Alfred Bester

Cyberpunk

Posted 2002-06-30 (日) 午前1:38 by terra

Borrowed a copy of William Gibson’s “Neuromancer” from the National Library. I’m currently at the end of chapter one of the book (haha). It’s been pretty good so far but I’m not quite so sure if it’s as revolutionary as it’s been hailed to be: the cyberpunk novel pioneer. I believe Alfred Bester achieved this years earlier in his 1956 novel “The Stars, My Destination” before cyberpunk was known as cyberpunk. What’s refreshing to me however, is the thrill of discovering the origins of the now common term “cyberspace”, and finding out what really was the Matrix.

As for Alfred Bester, who is in my list of top ten favourite authors, his book “The Demolished Man” reminds me so much of the film I’ve been wanting to watch for a long time: Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report” based on a Philip K. Dick short story (another one of my fav authors). They both speculate on how murder can be stopped through the use of psychic abilities.

Subjects: Books 書物, Music 音楽

Mood: Raves and Rants

Tags: Alfred Bester, cyberpunk, Gibson, Jeff Beck, library, lost, Matrix, Minority Report, PKD, psychic

SF Purchases

Posted 2002-02-15 (金) 午後5:25 by terra

I was a zombie through half my lectures earlier. Quite a horrible feeling to be so tired yet trying to keep awake. The only lecture that I didn’t sleep in was my New Media Arts lecture thanks to a cup of coffee that I had prior to attending the class. Caffaine can be such a life-saver. Half-an-hour ago you were away in Neverland and now you’re completely awake, the pupils of the eye dilated and everything you see becomes so clear. Through a glass, clearly.

During my lunch break, I had the opportunity to browse through the fair that was held at the Forum in the Arts faculty. There was this stall selling second-hand books that were mostly in good condition, some nearly mint condition. A single book was going for $6 and 3 books for $16. I’m very happy to say that I managed to acquire my own copy of one of the best science fiction books of all time: Alfred Bester’s The Stars, My Destination for only $5.66. Needless to say, I also purchased 2 other books. They are: George Stewart’s Earth Abides and Frederick Pohl’s Gateway.