01 May 2008
Writing on Reading: The Black Order
James Rollins' The Black Order is science fiction . . . or a thriller . . . or a science fiction thriller, depending on who you ask. I found my copy in the Fantasy and Science Fiction section of the Boulder Book Store, but I don't think it belonged there. The Black Order is about a secret U.S. military group that tries to stop a neo-Nazi villain who has developed new, dangerous technology. While the science it somewhat "out there" it is based on sound scientific theories that are explained in the novel. (In fact, Lesley will be interested to know that there is a lengthy explanation of the famous double slit experiment). I find the premise to be no different that other thrillers that are not categorized as science fiction, basically following the spy-novel formula. So, why was it shelved with the science fiction books? Too much explanation of the the science? Too much far-out technology? Don't ask me. It's a good read--why not try to decide for yourself?
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4 comments:
Wow. A SF thriller! Sounds cross-genre. :) I wonder who his agent is? Thanks for the info, D.
Actually, the wikipedia entry for this guy, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Rollins
is interesting. Look at "First Novel" in particular. ;)
that looks great, thanks for the rec!
I'm listening to the audio book now. Definitely, in my view, not sff. Strange shelving. Popcorn-chomping, espionage thriller for Indiana Jones/Nat'l Treasure fans. It's written more like a James Patterson, I'd say, than like Tim Powers' Declare.
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