After a decade of silence, the wonderful science fiction and fantasy author Joan D. Vinge has returned to the publishing world with her novelization of the new movie Cowboys and Aliens. Now before you cringe at the thought of a movie novelization, read on!
Vinge, though she has authored almost 20 different books, is probably best known for her classic, award-winning epic novel The Snow Queen, which has few rivals for sheer imagination and emotional impact. Sadly, a tragic car accident nine years ago left Vinge unable to write. Her life and career were thrown into turmoil. Cowboys and Aliens is not only the triumphant return of Vinge, it is an exciting new chapter in her career, and a rousing adventure in its own right.
Cowboys and Aliens is a very unique mixture of sci-fi, horror, western and suspense, all held together with Vinge’s deft hand and mastery of language and pacing. What surprised me most about the book was the frank and touching exploration of loss and identity; the distance between the body and the mind, and how catastrophic events can alter someone forever. It feels almost voyeuristic to read Vinge work through her own experiences and personal demons through the characters and story of Cowboys and Aliens. Such an odd notion that a science fiction novelization about a Hollywood movie would produce such a personal and powerful story, but there is no arguing the catharsis and honesty Vinge displays.
So while I can’t vouch for the film, having not seen it, I will say that if you are looking for a great summer read full of action, adventure and a surprising amount of honest emotion, now is the time to put a hold on this gem. You can read more about the process and ideas behind this book from the author’s blog post at Tor.com.
Oh, and welcome back, Ms. Vinge. Your presence has been sorely missed.
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