![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Let’s call it, near enough, the forty-fifth anniversary of his franchise. And his new novel continues exploring that conceptual space. His very first sale from 1974, “Picnic on Nearside,” introduced his Eight Worlds future history. Our subject today, John Varley, is another case of creative longevity applied to the same narrative realms. The first Xanth book was issued in 1977, and a new contribution appeared in 2017 for the fortieth anniversary. Nor is this practice limited to Golden Agers. Begun in 1942, Asimov’s Foundation tales ran for an additional fifty years. Poul Anderson launched his Technic series in 1951 and continued it for the next thirty-plus years. Jack Williamson gave us The Legion of Space in 1947–and in 1983 offered The Queen of the Legion. Sometimes enthusiastically, sometimes reluctantly, these writers keep the franchises ticking along. Any number of writers who have managed to contrive extensive careers have found fandoms who relish receiving continuing installments of their favorite sagas. The science fiction and fantasy genres are conducive to long-lived series. Irontown Blues, John Varley ( Ace 978-7-1, $16, 304pp, trade paperback August 2018 ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |