Comments on: Sample chapter from Samuel Delany's forthcoming Through the Valley of the Nest of Spiders http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 00:58:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Yamara http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834071 Yamara Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834071 The man has a sizable following. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Through-Valley-Spiders-Samuel-Delany/dp/1593502036/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279125540&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> already ranks it at #815422, which I think means more than four have already sold, and it doesn't come out until February. Was it the "sci-fi" or the "novel" part that made you believe it would be unpopular? The man has a sizable following.

Amazon already ranks it at #815422, which I think means more than four have already sold, and it doesn’t come out until February.

Was it the “sci-fi” or the “novel” part that made you believe it would be unpopular?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834075 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834075 You underestimate the scifi community, GreatRewards. We aren't racist or homophobic. Most of us anyway. And people won't buy the book based on the title (or the genre for that matter) as much as they will for the author. You underestimate the scifi community, GreatRewards. We aren’t racist or homophobic. Most of us anyway. And people won’t buy the book based on the title (or the genre for that matter) as much as they will for the author.

]]> By: Oren Beck http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834844 Oren Beck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834844 Delany is in a class of his own. Delany is in a class of his own.

]]> By: Felton http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834083 Felton Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834083 Obviously, tearing someone down is easier than looking them up. :-P Obviously, tearing someone down is easier than looking them up. :-P

]]> By: hassenpfeffer http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834086 hassenpfeffer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834086 So, where <i>is</i> the SF-nal content here? I didn't glean any from the full sample chapter. Is this another literary-realist work a la <i>The Mad Man</i>? So, where is the SF-nal content here? I didn’t glean any from the full sample chapter. Is this another literary-realist work a la The Mad Man?

]]> By: elliot winner http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834345 elliot winner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834345 I got to see Samuel Delaney speak at the Walker Art Museum on my birthday a few years back, and it was the greatest present I could ask for. A friend of mine was recently at Uncle Hugo's ( a sci-fi bookstore here in Minneapolis ), and picked up a copy of Dhalgren. The cashier said that if she managed to finish it, she'd get her Samuel Delaney merit badge! I got to see Samuel Delaney speak at the Walker Art Museum on my birthday a few years back, and it was the greatest present I could ask for.

A friend of mine was recently at Uncle Hugo’s ( a sci-fi bookstore here in Minneapolis ), and picked up a copy of Dhalgren. The cashier said that if she managed to finish it, she’d get her Samuel Delaney merit badge!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834609 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834609 Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand. Just read it. Now. Then wait decades for the sequel. Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand.
Just read it. Now.
Then wait decades for the sequel.

]]> By: Tdawwg http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834619 Tdawwg Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834619 Yeah, that other interracial gay SF romance novel he wrote, <i>Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand</i>, went over like a proverbial lead zeppelin: I mean, it's not in print or anything anymore, nor is it considered a landmark of SF, a landmark of multicultural and African-American literature, a moving paean to cosmopolitanism, empathy, diplomacy, and love, or one of the few good things to come out of the Reagan '80s. You'd think that silly writer man would have learned his lesson! Yeah, that other interracial gay SF romance novel he wrote, Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand, went over like a proverbial lead zeppelin: I mean, it’s not in print or anything anymore, nor is it considered a landmark of SF, a landmark of multicultural and African-American literature, a moving paean to cosmopolitanism, empathy, diplomacy, and love, or one of the few good things to come out of the Reagan ’80s. You’d think that silly writer man would have learned his lesson!

]]> By: strangefriend http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834123 strangefriend Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834123 Maybe it'll be another DHALGREN. That one was basically about a drifter having sex in a city that was engulfed in some sort of space/time anomaly. Among his partners: an earth-sprite (or hallucination) in a cave;a leather queen;a male gang member; a female hippie who was friends with the gang member. Of course, DHALGREN was set in the middle of the sex revolution, before AIDS. Maybe the sci-fi bit will be a version of the virus that evolved so it gives people immunity but doesn't mess up their immune systems. Maybe it’ll be another DHALGREN. That one was basically about a drifter having sex in a city that was engulfed in some sort of space/time anomaly. Among his partners: an earth-sprite (or hallucination) in a cave;a leather queen;a male gang member; a female hippie who was friends with the gang member. Of course, DHALGREN was set in the middle of the sex revolution, before AIDS. Maybe the sci-fi bit will be a version of the virus that evolved so it gives people immunity but doesn’t mess up their immune systems.

