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| Review Summary |
David Lindsay (1976-1946) published 'A Voyage to Arcturus' in 1920, and was the book which caused C.S. Lewis to take note of science fiction, and revealed its potential for the type of fantasy science fiction which he went on write in his sci-fi trilogy. Along with the likes of George MacDonald and Lord Dunsany they helped form and promote the genre. David Lindsay's invention and originality are quite exceptional, his roots being somewhat gnostic and theosophical.
An man is transported from earth to the planet Tormance in the distant star system of Arcturus. Our hero explores the beauties and wildness of Tormance and its inhabitants. Strange and new sense organs seem to grow naturally, and indeed prove necessary to survival: it is often a case of kill or be killed. To an earthman new sense organs may reveal new colours, feelings, and experiences, but can also have hidden risks. The creations of the sinister illusionist Crystalman mean that things are seldom what they seem, solid one moment and symbolic the next. Wild creatures throng the fantastic landscape and mad torturers dominate their victims by mental powers which they use to turn men into fruit trees. Perhaps our adventurer should have considered how he was to get back to earth more carefully.
Michael JR Jose, Resident Scholar
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Plotlets:
- exploring a wondrous planet or phenomena
- surviving natural elements on planet
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- bad magical powers hunting non/weaker magical(s) (fantasy)
Lifeform altered?
Yes
Kind of alteration:
- Scientifically turned into another lifeform
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- explorer
Age:
- 40's-50's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- is very quick
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- magical being
Age:
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- can change shapes
- fire/thunder/weather cntrl
- mind reading
- mind control
- can see into the future
- can cast all sorts of spells
Eccentric:
Yes
- deluded
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Setting
Terrain
- Mountains
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a primitive/fantasy society
- unfriendly aliens
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
- descript of touching personal anatomy
- weird alien sex
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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