On Wings of Song [Paperback]

Thomas M. Disch (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf; Reprint edition (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786711221
• ISBN-13: 978-0786711222
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,160,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Ever, July 5, 2000

By 

Sam Lewis - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Wings of Song (Mass Market Paperback)

For me, "On Wings Of Song" is among one of the best books I've ever read. It transcends such concepts of genre and manages to become something quite different. This book should appeal to all, but especially the young as its themes of escape, rebellian and success deal explictly with the perils of growing up. It is interesting too how Disch paints such a division between American states in the future, but it is not done in usual future prediction style. This book will make you think about where you're heading in life.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Virtuoso!, April 25, 2001

By 

"kirkdax" - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Wings of Song (Mass Market Paperback)

Disch has done it again! Surpassed himself with this gem of a book! Daniel Weinreb is a creation beyond belief. Never have I sympathised so much with a character. This book is so subtly layered that everytime I read it, I find something new. The concept is original and I'm envious that I didn't think of it! Disch's style is also enviable. He is everything a writer should aspire to. Certainly this is his best novel. Disch is a Maestro, the language is at his command. It's fabulous the way he mocked Norberg at the end of the novel - however frustrating the ending was. If Disch is reading this: Did he ever get to fly? This novel deserves ten stars out of five

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not my favorite, but still good, March 22, 1999

By 

"hoorayforme" - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Wings of Song (Mass Market Paperback)

This was Disch's first SF novel in a long time when it came out in '79. Some consider it to be his best work, but I don't know about that. I certainly thnk it's great, and that it deserved the 1980 John W. Campbell award for best novel of the year that it won, though. It's a shame it didn't win a Hugo or a Nebula, this is far superior to Arthur C. Clarke's "The Fountains of Paradise."

If you liked 334, you'll probably like this. Disch's greatest strength has always been his social commentary. This book is an excellent example.

In addition, recently a lot of books by this publisher (Carrol & Graf) have been going out of print (BOO!). So you might not have long to get your hands on it in a normal book store.

Still, you should read Camp Concentration first, to see if you like Disch's style. If you like it, go for his other two classics (this one and 334).