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badseedgirl's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe this is a novel that should be listened to. I could not help but notice the poor showing this book has been given in reviews, and I was warned that this novel was not good by other scifi enthusiasts, so I was prepared for the worst, and the first two chapters did not disappoint. But once the book got into the actual story of the creation of the "Lensmen" I enjoyed it. Again maybe because I listened to it on Audiobook and it was like listening to an old-time radio play with out the foley work, but it was not as bad as I was prepared for. It reminded me of the classic 1956 movie "Forbidden Planet." You know full of schlock. And who doesn't like schlock. a solid 2.5 stars.
ogreart's review against another edition
3.0
I hope the next one is better. I really want to like this classic series.
rheren's review against another edition
4.0
As with the first book in the Lensman series, you have to take it for what it is: old-style cops-and-robbers detective story, where the good guys are incorruptibly and unquestionably good, and the bad guys are horrifically despicable. As a treatise on human nature it's shallow, but as an entertaining and imaginative light-hearted read it's great.
chrisgordon65's review against another edition
3.0
The entire Lensman series is just a bit of fanboy crushing for me.
It was one of, if not the first space opera series I happened upon as a teen and loved every page of. And it just so happened to be one of the greatest sci-fi series of all time.
Well that's what I thought at the time. And in a way I still do. It certainly isn't gritty, the dialog is dated and a tad sexist (women cant wear a lens because why???) and some of the science is a bit fanciful and wide of the mount, but this is pure boys-own (or girls-own) adventure.
As Tarzan is to adventure, as Conan is to epic fantasy, as Sherlock Holmes is to sleuthing, this is to science fiction. Hugely influential, without the Lensmen, there'd be no Jedis, no Green lantern Corps (the original writers even admit they were inspired and have added in Easter eggs like Arisia and Eddore), and no Nova Corps, which was a copy of the GL Corps... so a copy squared.
I remember the series as being flawless, but it's not. Since the dialog is pretty corny it's tougher, as an adult, to buy into. And this book, First Lensman... the second of the season... serves as a transition book between Triplanetary and Galactic patrol... but it's still epic galaxy spanning space opera and with some great moments and sets up the rest of the series.
Probably worth 3.5 but without the half star rankings, three.
It was one of, if not the first space opera series I happened upon as a teen and loved every page of. And it just so happened to be one of the greatest sci-fi series of all time.
Well that's what I thought at the time. And in a way I still do. It certainly isn't gritty, the dialog is dated and a tad sexist (women cant wear a lens because why???) and some of the science is a bit fanciful and wide of the mount, but this is pure boys-own (or girls-own) adventure.
As Tarzan is to adventure, as Conan is to epic fantasy, as Sherlock Holmes is to sleuthing, this is to science fiction. Hugely influential, without the Lensmen, there'd be no Jedis, no Green lantern Corps (the original writers even admit they were inspired and have added in Easter eggs like Arisia and Eddore), and no Nova Corps, which was a copy of the GL Corps... so a copy squared.
I remember the series as being flawless, but it's not. Since the dialog is pretty corny it's tougher, as an adult, to buy into. And this book, First Lensman... the second of the season... serves as a transition book between Triplanetary and Galactic patrol... but it's still epic galaxy spanning space opera and with some great moments and sets up the rest of the series.
Probably worth 3.5 but without the half star rankings, three.
alex_t's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sonofthunder's review
4.0
Published in 1950, this is a sci-fi throwback, no doubt!! I read the first book (Triplanetary) in this series last year, and it probably would have helped to read this book a little closer to that one, as the first few chapters of this definitely confused me a bit as I was attempting to remember the back story. All good though as I eventually got into the groove and enjoyed this rollicking space adventure! If you don't like old-fashioned books with old-fashioned ideals, you probably won't like this one, just saying. But I heartily enjoyed it for what it was - pulpy sci-fi fun with lots of intriguing world-building and solid characters. It's enjoyable to read the author's idea of a moderately near-future Earth...after first contact has already been made, so there are multiple alien races, all of whom are very alien indeed. The idea of the most advanced alien (the Arisians, who play very little direct role in this book) bestowing the super-advanced "lens" on only the most worthy of the human and aliens, in order to provide a peace-keeping force for the Galaxy, a force of strength and vigor and purest integrity...is fascinating and really I know of no other book similar. It is also very interesting how one of the main powers of the Lens is simply to enable true and pure communication between individuals, no matter the actual language they speak. Of course, this communication can be shaky when there are very few common concepts shared by the individuals, such as when Virgil Samms (one of the protagonists of this book!) attempts to contact the hyper-dimensional beings on the planet Pluto (although of course they aren't actually from Pluto per se...but that is their first meeting point). Anyways, I enjoyed the fact that the Lens aren't important because they provide superior firepower or extra armor or anything...no, they help facilitate communication. Fantastic. There are various little adventures in this book taken by the different characters as they attempt to unearth a conspiracy to take over the Earth (and the galaxy!) and of course this conspiracy is controlled by that most dastardly of individuals...a US Senator!! In concert with big corporate powers, this Senator Morgan attempts to destroy the influence of the Galactic Patrol...and is he successful? Well, read and find out. I also found it darkly humorous that the climactic moment of this book is an American (or North American, apparently Canada has been absorbed into the US at this point in the future? And maybe Mexico too? That part was fuzzy) presidential election. An election for the future of all galactic-kind!! And how was the victory made sure? By armies of hard-working men and women assuring the honesty and integrity of the election at the polling places. Awesome. And I've missed out describing so many other fun moments of this book...one of my favourites is when a character has to go undercover at this uranium mining corporation...starting from the bottom in an uranium mine. Reading about his efforts during a mining accident...? Super thrilling and heart-pounding! Disclaimer...this book isn't really that well written - the prose is awkward at times and the dialogue is old fashioned in the extreme. The characters don't really develop, they are full-formed and they just exist as the heroes (or villains!!) that they are. The plot is sometimes confusing and the action scenes aren't always easy to follow. But you know what? That's ok. I enjoyed this book that presented aliens as potential friends and allies, no matter how weird and different they are. I enjoyed this book that showed how humans have the potential for great evil and that that evil must be fought against. I enjoyed this book that extolled the virtues of strength and honesty and integrity and that hearty fighting spirit that must be maintained in order to stave back the forces of evil. I enjoyed this book that wore its heart on its sleeve, unabashedly. I enjoyed this book for what it was - good old fashioned science fiction adventurous fun!!
cpconstable's review against another edition
3.0
Better than the last one. Still full of sexism and melodrama, but at least there were solid female characters this time. Otherwise, a thoroughly entertaining space romp...
pkoby's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
nwhyte's review against another edition
http://nhw.livejournal.com/937871.html[return][return]The Lensman books are sitting on the shelf, looking at me; and every time I feel I need to cut down the "unread" pile by another notch, they look like an easy quick option. I will probably trudge through them all in the end, but this is another whinge: awful style, awful plotting (especially the way in which important concepts and characters are just plonked into the story without introduction), and the political message being that democratic institutions should be taken from the corrupt ordinary humans and handed over to the control of supermen. *rubs his eyes wearily*