Dying Inside (S.F.Masterworks) by Robert Silverberg Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Dying Inside (S.F.Masterworks)
Book Review: Haunting
Summary: 5 Stars
I am certain that everyone has at some point wished that they could read minds, it's one of those childhood dreams that often sticks way into adulthood when we still wonder about what each other is really thinking about. Dying Inside shows the torment that such a power could bring, as the main character David, upon realising that his power is abating speaks about how his life has been affected and in some ways ruined by it.
This book was far more intimate and emotional than I had initially expected. David recalls his life in a very matter-of-fact sort of a way, which is probably what gives the novel its power because it seems all the more real that way, the way things are explained suggests the inhuman apathy that a telepath could inhibit. What is steadily revealed is that his ability prevents him from being close to any other person, and in the same breath omnipotently intimate and aware of their most private thoughts. What makes the story even more real is that David is not an especially pitiable nor likeable person. The story demonstrates that his power manages to alienate him from society rendering him a mere supernatural voyeur who in spite of his intelligence lives a very meagre and solitary life.
I found this book an unexpected pleasure, even though in some places it can be quite sexually graphic, and some may say that the story does not go anywhere, it is more about becoming aquainted with David's personality, so you can understand just what it is that he is loosing.
Book Review: Great bit of 'soft' SF!
Summary: 4 Stars
Dying Inside is a brilliant snapshot of a telepath on the verge of losing his powers. There isn?t much of a plot but the protagonist David Selig and his relationships are so interesting that you don?t really need one. I don?t enjoy reading about heroes and how they save the world from doom. This story is one of those novels about the ?lazy-bum? anti-hero that I like and his downtrodden, self-loathing attitude appeals to my sense of justice and underdog spirit. David Selig makes his money by writing lazy Columbia students? term papers for them. By reading their minds he can quickly learn about their writing styles and the capacity with which they would be able to write it if they did it themselves. Through flashbacks we learn of Selig?s previous relationships especially with his sister. Here Silverberg is spot on in his wry observations of adoption and how it affects step-siblings.
The best parts of the novel are where we get to see Selig make use of his telepathy. One of his ?customers? is a giant, black, basketball player. Through probing his mind we see the burning hatred inside him (a black being put down by a Jew in his opinion) which touches on race issues but never becomes preachy. Also there is a flashback to his youth where he has to fight a much larger opponent in a boxing match. He uses his power effectively to dodge the punches but his satisfaction is muted by the fact that the other kids think him weird. (Kinda like in Spiderman when Tobey Maguire beats somebody up in the school hallway).
Overall very good ? 8.5/10
Book Review: Great SF Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
I really love the SF Masterworks collection. This book was a present from my wife as she know I love science fiction. It was very different to the other book I had read from the SF Masterworks but just as satisfying. It was the first book I had read by Robert Silverberg (previously seeking out books by Philip K Dick). I agree with other reviewers that it does not seem like science fiction but SF is not just about science fiction ( it stands for Speculative Fiction after all!). Anyway, i really enjoyed it, it was intelligenly written and felt very complete just like other book by Robert Silverberg.
Buy it!!!
Book Review: dying inside
Summary: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this novel about a man (David Selig) who has the ability to read peoples minds, it shows the advantages and disadvantages of this ability, it's a very interesting view of how someone would react with this ability, hearing bad thoughts people think of you, how things people would never say to your face would alienate you from society, which it does to the protaganist. an interesting read!! Book Review: Serious work of "Inner Space" fiction
Summary: 3 Stars
Anyone who likes science fiction which is a platform for strongly characterised, introspective point of view fiction should check out this book. Fans of I Am Legend (S.F. Masterworks) or Earth Abides (S.F. Masterworks) I think would appreciate this book too.
Its the story of a mindreader whose powers are fading, hence there is a feeling of dying inside. What follows is an introspective journey during which the narrator describes how their unique mind reading talents have influenced their life, their contact with other mind readers, the crisis which the end of their abilities will spell for them. Its very clear that the narrator has become totally dependent upon their mind reading abilities, fiscally and even emotionally. And its disappearing.
There is some great writing here and its an enjoyable read but it peters out towards the end, the characterisation is very strong but the plot isnt, there isnt really any beginning, middle and end to the book and it simply finishes. Which may not be very satisfactory to some readers.