Mike Resnick's Galactic Comedy (aka Chronicles of Distant Worlds)

[J-Sun]

People are welcome to discuss any aspect of these if they want but I have a specific question: I read Paradise (1989; a parable of Kenya) and Purgatory (1993; a parable of Zimbabwe) and enjoyed them a great deal but it took me years of dedicated brick'n'mortar searching to find Inferno (1993; a parable of Uganda) - and another year to get almost "in position" to read it - and now I can't remember things too well - memory says that, other than theme, approach, and background, these are independent stories (no shared plot, characters, etc.) and, though it's past time, I don't need to re-read the first two to track everything in the third. But searching the web didn't turn up anything conclusive - it seems I'm remembering correctly, but I'm still not positive. Can anyone set my mind at rest?

 

[J-Sun]

I found data points that give me a pretty precise number for how long it took me to find Inferno: 11 years. And now I know why - apparently nobody's ever read it.

Well, I'm going ahead and reading this third one solo now that I've finished the other book I was reading. BTW, memory says that Kirinyaga was a great book, that Ivory was no slouch, itself, and that the two of these I've read are maybe between those two - all recommended, anyway, so if you do come across them, somebody give 'em a chance.

 

[Connavar]

I have read only Kiriyinga short story which i thought was wonderful and rich,fascinating to me read a real African set SF from that POV.

I wonder can i read Soothsayer SF book of his without caring about the fact its not first book in that world,series ? I got second hand to try him novel length but the cover blurb saying its a return to this world makes doubt reading this book first.

 

[J-Sun]

I have read only Kiriyinga short story which i thought was wonderful and rich,fascinating to me read a real African set SF from that POV.

Then I'd really recommend picking up the whole collection (usually described as a novel). Well, I would anyway - I think that may still be my favorite of his. But, in terms of Africa-related novels, Ivory is excellent and the whole Chronicles set is, too. (Or at least 2.5 books of it - I'm halfway through and really... well, "enjoying" is not the word to use (the Idi Amin analog being around the height of his power), but... interested in and appreciating Inferno now.)

I wonder can i read Soothsayer SF book of his without caring about the fact its not first book in that world,series ? I got second hand to try him novel length but the cover blurb saying its a return to this world makes doubt reading this book first.

I haven't read that particular series (though I may get to it - I most want to read the Starship series next but then it would be either that one or trying at least one of the Lucifer Jones') so I can't say for sure but my impression is that it is the first book in the series. I don't know what the blurb says exactly or why but, though the series name is "Oracle" and the book with that title was published second, Soothsayer was first. I don't know what planet it's set on but most of Resnick's stuff takes place in a common future history so it may be the planet it's set on appears in an earlier book - maybe that's what they mean by a "return" to the "world"? Just a guess. Anyway, I think you're safe reading it.