Mammoth SF and Farscape Tunes
01/12/2001 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 

Book, video and - this month only - music reviews.

The Mammoth Book Of Best New SF # 14 edited by Gardner Dozois
pub: Constable and Robinson Ltd. 684 page medium-size paperback. Price: £9.99 (UK). ISBN: 1-84119-404-2

check out website: www.constablerobinson.com

Several things struck me about this latest edition. The summary of annual events can easily be fixed as to what date it was handed into the publishers simply because there was a singular absence of noting Douglas Adams’ death. Considering all the obituaries are the end piece, such an omission could have been added at short notice even with this reprint of the US edition.

In a wry way, it’s also odd that the coverage of the Internet doesn’t even get around to mentioning this website’s search engine. No sour grapes intended but it's odd that Constable’s publicity department knows something that Gardner Dozois doesn’t.

There’s so much going on in SF in the magazines, books and Internet that even Dozois admits in his text that he’s relying on others to provide him with assistance with what should be covered. This also neatly segues into the 23 short stories themselves.

Calling them short stories is a bit of a misnomer as the majority are novelette size. It’s also a book of observation that all of the writers are well established judging by the credits. Whether this was to ensure sales by instruction from the publishers or by the nomination by the various magazine editors who suggested the stories is hard to say.

What it does indicate is no one has given an opportunity to spotlight any rising talent which has to be a shame, especially in the light of some of the stories here.

When I reviewed last year’s edition, I made the comment that outside of reviewing conditions, I would probably have read a couple of other books in between than read a book this size all at once just for a change of pace. The same is even more so this year. Fatigue definitely sank in after page 500.

None of which was helped by the feeling that none of the stories were definite page-turners. If anything, several of them aimed for the impression of showing how good they were with words and neglected to tell the readers more about the issues of the plot or filled in some important details about the reality they were depicting.

To just isolate a couple examples here would tend to be a disservice cos over half of them show this kind of problem more’s the pity.

Trying to pin-point what else is wrong is more to do with similarity than not. By that, I don’t mean in material but more with the element of seriousness. It’s almost as though there is a humour by-pass at all the various editorial offices.

This doesn’t mean I’d like to necessarily see jokey stories but a lighter edge wouldn’t have gone amiss for a change of pace. Balancing out the stories would have made things a lot easier to digest.

Perhaps I’m being overtly critical here. You’re going to be picking up this book purely for the year summary of SF events let alone the stories. There’s sufficient range of authors here to say that at least several of them are amongst your ‘must read’ list.

These range from Ursula Le Guin to Peter Hamilton, from Brian Stableford to Stephen Baxter all within a reasonable priced book. Here’s to more variety next year though.

Geoff Willmetts

Feather And Bone by Gus Smith
pub: Big Engine. .307 page medium-size paperback. Price: £ 8.99 (UK). ISBN: 1-903468-03-5

check out website: www.bigengine.co.uk

The blurb on the back of this book describes it as a debut fantasy novel by Gus Smith. The style of the writing is surprisingly workmanlike for somebody with no previous publications - if this is the case.

Though the plot is classic horror, the background of the story is all too real, involving the farming community of the Northumberland countryside and touching on the BSE crisis.

A mysterious force, the Duergar, is an oppressive evil that has bedevilled the region for generations. Rose, who came to the area as a young woman and decided to stay, and Morag the mother of a local farmer are the only people capable of taking on the supernatural monster.

Alison Rigg, an unfortunate Min. of Ag. inspector sent to investigate an outbreak of BSE where should have been none, ends up in a cathartic state. Her spirit becomes trapped in the hovel of a gatehouse where horrifying domestic brutality is perpetrated in front of her helpless astral sight by the hausfrau from hell.

The plot rapidly builds into a sequence of horrible psychic attacks on the local population that some do not survive.

Even the elimination of two of the more obnoxious humans is too carefully crafted to be gratuitous.

Gus Smith manages to keep a page turning narrative from developing into a rush of the abominable for the sake of it. Despite the deepening of the awful events, the scenario remains too real to be called fantasy.

‘Feather & Bone’ is more like fanciful local mythology with a logic and history of its own. At times, it is tempting to believe that such monstrous hobgoblins could live at the bottom of anyone's farmyard.

Whether thriller fantasy or classic horror, this book is compelling and is an original achievement for a new author, especially one whose time is occupied by farming. I hope Gus Smith's book is not just one off and he is able to widen his scope and write more novels of the same calibre.

