The Ultimate Office Survival Guide Book

Majipoor Chronicles is a collection of stories experienced by young Hissune from age 14 to 18. "Experienced" in that they are not really stories being told to him; he lives in these stories via their various protagonists' minds and memories. Science fiction!

The book is an excellent encapsulation of Majipoor. From the changes of mind and heart within "Thesme and the Ghayrog" and "The Soul-Painter and the Shapeshifter" to the detailing of dream life in "Crime and Punishment" and "Among the Dream-Speakers" to a journey from river to fabulous city and poverty to riches in "A Thief in Ni-Moya", Majipoor Chronicles lays out everything that is so appealing about this world: its wonderful diversity; its horror at violence (one character witnesses a murder and is astounded - it is something he has only read about in history books); its strangeness and mystery; the author's empathy; the lovely writing style that reminded me of a warmer, more humane Jack Vance. But as this is Silverberg and not Vance, there is also an embrace of sexuality (which I'm sure I was particularly absorbed by when first reading this at age 14); although here it is of a more outré nature - two that are alien/human, a third a menage with two brothers and a witch - it is so like later period Silverberg to make these scenes entirely sweet and friendly. I also appreciated the book's deeper exploration of the planet's aboriginals, their guerilla warfare against colonists and subsequent violent displacement, their understandably remote and vaguely threatening stance towards the people who have placed them within reservations.

Silverberg as a young man was a rebel with crazy ideas and a provocative way about him. He pushed boundaries and crossed borders and challenged norms with zeal and élan. Silverberg in his middle-late years has transformed into sensitive, well-traveled Uncle Robert, telling adult stories to younger folk that are full of both wonder and the life lessons needed to transition into adulthood. A kinder, gentler author but a no less enjoyable one. The prose has moved from challenging new wave to elegant old school. The novels remain just as absorbing and resonant. This is one of those books that really impacted me as a kid and helped to shape my own world view. "Fourteen, were you? I think that's what they told me. I've had you watched, you know. It was three or four years ago that they sent word to me that you had bluffed your way into the Register. Fourteen, pretending to be a scholar. I imagine you saw a great many things that boys of fourteen don't ordinarily see."