Modern Good Reads discussion

Talk about science fiction that informs and comments on political and social issues through the telling of an incredible story. What did you learn from it, and what hooked you into the story?

Never Let Me Go by Kaziuo Ishiguro
(Published by Vintage Books, a division of Random House, in 2005.)

A chilling alternative history in which cloning has been perfected since the early 1960's and the future donors are created and mentally conditioned from infancy through adulthood to respect and embrace the critical role they play in the government's program to maintain a reliable supply of life-extending organs for use by their sponsors whenever needed.

I learned that any population of any country can eventually be molded and contitioned over time by their govening powers to believe that anything is justified as long as the needs and desires of the majority of the populace benefit.

If you are looking for action, robots, and high-tech gadgets, this is not a book for you. However, if you enjoy realisitc and believable portrayals of individual characters and situations, Never Let Me Go will prove well-worth the time and effort expended to read it.

Well, there goes my idea. Glad I didn't write it and get sued.

Although a lot of attention has been given to Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, much better social commentary comes from his books I Will Fear No Evil about a male millionaire's brain implanted in a woman's body, and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, about a the moon colony's political break from Earth's dominion.

Do you think the commentary is as true today as it was when these stories were first written? In other words, do they feel outdated or will they resonate with modern readers today?

Ceri wrote: "Do you think the commentary is as true today as it was when these stories were first written? In other words, do they feel outdated or will they resonate with modern readers today?"

I Will Fear No Evil was especially prophetic, discussing sexual practices, modern terrorism, and suggestions of the communications revolution in computers. Best of all, it's a great yarn. It's dated but not outdated.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a particularly good read for those who are enthusiastic about the possibility of a moon base. I'm reading a book now, Space For Sale that describes the likely way it will happen.

Judy Collins recorded a song c. 1976, "The Moon's A Harsh Mistress." I wonder which title came first?

The book was published in 1967

But I don't know how old the song is or who wrote it, will look into it.

Jimmy Webb wrote the song, but I can't find out when. Earliest mention I found is '77.

Here is the wiki for the song

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon...

The song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd4ui...

Thanks! I love the song but had no idea...and I hadn't really expected a connection, but look at that! I love learning this kind of stuff!

I am listening to the song now! :)

I just finished Space For Sale. It is a thinly disguised book about Elon Musk and Space Technologies. Good book, though sometimes I had to hold my nose when reading cardboard characterizations. Really dissed the unholy trinity of Congress, NASA, and Boeing-Lockheed.

Halfway Human has some interesting things to say about gender politics, discrimination and slavery, and well worth a read. Halfway Human

Kasia wrote: "Halfway Human has some interesting things to say about gender politics, discrimination and slavery, and well worth a read. Halfway Human"

At first I thought you meant Half Way Home by Hugh Howey, which has some of the same concepts.

No- although I can see how you might say that from my comment! Halfway Home does sound like it's worth a read though. :)
Halfway Human is the story of a 'neuter', who is effectively a second class citizen on their planet, while children who grow up to be have gender are treated like the gentry.

I grew up reading some of the great dystopian novels. If you've missed classics like Not this August (C. M. Kornbluth) and No Blade of Grass (John Christopher), check them out. They and many others influenced my own work.
r/Steve Moore