James
P. Hogan
I'm
still in two minds about Alien
Sky, completely unable
to decide if i enjoyed it or not; silly me.
Points
in favour: The gradual understanding of the past history of Terra
and the links with Venusian history and origins; the developing
relationship/love interest between the two chief protagonists; the
way Hogan slowly develops and reveals his plot, allowing the reader
to make the occasional satisfying leap ahead of him and his
characters.
Points
against: The names ~ petty of me, but i found them difficult, more
so than many other SF names i have come across; the sub-plot about
the Venusian Progressives, and that of Jenyn, the primary antagonist,
if there is such a thing; the chapter of nothing but prosaic
explanation Hogan found necessary towards the end, rather than
allowing his plot to develop and be revealed through action and
conversation; the cavalier fashion in which Hogan treats the current
understandings of science, cosmic history and stability, evolution,
and assorted other foundational beliefs of current culture.
Overall,
i think this is a bit more hard science-ey than much SF i have read
and enjoyed ~ Asimov, Heinlein, Dick, for example ~ and perhaps that
shows in my feelings of ambivalence. Nevertheless, i have finished
it, and will not run a mile if i come across Hogan again, which
surely makes it at least a qualified success for me.
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