Medea: Harlan's World (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YAMedea is a collection of 11 stories set on a world created by science fiction authors at the instigation of Harlan Ellison. The scientific details established by Hal Clement, Larry Niven, Poul Anderson and Frederick Phol are also included. There is a transcript of the idea session held at a graduate seminar in which Frank Herbert, Thomas M. Disch, Robert Silverberg and Theodore Sturgeon discussed their interpretations of Medea and invented story ideas, helped by contributions from the audience. Some of the bizarre concepts used in the stories include cannibalism as a means of sharing life memories and death by combustion as the ultimate transcendental experience. These ideas are not used for shock value but rather to create and explore alien cultures. The stories themselves are arranged chronologically, from the early days of human colonization on Medea to the time of a cataclysm that will wipe out any remaining inhabitants. There are inconsistencies of Medean details among the authors, but they do not interfere with one's enjoyment of the stories. Medea would be appreciated by older teens: those who are science fiction fans, those who enjoy learning how authors come up with ideas and those who want to see how world-building is done in fiction. Added bonuses are Freas' 12 black-and-white drawings and one fold-out color reproduction of a Medean landscape and Duane's maps. Monica Forbes, PGCMLS, Md.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 532 pages
• Publisher: Spectra; First Edition/First Printing edition (May 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553341707
• ISBN-13: 978-0553341706
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,773,207 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An ambitious, flawed shared-world project: 3.5 stars, May 22, 2006

By	Peter D. Tillman (Taos, NM USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Medea: Harlan's World (Hardcover)

..
MEDEA was an an ambitious shared-world project based on a seminar Ellison taught at UCLA in 1975. I reread part of it in 2002. Niven's Flare Time is the standout story, one of his finest standalone shorts. The Silverberg and Poul Andeson stories were OK, and I barely rememember the other stories. Google for TOC, eg at Wikipedia.

The introductory and world-building matter is alternately dull and pretentious, and there is a stunningly self-indulgent transcript of a panel discussion of the project that goes on and on and on -- it's like reading a 20-year old Usenet discussion: there's a certain queasy fascination at the start, but tedium quickly sets in. As usual, Niven's backstory essay is worth rereading. The others weren't.

Happy reading--
Peter D. Tillman

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Meeting of Minds, July 21, 2000

By	Micheal Head (Oshawa, Ont.) - See all my reviews

This book, inspired by HE, was a collaboration of many of sf's finest talents, including Hal Clement, Ursula K. Leguin, Fred Pohl, and Robert Silverberg. Together, they created the world Medea, defining the world, its indigenous creatures, and the interaction between these creatures, and human colonists. For the intricasy and detail of the shared-world construct, there is no finer work. The collection of short stories that result is brilliant!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one needs to be printed reprinted and updated, May 17, 2003

By	picardfan007 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medea: Harlan's World (Hardcover)

Back in the middle 80's I remember purchasing this book. It has to me been one of the best I ever got because it has a meeting of minds of all the best science fiction has to offer. If only there could have been a sequel. It has great illustrations by Kelly Freas and compelling stories that can be read more than once. I hope Harlan if you're reading it's a place that can be updated with writers like Bruce Sterling and William Gibson. Why can't we see more like this one?