The first review from my shadow Clarke shortlist is now up at the CSFF website. I thought I would begin this shadow Clarke journey with the one author I already knew: Christopher Priest.
The Gradual returns to Priest’s Dream Archipelago (setting of The Islanders), and concerns a composer who goes on a concert tour of the islands, only to find when he returns that time has slipped away from him. The novel also takes in themes of grief and creativity; I enjoyed it very much.
I’d also like to say a few words about the review itself. This is my first extended piece of writing on a book in some time; it has also been a few years since I’ve written as much about science fiction specifically as I will be in the months ahead. In that time, my approach to reviewing has changed: now I’m most interested in trying to capture my experience of reading a book, rather than “like/dislike + reasons” as I might have done in the past. I think this shift comes across in the tone of the review, and I’m interested to see how else it might manifest as I go through my shortlist.
My full review of The Gradual is here for you to read.
23rd March 2017 at 1:31 pm
It does sound like I’d benefit from reading The Islanders first (and possibly The Affirmation though I note you say The Islanders stands alone). I do want to read more Priest, but given how much of his I’ve not read I suspect this shouldn’t be my re-entry point.
24th March 2017 at 10:41 am
Hi Max, The Gradual wouldn’t actually be a bad re-entry point, and certainly a better one than The Islanders. All the Dream Archipelago books are free-standing, and in some ways it’s a different place in each. Having said all that, The Affirmation is one of my favourites and would be a great place to reacquaint yourself with Priest’s work.