στον τάφο ανύπανδρων νεκρών. Αν το δείτε, θα πείτε «α, αμφορέας», αλλά δεν είναι, thankyouverymuch). Ο Πλανήτης αυτός έχει τεχνολογία αντίστοιχη με αυτή του 20ού αιώνα στη γη όπως την ξέρουμε, καθώς μετά τον αποικισμό του έχασε επαφή με την αποδέλοιπη ανθρωπότητα και προφανώς οπισθοδρόμησε τεχνολογικά. Το πρόβλημα είναι ότι σε 70 περίπου χρόνια ο ήλιος του πλανήτη θα αποτελεί παρελθόν και προσπαθεί να βοηθήσει τους ανθρώπους του Λήκυθου να αναβαθμιστούν τεχνολογικά για να διαφύγουν.
Όχι, δεν είναι περιπέτεια. Η ιστρία έχει να κάνει με την ηθική και τις παρεμβάσεις σε κουλτούρες και πολιτισμούς κατώτερης τεχνολογίας, την εμμονή των ανθρώπων να εφαρμόζουν πρώτα στον πόλεμο όλες τις καινοτομίες και αν ο σκοπός αγιάζει τα μέσα ή τέλος πάντων τι μπορεί να δικαιολογηθεί στην προσπάθεια επίτευξης ενός μεγάλου στόχου (εν προκειμένω η επιβίωση του πληθυσμού ενός πλανήτη).
Παρακολουθούμε την πορεία του πολιτισμού μέσα από τις αφυπνίσεις του Μέρλιν (και τις σύντομες παραμονές του στο Λήκυθο), που απέχουν μεταξύ τους δεκαετίες, μέχρι το τέλος, όταν η καταστροφή του ήλιου πλησιάζει… Και στο τέλος μαθαίνουμε και κάτι παραπάνω για τα λουλούδια του…
February 4, 2010
Another very good book by Reyolds! There are 2 stories here. Thousandth Night brings us back to Purslane, Campion and the Gentian Line from The House of Suns. Which I enjoyed immensely. It was nice revisiting this world, and the pondering over the ramifications of living thousands of years and the scope of the universe.
Minla's Flowers is new in that it doesn't hearken back to any of Reynolds' previous books that I've read, altho I see that the main character Merlyn does appear in Zuna Blue. Now I want to read that, one of the few Reynolds' I haven't yet read. Being a Star Trek geek, this reminds me of one of the reasons The Prime Directive was created, except in this case Merlyn does interfere. SHould he have?
Reynolds always make me think, there's more than the plot and character. There's a moral dilemma that raises these stories way beyond the surface, and Reynolds does a great job with making these stories a deeper experience than the length would signify.
Recommend to all Reynolds fans! I'm giving it a 3, which is a very good rating from me, but I prefer long novels where I can in an alternative for longer - it's a deeper experience for me. That said, these are not short stories, but more novellas, and there are conclusions at the end that are very satisfying.
Minla's Flowers is new in that it doesn't hearken back to any of Reynolds' previous books that I've read, altho I see that the main character Merlyn does appear in Zuna Blue. Now I want to read that, one of the few Reynolds' I haven't yet read. Being a Star Trek geek, this reminds me of one of the reasons The Prime Directive was created, except in this case Merlyn does interfere. SHould he have?
Reynolds always make me think, there's more than the plot and character. There's a moral dilemma that raises these stories way beyond the surface, and Reynolds does a great job with making these stories a deeper experience than the length would signify.
Recommend to all Reynolds fans! I'm giving it a 3, which is a very good rating from me, but I prefer long novels where I can in an alternative for longer - it's a deeper experience for me. That said, these are not short stories, but more novellas, and there are conclusions at the end that are very satisfying.
January 24, 2010
This book harks back to the Ace Double Novels of the '50s and '60s, when two short books would be bound together, usually unrelated and often by different authors, though, in this case, both are from the pen of Alastair Reynolds.
Thousandth Night takes place in the same milieu as Reynolds' recent House of Suns (my review: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52...), and introduces us to that book's main characters Purslane and Campion. (Going forward, I'm going to assume that readers are familiar with this universe but I don't think what follows will be too confusing for noninitiates.) The story doesn't connect much with anything in HoS beyond the characters. It takes place 4 million years before HoS, "only" 2 million after Abigail Gentian sent her 1,000 clones out into the galaxy. Purslane notices that one of her siblings has edited his "thread" - the downloaded memories the Gentian Line shares among themselves at their 200,000-year reunions - and she and Campion set out to investigate why. They uncover a plot by a clique of "advocates" from several Lines (including Gentian) to cover up the failure of a prior civilization to create a viable "galactic empire" (in a universe without "warp drive") by committing genocide. These "advocates" are dedicated to their own version of galactic empire - the secretive Great Work - and unwilling to contemplate failure; so much so they'll wipe out entire races and Lines to forestall opposition.
