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Not in Solitude
Armchair fiction presents the best in classic science fiction novels. Kenneth Gantz’s “Not in Solitude” is about an expedition that’s marooned on Mars. Young Dr. John Dane—a newspaperman and a physicist—was sure he would find plenty to report on the first trip to Mars with Colonel Cragg. But, in spite of Cragg's obvious contempt for Dane, the trip proved disappointingly dull until some of the scientists suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. From then on events rocketed to an explosive climax as it became increasingly clear that a hostile intelligence on Mars was trying to prevent the spacecraft's return to Earth.
- GenresScience Fiction
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1959
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 26, 2023
listened to this as part of The Second Science Fiction Novel Megapack. It is will written with interesting well developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to the conclusion. I woulld recommend it to readers of Science Fiction novels. 2023
December 31, 2015
When did titles as spoilers go out of fashion? Some time after 1959 apparently. "Neglecting his discarded heavy footgear, Dane went light-bodied to the observation ports." In paragraph two, Señor Gantz, after telling us what Dane didn't do (don boots) leads us to believe that Dane turned into a mass of light capable of being in multiple places (ports.) Perhaps, Dane floated to the window, was too on-the-nose for this author. This is my way of saying I found Gantz's word cadence clunky.
Chain smoking journalist/astronaut (Dane) argues with egotistical Commander Cragg over sending a search party to the Martian surface--for sixteen pages. Dane feels compelled to cross twenty miles of radioactive sand and hostile green vegetation( in fifteen hours) for a chance at saving his friend--based on some triangulation theory he developed about how the planet farts out "spark fire" and the concentrations of these Mars farts indicate where the missing Doctor is.
Perhaps you're wondering if the Commander locks Dane up to prevent the would-be hero/physicist from infecting the crew with his (possibly contagious) Space Madness. Alas no, he allows Dane to lead two other volunteers into certain death and/or abandonment and warns them he will blast off as scheduled even if Dane's party makes radio contact. In the unlikely event you've read this far, I can't say much more without spoiling what was already spoiled by the title. In conclusion, "But only the United States Air Force would mount a clock face down at the peak of an overhead dome." 'Nuff said, Airman Gantz. Keep aimin' high.
Recommended for Sci-fi fans who think quotes in Latin are hella edgy cool. "Vanitas Vanitatem," fellow Space Airmen/Latinites!
Chain smoking journalist/astronaut (Dane) argues with egotistical Commander Cragg over sending a search party to the Martian surface--for sixteen pages. Dane feels compelled to cross twenty miles of radioactive sand and hostile green vegetation( in fifteen hours) for a chance at saving his friend--based on some triangulation theory he developed about how the planet farts out "spark fire" and the concentrations of these Mars farts indicate where the missing Doctor is.
Perhaps you're wondering if the Commander locks Dane up to prevent the would-be hero/physicist from infecting the crew with his (possibly contagious) Space Madness. Alas no, he allows Dane to lead two other volunteers into certain death and/or abandonment and warns them he will blast off as scheduled even if Dane's party makes radio contact. In the unlikely event you've read this far, I can't say much more without spoiling what was already spoiled by the title. In conclusion, "But only the United States Air Force would mount a clock face down at the peak of an overhead dome." 'Nuff said, Airman Gantz. Keep aimin' high.
Recommended for Sci-fi fans who think quotes in Latin are hella edgy cool. "Vanitas Vanitatem," fellow Space Airmen/Latinites!
October 24, 2019
Interesting idea, awful execution.
The book tells the story of a expedition to Mars and the discovery of a living and thinking organism, a lichen that acts and thinks collectively.
The book is too talkative, there is little action, and the idea of the collective mind of the Martian lichen and its interaction with the humans is not explored as deeply as it should.
To make things a little worse, this first expedition to Mars is conducted by a spaceship with a crew of more than 100. Curiously, this spaceship carries nuclear weapons and flame throwers! One has the impression that instead of being inside a spaceship, one is travelling along with the crew of a destroyer or any other navy ship.
There is nothing much to hold one's interest, not even when the Martian lichen interacts with the crew of the spaceship. It was an ordeal to finish the book.
The book tells the story of a expedition to Mars and the discovery of a living and thinking organism, a lichen that acts and thinks collectively.
The book is too talkative, there is little action, and the idea of the collective mind of the Martian lichen and its interaction with the humans is not explored as deeply as it should.
To make things a little worse, this first expedition to Mars is conducted by a spaceship with a crew of more than 100. Curiously, this spaceship carries nuclear weapons and flame throwers! One has the impression that instead of being inside a spaceship, one is travelling along with the crew of a destroyer or any other navy ship.
There is nothing much to hold one's interest, not even when the Martian lichen interacts with the crew of the spaceship. It was an ordeal to finish the book.
November 26, 2019
One of the best science fiction novels I've read. Characters, science, and their actions and interactions are realistic. Suspense is maintained. The tone reminded me of one of my favorite films, Forbidden Planet, as the men defend their spaceship from an unknown enemy on a strange planet (Mars in this case).
January 21, 2021
Romanzo scarno ma avvincente, non risente molto del tempo passato da quando fu scritto (se non teniamo conto dell'attuale conoscenza di Marte); peccato che la presenza aliena rimane misteriosa!
February 17, 2016
I love science fiction and will read almost anything, this book is getting 3 stars from me, a lot of thought went into it, and I liked the attention to detail and how much science the author included. I also liked the depiction of cultural values from the author's time. The writing isn't great, but the story was entertaining and it was not easy to guess what happened or who did what, so I enjoyed it. I know, this is a ho-hum review, I can't strongly recommend this book. But if you have a copy lying around and need something to read - go for it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews