Very few authors can make something as mundane
as a fictionalized account of the last five years of Charles Dickens’ life appeal to readers outside of those with Degrees in English.
Dan Simmons is one of that select group. Drood is an enjoyable read, that intersperses factual references about Dickens and Wilkie Collins (a lesser known author of the time) with a character either real or imagined named Drood. Whether the Drood character is truly real or is a figment of Collins’ opium delusions (or some other reason which I won’t spoil here) is a large part of the enjoyment of this novel. This novel succeeds on multiple levels, introducing or reminding one of Dickens’ works and life, introducing the works of Collins, and blending historical fact with fiction in a smooth fashion, quite similar to Simmons’ previous tome, The Terror.
I read the traditional Little, Brown and Co. version, but I also most point out the magnificent cover (see picture) that graces the limited edition from Subterranean Press, designed by fellow San Antonian and Northside School District veteran (although my high school was better than his) John Picacio; another excellent cover, John!
The novel covers the last five years of Dickens’ life, told from the perspective of his sometime friend, rival and collaborator, Wilkie Collins. (more…)
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Being a Dan Simmon’s reader and fan takes a lot of commitment, but I must tell you, Dear Reader (pun intended) that it is certainly worth the commitment.
Having just tackled the 766 page behemouth that is The Terror and then immediately diving headlong into the 771 page door stop that is Drood, Simmon’s latest, I’ll admit that I did question my sanity. There are lots of quick little reads staring at my from my reading pile (not to mention writing of my own); was I truly committed enough to this author to spend that kind of time on his disparate works?
In a word, yes.
Mr. Simmon’s efforts do require a high level of commitment, for the following reasons: (more…)
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When people are recommending SciFi/Fantasy books to non-SciFi/Fantasy readers, books such as Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card or movie tie-in books are listed. Because of how seamlessly the science fiction is interwoven into the multiple story points, and the inclusion of Shakespeare, Proust and other literary authors and their creations, Dan Simmon’s Ilium and Olympos should also be on that list. My only caution for the new reader is that Simmon’s books are long (the hardcover Olympos is 690 pages), contain complex plots, and do not always answer all of the questions that the prose poses. 
The Ilium/Olympos duology examines a world where mankind has given into to the temptation to play Gods, where humans have evolvedphysially into ‘post-humans’ technologically capable of terraforming Mars and transporting the Greek/Troy war and warriors from the past onto that terraformed battlefield.
After reading the extraordinary Ilium, which ended after several hundred pages with more questions left, I was concerned that the sequel Olympos would not live up to the high bar Mr. Simmons set. I found the writing in the second tome just as good, the story lines equally well laid out….my only slight concern is the ending. I’ll try to present my thoughts on that later without spoiling the ending.
Spoilers after the break for the ending of Ilium. (more…)
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as a fictionalized account of the last five years of Charles Dickens’ life appeal to readers outside of those with Degrees in English.
