Classic SF with Andy Johnson
@andyjohnson.xyz
Exploring classic science fiction, with a focus on the 1950s to the 1990s. Weekly articles and podcast at andyjohnson.xyz
I should say, Pangborn's debut SF novel - he published a mystery novel in 1930.
November 20, 2025 at 8:46 AM
I should say, Pangborn's debut SF novel - he published a mystery novel in 1930.
Quite recently, @hormannalex.bsky.social covered the trilogy (in the same Behemoth omnibus I have).
BOOK REVIEW: Behemoth, by Stephen Baxter
Teaser Mammoths. The gentle giants of Earth’s past, now long extinct. But what if mammoths were not the simple grazers we imagine? What if they had societies and a language of their own. What…
atboundarysedge.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Quite recently, @hormannalex.bsky.social covered the trilogy (in the same Behemoth omnibus I have).
Have enjoyed this series very much, and will shortly get to the concluding entry Icebones (2001), which situates mammoths on a partially terraformed Mars in 3,000 AD...
November 19, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Have enjoyed this series very much, and will shortly get to the concluding entry Icebones (2001), which situates mammoths on a partially terraformed Mars in 3,000 AD...
The mammoths in these books are so vividly depicted and sympathetic that one almost feels guilty for our ancestors having contributed to their extinction. But Longtusk himself can't help but admire humans for their ingenuity and ability to adapt and overcome.
November 19, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The mammoths in these books are so vividly depicted and sympathetic that one almost feels guilty for our ancestors having contributed to their extinction. But Longtusk himself can't help but admire humans for their ingenuity and ability to adapt and overcome.
Baxter's deep research into mammoths, mastodons, and their living relatives the elephants is evident. Here, they are contrasted intriguingly with "Dreamers" (neaderthals) and "Fireheads" (humans).
November 19, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Baxter's deep research into mammoths, mastodons, and their living relatives the elephants is evident. Here, they are contrasted intriguingly with "Dreamers" (neaderthals) and "Fireheads" (humans).
Absolutely - I've so far read only three of his books, but two of them were superb. Definitely keen to read more.
November 19, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Absolutely - I've so far read only three of his books, but two of them were superb. Definitely keen to read more.
Some initial thoughts on this novel of crash-landing and colonisation here.
West of the Sun (1953) by Edgar Pangborn ✅ - six humans crash-land on an Earthlike planet and change, and are changed by, its alien societies. A strong, thoughtful SF debut.
November 19, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Some initial thoughts on this novel of crash-landing and colonisation here.
18 November is quite day, really - also born on this day were Margaret Atwood, Alan Moore, Michael Swanwick, and Suzette Haden Elgin.
November 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM
18 November is quite day, really - also born on this day were Margaret Atwood, Alan Moore, Michael Swanwick, and Suzette Haden Elgin.
Episode 177 of the Classic SF with Andy Johnson podcast, the audio version of my beginner's guide to the Hainish stories of Ursula K. Le Guin, is now live. Here's your clip - full version on your favourite platform.
November 17, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Episode 177 of the Classic SF with Andy Johnson podcast, the audio version of my beginner's guide to the Hainish stories of Ursula K. Le Guin, is now live. Here's your clip - full version on your favourite platform.
Thanks for listening and sharing!
November 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Thanks for listening and sharing!
Thanks for reading - happy to be of service!
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Thanks for reading - happy to be of service!
Shaw's debut, Night Walk is such a fun combination of exciting thriller elements and fascinating meditations on vision and perception - inspired by the writer's fear of losing his sight. Very strongly recommend this one.
Blind man's bluff: Night Walk (1967) by Bob Shaw [Review]
A rock-solid SF adventure rooted in the author's abiding interest in vision and optics.
www.andyjohnson.xyz
November 16, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Shaw's debut, Night Walk is such a fun combination of exciting thriller elements and fascinating meditations on vision and perception - inspired by the writer's fear of losing his sight. Very strongly recommend this one.
Thanks Joe - I'm definitely keen to read and cover more of Sladek, including some short fiction. The title Keep the Giraffe Burning certainly sticks in the mind...
November 16, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Thanks Joe - I'm definitely keen to read and cover more of Sladek, including some short fiction. The title Keep the Giraffe Burning certainly sticks in the mind...
The biggest issue is how poorly differentiated the four male characters are - I could barely tell them apart for the whole first half. There are very interesting gender and survival angles; I plan to compare this with We Who Are About To... (1976) by Joanna Russ.
November 15, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The biggest issue is how poorly differentiated the four male characters are - I could barely tell them apart for the whole first half. There are very interesting gender and survival angles; I plan to compare this with We Who Are About To... (1976) by Joanna Russ.
In its anthropological focus and rigorous construction, this feels a bit ahead of its time. Pangborn is strangely vague about the future Earth that his crew have left, until a unfortunate dump of exposition late on.
November 15, 2025 at 10:30 PM
In its anthropological focus and rigorous construction, this feels a bit ahead of its time. Pangborn is strangely vague about the future Earth that his crew have left, until a unfortunate dump of exposition late on.