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Lord Jim in Space |
September 2002
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Second Chances, by Susan Shwartz
Susan Shwartz has written a book that will force some litereary critics to reassess their enmity toward science fiction as a genre. Second Chances is a fine book and already is familiar to many as Conrad's Lord Jim. What makes this such a challenge to those who dislike sci-fi is that fact that the story of man's struggle for redemption translates beautifully into a space-faring future.
Sci-fi has suffered the reputation of being the red-headed step-child in the world of letters -- and some of it was justified. Characters were wooden, two-dimensional props; the focus was often on "gee-whiz" technology rather than realistic stories, and the writing itself was turgid and cumbersome.
Dr. Shwartz (Harvard, classics) unashamedly adopted Conrad's characters and plot, thereby solving the first two problems. And her writing talent, which has resulted in 20 published books (not all of them sci-fi), is as good as any in mainstream commercial fiction, hence, the third complaint does not hold.
Die-hard sci-fi haters will, of course, deride is as derivative -- and the good Doctor herself would plead proudly guilty. Then again, Rosencrantz and Guilderstern are Dead is equally derivative, as is West Side Story, as is Joyce's Ulysses. Dr. Shwartz is a modest woman who would balk at being compared to the Irish genius, but the point is, the only way to slam the book opens a new can of worms for the critic.
Order
Second Chances.