]]> By: selfsimilar http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834380 selfsimilar Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834380 The title is really close to Italo Calvino's first novel "The Path to the Nest of Spiders" ("Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno"). I'm wondering if this is just coincidence or not. Seems unlikely, but I don't yet see the connection between gay, interracial romance and a child's take on WWII. The title is really close to Italo Calvino’s first novel “The Path to the Nest of Spiders” (“Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno”). I’m wondering if this is just coincidence or not. Seems unlikely, but I don’t yet see the connection between gay, interracial romance and a child’s take on WWII.

]]> By: 5ynic http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834909 5ynic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834909 A Google brought up this reference: "When the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction ran a contest to name the three things that mankind would never reach, one of the runners-up was "The core of the sun, the speed of light, and page 30 of Dhalgren" here: http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=504014&start=1560 Hope that helps. A Google brought up this reference:
“When the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction ran a contest to name the three things that mankind would never reach, one of the runners-up was “The core of the sun, the speed of light, and page 30 of Dhalgren” here:

http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=504014&start=1560

Hope that helps.

]]> By: Rich Keller http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834155 Rich Keller Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834155 There are some recurring elements from some of his other stories that make it sci fi, according to the Wikipedia article about Delany. If is isn't science fictiony enough for you, you could just imagine everyone wearing Bob Basset masks. There are some recurring elements from some of his other stories that make it sci fi, according to the Wikipedia article about Delany.

If is isn’t science fictiony enough for you, you could just imagine everyone wearing Bob Basset masks.

]]> By: 5ynic http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834669 5ynic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834669 Delaney's output varies from the reasonable to the sublime. 'Driftglass' (while maybe not to everyone's taste) is IMHO one of the best character studies in SF. I'll give this one a go for sure. Delaney’s output varies from the reasonable to the sublime. ‘Driftglass’ (while maybe not to everyone’s taste) is IMHO one of the best character studies in SF. I’ll give this one a go for sure.

]]> By: Xopher http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834166 Xopher Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834166 I'm a big Delany fan. I realize that only linguists have favorite sentences, but I do have one, and he wrote it. I read <em>Dhalgren</em> over and over, even after I was no longer a blond teenage gay boy! And Delany himself is a delightful conversationalist. I could not, however, make it through <em>The Mad Man.</em> I can only take so many pages in a row of piss-drinking scenes, and then I give up. I’m a big Delany fan. I realize that only linguists have favorite sentences, but I do have one, and he wrote it. I read Dhalgren over and over, even after I was no longer a blond teenage gay boy! And Delany himself is a delightful conversationalist.

I could not, however, make it through The Mad Man. I can only take so many pages in a row of piss-drinking scenes, and then I give up.

]]> By: hassenpfeffer http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834169 hassenpfeffer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834169 I just prefer my Delany in full-on Weird SF mode, that's all. Aside from his autobiography, which I loved, I can do without his "realistic" stuff. I just prefer my Delany in full-on Weird SF mode, that’s all. Aside from his autobiography, which I loved, I can do without his “realistic” stuff.

]]> By: Tavie http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834171 Tavie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834171 My boyfriend recently gave me <i>Dhalgren</i> to read and I've been savoring it for a couple of months, reluctant to let it end. It's one of the most mind-expanding novels I've ever had the pleasure to get lost in. I'm so happy to see this post show up in my feed! We've been doing a lot of Delany talk lately. Recently we went to a screening of a marvelous documentary at BAM: <a href="http://www.autonomedia.org/node/99">The Polymath: or, Life & Opinions of Samuel R. Delany, Gentleman (dir. Fred Barney Taylor)</a>. The film was completely engrossing and the Q&A sesssion with Delany afterwards charming; I could listen to the man talk for hours. There's a scene at the end where Delany talks about his experiences being a teacher and is so overcome by emotion that it actually made <i>me</i> choke up. Sorry for the fangirl ranting, but I'm a brand-new Delany fan and can't get enough of his writing so this is a treat indeed. Do seek out the documentary if you're a fan of his work. My boyfriend recently gave me Dhalgren to read and I’ve been savoring it for a couple of months, reluctant to let it end. It’s one of the most mind-expanding novels I’ve ever had the pleasure to get lost in. I’m so happy to see this post show up in my feed! We’ve been doing a lot of Delany talk lately.

Recently we went to a screening of a marvelous documentary at BAM: The Polymath: or, Life & Opinions of Samuel R. Delany, Gentleman (dir. Fred Barney Taylor). The film was completely engrossing and the Q&A sesssion with Delany afterwards charming; I could listen to the man talk for hours. There’s a scene at the end where Delany talks about his experiences being a teacher and is so overcome by emotion that it actually made me choke up.

Sorry for the fangirl ranting, but I’m a brand-new Delany fan and can’t get enough of his writing so this is a treat indeed. Do seek out the documentary if you’re a fan of his work.