Jane Palmer

Women by Luis Royd
pub: Nantier Beall Minoustchine, NY. 80 page coffee-table softback. Price: $18.95 (US). ISBN: 1-56163-171-X

check out website: www.nbmpub.com

Those who are familiar with my reading habits know that I tend to be a sucker for a pretty picture as much as the written word, even if it’s a book that came out 4 years ago. This particular book came into the hands of my local bookshop where its mad Welsh witch owner Diane thought might appeal to me. She got that right in one. This is a book of beautiful paintings.

Luis Royd is a Spanish artist whose book covers range from fantasy to SF for mostly the American market. The title is a bit of a misnomer though as there’s also a fair representation of men and alien scenery here as well.

Although there is little information given about Royd himself, judging by various snippets here, it is easy to surmise that he comes from an illustrator background, in the same way Frazetta and Freas did, before progressing to selling cover art. There’s a certain appreciation of artists from this school of design because they tend not to rely too much on photographing models for their poses.

In Royd’s case, there occasionally appears to be a reoccurances of particular faces. Whether this is because he uses the same models or these are the faces he carries for particular work is hard to say at this time. The fact that they don’t often appear probably indicates more on the paintings requirements than any particular need.

I can’t say that I was very impressed with the text as it didn’t appear to have much to do with the pictures in all but an erotic feature at the back of the book. Saying that, it is these paintings which were the real reason to buy this book and they show sufficient range to appreciate why his work is in demand in the States.

If you’re into fantastic art and can get this book it’s well worth your trouble to find this book. The other books of Royd’s I saw in this range appeared to be horror orientated so there’s obviously something there for everyone.

GF Willmetts

A Brief History Of Science: As Seen Through The Development Of Scientific Instruments by Thomas Crump
pub: Constable and Robinson Ltd. 425 page hardback. Price: £20 (UK). ISBN: 1-84119-235-X

check out website: www.constablerobinson.com

There is a marvellous opportunity when going through a publisher’s advance catalogue like I did at the beginning of the year in that I get to see everything that is going to be released rather than just our own genre.

Three books took my eye as being of particular use to Science Fiction writers and would need some serious consideration so they wouldn’t get hidden in obscure reviews columns. The first arrived recently and, as I thought, although it has an extremely long name, is a worthwhile investment for both writer and anyone interested in science alike.

The book can be treated as either a text or reference book, although it would be just as wise to read it all anyway before using it as the latter. It gives a good grounding of scientific development and technology as developed by various people over the centuries while also giving some insight into what made them tick in the various political climates as well.

Explanations of scientific theory is concise and to the point and should be relatively easy to understand. Although I didn’t have any problems grasping any of it, including quantum mechanics, I suspect only the latter might cause some confusion to the novice reader.

Saying that, the majority of the information is explained sufficiently to give some understanding on the subject.

There is also a handy glossary of terms, bibliography and notes, although it isn’t always that necessary to look up when reading. To be critical, it would have been easier to have the notes within the chapters than looking to the back of the book.

The book also has a lot of useful diagrams and two photo sections showing various people and some of the inventions discussed although I don’t really consider the latter as good a selling point. The book might have benefitted from using the photographs to show more scientific equipment.

What is of more use is the information of how science has progressed over the generations. Author Crump makes a powerful observation in that the science has only developed rapidly since the 19th century. Most of what went on before then was shrouded in misinformation and adopting an inadequate system viewpoint.

He notes how far we’ve come by the fact that the discovery of aluminium - the third most abundant element on this planet - wasn’t until 1825. If you’re scratch-building or even modifying our reality for creating a story background, reading this book should prevent you making poor assumptions and using poor science.

For the potential SF reader, this book has to be an asset just waiting to be bought and placed on your shelf. It’s a worthy investment of your money.

GF Willmetts

Unbreakable (Special Edition)
Video: Touchstone Home Video: D611297. Time: 102 minutes. Price: Varies but £12.99 and £10.99, so shop around for the best deal.

Stars: Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson.

Another film brandished as a ‘Special Edition’ with no comparison as to what kitchen garden version is like. One can only assume this video got the label cos of a 13 minutes behind the scenes film with interviews with the above stars and director/writer M. Night Shyamalan.

The film itself is about the life of David Dunn (actor Willis) who is the only survivor of a fatal train crash without even a scratch to his body and Elijah Price (actor Jackson), a man so fragile that his bones can break from the simplest of falls. Price is also a comicbook fan and convinced that somewhere there is someone who is the exact opposite of himself who is virtually indestructible.

