It’s been an unusually quiet stretch on the postal front so far at the back end of last week & weekend with no new parcels arriving to brighten up my dull and rainy days. Because of this relative lack of activity I decided that I should just randomly skim the bookshelves and see what I pulled out. The resulting five books were a very mixed bag as you will see below but all have intriguing covers so the experiment appeared to work. I must come up with a more scientific approach to my method of book selection but I suppose that would end up destroying the random approach which seems to yield some interesting combinations.
And so here are this week’s five random selections from the library of the unsubscriber, feel free to make suitably random comments;
The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny
This version was published in 1973 by Ace Books
The cover artist is uncredited
The World Menders by Lloyd Biggle Jr.
This version was published in 1972 by Daw Books
The cover artist is Kelly Freas
The Androids by Frank Belknap Long
This version was published in 1969 by Tower Books
The cover artist is uncredited
A Tale Of Two Clocks by James H. Schmitz
This version was published in 1965 by Belmont Books
The cover artist is uncredited
The Open Cage by Ronald Hall
This version was published in 1973 by Panther Books
The cover artist is uncredited
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I imagine that back in 1965 the publishers of A Tale of Two Clocks knew what might catch the eye of men who read science fiction! Not one but two scantily clad women! I’m sure this stuff wouldn’t have been welcomed by feminists of that era. The suggestion of women entombed in big glass showcases doesn’t help with de-objectifying (is that even a word?) women. Having said all that, graphically it’s a great cover and because of its artwork is forever caught in the 1960’s.
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Ah yes, the unscrupulous publishers who used sex to sell even science fiction to the masses. I think Two Clocks is a pretty beautiful piece, like the astronaut and his scantily clad companion are running through a giant art exhibit or something. You’re right about the feminist angle though Mr Cafe, it’s all rather blatant. I did a full piece on a collection of possible feminist bating covers some time ago;
I think what I love about all these books in general is that they’re all caught in the time they were created, like bugs in amber depicting the future from the past. Hope you’re well dear Sir.
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I would assume that specimen of womanhood in the glass case was integral to the plot, as is the delicately peeling loincloth of the running woman. I, for one, am intrigued by the possibilities of this not uncommon scenario… read on.
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You would be correct in your assumptions there Mr Lestaret, there couldn’t possibly be a story without such goings on occurring.
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I love that Daw book, they did some great covers didn’t they? I’ve got a lovely Brian Lumley in Daw. Nice to see Frank Belknap Long there too, I’m reading his Hounds of Tindalos at the moment. Thanks for posting these, fascinating!
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Yes, the Daw cover is a cracker – still haven’t read it as yet though, shhh. The Daw books had some fabulous cover artwork but I couldn’t possibly get into another protracted collection right now! The Frank Belknap Long book here looks a bit like an early electro LP cover for some reason, must be my eyes playing tricks on me again. I read The Hounds not long ago myself, a romp of a book as Long’s usually are. Glad you enjoyed some of the covers, all the best
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It’s been so long since I read The Androids (I actually read it as Lest Earth be Conquered!) that I can’t really remember it, but it’s stuck in my mind as one I enjoyed. The Zelazny cover has so much symbology in it, but the one that made me want to actually read the book was The Open Cage, global warning? but why two moons? I must dig deeper 🙂
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I’m glad you appreciated the Zelazny cover Bernie, that was one of my favourites too actually. As you said, all very mysteriously symbolic. I’ve not picked The Open Cage up as yet but it does have an interesting looking cover and storyline too,,, I can’t quite but my hands on kit at this moment as I’m up to my neck in books preparing the next few articles! Let me know if you find out more about the two moons. Take care xx
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This seems to be a little known book! I’ve found a couple of copies for sale and one review which has no info, just 3* “not a very good book”. Even Google Images was useless, and that normally exposes a couple of websites and/or blogs, but just a reference in “goodreads” with no further info. Sorry, I’m stuck now 🙂
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You usually my font of knowledge in these areas Bernie, what’s happened? I’d still be intrigued to know more, perhaps I should just sit down with it one evening and actually read the book – might save us some time! Take care xx
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