Swiftly (GollanczF.) [Paperback]

Adam Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Series: GollanczF. | Publication Date: January 1, 2010

It is 1848 and the British Empire has grown rich exploiting Lilliputian slaves—the finesse of their working allowing unheard of feats of miniature engineering; even Babbage's computing device has been made to work. But now the French have formed a regiment of previously peaceful Brobdingnagian giants and invasion looms. In a world where humanity is both smaller and larger than it once was, love and hate loom large. Mankind discovers itself at the center of scale. Lilliputians are 12 times smaller than us but there are those 12 times smaller than them, and 12 times smaller again and so on. And the scale of being goes up from Swift's giants, as well. This Wellesian sequel to Gulliver's Travels is a unique piece of sci-fi literature.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A worthy science fictional successor to Swift's indispensable masterwork... equal parts adventure story and social commentary. Its philosophy is Swift's, but its success is all Roberts's own." "--Strange Horizons"

About the Author

Adam Roberts is a novelist whose titles include Salt and Gradisil. His work has been nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Philip K. Dick Award. He also writes parodies, including Doctor Whom: E.T. Shoots and Leaves, The Sellamillion, and The Va Dinci Cod.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Gollancz (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0575082348
• ISBN-13: 978-0575082342
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,334,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Not So Swift, December 21, 2011

By 

Crusty Critic "Crusty" (Bay Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swiftly (GollanczF.) (Paperback)

A fascinating idea: Suppose Gulliver's Lilliputians and Brobdignagians were real and pulled into European history, causing many changes by the 19th century? Alas, Roberts, who writes very well, has created a dull, plodding novel filled with characters who are impossible to like or be interested in, full of philosophical, religious, and scientific allusions which reveal his widely read erudition, but just make you groan. I suppose there must be a point, but I really don't care. I hope that Roberts will apply his considerable writing talents to another interesting idea, but this time with characters who have some kind of appeal and events that can draw you in.