Cities in Flight Volumes I&II by James Blish each contain two novellas about the "spindizzy" drive which not only propels objects faster than light speed, it creates a closed bubble which seals in air and keeps out space debris. As a result of this, whole cities are launched as spaceships.

The first book contains the origin story, which is short, and the story of a boy who signs on to one of these wandering cities. I think the second story here is the best of the lot.

The first story in the second book is as close to pure space opera as I have ever read. The second continues from the first, but finishes with the end of the universe. I didn't like this last story because there were things mentioned that could have been developed further, and I got the impression that the universe was killed so he couldn't be talked into writing more stories about it.

I can recommend the first book, but not the second unless you like space opera. The only other really notable book I have read by Blish is A Case of Conscience, which is about a Jesuit priest's participation in a planetary survey and the religious dilemma he faces. This book is often listed on "best sf" lists, but if you don't care about religion, you probably wouldn't enjoy it.

Click here to return to the SIGMA mainpage.

This page maintained by Greg Armstrong