Robert Silverberg’s 1985 collection of six award winning novellas ranks high on a list of excellent publications for this Grandmaster of the genre. His mastery of this short medium is akin to Ursula K. LeGuin.Silverberg’s magnificent title novella, “Sailing to Byzantium” reminded me of his 1966 novel Son of Man (which I did not get or like) but done much better; in both he had an excellent concept, also reminiscent of Poul Anderson’s oddly misunderstood Harvest of Stars.“Thomas the Proclaimer” is a theologically based account of a futuristic John the Baptist, coming to herald a new age, but told with Silverberg’s quirky charm.“Born with the Dead” is a Bradburyesque, somewhat disturbing story about a future where a dying person can elect to be “rekindled” and begin again, in a life related to, but distinctly different from the life they lived before.“Homefaring” is one of his most original stories … hell one of THE most original stories I’ve ever read. Part H.G. Wells, part Philip K. Dick and ALL Silverberg, this is a lobster story, yes a lobster story, that must be read to be believed. Silverberg pulls it off.“We are for the Dark” is another theologically based story where, Philip K. Dickian like, Silverberg blends elements of organized religion with a far flung space colonization musing.In Robert Silverberg’s 1970 novel Downward to the Earth, Silverberg pays tribute to Joseph Conrad’s signature novella Heart of Darkness. In “The Secret Sharer” Silverberg reboots Conrad’s short story about a secret relationship between a vessel’s captain and a stowaway.
A learned friend's new mission is to read Hugo/Nebula winners from the '70s. With that inspiration, I embarked on a journey to read some speculative fiction again. It's been some time since I've read fantasy/sci-fi -- I would actually put this in the fantasy category. This won a Nebula award in '84, so that sold me, plus I bought the "Tor double" edition with Gene Wolfe's Seven American Nights, another selling point. Browsing at the local used bookstore paid off again. $3.But as to the story -- there are some narrative weaknesses here and there, some fallen arches as it were. But the ending is sweet and suggestive, uncommon for the genre. In addition, the story takes its theme straight from Yeats and his wonderful poem of the same name. Throw in time travel and programming saute'd with a breezy spoon -- a light and enjoyable meal, this, finished off in a leisurely few hours. The twenty-fifth century character Y'ang Yeovil was rather nicely done as well. Could be prescient...
What do You think about Sailing To Byzantium (2004)?
It was an enjoyable story. I seriously doubt it can be called "science fiction", more like science fantasy. The atmosphere is spectacularly lyrical and the portrayal of historical (or not) cities very interesting although somewhat dreamy. Eventually the it's about a love story but I cant tell what message the author wants to pass on. Even though the main character wonders about his existence, his origins and what controls the world he ends up into, he does not really try to find out. As for the love interest... Seriously it's like noone knows whats really important... Also the "sailing to byzantium" part is only a paragraph long. Anyhow... the story is like a prologue to a book that has never been written but still it is enjoyable enough.
—Spyros Blackfinch