TH is a nice, self-contained little story that mostly worked. Some of the same problems I had with HoS crop up here - timescale and I would have preferred it told from Purslane's POV, who I think is the more interesting character - but Reynolds manages to avoid the deus ex machina trap he's prone to, and I like how he continues to wrestle with the development of galactic cultures limited by actual physics.
Minla's Flowers takes place in the universe of the Cohort/Huskers, introduced in his collection Zima Blue and using the same character, Merlin. In MF, Merlin's ship, Tyrant, is forced from the Waynet and must stop for repairs at a lost human colony that has only just regained an early 20th century level of technology. The colony is embroiled in a war between a coalition of surface-bound polities and an alliance of ground-dwellers and the people who live on floating, island-sized land masses. All things being equal, Merlin would have touched down, repaired his ship and moved on but he discovers that what damaged his ship will be responsible for the destruction of the planet's sun in 70 years. He decides to stay and try to help the colony survive the coming disaster.
Minla is the young daughter of a leader among the sky-dwellers with whom Merlin establishes a special relationship, and whose presence is the deciding factor for his staying. Merlin, however, spends much of the next 7 decades in hibernation, emerging every 20 years to see what progress is being made and to nudge the planet toward continued progress to interstellar ships. Minla grows up to become planetary dictator after atom bombing her enemies into submission (with technology Merlin's supplied or hinted at). The "flowers" of the title refer to alien flowers Merlin gives the young Minla; the bombs she drops on her enemies; and Merlin's final, deadly gift to the 70-year-old Minla at the end of the story.
This is another variation on the "Prime Directive" story - Is is right for a superior civilization to interfere with a more primitive one, even to save it? If right, how much interference is the right amount? (Atomic power was the only path to starships but it allowed Minla to slaughter millions with A-bombs.) And is survival at any price worth it?
There's a cop out - IMO - at the end where Merlin finds the means to save the colonists left behind by Minla but overall the story works, and there's no closure on Merlin's or Minla's moral dilemmas (a good thing).
The book, as a whole, is recommended by this humble servant. If you're a Reynolds fan and/or a SF fan, you'll enjoy it.
Thousandth Night takes place in the same milieu as Reynolds' recent House of Suns (my review: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52...), and introduces us to that book's main characters Purslane and Campion. (Going forward, I'm going to assume that readers are familiar with this universe but I don't think what follows will be too confusing for noninitiates.) The story doesn't connect much with anything in HoS beyond the characters. It takes place 4 million years before HoS, "only" 2 million after Abigail Gentian sent her 1,000 clones out into the galaxy. Purslane notices that one of her siblings has edited his "thread" - the downloaded memories the Gentian Line shares among themselves at their 200,000-year reunions - and she and Campion set out to investigate why. They uncover a plot by a clique of "advocates" from several Lines (including Gentian) to cover up the failure of a prior civilization to create a viable "galactic empire" (in a universe without "warp drive") by committing genocide. These "advocates" are dedicated to their own version of galactic empire - the secretive Great Work - and unwilling to contemplate failure; so much so they'll wipe out entire races and Lines to forestall opposition.
TH is a nice, self-contained little story that mostly worked. Some of the same problems I had with HoS crop up here - timescale and I would have preferred it told from Purslane's POV, who I think is the more interesting character - but Reynolds manages to avoid the deus ex machina trap he's prone to, and I like how he continues to wrestle with the development of galactic cultures limited by actual physics.
Minla's Flowers takes place in the universe of the Cohort/Huskers, introduced in his collection Zima Blue and using the same character, Merlin. In MF, Merlin's ship, Tyrant, is forced from the Waynet and must stop for repairs at a lost human colony that has only just regained an early 20th century level of technology. The colony is embroiled in a war between a coalition of surface-bound polities and an alliance of ground-dwellers and the people who live on floating, island-sized land masses. All things being equal, Merlin would have touched down, repaired his ship and moved on but he discovers that what damaged his ship will be responsible for the destruction of the planet's sun in 70 years. He decides to stay and try to help the colony survive the coming disaster.
