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Claudia's Reviews > Chasm City
Chasm City (Revelation Space)
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The darkest in the Revelation universe so far, even horrifying one, with a brilliant crescendo in events and terrifying characters. I changed my feelings about the main one several times during reading, from pure hatred to pity and sympathy and now that I finished it, I have no idea whether I hate him or not.
Don’t expect too much action – it’s a one man quest into his mind, mostly. But what a quest…
It occurred to me at some point that Al Reynolds’ works are for sci-fi literature what is ballet for dance or opera for music: exquisite, high class performance. I had my share of sci-fi so far, but I can’t find anyone else to rise to this level of writing. Cannot recommend him enough.
by
“How long would you have to live; how much good would you need to do, to compensate for one act of pure evil you’d committed as a younger man?”
The darkest in the Revelation universe so far, even horrifying one, with a brilliant crescendo in events and terrifying characters. I changed my feelings about the main one several times during reading, from pure hatred to pity and sympathy and now that I finished it, I have no idea whether I hate him or not.
“’Why would people want to experience something like that?’ I asked. He grinned at the youth.’ Hey, what is this, rocking philosophy hour? How am I supposed to know? This is human nature we’re talking about here; it’s already deeply fucking perverted.’”
Don’t expect too much action – it’s a one man quest into his mind, mostly. But what a quest…
It occurred to me at some point that Al Reynolds’ works are for sci-fi literature what is ballet for dance or opera for music: exquisite, high class performance. I had my share of sci-fi so far, but I can’t find anyone else to rise to this level of writing. Cannot recommend him enough.
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Reading Progress
December 20, 2014
– Shelved
March 31, 2016
–
Started Reading
April 9, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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I haven't read The Prefect yet because I don't want to finish the Revelation universe :) Indeed, Consider Phlebas was good but not good enough to make want to continue with Banks. But I will try The Player.
And most definitely I will look for Julian May; to my shame, I didn't hear about him. Thanks a lot for recommendations!
I see that you still haven't read The Prefect, which is set in the same universe. It is on par with the other ones; I am sure you will enjoy it.
Of other SF authors in his league I would consider Peter F. Hamilton (which you already know) and perhaps Iain M. Banks, whose first Culture universe novel, Consider Phlebas, is not really that good or a good example. You could go with The Player instead.
Finally, there is Julian May with the saga of "The Many Coloured Land" (first in the series), which I also consider to be at the very top of the game. I literally lived in that universe while reading the series.