]]> By: Notary Sojac http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834173 Notary Sojac Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834173 Can someone help me out with this quote, who said it and the exact wording? "There are three things no man will never reach: the velocity of light, the ..........., and the last page of -Dhalgren- by Samuel R. Delany." Can someone help me out with this quote, who said it and the exact wording?

“There are three things no man will never reach: the velocity of light, the ……….., and the last page of -Dhalgren- by Samuel R. Delany.”

]]> By: Teller http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834434 Teller Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834434 "the little can of Man-O-War Spar Varnish on the top shelf behind the paint rollers..." I think. “the little can of Man-O-War Spar Varnish on the top shelf behind the paint rollers…”
I think.

]]> By: mamayama http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834199 mamayama Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834199 Well, since Dhalgren is written in circular fashion--a literary Mobius strip--you could truly say it's impossible to reach the last page...even if you read every chapter! But considering how much fun I had reading "Heavenly Breakfast" (his non-SF memoir of living in a NYC commune in the 60's)--and what a consummate craftsman Delany is--the new novel should be worth checking out. Well, since Dhalgren is written in circular fashion–a literary Mobius strip–you could truly say it’s impossible to reach the last page…even if you read every chapter!

But considering how much fun I had reading “Heavenly Breakfast” (his non-SF memoir of living in a NYC commune in the 60′s)–and what a consummate craftsman Delany is–the new novel should be worth checking out.

]]> By: bwcbwc http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834712 bwcbwc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834712 Wait, Sam Delany is still alive? I thought I read an obit for him a couple of years ago. So who did I mix him up with? While not always to my taste, he's probably the most sophisticated writer in SF. Wait, Sam Delany is still alive? I thought I read an obit for him a couple of years ago. So who did I mix him up with?

While not always to my taste, he’s probably the most sophisticated writer in SF.

]]> By: bwcbwc http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834723 bwcbwc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834723 Sometimes I hate the way my memories are linked. I was thinking of Tom Disch...proving that I have a subconscious "oh, he's gay" filter in my brain. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised. Sometimes I hate the way my memories are linked. I was thinking of Tom Disch…proving that I have a subconscious “oh, he’s gay” filter in my brain. I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised.

]]> By: Avram / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834224 Avram / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834224 Also, according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Through_the_Valley_of_the_Nest_of_Spiders">the Wikipedia article on the book</a>, parts of it take place several decades in the future. Also, according to the Wikipedia article on the book, parts of it take place several decades in the future.

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-833998 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833998 I had him as a professor at UMass Amherst for a 100 level intro to scifi and fantasy lit in the 90's. What a great and memorable course. His work isn't my style mostly, but his brilliance, talent, ability to communicate, and perspective on the genre are second to non. I had him as a professor at UMass Amherst for a 100 level intro to scifi and fantasy lit in the 90′s. What a great and memorable course.

His work isn’t my style mostly, but his brilliance, talent, ability to communicate, and perspective on the genre are second to non.

]]> By: wgmleslie http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834511 wgmleslie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834511 I've been waiting for "The Splendor and Misery of Bodies, of Cities‎" since 1984. Gonna be a long long wait. I’ve been waiting for “The Splendor and Misery of Bodies, of Cities‎” since 1984.

Gonna be a long long wait.

]]> By: UncaScrooge http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834280 UncaScrooge Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834280 All of the greatest Science Fiction authors eventually publish a "Novel". Sometimes it's their finest work. And some of the better Novelists try their hand at writing "Science Fiction". You could make a strong case that Science Fiction has been the most "literary" of all of the various types of genre writing. There are, however, an awful lot of "Science Fiction Fans" that only go to the movies. Their loss. All of the greatest Science Fiction authors eventually publish a “Novel”. Sometimes it’s their finest work.

And some of the better Novelists try their hand at writing “Science Fiction”. You could make a strong case that Science Fiction has been the most “literary” of all of the various types of genre writing.

There are, however, an awful lot of “Science Fiction Fans” that only go to the movies. Their loss.

]]> By: GreatRewards http://boingboing.net/2010/07/14/sample-chapter-from.html#comment-834035 GreatRewards Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-834035 um... a romantic interracial gay sci-fi novel??? It'll sell 4 copies. 3 of those sales will be to people who only read the title and think it's a DIY book about spider infestations. And his mom will return hers for a refund. um… a romantic interracial gay sci-fi novel??? It’ll sell 4 copies. 3 of those sales will be to people who only read the title and think it’s a DIY book about spider infestations. And his mom will return hers for a refund.

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