Comments on: Do Cordwainer Smith Fans Read Clifford Simak? http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/cordwainer-smith-clifford-simak.html About his science fiction and his life, run by his daughter Rosana Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:49:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris Moseley http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/cordwainer-smith-clifford-simak.html/comment-page-1#comment-970 Chris Moseley Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:04:46 +0000 http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/?p=72#comment-970 I've read the short stories of both men and a few of Mr. Simak's novels. There is at least one way in which they are similar, and that is how much they thought about what it means to be human. In other ways they are quite different, and no one would mistake a story by Simak as one of Cordwainer Smith's. Some of Cordwainer Smith's stories feel as if they are telling about a place that is in a far future and yet also in a very distant, legendary past. I am thinking in particular about "The Ballad of Lost C'Mell," some of his other stories have this quality to a lesser degree. When I read of Lord Jestocost and C'Mell in Earthport, it was as if I were reading of a knight and lady in a vanished kingdom by the sea, long, long ago. I’ve read the short stories of both men and a few of Mr. Simak’s novels. There is at least one way in which they are similar, and that is how much they thought about what it means to be human.

In other ways they are quite different, and no one would mistake a story by Simak as one of Cordwainer Smith’s.

Some of Cordwainer Smith’s stories feel as if they are telling about a place that is in a far future and yet also in a very distant, legendary past. I am thinking in particular about “The Ballad of Lost C’Mell,” some of his other stories have this quality to a lesser degree. When I read of Lord Jestocost and C’Mell in Earthport, it was as if I were reading of a knight and lady in a vanished kingdom by the sea, long, long ago.

]]> By: Michael Walsh http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/cordwainer-smith-clifford-simak.html/comment-page-1#comment-779 Michael Walsh Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:50:42 +0000 http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/?p=72#comment-779 Why yes, some do read both. But then, I reprinted "Way Station" and "City" and the name of my imprint is Old Earth Books, which is quite intentional. More amusing ... I work at Johns Hopkins University. Everything is connected! Why yes, some do read both. But then, I reprinted “Way Station” and “City” and the name of my imprint is Old Earth Books, which is quite intentional. More amusing … I work at Johns Hopkins University.

Everything is connected!

]]> By: Carl V. http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/cordwainer-smith-clifford-simak.html/comment-page-1#comment-772 Carl V. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:13:54 +0000 http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/?p=72#comment-772 I have yet to read any Clifford Simak, but he has been on my radar for awhile now. I am more likely to read the rest of the Cordwainer Smith stories that I have yet to read before I consciously go out seeking any 'similar' authors. I'll be interested in the comparison now, though, when I finally get around to reading Mr. Simak's work. <abbr><em>Carl V.’s last blog post..<a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1048" rel="nofollow">The Sci Fi Experience: Tuesday Travels…</a></abbr></em> I have yet to read any Clifford Simak, but he has been on my radar for awhile now. I am more likely to read the rest of the Cordwainer Smith stories that I have yet to read before I consciously go out seeking any ‘similar’ authors. I’ll be interested in the comparison now, though, when I finally get around to reading Mr. Simak’s work.

Carl V.’s last blog post..The Sci Fi Experience: Tuesday Travels…

]]> By: Cordwainersdaughter http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/cordwainer-smith-clifford-simak.html/comment-page-1#comment-766 Cordwainersdaughter Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:09:23 +0000 http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/?p=72#comment-766 I agree. I read Simak to kick back. I could never say that of my father. I agree. I read Simak to kick back. I could never say that of my father.

]]> By: David Doughan http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/cordwainer-smith-clifford-simak.html/comment-page-1#comment-765 David Doughan Sat, 20 Dec 2008 12:29:21 +0000 http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/?p=72#comment-765 In the past I've read a fair bit of Simak, and generally enjoyed his stuff, but for me it's just entertainment - albeit of good quality. The Cordwainer at his best is something more. In the past I’ve read a fair bit of Simak, and generally enjoyed his stuff, but for me it’s just entertainment – albeit of good quality. The Cordwainer at his best is something more.

]]> By: valdemar http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/cordwainer-smith-clifford-simak.html/comment-page-1#comment-760 valdemar Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:50:20 +0000 http://cordwainer-smith.com/blog/?p=72#comment-760 Oddly enough I read a great deal of Simak and Aldiss when I was also getting into CS. I also enjoyed J.G. Ballard, but I can't quite see how he fits in. More 'literary' than pulp sf writers, perhaps? I admit that 'James Tiptree, Jr' (Alice Sheldon)seems a more logical choice. She wrote lots of short stories, often set them in extravagantly strange future worlds, and was a bold stylist with a wide-ranging intellect. These are 'Smithian' qualities. Oddly enough I read a great deal of Simak and Aldiss when I was also getting into CS. I also enjoyed J.G. Ballard, but I can’t quite see how he fits in. More ‘literary’ than pulp sf writers, perhaps?

I admit that ‘James Tiptree, Jr’ (Alice Sheldon)seems a more logical choice. She wrote lots of short stories, often set them in extravagantly strange future worlds, and was a bold stylist with a wide-ranging intellect. These are ‘Smithian’ qualities.

]]>