[SFRA-L] dan simmons query

[chris.hellstrom@gmail.com]

Neil,  Illium has a dedication that mentions his admiration of Harold Bloom. Here he is kind of taking sides in the "great books" culture wars as a kind of traditionalist.  AI discuss proust and Shakespeare in the book.  Also, his blog archive may be a good place to look.  

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----- Reply message -----
From: "Easterbrook, Neil" <n.easterbrook at tcu.edu>
To: "sfra-l at wiz.cath.vt.edu" <sfra-l at wiz.cath.vt.edu>
Subject: [SFRA-L] dan simmons query
Date: Mon, Mar 5, 2012 12:36 pm


Dear Hive Mind--

So I'm writing something abt "libertarian" sf, and one of the things I'm reading is Dan Simmons' newest book, _Flashback_.

Portions of the text are given to Stapledon/AC Clarke-style cultural screeds that are unremittingly "conservative" in tone and substance. (Certainly more "conservative" than "libertarian," at least so far.) Very much like, say, John Ringo's tone and commentary, in such things as _The Last Centurion_.

While I'm always careful to distinguish authors and narrators, consistent patterns across books does indeed indicate something abt authors.

I'm racking my brain, however: while I've read a good portion of Simmons' work--especially the sf books--I can't recall any text that went off on screeds abt contemporary US politics.

Does anyone remember anything in Simmons that's overtly, aggressively, and unequivocally a didactic fiction (or portion thereof) on politics, left, right, or center?


Thanks for yr efforts,
--Neil
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