To Live Forever

I love this book. At about 185 paperback pages, it is not long, but Vance develops a world that is completely convincing and involving, at least for me. I hated to come up for air and have happily re-read it. It is written in what I would call a literary fashion, as opposed to an action-oriented fashion. The book starts off with a couple of pages of narrative to describe the location and set the context. This is in contrast to much science fiction which, by intention, starts off with action or snappy dialogue to "hook" the reader. Vance's approach is more literary. One note: I believe that Silverberg's, "To Live Again" may be a tribute novel to this one. Just a thought, but there are parallels. That one is really good too.

A great book (in quality, it's a pitty it's so short) that reminds me Isaac Asimov's great novels! The background Vance describes is extremely rich and depicts a Huxley's Big Brother society where all work hard and do their best in order to achieve society's recognition and thus immortality (what is money compared to everlasting?). I am sure you'll have a lot of fun reading this!

Wonderful book in the "Man vs. Society" vein. Will never be out of date because it is really a character book and does not dwell on technology. Just read it!

Written in 1956, it was the first scifi novel ( at least that I read) that seemed to deal with adult themes. I don't mean erotics, I mean the kinds of issues that are beyond the sort of juveile space-opera that seemed to be the standard fare of the 40s and 50s. Without giving away the plot, it describes a civilization that, although decadent, has discovered the secret of immortality. But: it cant be given to everyone. A complex system of merit and accomplishment is set up. Advance up the ladder fast enough & you are given immortality. Fail, and you are euthanized. Of course, one strong individual challenges the system, etc. etc. Brilliant! --Michael Reynolds