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| Wildside https://heinleinsociety.org/thsnexus/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1589 |
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| Author: | Blackhawk [ Mon Nov 10, 2014 11:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Wildside |
I came across a book recently, Wildside by Steven Gould, that was described as "a suspenseful example of an emerging subgenre, the homage to Heinlein's young adult fiction." I was not aware that there was such an emerging subgenre, though I have certainly seen a few authors publicized as the "next Heinlein" (never actually the case, of course). I think what may make Gould's book actually like Heinlein's books is that instead of the dystopian world of most YA science fiction that is published currently, where the heroine (usually) is the secret princess, sorry, I mean savior, Wildside is a SF book that is realistic with decently grounded science. The main difference, however, is that the young characters are just teenagers, though very competent and intelligent teenagers. The book was published in 1997 so there are a few dated elements to it, but nothing that bothered an old geezer like me who can read books originally published in the 1940s and not have a problem with dated technology. The book is also unlike most current YA books in that it does not have a whole series of sequels, though I enjoyed it enough that I wouldn't have minded a sequel. Just wondering if anyone else has come across this emerging subgenre of homages to Heinlein's young adult fiction. |
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| Author: | BillMullins [ Thu Nov 13, 2014 6:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wildside |
I don't know if I've read enough of it to consider it a subgenre, but I do like most of what I've read of Gould's. His Jumper books (Jumper, Reflex, Impulse and the just-released Exo, and the almost-sequel Jumper: Griffin's Story) are all quite good, and 7th Sigma has some similarities to Citizen of the Galaxy. Exo has more spacesuit engineering than Have Spacesuit, Will Travel. I didn't care as much for Blind Waves, and haven't read Greenwar or Helm. If this really is a subgenre, I suppose I'd put John Varley's Red Thunder books into it. |
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| Author: | Blackhawk [ Thu Nov 13, 2014 8:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wildside |
I'm certainly interested in reading more of Gould's work. I liked Wildside and have seen the Jumper books recommended. I appreciate your thoughts on them, Bill. And I have Varley's Red Thunder books because I'd seen them compared to Heinlein's juveniles (maybe on this forum, I don't remember where) but haven't read them yet. |
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| Author: | BillMullins [ Sat Nov 15, 2014 6:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wildside |
You work at Redstone Arsenal, don't you? PM me your contact info and I'll bring you copies of the books. And is a short story set in the Jumper universe. |
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| Author: | beamjockey [ Mon Nov 24, 2014 7:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wildside |
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