The Stars My Destination

[sdelmonte]

How on Earth did I go so long without reading this amazing book? I've read most of what's still in print by Alfred Bester, and loved even his late career novels of questionable merit. He is one of the great stylists in SF, a wordsmith whose prose is the match of his imagination. And yet, I never read this one book. Maybe because The Demolished Man disappointed.

This time, there is no disappointment. The Stars My Destination is a delight and a wonder. Bester gives us a vision of the future both incredible and believable, and fills it with characters equal to the story. There are many moments of darkness, and violence, but the book never sinks into nihilism. And while on occasion the narrative wants to run away from Bester, he never loses control.

This is a book that lives up to its rep as an all time great and an influence on writers ever since. It's a crying shame that Bester chose not to be a full time SF writer. But at least we have works like this, to inspire and thrill and astonish.

Comments

[innerbrat]

Oh I do love that book! Haven't read it in years, though.

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

Gully Foyle is my name
And Terra is my nation
Deep space is my dwelling place
...

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

I love this book.

[timewalker.livejournal.com]

I just heard a review of it on NPR last week. Hadn't thought about this version of The Count of Monte Cristo in a long time. Of course, I thank JMS for pushing me toward Bester. Loved this book. Time to re-read.