Keith Roberts is best known for his alternative-history SF novel, Pavane (1968), where the Spanish Armada arrives safely and invades England. Gateway SF is publishing a series of omnibus volumes of classic SF works. This Keith Roberts omnibus collects The Chalk Giants (1974), Kiteworld (1985), and The Grain Kings (1976). The Chalk Giants is a series of linked short stories with a patented British catastrophe theme. Kiteworld is a post-nuclear holocaust novel. The Grain Kings explores a future where food is becoming a scarce commodity. I’ve ordered about a dozen more of these Gateway SF omnibuses. If you’re interested in this excellent series, just click here to see their forthcoming books.
I only know PAVANE, which I would rate very highly from my recollection of it – thanks George, great to know these are available – cheers!
Pavane and Kiteworld are the two I have in old paperback editions. I’ve read Pavane, which is indeed a classic.
Sergio, I’m already a fan of the Gateway Omnibus series–after only one book!
Bill, Keith Roberts is an underrated writer. I’m happy to see his work available once again in a very nice package!
George, you are a very bad influence! The last thing I need to do is order more books but these look good. Wasn’t Frank Denton friends with Keith Roberts? I seem to remember him visiting Roberts in England.
Jeff, I think you’re right about Frank Denton being friends with Keith Roberts. You will really like the Gateway Omnibus series!
On the site, it says, for each book, “From the vaults of The SF Gateway, the most comprehensive digital library of classic SFF titles ever assembled, comes an ideal introduction to the work of one of the giants of the Golden Age,…”. Does the comprehensive digital library (emphasis mine) mean these are e-books? Sure sounds like it.
Rick, Gateway has an extensive collection of e-books. They’ve decided to offer some omnibus editions in print. Some of the books are available in the U.S. The other omnibus editions are available through AMAZON “partners” at reasonable prices. I think these volumes are well worth the money!
I also notice for many of them it says that “for territorial reasons, we cannot make this available in the USA or Canada”.
The five I had an interest in were all unavailable i the U.S.
Rick, I went on AMAZON, looked at the Gateway omnibus offerings and then ordered them from the AMAZON partners. That’s how I received this Keith Roberts volume.