I actually held this precious tome when Alastair had a meet-the-author night in Pontardawe Library. I and the audience couldn't believe he'd written something as awesome as this at the tender age of twenty-five :P Nice meeting you Alastair, hope to see you at BristolCon Best, Bob
Daran: yes, Star Trek shuttlecraft influence is very clear there, isn't it? I think the computer is from The Goodies (early 70s UK surreal comedy show, sort of like Monty Python for kids).
Aurora: if I get the chance I'll try to transcribe it. Away from home at the moment. Will post the thrilling conclusion when I return.
Aurora: I'll give it a shot, if you don't mind. Mr. Reynolds, feel free to correct or delete my translation when you get a better one going!
*note* I attempted to correct spelling for ease of reading. Words in brackets are those I am very unsure of. Words in capitals are the computer speaking.
Here we go...
Computa Two: Shuttle craft Planet earth
(pg.1) In space there are lots of planets, such as this one computer planet. Well, it isn’t true. But you will soon find out about this place.
(pg.2) This man, well it was a man, said “I will build my own computer”. So, as planned, he set to work on it. “I might get a [chanel] of [flowers], if I be the first man on the planet”, which he was. But soon he found out that the planet was not alone at all. Birds were flying around. “My gosh, I never [thought] of birds” he said “so I’m not the first man on this planet at all.”
(pg.3) His computer came out of the spaceship. He tested the computer’s brain. “What day is it?” SUNDAY, it said. “Oh yes. What are the first three letters of the alphabet?” ABC, it said. “Quite right, now you are working.” YES, it said. “Oh dear, it’s answering everything. I KNOW I AM. “Calling planet…” EARTH. “Oh no, it’s finishing my sentences”. I KNOW I AM. “Shut up!” NO.
(pg.4) “I wish I’d never gone into space. Oh yes, I just remembered.” SPACE CRAFT. “There it goes again, oh, I’ll go mad any minute.” HOUR. “See [can’t] you, I said minute and you said hour. Oh, hate computers. "
To be continued...
As a side not Mr. Reynolds, this rocks. I am totally going to print this out and add it as a tip-in to the Deep Navigation collection. I cannot wait for the conclusion!
Alastair, I believe it's a 'chain' of flowers, as in the Sugarcubes 'Birthday'. Note - I'm experienced in reading children's misspellings, as I have a 6 year old who is currently producing work like this. I am now vastly encouraged that he will become a Great Author and sustain me in my old age... PS loved Terminal World, now immediately re-reading it. Any plans for a sequel? Slightly puzzled by the stargazing sequence on p85 of the hardback, which seems to contradict the obvious theory around the book...
Phillip: I wondered if it was "chance of flowers" myself but chain fits equally well.
No plans for a sequel to TW, despite rumours to the contrary. As to the bit on P85, I know what you mean, but (and I thought long and hard before putting it in) rather than contradict the "theory" it's there to underscore the misunderstanding in the characters' minds. If evidence in the book points to X not being X, then X must in fact be...
Ah, yes, I see. Thought it might be something like that. 'Cold' equates to blue (at least in colour theory) Now inspired to run up my copy of Starry Night Pro and have a play... Thanks for the response. There's no need for a sequel, it works nicely as it is. I just like the steampunk ambiance :-)
Awesome story Al, and very cool that you still have it after close to forty years. Hopefully this means your scanner is up and running and you can send that poor, irritating sod that picture of a certain spacecraft? By the way, research into production is proceeding nicely and I'm currently looking into some different programs to render it in 3D. Anyhow, I'll update better by e-mail later.
This is lovely, I can remember spending my childhood filling pads of paper with my felt tip space operas! I don't know what happened to them, probably in the loft or in a landfill now.You're a lucky man to still have these little momentos from childhood.
Curiously, it was Star Trek Next Gen that was a massive influence on my stories when I was a youngster. Their shuttle craft featured rather heavily. Along with bald Shakespearean captains and their beardy side-kicks...
Hello there. Nothing to say on this particular topic but I am wondering if The Six Directions of Space will ever be reprinted. No offense but $191 U.S. used on Abebooks is a tad out of my price range.
Off topic: I've only just discovered your writing, and am thoroughly enjoying it (have read Revalation Space trilogy and Galactic North, and am starting on Chasm City).
But I was disappointed that your description of what the stars look like at relatavistic speeds is inaccurate. It's a minor thing, but mildy annoying to a scientist like myself.
The starts do not bunch up both in front and behind, they only bunch up in front. Behind, they spread out, and fade to black due to the doppler shift. Eventually all you see is a bright circle/spot of stars in your forward field of view, with the boundaries of this circle representing 'level with the observer' (anything behind you has faded to black by that stage).
If any other readers are interested, I would recommend a piece of shareware astronomical software called "Starstrider" - it simulates both the abberation and doppler shift experienced by a relativistic observer.
When will it get anthologised?
ReplyDeleteAnd do you plan further graphic novels?
Ahh, classic Reynolds. A shame he never really bettered this early masterpiece.
ReplyDelete;)
I actually held this precious tome when Alastair had a meet-the-author night in Pontardawe Library.
ReplyDeleteI and the audience couldn't believe he'd written something as awesome as this at the tender age of twenty-five :P
Nice meeting you Alastair, hope to see you at BristolCon
Best,
Bob
Oh man - I admire your courage, sir. Putting up something like this speaks to a self-confidence I am only dreaming of!
ReplyDeleteThe Star Trek Shuttle craft features prominently in my early work as well.
ReplyDeleteI cannot read it well, because the handwriting isnt too clear. Can you set it in typed letters here, please?
ReplyDeleteThank You
Oh wow, I have a handful of quite similar "books" of my own that from when I was 7 or 8 myself hiding in a closet somewhere...
