tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post1177889248445145513..comments2024-02-18T12:18:45.788-05:00Comments on Sun and Shield: Eifelheim, by Michael FlynnMartin LaBarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629053725732957599noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-37613502182009512842008-03-17T04:30:00.000-04:002008-03-17T04:30:00.000-04:00Thanks. That was my impression of _Eifelheim_, too...Thanks. That was my impression of _Eifelheim_, too, which, as you say, is all too rare. I hadn't heard of _Blindsight_.Martin LaBarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14629053725732957599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-14805739163977507332008-03-16T14:03:00.000-04:002008-03-16T14:03:00.000-04:00One of the things I loved about EIFELHEIM was the ...One of the things I loved about EIFELHEIM was the way both christians and religious skeptics are both portrayed sympathetically---neither is caricatured or villianized.<BR/><BR/>That's all too rare in a book dealing with religious issues.<BR/><BR/>Loved the book. But for my money BLINDSIGHT should have won the Hugo. Fascinating, and somewhat disturbing, exploration of themes related to the nature of consciousness and personhood in the context of a first-contact situation.<BR/><BR/>And available as a free etext from the author (Peter Watts) website.David B. Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09468191085576922813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-55879337613010855112008-03-14T05:48:00.000-04:002008-03-14T05:48:00.000-04:00I'll add Rice to my list of things to try.Thanks.I'll add Rice to my list of things to try.<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Martin LaBarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14629053725732957599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-12100062419307484902008-03-13T13:20:00.000-04:002008-03-13T13:20:00.000-04:00You should read "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt." H...You should read "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt." Her sequel, "Road to Cana," just came out. Her story of how she came back to the Lord is facinating.<BR/><BR/>Connie Willis. "Doomsday Book." Thanks, Martin. You've done it again!<BR/><BR/>RobRob Rumfelthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09953348774146336296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-6678249709169085902008-03-13T03:49:00.000-04:002008-03-13T03:49:00.000-04:00Sorry, Rob.I've never read Ann Rice.I'd put Lewis ...Sorry, Rob.<BR/><BR/>I've never read Ann Rice.<BR/><BR/>I'd put Lewis ahead of Eifelheim, because it's Lewis, because it's classic, and because Eifelheim is longer than _Out of the Silent Planet_.<BR/><BR/>Connie Willis's _Doomsday Book_ won both the Hugo and the Nebula, as I recall. It's about time travel to the middle ages, and also about the question of why there's evil in the world, and a God.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your comment.Martin LaBarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14629053725732957599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-60394207292533215722008-03-12T23:06:00.000-04:002008-03-12T23:06:00.000-04:00Darn you, Martin! I've already got enough things t...Darn you, Martin! I've already got enough things to read without you bringing more interesting books to my attention!<BR/><BR/>Just finished Ann Rice's "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt," which was excellent. Getting ready to begin C.S. Lewis' "Space Trilogy" next.<BR/><BR/>There seem to be more books using medieval viewpoints to explore serious themes. "Books and Culture Christian Review" recently had an article on Lewis and his use of medieval thought in his own works. Hence the reason I'm beginning "Space Trilogy."<BR/><BR/>I think one reason the people then took Christianity more seriously was because it was more thoroughly integrated into their daily lives. Today's secularized world tends to force us to compartmentalize our religious beliefs against the rest of our day to day activities. I try to be aware of that.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for yet another book to add to my list!<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>RobRob Rumfelthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09953348774146336296noreply@blogger.com