A Reading Update and The Science Fiction Novel cont' - Theodore Sturgeon

It's a rainy day today. It managed to hold off while I went for an early morning walk thankfully. At the moment we're all relaxing; as I write this BLog entry, I've got on the Senate Impeachment hearings as they argue about how the trial will take place. The Pres's lawyers lying or let's say providing incorrect information about what took place in the House, but Adam Schiff cleared that all up. Interesting stuff, especially when the Senators take a break and MSNBC provides their analysis.

But, now onto today's post.  I finished another book this morning, the second book in my 'Start a New Series' Challenge and have also started another. I'll update those and also continue with my look at The Science Fiction novel, today's entry featuring American author Theodore Sturgeon.

Just Finished

1. Cast, In Order of Disappearance by Simon Brett (Charles Paris #1).

"Cast in Order of Disappearance by Simon Brett is the first book in his Charles Paris mystery series. I've read a couple of others of this series and enjoyed. I've also tried Brett's Fethering and Mrs. Pargeter series, preferring the former I think.

Charles Paris is a jobbing actor, working where he can, sometimes writing radio scripts when he can't find acting jobs. For him, acting has somewhat lost its luster, more of a job now than a career. He drinks too much, lives on his own but still troops back to his wife's residence for some good food, laundry and comforting cuddling. Other times he spends in bars with other actors and friends and also spending time with the odd lady friend. Yup, he's a bit of a player.

Paris has just finished working on a radio play and is between jobs. He spends an evening with a young lady, Jacqui, who is being set up on by various troubles. Her boyfriend is pushing her aside due to an evening they had spent at a sex party (pictures taken) that is now the subject of a major trial. She wants Paris to help, to deliver the pictures to Marius Steen (the boyfriend) to let him know that all is well and that Jacqui has nothing to do with the black mailing.

Events begin to blow up; the black mailer is murdered, the boyfriend is found dead in bed (was he murdered?) and Paris and Jacqui begin to receive threats and actual violence. Paris reluctantly tries to resolve the situation, in the meantime also working on a new job, a movie entitled The Zombie Walks. Paris uses his acting skills (there are a great many nice asides listing critics comments about particular roles) to try and find out more about what has happened. Things move along very quickly with a nicely satisfying ending.

Paris is an interesting, curmudgeonly character who has sudden insights into what he is working on. The story is also a fun, entertaining read, with excellent, quirky characters. There is enough sex on the side to provide a nice little bit of titillation as well. Enjoyable read and good introduction to this series. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. The Bishop's Wife by Mette Ivie Harrison (Linda Wallheim #1).











"Linda Wallheim is a devout Mormon, the mother of five boys and the wife of a bishop. But Linda is increasingly troubled by her church’s structure and secrecy, especially as a disturbing situation takes shape in her ward. One cold winter night, a young wife and mother named Carrie Helm disappears, leaving behind everything she owns. Carrie’s husband, Jared, claims his wife has always been unstable and that she has abandoned the family, but Linda doesn’t trust him. As Linda snoops in the Helm family’s circumstances, she becomes convinced that Jared has murdered his wife and painted himself as a wronged husband.

Linda’s husband asks her not to get involved in the unfolding family saga. But Linda has become obsessed with Carrie’s fate, and with the well-being of her vulnerable young daughter. She cannot let the matter rest until she finds out the truth. Is she wrong to go against her husband, the bishop, when her inner convictions are so strong?

Inspired by a chilling true crime and written by a practicing Mormon, The Bishop’s Wife is both a fascinating look at the lives of modern Mormons as well as a grim and cunningly twisted mystery."

The Science Fiction Novel - Theodore Sturgeon

Theodore Sturgeon

Edward Hamilton Waldo (aka Theodore Sturgeon) was an American author of Sci-Fi, horror and fantasy. He was born in Staten Island, New York in 1918 and died in Eugene, Oregon in 1967. 

Over his life, Sturgeon wrote 400 reviews, 120 short stories, 11 novels and even several Star Trek trips. He sold his first short story 1938 and at first wrote mostly short stories. He wrote under various pseudonyms, E. Waldo Hunter and Theodore Sturgeon. Sturgeon wrote all of his novels between 1950 - 1961. An interesting side note is that Sturgeon belonged to a literary banqueting club, The Trap Door Spiders. This club served as the basis for Asimov's literary mystery club The Black Widowers. Sturgeon was also the basis for the recurring character Kilgore Trout in the novels of Kurt Vonnegut.

I have so far read only one of Sturgeon's collections of short stories. I'll highlight that below -

1. A Touch of Strange (1958).

"A Touch of Strange is a collection of 9 short stories by Theodore Sturgeon. This is my first attempt at reading Sturgeon's unique brand of science fiction. It did take me a bit to get used to his writing style, but as I read through the stories, I enjoyed them more and more. Some had nice positive endings, some somewhat confusing endings and The Girl Had Guts was quite scary, reminding me a bit of Aliens. The title story, A Touch of Strange was just as the title states, strange. This book was originally published in 1958 and it's worth trying out if you are interested in Science Fiction. I will check out more of his work. (4 stars)"

The complete list of Sturgeon's books is available at this link.

Enjoy your week. Stay dry.. :0)