Philip Jose Farmer, dead at 91

[Chicago Jake]

One of the classic SF names I grew up with. Didn't know he was still alive, but it's sad to see him check out nonetheless.......Jake

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Philip Jose Farmer dead at 91

PEORIA —

Science fiction author Philip Jose Farmer died this morning at his home. He was 91.

The Peoria-based writer had written more than 75 books and was awarded the top honors in his field. That includes the Grand Master Award for Science Fiction in 2001, an award also given to noted authors such as Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein.

Farmer had a world-wide following, with fans travelling to Peoria once or twice a year.

He was once quoted as saying that, particular in his early career, he had more fans in France, Italy, Germany and Japan than in the United States. Even after he retired from writing, his fans continued to produce “Farmerphile,” a magazine devoted to his life and works.

www.pjstar.com/entertainment/x1749108393/Philip-Jose-Farmer-dead-at-91

[Dan]

I was entranced with his "Riverworld" series. Wish I had bought them in hardback now on reflection.

Dan

[Chicago Jake]

I just picked up his "World of Tiers" collection at a used book store. I'll report back after I've read it......Jake

[Dan]

Please do Jake - I have plenty of reading time available now.

I'm currently reading the "Rama" series from Arthur C. Clarke. Not sure how I missed this one - must have been the various substances I was experimenting with back then ( '72-'73 maybe?) A sci-fi bud of mine recommended it to me and said Morgan Freeman had been trying to get backing to produce a movie based on the first novel - but it never came about.

dan

P.S. - DID get these in hardback - all four.

[Chicago Jake]

I read a couple of the Rama novels. Couldn't really get into them. Or anything else by Clarke, for that matter. I don't know why, but he always left me cold.

If you're looking for something to soak up some free time, check out Jack Vance's "Demon Princes" series. Five excellent science fiction mysteries that are among my favorites ever......Jake

[Chicago Jake]

As promised, here's a report on Farmer's "World of Tiers" books. It's the story of an alternate universe that is shaped like a giant wedding cake. Different civilizations live on each "tier," and travel between them is possible, but difficult. An Earthman gets sucked into this world and must learn to adapt.

I got about halfway through the first of the three novels in the volume before giving up. Thumbs down for me, I'm afraid.

I look for at least one of two things in a book: enjoyable writing, that makes it fun to read on a page-by-page, paragraph-by-paragraph basis; and a good rolling story or big concept that builds to something worthwhile by the end. The best books have both (i.e., Tolkien, Vance), but a book can be good with either one alone.

Unfortunately, Farmer seems to be imbuing this story with neither. The prose is flat, and the story is going nowhere. So it goes into the "sell back to the used bookstore" pile........Jake