LosCon Support Servicesloscon.shotbyabear.com is currently operating in support of Loscon 48.
5732. Classics of SF Discussion: Charles Harness, The Paradox Men (1953)
Charles Harness, The Paradox Men (1953)
Five crises have fused the Americas together; the Imperator is dead, leaving his widow Imperatrix Juana-Maria Chatham-Perez; there's aristocracy, and a Society of Thieves rigorously trained who steal from the rich to buy freedom for slaves. Dueling. Research stations on the Sun. A star-drive is being tested, based on the square root of -1 and an acceleration of several million gravities. The hero doesn't know who he is.
Moderator John Hertz will lead discussions of three Classics of Science Fiction panels at Loscon XLVIII, one discussion each. Come to as many as you like. You'll be welcome to join in.
Our operating definition is "A classic is a work that survives its own time. After the currents which might have sustained it have changed, it remains, and is seen to be worthwhile for itself." If you have a better definition, bring it.
Each of the three is famous in a different way. Each may be more interesting now than when first published. Have you read them? Have you re-read them?
John Hertz
FRI 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, Pacific Coast 4