A Myth of the Far Future
ISBN 0-765-34146-8
Published by : TOR
Subject :Science Fiction

Over the weekend I read The Return of Santiago. This is of course the sequel to Santiago previously reviewed here.

Though very similar in style to the first book with its larger than life archetypes who populate the far frontiers of space and another journey of self discovery for the main character. This one is a little more focused on the need of society to have someone or something to protect it from itself when governments get to the point where they start trampling on those very people they are supposed to be protecting, all in the name of keeping them safe. I can't help but suspect that the events in the U.S. over the past few years might have had some influence on his writing.

Danny Briggs, a small time thief, finds the complete manuscript of Black Orpheus, the poet of the frontier, who chronicled the events and characters during Santiago's time. Now 100 years later, Danny thinks it is time for Santiago to return and bring the Democracy down a peg or two. So he changes his name, takes up the role of poet and sets off in search of Santiago.

Unlike the first book, the Return isn't as subtle about making his point that in times of need good men must stand and be counted. To say somebody should do something isn't enough. Each must do what they can and do it now. If not, who will?

Overall a good read but not quite as good as the first one in style and execution. Though the pacing is a little slower and ideals are hammered into you through repetition I still enjoyed it enough to finish in two settings and the characters as shallow or one sided as they might be are still quite fun.

A Myth of the Far Future
ISBN 0-812-55112-5
Published by : TOR
Subject :Science Fiction

I just re-read this book after reading the two Widowmaker books previously reviewd. I still find this book to an enjoyable read even on the second reading. Though it has been a few years between readings.
Mike Resnick populates his universe with characters that are bigger than life and legends in their own times.

A lot the basic style and mood of the story reminds me of the epic westerns like the Magnificent Seven and the Clint Eastwood's Man With No Name trilogy. (Fist Full of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good ,the Bad and the Ugly). Santiago is the most notorious outlaw on the frontier. But we don't actually get to meet him till near the end of book. When we do finally meet him we learn things are not all they appear. Normally I would say that this is a story about the what the searches find in themselves along the way, but its not so much growth of personality as it is parts reveled. Its not a really deep book, but it is a very readable book and good way to spend a few hours relaxing in the sun with a tall glass of iced tea on a summers day.

Volume Two of the Windowmaker trilogy
SBN 0-553-57161-3
Published by : Bantam
Subject :Science Fiction

It turns out that this is a trilogy (or at least is going to be as soon as he publishes the third one). After reading the second one, I had to revaluate the first one a little. I still don't think it was all the wonderful a book, this wasn't top of my recommendations list either for that matter, but I understand a little more about what Resnick was trying to do in Volume 1.

In The Widowmaker we see Jefferson Nighthawk thrust in to the world with only the most basic of personality, with only the experiences of a two month old to draw on. In Volume 2 we see with his full personality in tact (such as it is). The second clone has all the experiences of the original, complete with all the memories. We get to see a little more about what it might be like to deal with the issues of Who Am I if he is me and I am him. But do to the characters natural reticence we never really get to see to deep into the mind and thoughts of the lead character. It will be interesting to see what Resnick does in Vol 3.

Published by : Bantam
Subject :Science Fiction

This is the second book by Mike Resnick I have read, the first being Santiago which I greatly enjoyed, (a more in depth review will be done when i get around to it). I can't say as much for this one. Though the story was good, it was not one that I can really recommend as you really need to go out and get.

The Widowmaker is (was) the best bounty hunter in the galaxy, at least until he got a fatal disease and is now laying in cold storage waiting for someone to find a cure. Now in order to meet his rising medical expenses, his lawyers have created a clone of him to go out and find an assassin. The problem is, though the clone has all his innate ability, he lacks the experiences that made Jefferson Nighthawk The Widowmaker.

The examination of the issues of being a clone only 3 months old thrust in to the roll of a mid 20's bounty hunter is the only really interesting part to the story, but its not a very in deapth examination. The story moves along with a slow but steady pace, but you never really get pulled into caring about what happens to any of the characters. In short, he can do better. But if you need something to read, this will do.