1974’s A Midsummer Tempest exhibits an artist working at the height of his powers. It is a work that defies clear categorization. Poul Anderson has created something utterly indiosyncratic that nonetheless depends entirely upon prior works. The tale occurs near the culmination of the English Civil War. So, it is historical fiction then, right? Not… Continue reading Poul Anderson’s Magnificent “A Midsummer Tempest.”
Month: April 2024
Science Fiction’s Top Five Tough Guys
Most everyone loves the fictional tough guy: the battle-hardened enforcer as quick with his fists as he is with a wry comment. He’s usually not the primary hero. Instead he’s Little John, not Robin Hood; T.C., not Thomas Magnum; Tars Tarkas, not John Carter. The hero is usually the swashbuckling, more vulnerable, romantic lead. But… Continue reading Science Fiction’s Top Five Tough Guys
Poul Anderson’s “Fantasy.” A Showcase.
In 1981, Poul Anderson put out a collection of selections of his fantasy short stories, titled plainly enough Fantasy. Though perhaps that’s misleading, as not every entry is a fantasy short story, some being essays, some humorous oddities, and some defying the reader to apply classification. But that, I believe, was intentional in order to… Continue reading Poul Anderson’s “Fantasy.” A Showcase.
Jack of Shadows. A Dark Gem of a Novel.
I have at last managed to fill in a lacuna in my Appendix N reading. Jack of Shadows is, in someways, Roger Zelazny condensed to the quintessence. A synecdoche of a sort. If you’ve read much Zelazny, you’ll recognize themes: resurrection, from Lord of Light; the corrupting nature of absolute power, from Amber; the ambiguously… Continue reading Jack of Shadows. A Dark Gem of a Novel.