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6 reviews for:
Lest Darkness Fall and Related Stories
Frederik Pohl, David Drake, L. Sprague de Camp
3.55 AVERAGE
6 reviews for:
Lest Darkness Fall and Related Stories
Frederik Pohl, David Drake, L. Sprague de Camp
3.55 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Resembles like Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. After 2 pages you're immediately absorbed into the story, it has a lot of momentum. Read in one go. But at the other hand, the story is shallow and misogynistic. 3½ stars.
A classic of Gygax's famous "Appendix N" dealing with an early 20th century man who slips back in time to Rome at the beginning of the Dark Ages, and seeks to stave off the coming darkness by implementing small changes (using what was possible for the time period and technology) - de Camp is a careful student of history and thinker about the implications of his tale.
The most realistic time travel story I've ever read. Archaeologist Martin Padway is sent back in time to the decline of the Roman Empire after being struck by lightning. At first he focuses on getting a financial footing. After that, however; he begins to notice the signs of decline that will lead to the dark ages. So, he decides he will do everything in his power to prevent them from happening.
This story features a simple yet expansive plot, well developed interesting characters and plenty of intrigue and action that move things along. During the entire time I was reading it I assumed it was written during the 60s or 70s... It was written in 1939 and reads like it was written today. It is absolutely fantastic and a joy to read.
The supplementary material is also good.
"The Deadly Mission of Phineas Snodgrass" by Frederik Pohl
A simple Twilight Zone-ish short story of how the best intentions can be disastrous.
"The Apotheosis of Martin Padway" by S. M. Stirling
An epilogue to 'Lest Darkness Fall' which involves the end of Matrin Padway and the decendants of several characters.
"To Bring The Light" by David Drake
Roman Scholar Flavia Herosilla is sent back to Rome's founding and meets Romulus and Remus.
This story features a simple yet expansive plot, well developed interesting characters and plenty of intrigue and action that move things along. During the entire time I was reading it I assumed it was written during the 60s or 70s... It was written in 1939 and reads like it was written today. It is absolutely fantastic and a joy to read.
The supplementary material is also good.
"The Deadly Mission of Phineas Snodgrass" by Frederik Pohl
A simple Twilight Zone-ish short story of how the best intentions can be disastrous.
"The Apotheosis of Martin Padway" by S. M. Stirling
An epilogue to 'Lest Darkness Fall' which involves the end of Matrin Padway and the decendants of several characters.
"To Bring The Light" by David Drake
Roman Scholar Flavia Herosilla is sent back to Rome's founding and meets Romulus and Remus.
Lest Darkness Fall is such a delightful response to A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, while still maintaining a high level of wit and humor. The main character consistently makes choices that honestly I related to a bit too much, and I would definitely also try to make a printing press if I ever traveled back in time.
Rating: 3* of five
My 4-star review of the title novel is separate from the related stories.
The Panshins' essay isn't anything too terribly much in the way of revelations or extensions of the critical knowledge of de Camp's game-changing book.
Rating: 3-ish stars for The Deadly Mission of Phineas Snodgrass
Frederik Pohl wrote a few paragraphs about the awfulness of unintended consequences. It's barely a story, in fact I'd call it more of a short responsive essay about Lest Darkness Fall. On emotional response, I'd give it 1 star because it's so mean-spirited, a pin wielded with a twisted smirk to prick the balloon of fantasy the novel inflates so delightfully. I grudgingly add stars because it's true, it's accurate, and cautionary words aren't amiss in this positivist-romantic context.
Rating: 3.5* of five for The Apotheosis of Martin Padway
S.M. Stirling wrote a nice Wellsian-time-travel extension of de Camp's story. It's a pleasant romp, and says some interesting things about the world Paduei has created. I particularly love the introduction of polo as a peaceful alternative to chariot races.
The surprise ending isn't as much of a surprise as it could have been, had the story been titles differently. But it made me grin.
Rating: 4* of five for To Bring the Light
David Drake's use of the deus ex machina of a lightning bolt was completely charming, and the tale itself was as much fun to me as was Howard Waldrop's "The Mother of Us All."
It's an interesting side-light on history's great city being founded, as so many of humanity's works are, on hatred, murder, and rivalry. A goddess steps in to change something with as many consequences and reverberations as it is imaginable to have. Drake doesn't have a high opinion of Rome, it would seem....
My 4-star review of the title novel is separate from the related stories.
The Panshins' essay isn't anything too terribly much in the way of revelations or extensions of the critical knowledge of de Camp's game-changing book.
Rating: 3-ish stars for The Deadly Mission of Phineas Snodgrass
Frederik Pohl wrote a few paragraphs about the awfulness of unintended consequences. It's barely a story, in fact I'd call it more of a short responsive essay about Lest Darkness Fall. On emotional response, I'd give it 1 star because it's so mean-spirited, a pin wielded with a twisted smirk to prick the balloon of fantasy the novel inflates so delightfully. I grudgingly add stars because it's true, it's accurate, and cautionary words aren't amiss in this positivist-romantic context.
Rating: 3.5* of five for The Apotheosis of Martin Padway
S.M. Stirling wrote a nice Wellsian-time-travel extension of de Camp's story. It's a pleasant romp, and says some interesting things about the world Paduei has created. I particularly love the introduction of polo as a peaceful alternative to chariot races.
The surprise ending isn't as much of a surprise as it could have been, had the story been titles differently. But it made me grin.
Rating: 4* of five for To Bring the Light
David Drake's use of the deus ex machina of a lightning bolt was completely charming, and the tale itself was as much fun to me as was Howard Waldrop's "The Mother of Us All."
It's an interesting side-light on history's great city being founded, as so many of humanity's works are, on hatred, murder, and rivalry. A goddess steps in to change something with as many consequences and reverberations as it is imaginable to have. Drake doesn't have a high opinion of Rome, it would seem....