James Reasoner reviewed Edmond Hamilton's The Sun Smasher back in May. A couple of items in James's post jumped out at me: 1) Sun Smasher has a Cornell Woolrich-esque beginning and then completely goes in its own direction, and 2) the phrase "master of space opera."I snagged a copy and can now say I'm a fan of Mr. Hamilton's sci-fi prose which in this book is light on the technical jargon (just the way I like it) and has maximun adventure output. The tale follows protagonist Neal Banning as he discovers everything he thought about his upbringing is a lie and his destiny awaits among the stars.
Loads of fun. I recommend reading Mr. Reasoner's post first and then finding a copy of Edmond Hamilton's The Sun Smasher.
For more FFB's click over to this week's host, George Kelley.
18 comments:
Leigh Brackett and Hamilton were the First Couple of Space Opera. And Hamilton was always prone to Mood, whether it was space opera or "What's It Like Out There?" and similar work.
Gah..."sci-fi" prose. SF prose, sir...please. Also light on the goofy names some would slather on, and only the truly graceful writers, such as Avram Davidson and Jack Vance, could handle.
I assume you know about Charles Harness's work?
I’m not familiar with this author but the super cover and James' original FFB review has wetted my appetite. Thanks for that, David and James.
Kind regards.
I must confess i only read one story by hamilton. And was one published in Weird Tales, "The Door to Infinity"
I've made a note. I shall try to read this one.
Todd, I’ve read Peter Hamilton and Alastair Preston Reynolds as a teen but was unaware that they had coined a space opera name for it. I’m not a huge SF fan (your comments always give me a needed chuckle) and only delve in from the pulpy end of the pool.
Of course, Ms. Brackett was married to Mr. Hamilton and, good lord, what a career. From THE BIG SLEEP to THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
“Time Trap” was one of dozens of stories I read preparing this week’s A RIP THROUGH TIME which is debuting on BEAT to a PULP.
Alan, De nada,
Deka, I really need to catch up on Mr. Hamilton’s work.
Dave, Let me know what you think.
I've always loved that classic ACE DOUBLE cover on THE SUN SMASHER. Haffner Press is reprinting Hamilton's and Brackett's work in wonderful editions.
It is a very sharp looking cover.
Much better than even Leigh Brackett's film work, David, was her fiction...whether brilliant space opera or brilliant non-operatic sf such as THE LONG TOMORROW. And, of course, she wrote a bit of crime fiction and some western novelization as well.
And it's clear even more to me now that you'll need to read Charles Harness...starting with THE PARADOX MEN won't hurt. (Occasional crime-fiction writer Poul Anderson also did some impressive work in the space opera, and with the likes of TAU ZERO, mixed space opera/"hard" sf.)(I hope I don't have to tell you about Avram Davidson and Jack Vance, who published his occasional crime fiction as John Holbrook Vance.)
And I do love that "syfy" as "seefee" is reportedly Polish slang for syphilis.
Todd, Ms. Brackett's fiction was extra special... no doubt about it. Legend.
I enjoyed Mr. Harness's "Time Trap" like I mentioned (was recommended by another friend in the know) but would probably refrain from digging into his body of work much farther. Different tastes is what makes this bitching world spin, right?
BTW do you write fiction of any kind?
I am not much of a science fiction fan but always enjoy the enthusiasm you bring to your blog posts.
Yes, this is a good one all right, I got a copy after reading James Reasoner's FFB post. It was almost in tatters (got it on bookswap and was advised it was in bad shape, but it was free) but and all the pages were there and I was able to read it with enjoyment.
Todd - who is this Vance person again? Vance Jackson, is it? Maybe George has heard of him? He wrote a book about political pigs or something, didn't he?
Whoops, "Time Trap" didn't click in for me as a Harness...I have to wonder if it was the one to read from him (I might well've not read it myself...it ain't coming to mind).
No, Rick, you're thinking of Jack Vance Packard, the author of THE HIDDEN PETTIFOGGERS...
I have published almost as little fiction professionally as it is possible to do and still have done it, though most of it had been well received by the dozen or so who've seen it (shortlisted for a best-of annual, nominated for minor awards, etc.). Patti Abbott's just-sold anthology DISCOUNT NOIR has a story by me, but I fear it will not shine in the good company it's keeping.
Thanks, Diane. I appreciate you stopping by. Tell Art I said hello.
Richard, I lucked out. Mine was in fairly well preserved shape.
Todd, Very good. I will certainly look forward to the DISCOUNT NOIR collection.
Ha ha ha ha. Got me Todd. Yes, David I was jesting, since George Kelly never misses a chance to trumpet Jack Vance's praises. Sorry if I mislead you, my humor button works erratically.
Richard, I'm laughing even louder. Your humor button is spot on.
Anyone said Jack Vance' I never read his crime fiction. Is good?
Pretty good, the little of John Holbrook Vance I've read. Having just picked up the THRILLER (the tv series hosted by Boris Karloff) dvd set, I need again to go look for Jack/John Holbrook Vance's MAN IN A CAGE, which was adpated for one of the episodes.
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