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Mr. Silverberg has been writing Science Fiction longer than I've
been reading it. Back in the '50s, he wrote the typical (for that day)
Stud Fiction that was printed in ACE Doubles and such. (God, I loved that
stuff!)
Since that time, his writing style has matured and he's written such critically-
acclaimed novels as Lord Valentine's Castle (with its many sequels). In short,
he's turned into a writer of very good literature. His latest, The Alien Years,
is no exception. Its both good Science Fiction and good literature.
This novel tells the story of the Carmichael family from the beginning of
the alien invasion until its end. When the aliens invade, one of the Carmicheals
was there to meet them. When the aliens leave, the Carmichaels are trying to force
them out. The tale, sometimes inspiring, sometimes somewhat sordid, is written in
such a meticulous detail that the characters almost breathe. Whenever one of them
dies, we almost mourn.
This is the '90s Robert Silverberg at his finest. Don't miss it!
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