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Dick Locus
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Top
20Internet
Top 100 Short
Stories
Novellas, NovelettesHomeHugosNebulas P.K.
Dick Locus
Grand
MastersNewbery
Alienated artists run rampant
in a dark, bleak, depressing view of the near future. Increasingly meaningless
lives in a violent, corrupt, and poverty-stricken world. Possibly a record for
the most cigarettes smoked per chapter since the surgeon general's warning.
Enough like the modern world to make you wonder if this is really science fiction; enough different to make a strong, almost shockingly pessimistic political statement.
Interesting speculations on the nature, impact, and influence of art; but, it's difficult to agree with many of the conclusions. Art as shock value, art as hyperbolic ridicule, art as dramatic reflection of cultural neurosis it all can have a strong impact on society. The major and unexamined question though is if this kind of an influence is helpful.
Our world is already overly divided, split into dogmatic, polarized camps. Exaggerated polemics and over-stated imagery exasperate the situation. We need more art as healing, art as compassion and understanding, art as dissolving duality.
More opinions and discussion
(send your thoughts and we'll upload here)
Please email comments about this book or review to stroy@jade-mtn.com.
HomeHugosNebulas P.K.
DickLocus
Grand
MastersNewberyTop
20 Internet
Top 100Short
StoriesNovellas,
Novelettes