OliveTree’s Reviews > Starswarm > Status Update
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OliveTree
is finished
The Rift - Old Hundredth
The final story resolves Starswarm with a melancholic recollection of endings and transformations. A ghostly, contemplative eulogy which tugs at the symbols and theming employed across the rest of the collection to arrange them into new forms
Old Hundredth (1960) is collected here and the short story collections "The Airs of Earth" and "Who Can Replace a Man?".
— Dec 28, 2022 12:37AM
The final story resolves Starswarm with a melancholic recollection of endings and transformations. A ghostly, contemplative eulogy which tugs at the symbols and theming employed across the rest of the collection to arrange them into new forms
Old Hundredth (1960) is collected here and the short story collections "The Airs of Earth" and "Who Can Replace a Man?".
OliveTree
is on page 149 of 159
Sector Azure - O Moon of My Delight!
The scenery, perspective and science of this story are vivid with clarity and color. Our narrator, on the other hand, holds a certain contempt for much of the cast, and none moreso than its women. Perhaps commentary is being given on the romantic dehumanization thrust at women; women as objects, especially poor women, seems to be on this story's mind
— Dec 27, 2022 11:46PM
The scenery, perspective and science of this story are vivid with clarity and color. Our narrator, on the other hand, holds a certain contempt for much of the cast, and none moreso than its women. Perhaps commentary is being given on the romantic dehumanization thrust at women; women as objects, especially poor women, seems to be on this story's mind
OliveTree
is on page 125 of 159
An update regarding the two sector stories I never reviewed:
Vermillion - A Kind of Artistry: Might resolve to be my favorite. The somewhat haunting wonders contained here give way to a formal exploration of suppression and evolution
Gray - Hearts and Engines: Dreary oneirism within a war story. Contains pulses of action -- though its more sad than thrilling; ultimately kept me at arms length
— Dec 23, 2022 03:53AM
Vermillion - A Kind of Artistry: Might resolve to be my favorite. The somewhat haunting wonders contained here give way to a formal exploration of suppression and evolution
Gray - Hearts and Engines: Dreary oneirism within a war story. Contains pulses of action -- though its more sad than thrilling; ultimately kept me at arms length
OliveTree
is on page 125 of 159
Sector Yellow - Legends of Smith's Burst
A whimsical, sidelong outwandering of something like "Science-Mythology"; picaresque and grimy. Set in a curdling world of contradictions, and weaving a tall-tale of known disrepute. The rather eye-rolling inclusion of a doting love interest feels tone-accurate yet questionable
Legends of Smith's Burst (1964) is collected here and the short story collection "The Saliva Tree"
— Dec 23, 2022 03:35AM
A whimsical, sidelong outwandering of something like "Science-Mythology"; picaresque and grimy. Set in a curdling world of contradictions, and weaving a tall-tale of known disrepute. The rather eye-rolling inclusion of a doting love interest feels tone-accurate yet questionable
Legends of Smith's Burst (1964) is collected here and the short story collection "The Saliva Tree"
OliveTree
is on page 95 of 159
Sector Green - Shards
Poetical, discursive and bawdy. A curious exercise in mystery and irony. One of the more comical in the collection so far; one of the more unsettling. Also, rather bite-sized
I've heard it theorized that hiccups are a remnant of our fish-brained ancestors. I got hiccups immediately after reading...true story
Shards (1962) is included here and the short story collection "The Airs of Earth"
— Dec 18, 2022 11:10PM
Poetical, discursive and bawdy. A curious exercise in mystery and irony. One of the more comical in the collection so far; one of the more unsettling. Also, rather bite-sized
I've heard it theorized that hiccups are a remnant of our fish-brained ancestors. I got hiccups immediately after reading...true story
Shards (1962) is included here and the short story collection "The Airs of Earth"
OliveTree
is on page 87 of 159
Sector Diamond - The Game of God.
I've been impressed with Aldiss' skewering of certain oppressive systems and trends so far. This anti-colonialist novelette doesn't quite compare. A valiant attempt for 1958, which ultimately resolves with merely some trivial naval-gazing.
The Game of God (or "Segregation", "Planet of Death"), appears here, as well as in the collections Equator and The Airs of Earth by Aldiss.
— Dec 02, 2022 10:45PM
I've been impressed with Aldiss' skewering of certain oppressive systems and trends so far. This anti-colonialist novelette doesn't quite compare. A valiant attempt for 1958, which ultimately resolves with merely some trivial naval-gazing.
The Game of God (or "Segregation", "Planet of Death"), appears here, as well as in the collections Equator and The Airs of Earth by Aldiss.
OliveTree
is on page 53 of 159
Sector Violet - The Underprivileged.
Was very wowed by this one... a tense, uncertain tour through a Twilight Zone-esque cityscape. Any perceived dullness came from my underestimating the ferocity of the upcoming twist. Here we have a chilling, intricately woven parable.
The Underprivileged was published in 1963 and is included here, as well as in the short story collection Cities of Wonder edited by Damon Knight.
— Sep 12, 2021 10:12PM
Was very wowed by this one... a tense, uncertain tour through a Twilight Zone-esque cityscape. Any perceived dullness came from my underestimating the ferocity of the upcoming twist. Here we have a chilling, intricately woven parable.
The Underprivileged was published in 1963 and is included here, as well as in the short story collection Cities of Wonder edited by Damon Knight.