Minla is the young daughter of a leader among the sky-dwellers with whom Merlin establishes a special relationship, and whose presence is the deciding factor for his staying. Merlin, however, spends much of the next 7 decades in hibernation, emerging every 20 years to see what progress is being made and to nudge the planet toward continued progress to interstellar ships. Minla grows up to become planetary dictator after atom bombing her enemies into submission (with technology Merlin's supplied or hinted at). The "flowers" of the title refer to alien flowers Merlin gives the young Minla; the bombs she drops on her enemies; and Merlin's final, deadly gift to the 70-year-old Minla at the end of the story.
This is another variation on the "Prime Directive" story - Is is right for a superior civilization to interfere with a more primitive one, even to save it? If right, how much interference is the right amount? (Atomic power was the only path to starships but it allowed Minla to slaughter millions with A-bombs.) And is survival at any price worth it?
There's a cop out - IMO - at the end where Merlin finds the means to save the colonists left behind by Minla but overall the story works, and there's no closure on Merlin's or Minla's moral dilemmas (a good thing).
The book, as a whole, is recommended by this humble servant. If you're a Reynolds fan and/or a SF fan, you'll enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2014
This book gets an easy 5 stars from me simply because this is a continuation of the story brought to us in "House of Suns". In my opinions HOS is one of the best syfy books out there and pushes the boundaries of what can be accomplished in space opera.
Thousandth Night is more of a novella, and is a standalone story, but in the same universe as House of Suns. The writing and storytelling is classic Reynolds in every sense, taking you down one road and then blasting you with a sequence of events that is more far reaching than it is possible to imagine. This is one of the reasons why I will read everything Reynolds puts out. That, and he is one cool cat!!
Anyways, read House of Suns, and this will be your dessert.
Thousandth Night is more of a novella, and is a standalone story, but in the same universe as House of Suns. The writing and storytelling is classic Reynolds in every sense, taking you down one road and then blasting you with a sequence of events that is more far reaching than it is possible to imagine. This is one of the reasons why I will read everything Reynolds puts out. That, and he is one cool cat!!
Anyways, read House of Suns, and this will be your dessert.
June 6, 2019
La finalul lecturii simt un melanj de sentimente. Mi-a plăcut și totuși n-a fost ceva care să mă impresionezea fel de mult ca alte produse marca Alastair Raynolds. Un pic moale, ca să zic așa. Acțiunea se taraste ca un șarpe ghiftuit, leneș până la sfârșitul cărții. Fără răsturnări de situație majore. Ma rog, există una la final, dar cu efect întârziat, care nu m-a făcut să mai adaug o stea. Există și o parte bună, desigur. Morala poveștii, care ne arată, nouă, oamenilor, cât de ciudați și lipsiți de rațiune doar din cauza unor ambiții personale, deseori stupide.
Așa cum bine m-am obișnuit după cele câteva lecturi, Raynolds de fiecare dată livrează fie o poveste "uau" , fie una "așa și așa".
3 stele și, desigur, există posibilitatea destul de mare că pe măsură ce am tot citit povestiri și nuvele de acest autor așteptările să tot crească, impulsionat de creațiile lui cele mai bune, și pe urmă să mă facă să strâmb din nas, când dau peste una nu la fel de bună precum cele "Best of". Dar nu suntem zei, așa că din când în când mai apar și trepidații în fluxul calității. Să fie totuși un lucru clar. Oricât de "slaba" ar fi o povestire de Raynolds, e în cel mai nefericit caz una peste media a ceea ce se scrie în prezent.
Așa cum bine m-am obișnuit după cele câteva lecturi, Raynolds de fiecare dată livrează fie o poveste "uau" , fie una "așa și așa".
3 stele și, desigur, există posibilitatea destul de mare că pe măsură ce am tot citit povestiri și nuvele de acest autor așteptările să tot crească, impulsionat de creațiile lui cele mai bune, și pe urmă să mă facă să strâmb din nas, când dau peste una nu la fel de bună precum cele "Best of". Dar nu suntem zei, așa că din când în când mai apar și trepidații în fluxul calității. Să fie totuși un lucru clar. Oricât de "slaba" ar fi o povestire de Raynolds, e în cel mai nefericit caz una peste media a ceea ce se scrie în prezent.
August 22, 2020
Thousandth Night and Minla’s Flowers are two gripping short stories from Alastair Reynolds. Both were four-star ratings that had me happy to devour them in a single sitting.
