Two weeks I took a break from my ‘Meet the Author’ series to pay my respects to the late Leonard Nimoy. After a day off out of respect, I’m continuing on to Part III: Books.
In the same way I approached my article on movies and how they influence me, I’ll be going through my top five novels and explaining what exactly it is that makes them special to me as well as to those that may be discovering them for the first time.
Obviously no long introduction is necessary here. Writers are readers, and we all have various sources of inspiration. Books we read over and over and authors that we aspire to be like. It’s not my goal to mimic another author—I have my own voice to speak to you all—but I can appreciate the aspects of an author or novel, whether that is fluidity of prose or sheer technical brilliance.
In the same way I approached my article on movies and how they influence me, I’ll be going through my top five novels and explaining what exactly it is that makes them special to me as well as to those that may be discovering them for the first time.
Obviously no long introduction is necessary here. Writers are readers, and we all have various sources of inspiration. Books we read over and over and authors that we aspire to be like. It’s not my goal to mimic another author—I have my own voice to speak to you all—but I can appreciate the aspects of an author or novel, whether that is fluidity of prose or sheer technical brilliance.
5. “Shōgun,” by James Clavell – I first read Shōgun in early high school. I then read it again. I read it so many times that the paperback copy I had fell apart, the spine unable to handle the roughly 1,000 pages that were bound together to form the epic, gripping tale that is Shōgun. When the book came apart, I bought another copy and started the whole process over. I believe I am now on copy three. As Oscar Wilde put so well, “If you cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” That is true of every book on this list, but Shōgun in particular captivates and moves.
The novel, which follows the tale of an English pilot who finds his ship cast upon the shores of medieval Japan, is incredibly insightful in its knowledge and portrayal of Japanese customs and traditions, especially during a time of great upheaval. Though the names of the major characters are changed from their historical counterparts, those who have a background in Japanese history will have no trouble discerning who all the major players are. The crowning achievement of Shōgun, however, is that you don’t require a degree in Japanese language or history in order to enjoy it, but you very well may find yourself seeking one after you finish it. Take myself, for example. Although it wasn’t what I originally attended college for, I ultimate graduated with a degree in Japanese language and culture. Shōgun most certainly shares the blame in this regard.
Filled to the brim with cultural insight, humor, love, passion, intrigue, and bravery, it truly is a modern classic. Once Blackthorne and company find themselves in Japan, readers will find themselves alongside him as he discovers a land that to this day remains mysterious to most westerners.
The novel, which follows the tale of an English pilot who finds his ship cast upon the shores of medieval Japan, is incredibly insightful in its knowledge and portrayal of Japanese customs and traditions, especially during a time of great upheaval. Though the names of the major characters are changed from their historical counterparts, those who have a background in Japanese history will have no trouble discerning who all the major players are. The crowning achievement of Shōgun, however, is that you don’t require a degree in Japanese language or history in order to enjoy it, but you very well may find yourself seeking one after you finish it. Take myself, for example. Although it wasn’t what I originally attended college for, I ultimate graduated with a degree in Japanese language and culture. Shōgun most certainly shares the blame in this regard.
Filled to the brim with cultural insight, humor, love, passion, intrigue, and bravery, it truly is a modern classic. Once Blackthorne and company find themselves in Japan, readers will find themselves alongside him as he discovers a land that to this day remains mysterious to most westerners.
4. “Starship Troopers,” by Robert A. Heinlein – While I debated between allocating this spot to either “Troopers” or “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress,” I came to realize that while both Heinlein pieces are epic novels, “Troopers” had a far greater influence on my writing. A novel I first encountered all the way back in middle school, I was immediately taken in by the military action. It was only later that the political and social messages became more meaningful, and as I grew older I found myself more and more intrigued by the ideas put forward by Heinlein.
Make no mistake, the book has excellent action and has inspired countless derivative works in novels, movies, and video games. My second novel, “Unto Persephone,” features a main character who is a power armor pilot, due in no small part to the influence of “Troopers.” Beyond the technical detail and excitement of combat, the novel puts forth interesting and influential ideals about citizenship and civic duty. While I don’t believe that Heinlein’s proposed system would work (a system in which only those who have served and sacrificed in the military are allowed to vote), it does make one question if they truly understand putting the interest of others before themselves. As another great man once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Or, in this case, for your planet as it fights a horde of terrifying giant bugs from outer space. Did I forget to mention that part?
Make no mistake, the book has excellent action and has inspired countless derivative works in novels, movies, and video games. My second novel, “Unto Persephone,” features a main character who is a power armor pilot, due in no small part to the influence of “Troopers.” Beyond the technical detail and excitement of combat, the novel puts forth interesting and influential ideals about citizenship and civic duty. While I don’t believe that Heinlein’s proposed system would work (a system in which only those who have served and sacrificed in the military are allowed to vote), it does make one question if they truly understand putting the interest of others before themselves. As another great man once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Or, in this case, for your planet as it fights a horde of terrifying giant bugs from outer space. Did I forget to mention that part?
3. “Snow Crash,” by Neal Stephenson – aka “baby’s first cyberpunk novel.” Snow Crash is not Steaphenson’s first novel, nor is it his most ambitious. It is, however, his most raw and savage. The book already starts cranked to 11 and only goes up from there. While Gibson’s “Neuromancer” is considered by many to be the first full length cyberpunk novel, I read Snow Crash first, and so will always shave a special place for it on my shelf.
While “Neuromancer” can make your head spin, Snow Crash is accessible to readers that have absolutely zero background in cyberpunk. For me, it was a gateway drug into a world of new novels and new ideas about the future. This wasn’t the far flung future of Star Trek, nor was it the gritty, epic, and multi-species world of Star Wars. This was the real world, immediately recognizable, stretched just enough so that one could see further down the road.
