In this episode of the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast, sisters Ann and Alice are discussing The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov. Written in 1972, this book won both Hugo and Nebula, if you are keeping track. This parallel universe sandwich type story of academic scientists, aliens, more scientists had us railing at the heavens. And laughing our asses off. Here’s a listening guide if you should care to dive in: 1:12 Book jacket read 2:46 History Lesson 7:14 We dive into the Big Topics and Themes 8:45 Part 1 – following the format of the book, we start in the logical place 23:33 Part 2 – spoiler alert, our favorite 41:26 Part 3 – not our favorite 54:14 The Four Questions
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58:51
A Time of Changes
In this episode, the two sisters tackle the nebula award winner from 1972 - A Time of Changes by Robert Silverberg. Our man, a regular World con attendee, and prolific writer created a science fiction piece, and to us - almost a fantasy, while undertaking a personal writing challenge - to create a story without using the word “I”. So did this idea work? We definitely had our own opinions. Here are some time markers to help guide you: 01:42 Book Jacket read (We say the names) 03:57 History Lesson 08:22 Tackling the Big Themes: Struggle bus time 11:31 The concept of writing without using “I” 12:13 Segway into Mindsharing 15:46 The New Wave style of writing 17:42 World Building, but it somehow fades to the background 20:54 Discussion of Bond Brothers/Sisters 24:30 Chosen one vs. the sidekick 25:40 We Segway again - this time into sex and character development 31:25 Earthman = Drug Dealer 33:26 Four questions
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36:29
Riverworld
In this episode of the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast the two sisters are reading To Your Scattered Bodies Go or Riverworld by Philip Jose Farmer. It won the Hugo in 1972. The reason for the double name is that the first book - To your scattered bodies go - is now rarely published by itself but can be more easily found with its series under the series name - Riverworld. In this novel filled with historical characters, we ultimately were awash with questions. Listen and find out why. Here are some time markers for you: 01:24 Book jacket read 03:50 History lesson 10:39 Big Themes 13:10 Other peoples’ reviews - did that help us? 18:44 Protagonist and friends 23:40 Storyline and pacing and world-building, oh my 26:15 Adaptations and games 29:00 Suicide express and characters 31:20 Action writer, pulp writer 34:50 Women Characters - well, it’s a thing 43:40 Four Questions
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43:40
Ringworld
In this Episode of the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast, the two sisters tackle Ringworld by Larry Niven. The book won the Nebula in 1970 and the Hugo in 1971. While highly praised by the SF world it was a bit of a struggle bus for us both. Listen in and find out why. In a skipping mood? Here are some time markers to assist you: 01:15 Book jacket read but we have no book jacket 02:50 History Lesson 06:15 Tackling the Big themes 10:20 Big Science or Plot driven characters - can’t we have both? 18:24 Throwback tropes 20:24 Characters 30:00 Why Alice launches the book across the room 35:40 Other reviews of the book 38:14 The Four Questions
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44:32
Left Hand of Darkness
Welcome to the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast where two sisters are reading their way through the Hugo and Nebula awarding novels in order. This episode is the highly anticipated Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin which won both the Hugo and the Nebula in 1970. It was a big hit with both sisters; we’re singing praises in this rather short episode Would you like to jump around and hit the high points? Here are the time markers to do just that: 01:32 Book Jacket Read 03:13 History Lesson 08:30 Big Themes - Love and Gender 13:14 Pronouns and Gender 17:19 Genly’s perspective and Gender 22:22 Characters and storyline 34:40 Amazing world building 40:00 Four Questions
Sisters Alice and Ann attempt to read their way through all of the Hugo and Nebula award-winning books.
Alice is a mother of one who is trying to get back in the habit of regular reading and who credits her sister Ann for her love of the Sci-Fi and Fantasy genres. Ann, a mother of two, has been and still is a voracious reader who hopes to improve her skill at book discussions.
Österreich