Although Thousandth Night was slow in a few places, it had me hooked throughout. It was an addictive read, one filled with intrigue, and I was desperate to see how the pieces came together. With plenty of layers in this story, I could not put it down.
Minla's Flowers had ups and downs for me, making it more of a rounded-up rating. Although I loved the way things developed with this one and was hooked, there were certain parts that I felt could have done with a wee bit more detail.
If you’re a fan of Alastair Reynolds, these two stories are well worth the read.
Although Thousandth Night was slow in a few places, it had me hooked throughout. It was an addictive read, one filled with intrigue, and I was desperate to see how the pieces came together. With plenty of layers in this story, I could not put it down.
Minla's Flowers had ups and downs for me, making it more of a rounded-up rating. Although I loved the way things developed with this one and was hooked, there were certain parts that I felt could have done with a wee bit more detail.
If you’re a fan of Alastair Reynolds, these two stories are well worth the read.
May 21, 2018
Note: The Kindle version contained only the one story, "Thousandth Night."
(Rating changed to 2-stars to align with the Goodreads rating notes, i.e. 2 stars = "It was ok."
My 3-star rating indicates a strictly neutral feeling about this story. While it didn't leave me wowed, nor even with any particular compulsion to seek out other works by Reynolds, neither did it leave me with that feeling of having spent time that I will never get back.
The story is a simple locked-room mystery with high-tech trappings. As noted in Arthur C. Clark's 3rd Law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," and this story's mystery is solved, essentially, through magic tricks. Coming up against one obstacle or another, our hero overcomes it merely by pulling another rabbit out of a hat, by invoking some highly advanced technological process (of which the reader is heretofore unaware).
Of course, this is one of the tenets of science fiction, exploring the boundless possibilities of science and technology. But, for me, the heart of a good book lies within the human story contained within, and I felt that this was given short shrift, here.
Summing up, let's just say I am not the intended audience for this book.
(Rating changed to 2-stars to align with the Goodreads rating notes, i.e. 2 stars = "It was ok."
My 3-star rating indicates a strictly neutral feeling about this story. While it didn't leave me wowed, nor even with any particular compulsion to seek out other works by Reynolds, neither did it leave me with that feeling of having spent time that I will never get back.
The story is a simple locked-room mystery with high-tech trappings. As noted in Arthur C. Clark's 3rd Law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," and this story's mystery is solved, essentially, through magic tricks. Coming up against one obstacle or another, our hero overcomes it merely by pulling another rabbit out of a hat, by invoking some highly advanced technological process (of which the reader is heretofore unaware).
Of course, this is one of the tenets of science fiction, exploring the boundless possibilities of science and technology. But, for me, the heart of a good book lies within the human story contained within, and I felt that this was given short shrift, here.
Summing up, let's just say I am not the intended audience for this book.
November 29, 2017
I read Merlin Gun a long time ago and had no idea that there where more books with Merlin, I'm so happy I've discovered this one and found out that there are like 4 more to Merlin series which I sure will read them all.
The books are short for Alastair so together they make the complete story and I'll find them all because nobody can write as good as Alastair.
The books are short for Alastair so together they make the complete story and I'll find them all because nobody can write as good as Alastair.
April 8, 2017
Read like a good Star Trek novel.
Nothing's special but good.
Nothing's special but good.
May 22, 2012
I found this in my local library, which was a pleasant surprise as I'm sure its a bit hard to come by due to the limited printing.
A couple of highly enjoyable short stories from Reynolds, with all of his trademark charm and epic feel. I was excited to discover Thousanth Night was set in the House of Suns universe, as that was my favorite of Reynolds' works. It's a good story, but is kind of a prequel using the same characters, so it doesn't add quite as much as I had hoped. Would love to see another novel set in that setting though.
Minla's flowers was a very touching yet sad story, this one set in a universe apparently covered only in short stories to date. I think this story was actually the better of the two.
A couple of highly enjoyable short stories from Reynolds, with all of his trademark charm and epic feel. I was excited to discover Thousanth Night was set in the House of Suns universe, as that was my favorite of Reynolds' works. It's a good story, but is kind of a prequel using the same characters, so it doesn't add quite as much as I had hoped. Would love to see another novel set in that setting though.
Minla's flowers was a very touching yet sad story, this one set in a universe apparently covered only in short stories to date. I think this story was actually the better of the two.
September 8, 2016
This story has a great setup and I really like that although it has a good ending, the story of the main character is not finished. Would like to read more about that story.