ReplyDeletecool! early draft of revelation space :D
ReplyDeleteFabulous, cant wait to see it at Waterstones ;)
ReplyDeletePrecious moments Alastair!
Daran: yes, Star Trek shuttlecraft influence is very clear there, isn't it? I think the computer is from The Goodies (early 70s UK surreal comedy show, sort of like Monty Python for kids).
ReplyDeleteAurora: if I get the chance I'll try to transcribe it. Away from home at the moment. Will post the thrilling conclusion when I return.
Mr Reynolds
ReplyDeleteWhy are none of your books available as eBooks. This is IMHO a travesty for any Science Fiction writer
Aurora: I'll give it a shot, if you don't mind. Mr. Reynolds, feel free to correct or delete my translation when you get a better one going!
ReplyDelete*note* I attempted to correct spelling for ease of reading. Words in brackets are those I am very unsure of. Words in capitals are the computer speaking.
Here we go...
Computa Two: Shuttle craft Planet earth
(pg.1)
In space there are lots of planets, such as this one computer planet. Well, it isn’t true. But you will soon find out about this place.
(pg.2)
This man, well it was a man, said “I will build my own computer”. So, as planned, he set to work on it. “I might get a [chanel] of [flowers], if I be the first man on the planet”, which he was. But soon he found out that the planet was not alone at all. Birds were flying around. “My gosh, I never [thought] of birds” he said “so I’m not the first man on this planet at all.”
(pg.3)
His computer came out of the spaceship. He tested the computer’s brain. “What day is it?” SUNDAY, it said. “Oh yes. What are the first three letters of the alphabet?” ABC, it said. “Quite right, now you are working.” YES, it said. “Oh dear, it’s answering everything. I KNOW I AM. “Calling planet…” EARTH. “Oh no, it’s finishing my sentences”. I KNOW I AM. “Shut up!” NO.
(pg.4)
“I wish I’d never gone into space. Oh yes, I just remembered.” SPACE CRAFT. “There it goes again, oh, I’ll go mad any minute.” HOUR. “See [can’t] you, I said minute and you said hour. Oh, hate computers. "
To be continued...
As a side not Mr. Reynolds, this rocks. I am totally going to print this out and add it as a tip-in to the Deep Navigation collection. I cannot wait for the conclusion!
Superb job there, Tim! I don't know what the [chanel] is either.
ReplyDeleteWas this story inspired by Dear Enemy's one and only hit "Computer One"?
ReplyDeleteDerek: rather doubt it, given that this story dates from about 1971...
ReplyDeleteAlastair,
ReplyDeleteI believe it's a 'chain' of flowers, as in the Sugarcubes 'Birthday'.
Note - I'm experienced in reading children's misspellings, as I have a 6 year old who is currently producing work like this. I am now vastly encouraged that he will become a Great Author and sustain me in my old age...
PS loved Terminal World, now immediately re-reading it. Any plans for a sequel?
Slightly puzzled by the stargazing sequence on p85 of the hardback, which seems to contradict the obvious theory around the book...
Phillip: I wondered if it was "chance of flowers" myself but chain fits equally well.
ReplyDeleteNo plans for a sequel to TW, despite rumours to the contrary. As to the bit on P85, I know what you mean, but (and I thought long and hard before putting it in) rather than contradict the "theory" it's there to underscore the misunderstanding in the characters' minds. If evidence in the book points to X not being X, then X must in fact be...
Ah, yes, I see. Thought it might be something like that. 'Cold' equates to blue (at least in colour theory)
ReplyDeleteNow inspired to run up my copy of Starry Night Pro and have a play...
Thanks for the response. There's no need for a sequel, it works nicely as it is. I just like the steampunk ambiance :-)
Awesome story Al, and very cool that you still have it after close to forty years. Hopefully this means your scanner is up and running and you can send that poor, irritating sod that picture of a certain spacecraft? By the way, research into production is proceeding nicely and I'm currently looking into some different programs to render it in 3D. Anyhow, I'll update better by e-mail later.
ReplyDeleteChain of flowers? (last letter scrubbed out)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! And thank you for sharing it with us!!!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated and most obliged;-)
ReplyDeleteLG RS
A Planet-Computer called Earth? Seems like this manuscript was copied by Douglas Adams :D
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely, I can remember spending my childhood filling pads of paper with my felt tip space operas! I don't know what happened to them, probably in the loft or in a landfill now.You're a lucky man to still have these little momentos from childhood.
ReplyDeleteCuriously, it was Star Trek Next Gen that was a massive influence on my stories when I was a youngster. Their shuttle craft featured rather heavily. Along with bald Shakespearean captains and their beardy side-kicks...
Hello there. Nothing to say on this particular topic but I am wondering if The Six Directions of Space will ever be reprinted. No offense but $191 U.S. used on Abebooks is a tad out of my price range.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Off topic: I've only just discovered your writing, and am thoroughly enjoying it (have read Revalation Space trilogy and Galactic North, and am starting on Chasm City).
ReplyDeleteBut I was disappointed that your description of what the stars look like at relatavistic speeds is inaccurate. It's a minor thing, but mildy annoying to a scientist like myself.
The starts do not bunch up both in front and behind, they only bunch up in front. Behind, they spread out, and fade to black due to the doppler shift. Eventually all you see is a bright circle/spot of stars in your forward field of view, with the boundaries of this circle representing 'level with the observer' (anything behind you has faded to black by that stage).
If any other readers are interested, I would recommend a piece of shareware astronomical software called "Starstrider" - it simulates both the abberation and doppler shift experienced by a relativistic observer.
@ David:
ReplyDeleteYou can also get 6 Directions of Space in the anthology "Galactic Empires" by Gardner Dozois. You can buy that on Amazon.com for less than a dollar.