Scan barcode
A review by gerhard
Chasing the Phoenix by Michael Swanwick
5.0
Reading this sedate, leisurely and very conversational book reminded me how far Hollywood’s short attention span, combined with its gee-whizz mentality, has infiltrated the SF genre.
It takes a thoroughly writerly book such as this to remind one of the unique pleasure that can be derived from consummate writing: writing that pays as much attention to character as it does to pace and setting.
Clearly Swanwick is equally enamoured with both Aubrey Darger (baseline human) and Sir Blackthorpe Ravenscairn de Plus Precieux, or just plain Surplus (a genetically engineered ‘smart’ dog).
Who can blame him, though, as they are such thoroughly entertaining characters. The reader quickly follows suit as well, falling equally and as madly in love with their exploits.
Yes, the plot is rather reminiscent of Dancing with Bears, with Russia replaced by China. The world-building is still as quixotic and untempered by reality as before. But, oh boy, the writing! Swanwick is a veritable wordsmith of wonder, and this is sheer delight from beginning to end.
Just as Shakespeare’s comedies are often frowned upon for being inferior (probably because many are so bawdy), so might some readers regard Chasing the Phoenix as Swanwick ‘lite’, and not in the same league as ‘serious’ SF novels like Stations of the Tide.
Humbug, I say. Swanwick is on top form here. His untrammelled belief in his world and his characters makes for a truly memorable reading experience.
It takes a thoroughly writerly book such as this to remind one of the unique pleasure that can be derived from consummate writing: writing that pays as much attention to character as it does to pace and setting.
Clearly Swanwick is equally enamoured with both Aubrey Darger (baseline human) and Sir Blackthorpe Ravenscairn de Plus Precieux, or just plain Surplus (a genetically engineered ‘smart’ dog).
Who can blame him, though, as they are such thoroughly entertaining characters. The reader quickly follows suit as well, falling equally and as madly in love with their exploits.
Yes, the plot is rather reminiscent of Dancing with Bears, with Russia replaced by China. The world-building is still as quixotic and untempered by reality as before. But, oh boy, the writing! Swanwick is a veritable wordsmith of wonder, and this is sheer delight from beginning to end.
Just as Shakespeare’s comedies are often frowned upon for being inferior (probably because many are so bawdy), so might some readers regard Chasing the Phoenix as Swanwick ‘lite’, and not in the same league as ‘serious’ SF novels like Stations of the Tide.
Humbug, I say. Swanwick is on top form here. His untrammelled belief in his world and his characters makes for a truly memorable reading experience.