April 27, 2010
Thousandth Night - I didn't enjoy this as much as 'House of Suns', the novel set in the same setting. The story is not really related to the novel, as the events here don't mesh with the events in the novel. I missed the 'comedy of manners' tone prevalent in the start of the novel, as well.
Minla's Flowers - very dark, even for Reynolds. How far would you go to save the world? Do you need to become a monster?
Overall, for a book designed for collectors, it's quite handsome, but as a read, not necessary.
Minla's Flowers - very dark, even for Reynolds. How far would you go to save the world? Do you need to become a monster?
Overall, for a book designed for collectors, it's quite handsome, but as a read, not necessary.
July 5, 2015
Two solid novellas, both just the right length for the story they tell.
Thousandth Night: If you start with "they have a reunion every 200,000 years" you are almost guaranteed an interesting story. Making it a whodunit is good too, and that part develops well. This has many nice touches, too, such as doing short space hops in utilitarian "boxes."
Minla's Flowers is a very good if-you-give-them-dangerous-things story. Plausible use of coldsleep tech to let the narrator skip decades so the story can develop as it must.
A solid book.
Thousandth Night: If you start with "they have a reunion every 200,000 years" you are almost guaranteed an interesting story. Making it a whodunit is good too, and that part develops well. This has many nice touches, too, such as doing short space hops in utilitarian "boxes."
Minla's Flowers is a very good if-you-give-them-dangerous-things story. Plausible use of coldsleep tech to let the narrator skip decades so the story can develop as it must.
A solid book.
January 6, 2010
I always enjoy books by Reynolds. His brand of Sci-Fi (space opera) is wonderful. Great people, great stories, excellent universes... he is able to build it all in, even when it is just a pair of short stories. Both stories come from universes he's written before, if only in short stories. If you are into Sci-Fi, I strongly recommend picking up his books and start reading.
March 13, 2019
Both stories are excellent, but Thousandth Night stands out more because I like the world of the House of Suns better. This is how you write baroque, decadent far-future parties. Reynolds has always had a flair for bizarre future indulgence, and goes all out for the reunion of the Gentian House.
November 2, 2012
Thousandth Night (2005) 5/5 (House of Suns universe)
Minla's Flowers (2007) 4.5/5 (Merlin #2)
Minla's Flowers (2007) 4.5/5 (Merlin #2)
September 14, 2013
Mr. Reynolds handles science fiction better than most and his evocative writing style leaves images that recur to me, sometimes months and years later. Although this is only novella length, it is wonderfully done and will stay with me.
July 27, 2017
I love the three levels of significance for the title!
April 4, 2019
This is the second Reynolds omnibus which, like the previous "Diamond Dogs/Turquoise Days," collects together two previously-published novellas. Whereas that collection consisted of one very strong piece and one rather weak piece, this pairing is a significant improvement. The longer of the two tales here, "Thousandth Night," is impeccable, ingenious, and infectious. I would be hard-pressed to find fault with it on any level, as it exemplifies all the best qualities of Reynolds' work. The only possible quibble is that it might have been successfully stretched out into a longer work which would have given room for more of the back story and further character development. But since it was first published in another collection, the author clearly had constraints placed upon him. Given these constraints, however, he is still able to convey the scope of a full-blown space opera within this more compact form.
The slightly shorter "Minla's Flowers" is not quite as strong, but still makes for a satisfying read. In this case, the length limitation does detract from Reynolds' concept, although his premise is compelling enough to nearly make up for it. However, there are a few elements within the story which don't quite convince. To take one of the primary examples, Reynolds depicts a relatively early industrial civilization achieving interstellar travel within a single generation: from blimps to starships in the blink of an eye. Granted, this civilization is given a limited degree of outside help, but the crux of the problem is that Reynolds' premise requires a certain time frame whereas the playing out of that premise -- its implications -- require a longer time frame. Still, "Minla's Flowers" is a clear cut above the sub-standard "Diamond Dogs," the listless tale which marred the author's previous omnibus.
Despite minor flaws, fans of Alastair Reynolds are likely to relish this slim volume. It should have appeal beyond completists.
The slightly shorter "Minla's Flowers" is not quite as strong, but still makes for a satisfying read. In this case, the length limitation does detract from Reynolds' concept, although his premise is compelling enough to nearly make up for it. However, there are a few elements within the story which don't quite convince. To take one of the primary examples, Reynolds depicts a relatively early industrial civilization achieving interstellar travel within a single generation: from blimps to starships in the blink of an eye. Granted, this civilization is given a limited degree of outside help, but the crux of the problem is that Reynolds' premise requires a certain time frame whereas the playing out of that premise -- its implications -- require a longer time frame. Still, "Minla's Flowers" is a clear cut above the sub-standard "Diamond Dogs," the listless tale which marred the author's previous omnibus.
