Customer Reviews

RING AROUND THE SUN

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jay Vickers was an ordinary man, or so he thought. All he wanted was to be left in peace to finish his next book. However, strange things started happening- from his discovery of a mouse that was not a mouse, to the visit of an old neighbor that was not a man. Or at least he was not an ordinary man. For as it turned out, neither was Jay Vickers.

This is the story of human mutation- the next step in the evolution of the species. What if mutants walked among us already? What if they were organized? What if they had unbelievable powers, such as the ability to cross between alternate worlds or dimensions at will, or to intuitively reach the absolutely correct answer by intuition or "hunch", or to telepathically reach out to the stars? Such supermen would automatically try to conquer lesser men, would they not? Or would they do everything in their power to free the rest of humanity from slavery and suffering? Just what would the political and corporate powers- that- be do to keep their power and their slaves? How would mutants undermine the power of these bosses to set mankind free?

This is a story of unlimited freedom, of worlds without end, ready for the taking. It is also the story of powerful, benevolent beings that exist only to help those who need that help. Simak sets this optimism off against the far-flung future- of 1987. This is a future of a lop-sided mechanical culture of technology that could provide creature comfort for a few, but not human justice or security for the many. It is a future of hate, and war, and worry. Nothing like the way the world really turned out....

Years ago when I first read this novel the uncanny "coincidences" with my own life gave me chills.

But then, there couldn't really be an underground of mutants working to free humanity... could there?

I read this Simak offering so many years ago that I honestly can't recall how long it's been. All I know is that I really NEED to read it again. Simak was one of my all-time favorite SF writers. It helped in no small way that he lived and worked in my hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and that his fictional settings were so familiar to me because he wrote of places I could see just down the road. His gentleness, good humor and his graceful way of writing only endeared him to me more. Please, Mr. Publisher, see your way clear to reissuing this grand old piece of fine science fiction!

This is the first Simak book that I've read, and I loved it! It's about a future where new everlasting products are dominating the world economy, and shutting down nearly all business. Jay Vickers is just beginning to realize the consequences of these new products when he sees a way to get out of the economic collapse. Like many of my favorite books, this one starts out great and you think you understand the plot completely. Then, all of a sudden, WHAM! The scope of the book explodes into something huge! As cool as that was, the characterization of Vickers and the other characters was the best part of the book. Read this book, you won't regret it!

Once again Clifford D. Simak shows us the depth of his imagination. Drawing you in to a very familiar world, with superbly crafted charters and Simak's cosy style. Then when he has you where he wants, you suddenly, along with his charters, realize that things are not as they seem. Then you get to see why Simak is one of the most unique and imaginative authors ever. He is able to open the limits of human possibility in ways that few others explore. This story is the story of one very ordinary man and his role in events that change the world. This is a common Simak theme. Simak's heroes are heroes in the way that any of us could be heroes in the right circumstances, not supermen. Like many Simak books this will leave you thinking and enriched.

Deals with the problem of how human mutants, superior to their fellows, might seek to bring about a better world. Simak offers many interesting ideas and a good overall plot, but the book has a bit of a cardboard, comic-booky feeling to me, with the characters and their actions and dialogue a little cliched. Entertaining, but I don't think it is as good as his "Way Station."

Jay Vickers was an ordinary man, or so he thought. All he wanted was to be left in peace to finish his next book. However, strange things started happening- from his discovery of a mouse that was not a mouse, to the visit of an old neighbor that was not a man. Or at least he was not an ordinary man. For as it turned out, neither was Jay Vickers.

This is the story of human mutation- the next step in the evolution of the species. What if mutants walked among us already? What if they were organized? What if they had unbelievable powers, such as the ability to cross between alternate worlds or dimensions at will, or to intuitively reach the absolutely correct answer by intuition or "hunch", or to telepathically reach out to the stars? Such supermen would automatically try to conquer lesser men, would they not? Or would they do everything in their power to free the rest of humanity from slavery and suffering? Just what would the political and corporate powers- that- be do to keep their power and their slaves? How would mutants undermine the power of these bosses to set mankind free?

This is a story of unlimited freedom, of worlds without end, ready for the taking. It is also the story of powerful, benevolent beings that exist only to help those who need that help. Simak sets this optimism off against the far-flung future- of 1987. This is a future of a lop-sided mechanical culture of technology that could provide creature comfort for a few, but not human justice or security for the many. It is a future of hate, and war, and worry. Nothing like the way the world really turned out....

Years ago when I first read this novel the uncanny "coincidences" with my own life gave me chills.

But then, there couldn't really be an underground of mutants working to free humanity... could there?

Clifford D. Simak (1904-1988) wrote a masterpiece, "City" (1952) rewarded with International Fantasy Award, two remarkable sci-fi novels "Way Station" (1963) Hugo Award winner and "Highway of Eternity" (1986) and many good short stories and novels.

"Ring Around the Sun" (1953) was published immediately after his great success "City", the author was in great shape as touched by the Muses. Many of Simak's major themes are used in this book: mutants, escaping from Earth and parallel universes.

The story starts when a novelist is summoned by his literary agent to meet a Big Business man. While he is on his way he notices a series of strange events: indestructible cars, eternal lamps and impossibly cheap houses are being offered to the public.
The Big Shot confirms him that businesses are on the verge of collapse and tries to recruit Jay to write a book describing this menace. He refuses and goes back to his small town. There a lot of strange circumstances force him to flee. Meanwhile the public starts a frenzied mutant's persecution and Jay is identified as one of them.
From here on, Jay will disclose one mystery after other until the end.

The author deal with the innumerable problems that everlasting products may produce: economical, political and social.
How humanity handle this situation constitutes the core plot of the novel.

The only low point of the novel, IMHO, is the somehow little elaborated ending.
Still I recommend this book to sci-fi lovers and general public too.
It is a very interesting stuff!

Reviewed by Max Yofre.

If you like books about multiple worlds, check this out. This book was so unpredictable and entertaining, that I don't know why it's out of print. Evil corporations and stuff, interesting relationships with women, my kind of stuff.

I discovered Simak when I read that Stephen King was a fan of his. I read this book (and a lot of Simak since) and was blown away. A lot of his stuff is hard to find, but it is worth the effort.

I read ring around the sun years ago and as a translation in my native language, Dutch. The story is gripping and with an unexpected twist. Mr. Simak brings you back to the time when he wrote this story: the fifties. The story encompasses many aspects of its time: the luxury items people surround themselves with, the cold war starting, the big brother watching you idea and the latest trends in Science in those days: quantum technology and the believe of some scientists that there is a paralel universe. After I read Michael Crighton's Timeline I noticed the similarities in the topic. Crichton also references a book that goes deep into the topic: The Fabric of Reality by David Deutsch.
Mr. Simak build a good story around these topics and Ring around the sun is a must read for Science Fiction fans.