SciFi and Fantasy eBook Club discussion

I had a brain fart a couple days ago and started reading the Vinge selection we're reading and discussing in January when I thought it was next on the list. So, I'm just starting Chapter 3 of Titan. I read this as a teenager in the early 80s and really don't remember anything about it.

The sexual encounter in the opening sequence was familiar so I must remember some of it. Between it and the pages later discussion of April and August's sexuality, I'm reminded this was written in the late 70s. It's not off putting or anything, it's just almost dated in the way it's all very experimental, frank and and still non-explicit at the same time.

The story is just starting up but that's my first impression - 'Oh, yeah. the sexual revolution.'

I was reading this about that time also.
I think, I remember some of the book. (Don't remember the opening scene.)

Excited to read it again.

I just finished it. I liked it--it's a good first contact story and the descriptions of the structure of Gaea, while confusing (I'm not sure I ever really got a clear picture in my head), were fascinating. I found the emphasis on the sexual habits of the group very dated but I'm sure I would have felt differently in 1979.

I wouldn't mind reading the rest of the series but I don't feel compelled to at the moment. I have such a big TBR list that it takes something pretty impressive to keep me going in a series.

Sex in space, extensive discussion of BDO's form and landing angle, psychedelic dream sequences. That's my impression from the first 20% I've read.
It's an easy read for me - I was just astonished with the sudden change from a 2001 scene to the psychedelic interior.
We see a little bit character development in Gaby, changing from scientist to human.

I'm at 30% now. I agree with Andreas on the first 20% summation. I'm enjoying this book but I keep reading it in little bits here and here instead of in a single sitting. I keep getting distracted from it - I'm not sure it's really caught my full attention yet.

I do not truly remember any of the story, so far. I'm like Bill (30% in), things are familiar, but I can't say what's happening next.

I know my mom would have been shocked, if she had known I read this as a teen.
LOL

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "I know my mom would have been shocked, if she had known I read..."

You could have told her that it is about Greek mythology - the titans and muses :)
Just don't mention the lesbians, naked-climbing and nude-parachuting ("nice angle", lol) :D

I read this book in the mid 80s, then listened to the whole trilogy on Audible a few years ago. I think it's pretty decent science fiction even if it feels a little dated at times. I'd completely forgotten the lesbian angle by the time I reread it. In this day and age it isn't risqué but maybe it was a statement in 70s.

I'm not even sure there is risqué anymore.

Andreas wrote: "Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "I know my mom would have been shocked, if she had known I read..."

You could have told her that it is about Greek mythology - the titans and muses :)
Just don't mention the lesb..."

LOL
:D

And I was into Greek and Roman mythology back then.

Greg wrote: "I'm not even sure there is risqué anymore."

Isn't that a shame? Makes things interesting.

There are a lot that would not read this book, because of the sexual behavior.
So maybe there is.

Read this one a year or so ago for the first time. I remember it feeling rather dated, but other than the general framework of the story, it didn't really stick with me, though I do remember liking it well enough.

As to what's risqué these days...well, it depends on who you listen to. If you listen to some amazon.com reader reviews, just simply using the F--- word qualifies as outrageously risqué. And forget about using their Lord's name in vain. I've seen plenty of "I really was liking this story and probably would have given it 5 stars, but the author started dropping the F bomb and even used my Lord's name in vain, so I can only give it a 1 star...I'd give it less if I could" reviews.

Pretty sad.

As a general rule, I don't think F bombs and The Lord's Name in Vain is going to phase the majority of science fiction readers. There will always be outliers of course, but the genre doesn't seem to pull in a lot that sensitivity.

I was trying to imagine if the same sort of story would be more shocking if it were two men. But then I thought of Samuel R.Delany novels with pretty graphic male homosexual activity. And the movie Midnight Express had two men turning to each other under a difficult time. Yet there may still be some there.

50% read.
After their psychedelic trip into Gaea, the story feels more like a Fantasy trip.

There are lot of references to movies and books. I wonder about the mentioning of a Dune movie when they talk about that gigantic sandworm: The movie came out in 1984 (ah, Sting as Feyd Harkonnen was hilarious) whereas Titan was published in 1979. Which means that the Dune movie was SF at that time, right?

Also, The Black Company came to mind when reading about those intelligent zeppelins.

And once again, the centaur absolutely needed a detailed description of their THREE enormous and story relevant sexual organs.

Finished it yesterday.
I give it 3 stars - I liked it but I think there is room for improvements.
The crazy fantasy setup came to a logical conclusion. The ascension through the wheel to its hub was very entertaining, heroic and epic.
If you're interested, read my review

Read it way back when (possibly even before the sequel came out?) I remember quite enjoying it, and some of the ideas being new and fresh at the time -- a celestial body that is really a body, some of the gender and sexuality issues not commonly dealt with in SF at that time (I may not have read any Delaney yet).

As such, I was somewhat interested in rereading it for this club, but there's just too much else on my list right now. (I did finally finish Infinite Jest , which could be considered science fiction. :-) )

Just finished!
I like it. Maybe not right away, but I plan to read the next.
If I remember correctly.....the first time I read this book, the next in the series wasn't written yet.

In the end.....this beginning....
was the job interview....
next up...
the job.

I'll see...as I haven't read the rest.....yet.
;)

And......I like Maxfield Parrish!

http://paintings-art-picture.com/Maxf...

I finished this book last night. I did not enjoy this book. I barely managed to finish it, but from the previous discussion, I had expected so much more. I feel like maybe I did not completely understand the book. I felt that the author focused more on shocking the reader with overt sexuality than on mind blowing science. I'm glad I read it, but I would not recommend it to others.

Charlyce wrote: "I finished this book last night. I did not enjoy this book. . ."

Hmmmmm! OK, now put your comment into a different context. I suggest you re-post it to here (with appropriate editing) - and compare your reaction to Titan with Neal's attack on Niven (message 65 in that conference), Valerie's further comments (message 84) and my comments at message 85.
The problem here appears to be the question of whether you (the reader) are looking for mind-blowing science (Niven) or a lot of character development (provide your own example) or something in between (Varley tried, but finished up too far along towards the 'mind-blowing science' end of the scale).
My own preferences are close to the Niven and Varley positions, but not exclusively so - and I admit they have changed a bit over the years.

Alan wrote: "Charlyce wrote: "I finished this book last night. I did not enjoy this book. . ."

Hmmmmm! OK, now put your comment into a different context. I suggest you re-post it to here (with appropriate e..."

Heehee
I might have to join that group just for that topic.

I could not get this book from the library, but if you want the audio version, it's $4.95 in Audible's First of the series sale.