tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670543499274741427.post7445231246098614554..comments2024-03-26T17:54:54.592+01:00Comments on Speculiction...: Review of City by Clifford SimakUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670543499274741427.post-33163659901580412572022-01-19T17:57:35.718+01:002022-01-19T17:57:35.718+01:00Before I respond to your comment, let me first say...Before I respond to your comment, let me first say this is one of the best comments I have ever received on this blog. Rather than just saying my review is 'crap', you outlayed a position why you disagree. Thank you for that.<br /><br />To your comment, I'm not sure where you think I was critiquing the book for its predictions. I re-read my review, but I don't see it...<br /><br />Regardless, I'm open to your point. It's been almost seven years since I read City. I have vague memories. I have to take your comment at face value, and trust you. Have you read St. John Mandel's Station Eleven? Based on your comment, I think there is common ground thematically.Jessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07796098208589965362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670543499274741427.post-56793061089866391292022-01-16T18:24:03.973+01:002022-01-16T18:24:03.973+01:00This review, hard as it is to understand, should n...This review, hard as it is to understand, should not be allowed stand unchallenged. _City_ is a wonderful, imaginative, thought provoking, and deeply affecting book. <br /><br />The review seems mainly to criticize the "predictions" that Simak makes for the future of humankind. But of course they are plot devices, not predictions. No one should really care if hydroponics fails to displace traditional farming or flying cars fail to dissolve cities.<br /><br />Simak's real topic merges the long-term future of humankind and what it means to be human. His answer is rather bleak -- and convincing. The humans of the far future have nothing to do and no purpose that animates their daily lives. This is why the majority decamp to a better life on Jupiter (truly a boldly imaginative leap). The motivations of the mutants are left unexplained, emphasizing that they have drifted from what real human existence is like. And the dogs are a mixture of human adult and child.<br /><br />It's all rather sad, but fascinating and hypnotic to watch and experience. _City_ emphasizes that it's but a thin reed that makes humans be humans, rather like the thin, previously unappareciated reed of human decency that we now recognize is the essential glue that holds democracy together.<br /><br />Don't read this book for the predictions it makes -- that is the most naive possible approach to science fiction. Read it for the way it will make you think about how you're using your time on earth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com