The Einstein Intersection is a 1967 science fiction novel by Samuel R. Delany. The title is a reference to Einstein's Theory of Relativity connecting to Kurt Gödel's Constructible universe, which is an analogy to science meeting philosophy.[1] The original publisher, Ace Books, changed Delany's originally intended title from A Fabulous, Formless Darkness for commercial reasons.[2]
 First edition (paperback) | |
| Author | Samuel R. Delany |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Jack Gaughan |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Ace Books |
Publication date | 1967 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 142 pp |
The protagonist, Lo Lobey, is loosely based on the character of Orpheus.
Synopsis
editIn a post-transcendent Earth, intelligent anthropoids deal with genetic mutation from ancient radiation. The beings emulate early human civilization and retell stories from "our ghosts called Man".[3] Lobey, a herder from a small village, sets out on a quest to avenge the death of Friza.
Reception
editThe Einstein Intersection won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1967,[4] and was a finalist for the 1968 Hugo Award for Best Novel.[5]
Algis Budrys, after noting that Delany "has about as little discipline as any writer who has tried his hand" at science fiction and that The Einstein Intersection was a book "whose structure and purpose on its own terms are not realized", declared that the author "simply operates on a plane which Robert Heinlein never dreamed of, nor John W. Campbell, nor – take a deep breath – Ted Sturgeon, Ray Bradbury, nor anyone else we could have put forward as being a poet" before 1960 and "urgently recommended" the novel".[6] In February 1968 he named the book the best novel of 1967.[7]
References
edit- Notes
- ^ "Samuel R. Delany's 'The Einstein Intersection' Review". Futurism.
- ^ Delany, Samuel R. Silent Interviews: On Language, Race, Sex, Science Fiction, and Some Comics, Wesleyan University Press, 1994, page 206.
- ^ Delany, Samuel R. (1982). The Einstein Intersection. Bantam Book. p. 120. ISBN 0-553-20310-X.
- ^ "1967 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
- ^ "1968 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
- ^ Budrys, Algis (October 1967). "Galaxy Bookshelf". Galaxy Science Fiction. pp. 188–194.
- ^ Budrys, Algis (February 1968). "Galaxy Bookshelf". Galaxy Science Fiction. pp. 157–162.
- Bibliography
- Tuck, Donald H. (1974). The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Chicago: Advent. p. 136. ISBN 0-911682-20-1.
External links
edit- The Einstein Intersection at Worlds Without End
- The Einstein Intersection title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
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