Philip Jose Farmer, prolific science fiction writer, loved Big Ideas. How about the idea of having all of humanity resurrected on a giant planet: Shakespeare meets Hitler, Madonna meets Caligula. That’s the concept for the “Riverworld” novels. Or how about “pocket universes”–the basis of the “World of Tiers” series. Or how about Sherlock Holmes meets Tarzan (Adventure of the Peerless Peer)? I could go on and on. Philip Jose Farmer used a big canvas for his notions. The Other in the Mirror collects three of Farmer’s unique fictions. Fire and the Night is a mainstream novel that deals with racial relationships. Jesus on Mars explores religious themes but in ways you’ve never imagined. Night of Light is a psychedelic SF novel inspired by Jim Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.” Trust me: you’ll find these novels unique. Subterranean Press should be commended on returning these wild books back to print.
Coming up with the “big idea” is one thing but that he makes it work is the real brilliance. Another writer I’ve never tried.
I’ve found Philip Jose Farmer’s series are strongest in the early volumes, Patti. I think he gets overwhelmed by his Big Ideas at times.
Farmer’s work was pretty uneven, but when he was on his game, he was one of the best.
Philip Jose Farmer’s output was enormous, Bill. Anyone writing that much is going to have peaks and valleys. But, you’re right: when Farmer was on his game, he was hard to beat. I remember when I read THE LOVERS and was stunned by its power.
George-I don’t have your email for some reason. Could you send me an email at aa2579@wayne.edu. I want to ask you a musical question.
I’ll send it to you right way, Patti.
As Bill Crider has said above, the work is uneven. Some of it is pretty interesting, while much is, for me nearly unreadable. I liked the first book in the Riverworld, To Your Scattered Bodies Go, but the second wasn’t as good and I stopped reading the third halfway in. I can’t imagine getting through all five books in that series.
As you say, George, the series books are best at the beginning. This particular book doesn’t look that interesting to me, but some may find it intriguing.
Philip Jose Farmer pioneered several SF tropes, Rick. He broke plenty of barriers with his sexual themes.
Arthur Miller broke a few barriers with sex too, but I don’t want to read him either. 🙂
Yeah, but Philip Jose Farmer broke those barriers when SF was about the most repressed genre around, Rick. He gets bonus points for that. I consider Arthur Miller more of a political writer.
Miller and Farmer, both highly flawed writers with some real peaks.
You’re right about Arthur Miller and Philip Jose Farmer, Todd. Their work is uneven, but when they were “right” they hit it out of the park.