Tue 25 Jan 2022
Diary Review: MACK REYNOLDS – Amazon Planet.
Posted by Steve under Diary Reviews , Science Fiction & Fantasy[2] Comments
MACK REYNOLDS – Amazon Planet. United Planets #5. Serialized in Analog SF in three parts: December 1966 through February 1967. Ace, paperback, 1975.
United Planets, with its variety of political systems, socioeconomic theories, and religions, is once again the [setting] for a lecture by Reynolds. This time Renny Bronston of Section G is sent to Amazonia to investigate the alleged suppression of the male half of the population. Amazonia is, however, a most enlightened planet, threatened with overthrow by the forces of a renegade G-agent.
If it weren’t for the obviousness of the lecture, things might happen a little faster. Reynolds has good ideas, though, the most noteworthy being the possible use of time as monetary basis. A clever plot fits together well, except for a feeling of being just a little too forced.
Rating: 3½ stars.
January 25th, 2022 at 9:24 pm
A little too forced is a perfect description of Reynolds. I enjoyed his work, first rate ideas, but a little too forced.
January 25th, 2022 at 9:34 pm
Reynolds was extremely popular in the 60s and well into the 70s. Probably the most common theme in his stories was speculating on the socioeconomic systems of other planets and societies. I’ve totally forgotten this story, it sounds as if it’s a prime example of him doing exactly that.