THE GUNSLINGER, THE DRAWING OF THE THREE, THE WASTE LANDS Stephen King Better known for his horror novels, these science fiction stories are quite entertaining. King always fashions terrific, real characters who encounter very unreal situations. Gunslinger was one of his first novels, although it wasn't published until a few years ago. It begins this epic sequence about a dying alternate reality and the long gunslinger who seeks to reach the Dark Tower and restore his fading land. Drawing follows him as he recruits some help and begins a marathon journey to the Tower of his desire. By The Waste Lands the formula is growing a little thin, though, and it remains to be seen if the future books in the series will fall into further decline or return to the eerie power and grace of the first book. King says that this series could go on for as many as ten books; unfortunately, I believe him. (Note: in November of 1997, Volume IV of the series, Wizard and Glass was published.) Gunslinger: A-; Drawing of the Three: B+; Waste Lands: B/B- (Buy The Gunslinger? Buy Drawing? Buy Waste Lands? Buy Wizard and Glass?)
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel Keyes Classic expanded short story about a mentally retarded man and the drug that boosts him to normal intelligence ... and beyond. Sad, touching, a wonderful book (1966 Nebula Award winner). A- (Buy This Book?)
THE FLESH IN THE FURNACE Dean Koontz This slim science-fiction novel was written before Dean Koontz became "Dean R. Koontz" and hit a gold mine with a seemingly endless series of horror novels. It tells the story of a space trader who acquires a troupe of instant people that he forces to perform for audiences across the galaxy. When the performances end, he deconstitutes them back to easily transportable protoplasm... until they begin to resist the cycle of death and rebirth. Hard to find, but very interesting. B
THE PROUD ROBOT Henry Kuttner This is actually a collection of stories about an alcoholic inventor who can create miraculous devices -- but only when blind drunk. Funny, clever and very entertaining. Kuttner wrote several novels but his short stories are his claim to fame. Hard to find but well worth it. B+/A-