Dunn’s survival makes Price believe he’s found this man and begins to convince this survivor of his fate citing comicbook super-heroes as a commercialism of some primal understanding of the world. Dunn takes some convincing which is largely the point of the film. Intellectually, Dunn appears very average, not to mention mussy-headed when it comes to remembering anything about his own past.

The number of people he had to check with to see if he suffered any illnesses over the years also suggests his memory isn’t up to much either. His marriage is very much on the rocks and the only thing keeping him around the house is the love of his son who seems a lot quicker to grasp that his Dad is also extremely strong as well.

I have to confess that I’ve yet to get around to watching ‘The Sixth Sense’ yet so can only treat this film entirely on its own merits with no comparison to director Night Shyamalan’s first film. Initial impressions are that Night Shyamalan certainly doesn’t want to hand you the story on a plate and needs the viewer to work out things as the evidence is presented.

In many respects, this could almost be regarded as a low-budget art film. I mean, considering how crucial the train crash is, it seems a waste not to have included scenes from it rather than show TV footage after the event. Likewise, considering how comicbooks are supposed to play such a crucial part of Price’s life, why weren’t rights weren’t obtained for using real comics rather than made-up ones.

This is rather odd when you consider ‘kryptonite’ is used in the script and at the final art gallery shots, it’s obvious that Marvel’s 60s ‘Thor’ comics are on the walls. It would have also made more sense regarding Price recognising that Dunn having a weakness had, say, a ‘Superman’ comic been used to show the kryptonite weakness rather than a non-descript comic with an equally non-descript cover as if the viewer could get the logic with inadequate information.

Incidentally, Dunn’s weakness to water was actually used in a DC story in the late 60s where a future generation of Superman was weakened by water - I wonder how he washed? There is no explanation how Dunn has a super-sense in seeing the future of people’s lives. Rather odd really, when the name of the film centres on Dunn’s supposed invulnerability to damage.

Certain aspects of this film are better than others. In some respects, it would have paid Night Shyamalan to have had a sharp editor or critic go over the plot or script and suggested he spent budget on certain things than hold back.

It would have brought the film up to a sharper focus without necessarily destroying the need for the viewers to lose anything in the process.

Night Shyamalan certainly has an interesting future ahead of him. He certain knows how to get a performance from his actors and can even hit the mark in presenting an emotive situation. He does need to work a lot harder on suspense and milking a situation sufficiently than underplaying it to the point where there are obvious gaps in logic.

It’s an adequate film just waiting for a superior re-make.

GF Willmetts

Heresy: Book One Of The Aquasilva Trilogy by Anselm Audley
pub: Earthlight. 405 page medium-size paperback. Price: £10 (UK). ISBN: 0-7432-0950-8.

check out website: www.earthlight.co.uk

Cathan is the adopted son of a Count, and his only heir. Their territory is poor, until a large deposit of iron is found. Large enough to solve all the problems of Lepidor, which they rule, and return it to prosperity.

Unfortunately, the Count is away and Cathan has to leave Lepidor to give him the news. On the way, they are attacked by pirates, but manage to reach their destination. Others on the craft are a priest of Ranthas, the ruling god, and a young woman named Ravenna, who becomes Cathan's main sparring partner.

After meeting his father, Cathan is sent to an island on the archipelago which is actually a training ground for heretics. The ruling priesthood of Ranthas are far from popular and rule by fear. The heretics are their only opposition and it is only when Cathan has been on the island for a short period that it becomes clear that Cathan is actually a powerful water mage who could be summarily executed merely for possessing the power.

The priesthood, known as the Domain, will do anything to retain their power, and have murdered millions in the past. They would not hesitate to do so again as Cathan finds to his cost.

Written when the author was just 18, the writing reveals a maturity that many more experienced writers lack. The plot cracks along, the characterisation is good and the dialogue is a wonderful, particularly the exchanges between Cathan and Ravenna, two people who cannot decide whether they love or loathe each other.

This is an entirely original work. It's the first fantasy novel I have ever read which features submarines! Everything is credible and the suspension of disbelief that is required of any reader of this genre has no difficulties where this book is concerned. A talented young man and a great debut. I look forward to reading more of this young author's books in the future. Highly recommended.

John R. Oram

Farscape: Music From The Original Soundtrack - seasons 1 and 2 by SubVision and Guy Gross.
pub: GNP-Crescendo: GNPD 8068. Price: $15.00 (US).

check out the websites: www.gnpcrescendo.com and www.farscape.com.

