/lit/ - Literature

>>16840028
Tau Zero - Poul Anderson (1970)

I read because of a deal made on a whim, otherwise I probably wouldn't have done so. I don't have any particular interest in the author despite many others classifying more than a few of his works as classics.
This novel was based on his 1967 short story "To Outlive Eternity". I haven't read that story. Did this need to be a novel? No, I don't think so, but so go opinions.
I assume that time dilation used in this way in 1970 was still a fresh idea and worthy of standing on its alone, but unfortunately, to me at least, today time dilation in this sort of story is routine, expected even. The magical becomes the mundane over time. There's no escaping the treadmill it would seem, hedonic or otherwise. It's a hard sf story, where the idea is almost everything, though I was surprised that there was some attempt at character development and relationships. It was unexpectedly funny for me. I laughed out loud multiple times. This is probably an atypical reaction.
Four years later The Forever War would be released and go on to be much more successful in every way with a similar core idea. Forty four years later Interstellar would be released and have a similar idea. What these three also have in common is that I didn't particularly enjoy any of them. At least Tau Zero made me laugh, if nothing else.

Out Of Context Excerpt Mining (mild spoilers and sex)

> You are more a man than any I've met before
> most enchanting face
> features ordinary but the rest of her shown to high advantage by shorts and tee shirt
> come around to my cabin and exercise me
> I'd enjoy that
> full breasts and hips, slim waist, long supple limbs
> You're a wonderful lover. I've never had better.
> I want you in me again
> the curves of her breast and flank were subtler than ordinary
> hand down her side and thigh
> nude and wet
> It was never easy to be a king


Rating: 2.5/5