Comments on: SF Crossing the Gulf (Episode 11): “Star Maker” by Olaf Stapledon

By: Fred Kiesche

Fred Kiesche — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:31:29 +0000

Now I want you two to cover Cordwainer Smith. ESPECIALLY after this episode.

By: Karen Burnham

Karen Burnham — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:04:45 +0000

Cool, I’ll have to look that up! I’ve seen Bernal referenced in the context of the Singularity as well, and I’ve been meaning to get to that essay. Thanks!

By: Fred Kiesche

Fred Kiesche — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 01:16:52 +0000

One thing I love about SM is how all of Last and First Men fits into a brief part of SM (just as Last Men in London fits into a brief part of Last and First Men). Along with Sirius and Odd John, it is my favorite work by Stapledon.

I do not, however, think that one needs to read Last and First Men (or Last Men in London) before reading SM. In fact, if you do so, you may be turned off by Stapledon as a writer, period. Last and First Men is chock full of wonderful ideas and scenes but getting beyond the first section…most do not (a point that the author of the introduction to the Gollancz Masterworks edition makes).

If you can find it (there are a few online versions), I’d point you to J.D Bernal’s classic long essay/short book The World, The Flesh and The Devil. Not only was it a big influence on Stapledon, but also influenced Arthur C. Clarke, Gerard K. O’Neil (the Lagrange Colonies designer) and many others. Joe (above) says author’s could spend careers out of spinning stories out of Stapledon: Bernal is definitely an non-fiction author who had the same effect.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 17:19:52 +0000

And having just listened to the episode: Yes they did! Great discussion. And I have yet another addition to my apparent project to subscribe to more podcasts than there are hours in the week.

By: Paul (@princejvstin)

Paul (@princejvstin) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:04:44 +0000

A point Karen and Karen ably and aptly made, yeah.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:02:12 +0000

I think an SF writer could just about make an entire career out of writing novels based on individual sentences in Star-Maker.

By: Karen Burnham

Karen Burnham — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:20:19 +0000

I generally agree, and I read them the same way in the same edition!

By: Paul (@princejvstin)

Paul (@princejvstin) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:45:41 +0000

I think readers should tackle Last and First Men first, and *then* Star Maker. (that’s the way I read them, in the edition on the lower left of the six covers shown above, actually)