Norstrilia - Kirjakasa

English language

Published Dec. 29, 2016

ISBN:: 978-1-4732-1253-4

(1 review)

Norstrilia is a science fiction novel by American writer Paul Linebarger, published under the pseudonym Cordwainer Smith. It is the only novel he published under this name, which he used for his science fiction works (though several related short stories were once packaged together as a short novel Quest of the Three Worlds). It takes place in Smith's Instrumentality of Mankind universe, and was heavily influenced by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. The novel is in part a sequel to Smith's 1962 short story "The Ballad of Lost C'Mell", featuring some of the same characters and settings.

1 edition

Thom reviewed Norstrilia by Cordwainer Smith

Review of 'Norstrilia' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Interesting book, the author's only novel. Feels like a serial adventure, collected tales - and indeed this universe is detailed through the author's other short stories.

Set in the far future, this coming-of-age story fits in the space opera mold at times. Bigger ideas from the author's world are only hinted at. Originally written in 1960 and published in two parts, I read the restored version but have yet to read more than a few of Smith's short stories.

Dr. Paul Linebarger, aka Cordwainer Smith, died 8 years before this restoration was published. Norstrilia is considered an SF masterwork and is on David Pringle's list of 100 best SF novels. A solid 3½ stars, with a possible increase after reading the collected short works.