Search found 380 matches

by Windwalker
Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:22 pm
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Fantasy universes and worlds
Replies: 40
Views: 256273

George R.R. Martin's work sounds intriguing! George Martin actually wrote terrific SF before going into fantasy. His collection Portraits of His Children is a real gem, each story better than the other. I agree that Joscelin eventually becomes more nuanced and interesting in the Kushiel Trilogy -- ...
by Windwalker
Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:56 am
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Science fiction/fantasy film recommendations
Replies: 21
Views: 180800

I agree with you that the plot of the Illusionist was immediately obvious and had fairytale-like improbabilities. Also, like you, I enjoyed the humane voice of the person of perspective in both films (Giamatti's inspector in The Illusionist, Caine's ingenieur in The Prestige). But I suspect there ma...
by Windwalker
Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:49 am
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Fantasy universes and worlds
Replies: 40
Views: 256273

Re: Jacqueline Carey

I also have to say her boyfriend, whose name I have forgotten, is a bore. I found him a bit of a cliche. I much preferred her gypsy friend Hyacinth. Agreed! Joscelin is as colorless as his hair. Of course, Phèdre never quite gets over Hyacinth. I think that Carey pulled her punches by having Phèdre...
by Windwalker
Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:42 am
Forum: Musings and Chats
Topic: Welcome, travelers
Replies: 25
Views: 174863

Colors and threads

Caliban has grievances with Prospero, and "The Tempest" debates nature vs nurture. Very much so -- and, in the end, Prospero decides that both nature and nurture matter. I also wonder if Shakespeare knew that "kaliben" means "black" in Romany. He might, given that in m...
by Windwalker
Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:41 pm
Forum: Musings and Chats
Topic: Welcome, travelers
Replies: 25
Views: 174863

Welcome, O Caliban!

I am very happy and excited to have Calvin join us. We met when we were both starting in our respective scientific research careers, and have stayed in touch every since as friends, SF denizens and readers of each other's work. Calvin's works combine imaginative concepts with subtle execution. He ca...
by Windwalker
Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:00 pm
Forum: The Art of Science, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Topic: Science art
Replies: 3
Views: 44051

Science art

Essentials first! Most people think of scientists as humorless geeks, and enough of these specimens exist to give credence to the stereotype. However, most scientists have a robust sense of humor (they need it, to withstand the constant blows to their ego and income). Not surprisingly, science carto...
by Windwalker
Sun Feb 25, 2007 2:20 pm
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Science fiction/fantasy film recommendations
Replies: 21
Views: 180800

Film review/discussion: The Prestige

On my way back from London, I watched The Prestige, which shares much with The Illusionist: both films deal with stage magic, involve revenge, are lavish turn of the century period pieces and boast magnetic male leads (and engaging secondary male roles). There the similarities end. The Illusionist i...
by Windwalker
Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:52 pm
Forum: Musings and Chats
Topic: Chat: SF/F Poll - check it out!
Replies: 4
Views: 42567

Several really "classic" names next to the newcomers! I don't recognize all the authors... makes me feel distinctly middle aged (like not recognizing the names of popular bands).
by Windwalker
Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:16 pm
Forum: The Poetry and Prose of Science and Science Fiction
Topic: Space and Spirit
Replies: 38
Views: 253767

I'm very pleased you like the essay! As a person and a scientist, I am besotted with the idea of humanity venturing into the beyond and with the possibility of finding other life. In terms of structure, my view is that essays are best wrought as taut extensions of the articulate soundbite (with use ...
by Windwalker
Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:07 pm
Forum: The Art of Science, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Topic: Additions to the Gallery albums
Replies: 16
Views: 129912

Oh WOW! I missed the editions! Beautiful Heather! I'm curious about the statement you make with your androgynous style. This isn't a criticism, I find it intriguing. When I was younger I was always drawing androgynous figures, as a way of pointing out the similarities between men and women. Now I f...
by Windwalker
Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:25 pm
Forum: The Poetry and Prose of Science and Science Fiction
Topic: Where Have All the Spacemen Gone? Part 4
Replies: 5
Views: 62597

I forgot to mention that there is a relatively recent book that exhaustively examines every possible answer to the Fermi paradox: If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens… Where Is Everybody? Fifty Solutions to the Fermi Paradox and the Problem of Extraterrestrial Life , by Stephen Webb. The answers a...
by Windwalker
Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:07 am
Forum: The Art of Science, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Topic: Additions to the Gallery albums
Replies: 16
Views: 129912

Almost certainly my last post before leaving for London -- but I didn't want to go before giving Heather's drawings the in-depth comments they deserve! The two drawings of Tanegír Sóran-Kerís embody a composite ideal -- part Adh'ísa, part Sefanír. What I particularly like is that, despite the volupt...
by Windwalker
Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:18 am
Forum: The Art of Science, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Topic: Influences on art of the fantastic
Replies: 2
Views: 38971

Influences on art of the fantastic

The remarkable artwork on this site and its style of execution made me remember that surrealist and art nouveau artists were precursors to science fiction/fantasy art, as were the pre-Raphaelites. My own favorites are Kay Nielsen (East of the Sun, West of the Moon is an incomparable work) and Aubrey...
by Windwalker
Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:33 pm
Forum: The Art of Science, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Topic: Additions to the Gallery albums
Replies: 16
Views: 129912

Also, there are five new additions to the galleries; the first two were sparked by a line in Chapter Two of Shoals in Time that begins with the words: "If Adh'isa were a woman...." and the latter three depict scenes in a few of the most recent parts of the story. My dear Heather, I will c...
by Windwalker
Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:03 pm
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Fantasy universes and worlds
Replies: 40
Views: 256273

Le Guin is writing again? That's something I will certainly look into! I'd be interested in what she would choose to focus on at this point in her very long and illustrious career. The other trilogy seems very interesting! Alternative Renaissance sounds fascinating. The two new LeGuin books are lab...