As befitting a cyberpunk book, the novel oozes style and charisma, and Neal Stephenson very handily writes some of the most hilarious bits of prose that will have you laughing aloud while you try to explain the concept of a “deliverator” to your spouse. I’ve gone so far as to read this novel aloud; that’s just how much energy Snow Crash is jammed with, like a crushed sun waiting to be cracked open and go nova inside one’s skull.
While “Neuromancer” can make your head spin, Snow Crash is accessible to readers that have absolutely zero background in cyberpunk. For me, it was a gateway drug into a world of new novels and new ideas about the future. This wasn’t the far flung future of Star Trek, nor was it the gritty, epic, and multi-species world of Star Wars. This was the real world, immediately recognizable, stretched just enough so that one could see further down the road.
As befitting a cyberpunk book, the novel oozes style and charisma, and Neal Stephenson very handily writes some of the most hilarious bits of prose that will have you laughing aloud while you try to explain the concept of a “deliverator” to your spouse. I’ve gone so far as to read this novel aloud; that’s just how much energy Snow Crash is jammed with, like a crushed sun waiting to be cracked open and go nova inside one’s skull.
2. “Neuromancer,” by William Gibson – While “Snow Crash” is full of fast cars, sword fights, and hypersonic Gatling guns, “Neuromancer” is noir atop technological grit. Gibson is an unapologetic writer who simply dumps you into the middle of his universe and leaves you to explore it. No map, no compass, nothing. From the very first line all the way to the end, nothing is explained except via context, making “Neuromancer” a very challenging read for some. If you learn to let go and let the book wash over you, though, then you’ll suddenly find yourself connecting the dots. Something clicks and the universe makes sense, and then you’re shocked at what you are seeing. “Snow Crash” deals in a more traditional villain, while “Neuromancer” instead makes you wonder just who is on the right side. Paranoia is certainly a part of cyberpunk, and Gibson infuses his novel with just the right amount.
A twisting tail of intrigue, technology, and the evolution of humanity, “Neuromancer” moves at a pace more akin to Blade Runner (which, coincidentally, was featured in my list of top five films). Full of predictions that we have come to find are startlingly true, the novel also embraces the concept of “high-tech, low-life.” The characters live on the fringes of society, coming together to carry out a do-or-die task before drifting apart again. If “Neuromancer” and cyberpunk have taught us anything, it’s that the future is disposable, and that includes your friends.
A twisting tail of intrigue, technology, and the evolution of humanity, “Neuromancer” moves at a pace more akin to Blade Runner (which, coincidentally, was featured in my list of top five films). Full of predictions that we have come to find are startlingly true, the novel also embraces the concept of “high-tech, low-life.” The characters live on the fringes of society, coming together to carry out a do-or-die task before drifting apart again. If “Neuromancer” and cyberpunk have taught us anything, it’s that the future is disposable, and that includes your friends.
1. “Brave New World,” by Aldous Huxley – Written in 1931, “Brave New World” sets a standard for dystopian science fiction that I believe has yet to be matched. While Orwell’s “1984” is didactic and boisterous, “Brave New World” is subtle and nuanced, and that reason makes it all the more terrifying.
A crowning achievement in literature, “Brave New World” was thrust into my hands by my father, starting me down the path of dystopian futures and instilling in my mind a cautionary stance on all things technologic. We can rule over technology, or it can be made to rule us. The most alarming part about “Brave New World” is that technology is used by the few to control the many, and the masses accept this because they simply do not care. They are healthy, well fed, and allowed to be as promiscuous and drug addled as they see fit. Sound familiar? The only catch to all this freedom is the fact that they are so obviously not free. The fetus of each new human is handled so as to produce a desired outcome, delivering a global caste system that is so complete that those within are blind to it.
“Brave New World” doesn’t just predict a grim future, it accurately accounts for those things which have happened in the past and are even happening right now. It’s the callous disregard for their own situation that makes the characters of Huxley’s novel so tragic, save for John the savage, the outsider who gives the necessary perspective in to the seemingly tranquil world which exists in the future. So shocking is this brave new world, however, that he finds it impossible to cope with, leading to his ultimate fate.
If you have read the novel, then you understand as to what I am referring to. For those of you who have not, I suggest you pick up a copy as soon as you can, before they’re made forbidden for your caste.
A crowning achievement in literature, “Brave New World” was thrust into my hands by my father, starting me down the path of dystopian futures and instilling in my mind a cautionary stance on all things technologic. We can rule over technology, or it can be made to rule us. The most alarming part about “Brave New World” is that technology is used by the few to control the many, and the masses accept this because they simply do not care. They are healthy, well fed, and allowed to be as promiscuous and drug addled as they see fit. Sound familiar? The only catch to all this freedom is the fact that they are so obviously not free. The fetus of each new human is handled so as to produce a desired outcome, delivering a global caste system that is so complete that those within are blind to it.
“Brave New World” doesn’t just predict a grim future, it accurately accounts for those things which have happened in the past and are even happening right now. It’s the callous disregard for their own situation that makes the characters of Huxley’s novel so tragic, save for John the savage, the outsider who gives the necessary perspective in to the seemingly tranquil world which exists in the future. So shocking is this brave new world, however, that he finds it impossible to cope with, leading to his ultimate fate.
If you have read the novel, then you understand as to what I am referring to. For those of you who have not, I suggest you pick up a copy as soon as you can, before they’re made forbidden for your caste.
A.C. Harrison
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