Cities in Flight - James Blish

[Fried Egg]

I think there was another thread but I can't find it; perhaps it got lost when the server went down a while back?

Anyway, I've just finished the final part "A clash of cymbals" and I'm glad to say that I enjoyed it. The series as a whole was quite up and down for me. The first part was a mere prologue and could be dispensed with entirely if one was so inclined, although it did touch on some interesting concepts. The second part was a classic story that introduced the concept of "Okie" (flying) cities and followed the story of a man who rises from the lowest of the low to eventually become city manager of an important and legendary okie city: New York.

The last two parts concentrate on the Mayor of New York and his city manager as they try to keep their city alive and deal with the tricky problems that are thrown at it. They portray the death of "okie" culture and follow the city as they try to find a new place for themselves in the emerging galactic order. And then we discover how they cope with the ultimate problem; the imminent end of time and the universe itself.

I would definitely put this series in the "hard" SF category and quite often the science went over my head. The third and longest part of the series was actually the low point for me but overall it was a series well worth a read.

 

[GOLLUM]

Well thanks for the detailed review, as you know I'm yet to read this one but it sounds as if it's a worthy addition to the Masterwork series.

I do have the other Masterwork by him A Case Of Conscience. I'ts a brilliant and thought provoking book on ethics and not surprisingly won the Hugo back in '59.

 

[BAYLOR]

And the Soon dizzy concept.

 

[Immortality]

As my username implies I’m interested in ‘Immortality’ and I heard that in the ‘Cities in Flight’ books by James Blish some characters are immortal? Is this true? Because I happen to own the books and would love to read them , but only if they have immortal characters and if the author takes either a neutral or positive look at immortality. Nearly all science fiction authors have a very negative view of immortality, I guess they believe it makes for a more interesting story. But for me I love that the characters are immortal and are not viewed in a negative light. I will settle for a neutral look at immortality however. Thanks

 

[Fried Egg]

Erm, it's been a few years since I read this but I don't think any of the characters are immortal in this series.

 

[hitmouse]

Erm, it's been a few years since I read this but I don't think any of the characters are immortal in this series.

Agreed.

 

[hitmouse]

As my username implies I’m interested in ‘Immortality’ and I heard that in the ‘Cities in Flight’ books by James Blish some characters are immortal? Is this true? Because I happen to own the books and would love to read them , but only if they have immortal characters and if the author takes either a neutral or positive look at immortality. Nearly all science fiction authors have a very negative view of immortality, I guess they believe it makes for a more interesting story. But for me I love that the characters are immortal and are not viewed in a negative light. I will settle for a neutral look at immortality however. Thanks

I dont think this is correct. Immortality, or at least extreme longevity, does pose some interesting questions, which are fertile ground for a SF story. Examples:
The Dancers at the End of Time Michael Moorcock
The City and the Stars Arthur C Clarke
To Your Scattered Bodies Go Philip Jose Farmer
Way Station Clifford Simak
Corporal Cuckoo (ss) author escapes me at the moment
The Culture novels of Iain M Banks. People can essentially live as long as they want.
Altered Carbon Richard Morgan

In film and TV there is the Capt Jack character in Dr Who/Torchwood, Dr Who him/herself, there is Highlander, and there is the old knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (plus the people who will stop at nothing to get the grail.)

 

[Immortality]

Erm, it's been a few years since I read this but I don't think any of the characters are immortal in this series.

Are any of the characters near-immortal? Thank you!

 

[Immortality]

hitmouse : of those books you listed above , which I own, which ones would you say have a positive look at Immortality?

I read in an article that ‘Way Station’ has a positive look towards the idea of immortality. Is it true?

 

[hitmouse]

hitmouse : of those books you listed above , which I own, which ones would you say have a positive look at Immortality?

I read in an article that ‘Way Station’ has a positive look towards the idea of immortality. Is it true?

All of them demonstrate positive aspects to immortality, as well as issues. Corporal Cuckoo is probably the exception.

Way Station can be read in a couple of hours. If you own it then I recommend you do so. A very good short novel.