Category Archives: Books

J. G. Ballard and the London Riots

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Lawrence Person

J. G. Ballard fans will find this Andrew Fox piece on Ballard’s works and the London riots of considerable interest. Having been interned as a child in a Japanese prisoner of war camp in World War II (the source of … Continue reading →

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Authors On “Great” Books They Hate

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Lawrence Person

Interesting piece, if only for the gratification of confirming that many other people loath Holden Caulfield every bit as much as I do. Biggest surprise: Several people (including John Crowley) naming Gravity’s Rainbow as their least-liked great book. I didn’t … Continue reading →

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My Updated Books Wanted List

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Lawrence Person

I may have mentioned that I have a large library. I started out collecting first edition hardbacks of “hypermodern” (which in my case meant “post-Neuromancer“) science fiction (with some fantasy and horror works and authors thrown in for good measure), … Continue reading →

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A Comic Review of Gene Wolfe’s Home Fires

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Lawrence Person

A swell review, in comic form, of Gene Wolfe’s Home Fires It has a lot in common with my own review. (Hat tip: James Wynn.)

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One More Heinlein First Edition Addition: Podkayne of Mars

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Lawrence Person

One more Heinlein first edition to add to the others: Heinlein, Robert A. Podkayne of Mars. Putnam, 1963. First edition hardback (no statement of printing, as per Currey, $3.50 price on dust jacket), a Fine copy in a Near Fine … Continue reading →

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Library Additions: January 22, 2011—August 7, 2011

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Lawrence Person

The book-buying continues apace here at Stately Person Manor since the last roundup. Many were bought from a notable SF book dealer having a sale. And some weren’t even bought, as there’s a large number of unclaimed Nova Express proofs … Continue reading →

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Library Additions: A Heinlein Triad (Including A Heinlein Triad)

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Lawrence Person

I recently obtained three Robert A. Heinlein first editions to add to the library: The Man Who Sold the Moon, Have Space Suit–Will Travel and A Heinlein Triad (hence the recursive nature of the headline). Heinlein, Robert A. The Man … Continue reading →

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The Honorable Kind of Dishonorable

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Lawrence Person

Once again I have won a coveted Dishonorable Mention in the Bulwer-Lytton fiction contest. As in one previous entry, my contribution deals with the joys of the writer’s style…

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Recent Library Acquisitions: Traycased Edition of Jack Vance’s Dangerous Ways

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Lawrence Person

Vance, Jack. Dangerous Ways. Subterranean Press, 2011. Ultralimited PC traycased edition, one of an indeterminate number of signed, leatherbound copies beyond the 26 lettered copies. I don’t often buy traycased editions (I have some for Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Joe … Continue reading →

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New Third Edition of SF Encyclopedia to Be Published Online for Free

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Lawrence Person

Underwritten by Gollancz. I assumed something of the sort was in the works, since I’ve heard the likes of John Clute and David Langford muttering about updated material from time to time, but it’s good to know that the rough … Continue reading →

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