Knowing that a CD of a favourite TV show is available and getting it at a reasonable price is always a quandary to be solved. Not necessarily so for this intrepid reviewer with the realisation that a UK price would make it a dollar to pound equivalent ie £15, I decided to order from its source - see the website above.

As a consequence, I got ‘Farscape’ and ‘Seven Days’ for about that price including postage. Anyone after GNPCrescendo’s CDs would do well to check over their website cos they have a varied selection amongst their SF soundtracks.

Between ordering and getting the package through my letterbox took less than 10 days. That’s practically faster than some UK ordering systems!

OK, so what have we got here? 23 tracks from ‘Farscape’s first and second seasons together with a decorative little booklet. The music is fully orchestrated and although taken from 15 different episodes all act as if they were designed to play together.

I tend to find it hard matching incidental music away from an episode, largely through viewing it as a complete thing rather than in isolation. The music is harmonious and pleasant to the ear and won’t be bored listening to it from time to time.

If you’re a ‘Farscape’ fan, you’ll be adding this to your buy list.

GF Willmetts

Seven Days: Music From The Original Soundtrack by Scott Gilman
pub: GNP-Crescendo: GNPD 8060. Price: $15.00 (US).

check out the website: www.gnpcrescendo.com.

As commented above, when I bought the ‘Farscape’ soundtrack, I bought one other. This being ‘Seven Days’ - a show’s first season only recently shown on UK’s BBC2 during this summer. As it’s also a series that was cancelled after three series, instincts also say get the CD cos it's unlikely to have made reprintings.

Part of the reason to get this CD was to have the sexy voice at the end of the opening credits saying, ‘Let’s do it again.’ Never could quite figure what she has to do with the series but it's a nice hook. The main theme also has all the voice overs exactly as it was used originally so making it useful for all TV show music archivists.

The remaining 29 tracks are taken from three episodes, ‘Vows’, ‘Come Again’ and ‘EBE’s’. Treating each as musical suites, there is a certain communal theme as opposed to bits from all around the seasons. Aspects of the central theme music are used but not that obtrusively.

Those familiar with the end music are aware of the richness to the music. That being the case, you won’t be surprised by the fact that this is also true of the rest of the album. A very enriching sound and one can see composer Scott Gilman having a heck of an future ahead of him.

The accompanying booklet is full of photos and text about some of the characters and actors from the show. Again, TV soundtrack archivists are likely to treasure.

GF Willmetts

Modesty Blaise: An Original Soundtrack Recording by John Dankworth
pub: harkit records: HRHKCD 8002. Price: £15.99 (UK).

check out website at www.harkitrecords.com

Considering that I’ve reviewed the last Modesty Blaise book here last year, it would be a little stupid to ignore a recent re-issue of the 1966 soundtrack from the film of the same name. As the copy on the box also informs, there are a few more tracks on this CD but not which ones they are. Unless you own the original, I don’t think you’d know the difference anyway. I didn’t even know there had been a vinyl release until now.

I can appreciate creator/writer Peter O’Donnell’s misgivings about the film, especially when director Joseph Losey decided to give the duo a couple musical numbers - both of which are actually included here - and rather inappropriate casting - Terrance Stamp was actually shorter than Monica (Blaise) Vitti and made Garvin too much the psychopath.

Having said that, Johnny Dankworth’s score can be appreciated for its own sake. As a jazz composer, he displays that unique ability of having the same musical thread in several variations and still come over as exciting to listen to.

One of the reasons to pick up soundtracks is also for only hearing snippets of songs and wanting to hear the full track. You’re not shorted in that respect here. Back in the 60s, there was less taking of musical tracks from various sources or artists/bands.

If a pop number number was required, then the film composer would handle that music as well. Such is the case with ‘Ice Is Nice’ commonly thought of as ‘Gimme Ice, Man’.

All 18 tracks on this CD are in chronological film order with the majority of the pieces over a few minutes long. There’s enough variety not to get bored and enough variation to keep everyone from the soundtrack to the jazz enthusiast happy. It can certainly stand on its own without necessarily having to watch the film .

The cover booklet isn’t particularly big although informative. The inner pages is used for text right across both pages which makes it a bind to read the plot of the film. Elsewhere there are the film credits and the repetitive illustration of Vitti as Modesty which looks like the cover art from the film poster.

With record companies wanting to re-issue their back catalogue in CD format, the only way to encourage them is in picking up any album that takes your fancy as they appear on the shelves. Soundtracks, especially, are regarded as limited runs and there isn’t usually enough printed to trust that they will turn up at cut-price.

GF Willmetts