Conference noted::sf

573.0. "Lucius Shepard" by NYEM1::RDAVIS (Ray Davis) Tue Feb 02 1988 18:52

    I'm just about through with Lucius Shepard's second novel, _Life
    During Wartime_.  Note that it was not published as SF, but as one
    of those "THESE ARE THE NEW F. SCOTT FITZGERALDS!" trade paperbacks.
    It takes place in a recognizable near future, though, and treats
    new technology and psi-stuff in a serious SF way.
    
    I was iffy about Shepard's debut, _Green Eyes_, but had to respect
    the way it tied together so many genres in such a tight space. 
    I'm iffier about the new one.
    
    Shepard reminds me of post-hack Silverberg - only the subject matter is
    SF, the style is pure New Yorker literary mainstream.  But the
    pervasiveness of that range of style is why I turned from the
    mainstream to genres - I think the fannish term "mundane fiction" is
    all too appropriate.  There's a plodding, cold feeling to his books that
    I don't get with some SF that's "not as well written". 
    
    I haven't read any of his short stories.  Does he loosen up a bit
    there?

    I picked up LIFE DURING WARTIME a while ago, but haven't read it
    yet. The publisher's sneaky scheme worked, though, as I assumed
    it wasn't science fiction. It was interesting to note that GREEN
    EYES was referred to in the blurbs as Shepard's first novel, but
    nowhere did it mention that it was sf!
    
    Shepard's short work is like most others': some of it is *really*
    good, some of it is dreadful.
    
    --- jerry

    Is Green Eyes still in print  ? I read it and "lent" the book
    somewhere. Would like to re-read.
    Wil probably check out the new one. Is it hardcover or paperback?
    Thanks, Dana

    re:.2
    
    I don't think GREEN EYES is still in print, but I'm not sure.
    
    LIFE DURING WARTIME is a trade paperback.
    
    --- jerry