Despite minor flaws, fans of Alastair Reynolds are likely to relish this slim volume. It should have appeal beyond completists.
September 20, 2020
This is a novella that I decided to read as it provides a prequel to his Merlin stories which I thought I’d read in chronological order rather than published order. With a damaged spaceship Merlin is forced to take refuge on a planet with an intractable war in progress. With his superior technology he soon discovers that the world itself will be destroyed by an unstoppable cosmic event in the near future and finds himself faced with the moral dilemmas of how to get them to stop fighting in order to work together to save themselves.
This is a depressingly believable account of how suicidally stupid humans can be when it comes to setting aside their differences to deal with a great existential threat. Merlin must decide what technology to give these people with the strong possibility that they will use those technologies to kill each other rather than save their world. All very depressing, yes, but also all very relevant to the sort of problems we manage to create time and time again here on Earth.
This is a depressingly believable account of how suicidally stupid humans can be when it comes to setting aside their differences to deal with a great existential threat. Merlin must decide what technology to give these people with the strong possibility that they will use those technologies to kill each other rather than save their world. All very depressing, yes, but also all very relevant to the sort of problems we manage to create time and time again here on Earth.
January 9, 2022
Found a copy of Minla's Flowers in The New Space Opera. It was not included in my kindle copy of this collection.
Minla's Flowers is not as good as the other two Merlin short stories I read. But, it does expand the universe and show Merlin in a new light. My biggest gripe is that there is a lot of lead-up/foreshadowing/hints concerning a discovery that is eventually handled in a couple paragraphs without fanfare. But, wishing short-stories were novel-length is something that I do quite a lot. :D
Minla's Flowers is not as good as the other two Merlin short stories I read. But, it does expand the universe and show Merlin in a new light. My biggest gripe is that there is a lot of lead-up/foreshadowing/hints concerning a discovery that is eventually handled in a couple paragraphs without fanfare. But, wishing short-stories were novel-length is something that I do quite a lot. :D
August 9, 2019
Reynolds, Alastair. Minla’s Flowers. 2007. Merlin No. 2. In Zima Blue and Other Stories. Gollancz, 2009.
Minla’s Flowers is the second episode in the internal chronology of the Merlin series. Merlin has stopped to help a planet that will soon be destroyed. He gives them some hints about technology that will allow them to get their population off the planet in time. The catch is that they have to work together, but they are not very good at it. The British edition of Zima Blue is the best source I think because it contains three of the four stories in the series.
Minla’s Flowers is the second episode in the internal chronology of the Merlin series. Merlin has stopped to help a planet that will soon be destroyed. He gives them some hints about technology that will allow them to get their population off the planet in time. The catch is that they have to work together, but they are not very good at it. The British edition of Zima Blue is the best source I think because it contains three of the four stories in the series.
July 2, 2020
Another fantastic throwback by Reynolds.
Thousandth Night follows a murder mystery amongst a group of near immortal explorers during their 200k year reunion.
Minla's flowers shows another view into the life of Merlin as he hunts for a weapon to save humanity, 50 years race by as he attempts to save a civilization from their own sun.
Thousandth Night follows a murder mystery amongst a group of near immortal explorers during their 200k year reunion.
Minla's flowers shows another view into the life of Merlin as he hunts for a weapon to save humanity, 50 years race by as he attempts to save a civilization from their own sun.
June 7, 2023
Thousandth Night has some great scope. Far future, post-humanity worldbuilding with great ideas and a poignant look at a particular planet. :) Lots of pathos, great exploration of this future history set in several other stories by Reynolds.
Suffice to say, I love seeing how humanity has spread throughout space and to see what it does with it. Quite bittersweet.
Suffice to say, I love seeing how humanity has spread throughout space and to see what it does with it. Quite bittersweet.
July 6, 2017
I loved Housed of Suns so was very happy to read more about Purslane and Campion - the best SF couple I've found. The plot twist presaged the twist in House of Suns millions of years later - with the same characters.
September 6, 2024
This is the best one of the trio that got published in Zima Blue and Other Stories, even so it's just 3 stars (which shows how bad the other two are).
For more details, see my review for the first one: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more details, see my review for the first one: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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