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  • (ReacTor) Looking Back at the Work of John Varley, 1947-2025

    From James Nicoll@3:633/10 to All on Fri Dec 12 17:13:44 2025
    Looking Back at the Work of John Varley, 1947-2025

    Where to start reading or rereading Varley's many series and stories.

    https://reactormag.com/looking-back-at-the-work-of-john-varley-1947-2025/
    --
    My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
    My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
    My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
    My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lynn McGuire@3:633/10 to All on Fri Dec 12 16:23:50 2025
    On 12/12/2025 11:13 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
    Looking Back at the Work of John Varley, 1947-2025

    Where to start reading or rereading Varley's many series and stories.

    https://reactormag.com/looking-back-at-the-work-of-john-varley-1947-2025/

    Nice summary !

    Al four of the Thunder and Lightning books are in my six star list.
    They are serious retro Heinlein.

    The Eight Worlds books are all at least five stars and the Titan books
    are ??? (been too long since I read them).

    Lynn


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From William Hyde@3:633/10 to All on Fri Dec 12 17:57:22 2025
    James Nicoll wrote:
    Looking Back at the Work of John Varley, 1947-2025

    Where to start reading or rereading Varley's many series and stories.

    https://reactormag.com/looking-back-at-the-work-of-john-varley-1947-2025/

    It's sad news.

    I'm not sure whether the volume and quality of his writing makes it less
    sad, or more so. Possibly both.

    The Eight Worlds will always be one of my favourite settings. A
    wonderful concept.

    William Hyde

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lynn McGuire@3:633/10 to All on Fri Dec 12 17:02:06 2025
    On 12/12/2025 4:56 PM, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
    In article <10hi4lq$3e244$1@dont-email.me>,
    Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 12/12/2025 11:13 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
    Looking Back at the Work of John Varley, 1947-2025

    Where to start reading or rereading Varley's many series and stories.

    https://reactormag.com/looking-back-at-the-work-of-john-varley-1947-2025/ >>
    Nice summary !

    Al four of the Thunder and Lightning books are in my six star list.
    They are serious retro Heinlein.

    The Eight Worlds books are all at least five stars and the Titan books
    are ??? (been too long since I read them).

    Lynn


    I liked the first couple Titan books, but then I sort of got the sense
    it wasn't really going anywhere. Perhaps I was wrong.

    Yeah, I kinda remember that also.

    Lynn


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lynn McGuire@3:633/10 to All on Fri Dec 12 17:04:11 2025
    On 12/12/2025 4:57 PM, William Hyde wrote:
    James Nicoll wrote:
    Looking Back at the Work of John Varley, 1947-2025

    Where to start reading or rereading Varley's many series and stories.

    https://reactormag.com/looking-back-at-the-work-of-john-varley-1947-2025/

    It's sad news.

    I'm not sure whether the volume and quality of his writing makes it less sad, or more so.ÿ Possibly both.

    The Eight Worlds will always be one of my favourite settings.ÿ A
    wonderful concept.

    William Hyde

    The last book was the weakest, "Irontown Blues (Eight Worlds)", and it
    was still excellent.
    https://www.amazon.com/Irontown-Blues-Eight-Worlds-Varley/dp/1101989378

    Lynn


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From a425couple@3:633/10 to All on Fri Dec 12 15:51:25 2025
    On 12/12/25 15:04, Lynn McGuire wrote:
    On 12/12/2025 4:57 PM, William Hyde wrote:
    James Nicoll wrote:
    Looking Back at the Work of John Varley, 1947-2025

    Where to start reading or rereading Varley's many series and stories.

    https://reactormag.com/looking-back-at-the-work-of-john-
    varley-1947-2025/

    It's sad news.

    I'm not sure whether the volume and quality of his writing makes it
    less sad, or more so.ÿ Possibly both.

    The Eight Worlds will always be one of my favourite settings.ÿ A
    wonderful concept.

    William Hyde

    The last book was the weakest, "Irontown Blues (Eight Worlds)", and it
    was still excellent.
    ÿÿ https://www.amazon.com/Irontown-Blues-Eight-Worlds-Varley/dp/1101989378


    On the other hand, our tastes are different.
    I quite liked "Irontown Blues " and especially the viewpoints
    of the dog. I liked it better than "Steel Beach".


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Tony Nance@3:633/10 to All on Fri Dec 12 20:30:34 2025
    On 12/12/25 12:13 PM, James Nicoll wrote:
    Looking Back at the Work of John Varley, 1947-2025

    Where to start reading or rereading Varley's many series and stories.

    https://reactormag.com/looking-back-at-the-work-of-john-varley-1947-2025/

    Well done - on two fronts. One, excellent summary. Two: You may well be
    the first person in the history of the universe to review Steel Beach -
    even briefly! - and not quote the opening line.[1]

    Tony
    [1] That's merely an observation - I have nothing against the opening line.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)