Search The Sky
Pohl and Kornbluth wrote some magnificent science fiction together. Indeed I regard The Space Merchants as one of my favourite science fiction books. However this particular title, even after a 1985 update, is rather dated.
The plot is straightforward enough, a young man on a colony world becomes disenchanted with the 'decay' he can see around him everywhere. As a result he is entrusted with access to a secret faster than light ship to find out "What has gone wrong with mankind and why?".
This journey takes in several worlds, where he gets into trouble and rescues others in trouble.
The crux of the story is based upon some shonky equation that blames lack of genetic diversity for the woes of the worlds.
Plus points are the excellent way they keep the plot moving forward and the relative brevity of the book compared to modern titles because this book would have seriously sucked at greater length.
The negatives are cardboard characters, trite world building and a sense that this would have been better off stuck back in the 50's.
I would only recommend this particular title to those interested in the work of Pohl & Kornbluth or in the mood for some quick old school sci-fi.
The Sandman Companion
This companion to Neil Gaiman's lengthy and wonderful Sandman comic epic derives most of it's merit from a in depth interview with the man himself.
Storm Front
First of the Dresden Files Series introduces Harry Dresden, Wizard For Hire.
In this book Harry attempts to solve a series of ghastly magical murders at the request of a detective in the local Police Department, and tackle a missing persons case at the same time. All while having to deal with Madame who happens to be a Vampire, dark Magicians, being under constant surveillance by the wizard's council and, oh, the local Chicago mob.
It's a pretty entertaining romp if wildly nonsensical at times. I'd recommend it if you're looking for a decent piece of fantasy horror with a nice dash of humour.
Breakfast At Tiffanys
Capote's novella is famously the basis of a much sanitised hollywood film version. In this, the original work, it's pretty blatant that Holly is a hooker of sorts and she's portrayed as even more of a creature of impulse and criminal tendencies that she is in the film.
I got the impression that Holly was something almost feral yet so glamorous that the narrator loved her from a distance in his way but never really understood her.
Not my usual kind of thing but it's a pretty good read and is definitely worth seeking out if you've only ever seen the film version of these particular characters.
Hogfather
I'm a fan of Pratchett's writing. The man is frighteningly good.
However not every one of his books is a masterpiece. Witness Hogfather.
This book is part of the Death/Susan sequence, which is not my favourite one (only Mort is superb). I've never really loved a Susan book, even though on the face of it she should be a really appealing character.
The plot involves a plan by the Auditors of Reality to have the Hogfather (Discworld analogue of Santa Claus) inhumed by a crazed member of the Assassin's Guild.
I can say that I found it mildly diverting, no more. Which marks it out as rather poor in terms of Pratchett's output.
Hogfather (Sky One)
This was a 4 hour adaptation of the book starring a host of luminaries from the British acting community. While the art direction lovingly recreated the Discworld, the piece as a whole managed to suffer from poor pacing, confusing editing and a total lack of humour.
Unfortunately the thing was done with rather too much reverence for the source material and not enough of an eye on what would make entertaining television.
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