Last year, I enjoyed George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois’ Old Mars. You can find my review here. The concept behind both Old Mars and Old Venus is to present stories based on the pre-1960s visions of these two plants: Mars, a desert and Venus, a swamp. When NASA space vehicles visited Mars and Venus, we found out those assumptions were very wrong. But, no matter. Martin and Dozois recruited an excellent band of SF writers to write about Old Mars and Old Venus in the old-style of pulp writing. My favorite stories were Jon R. Lansdale’s “The Wizard of the Trees” and Mike Resnick’s “The Godstone of Venus.” If you like the sound of that, you’ll enjoy both of these huge anthologies. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION, by Gardner Dozois
FROGHEADS, by Allen M. Steele
THE DROWNED CELESTRIAL, by Lavie Tidhar
PLANET OF FEAR, by Paul McAuley
GREEVES AND THE EVENING STAR, by Matthew Hughes
A PLANET CALLED DESIRE, by Gwyneth Jones
LIVING HELL, by Joe Haldeman
BONES OF AIR, BONES OF STONE, by Stephen Leigh
RUINS, by Eleanor Arnason
THE TUMBLEDOWNS OF CLEOPATRA ABYSEE, by David Brin
BY FROGSLED AND LIZARDBACK TO OUTCAST VENUSIAN LEPERS, by Garth Nix
THE SUNSET OF TIME, by Michael Cassutt
PALE BLUE MEMORIES, by Tobias S. Buckell
THE HEART’S FILTHY LESSON, by Elizabeth Bear
THE WIZARD OF THE TREES, by Joe R. Lansdale
THE GODSTONE OF VENUS, by Mike Resnick
BOTANICA VENERIS: THIRTEEN PAPERCUTS BY IDA COUNTESS RATHANGAN, by Ian McDonald
I read about a third of the stories, George, before I got bogged down. I agree with you about the Lansdale and the Resnick stories, which were the first I read. The others I read were interesting but not enough to urge me to complete the book. I just wasn’t in the mood, I guess. When I come back to it in a different frame of mind, I’ll probably race through it. That happens quite often. I’ll put down a book, come back to it much later and wonder why I put it down in the first place.
Jerry, there was a certain sameness in many of the stories. How many stories need to start out in a Venus bar? Seemingly, all of them.
George, both “Old Mars” and “Old Venus” are new to me, as are most of the writers in the list. Thanks for spotlighting these books.
Prashant, I liked OLD MARS a bit more than OLD VENUS. But there are good stories in both books.
So what did you think of the MAD MEN finale?
Patti, I had no idea where MAD MEN was heading with Don in that hippie commune, but when that Coke Commercial started the lights when on! How was MAD MAX: FURY ROAD? Bill Crider liked it.
I liked OLD MARS too (Resnick’s story there was probably the best) but returned OLD VENUS unread. I have too many other library books and I didn’t want to tackle this right after the other one. I’ll get back to it. Lansdale is always worth reading.
Jeff, I really liked Resnick’s story in OLD MARS, too.
I have my review written and ready to post, have for a couple weeks, and now you trump me. However, we disagree about the book somewhat, so it’ll go up Wednesday. I liked it better than OLD MARS – how many stories can start with someone standing at the edge of town looking out at the red sands? All of them, apparently. We also liked different stories, as you’ll see. I think both collections are very good and well worth reading.
I finished OLD MARS last week and will also have a review of it up in a week or so.
Rick, different strokes for different folks.
I liked it, George. It is not really my kind of movie but considering that it was a pretty amazing effort. The world it presented was scary but very detailed and specific. Not just a bunch of computer graphics. And for once, women played a big part in it. I’d give it a B+. Which would be an A for most guys.
Patti, I figured you would like MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. More sequels are planned. Although PITCH PERFECT 2 earned more money this weekend, I think MAD MAX: FURY ROAD will do better overseas.