Literary agent Nathan Bransford is always coming up with something interesting to post. The other day it was one that sounds old but was new to me: If you could live in the world of one novel, which would you choose? I’d choose the space opera world of Alex Benedict and Chase Kolpath, as created by SciFi author Jack McDevitt. Actually there are four novels. Any one of them would do fine.
I’ve read all four. Began with Polaris and then its wonderful sequel Seeker, only to discover that I missed the first one A Talent for War. So I read and enjoyed it, too, before finishing the fourth, The Devil’s Eye. Now it seems there will be a fifth one, Echo, this fall. Their world, in which there is so little crime the police are happy to get a new case, seems ideal. Their planet, Rimway, is in a galaxy far, far away, in the arm of Orion–my favorite constellation.
Not everyone gets to travel by starship like Alex and Chase do, but the opportunity is there. Just flitting about in gravity-free skimmers would be pleasant enough. (Although I do wish they would realize that someone is always tampering with theirs and plan accordingly.) Also having one’s personal AI, linked in to the galaxy-wide net to help research anything by voice or avatar. But what I like most is the way McDevitt writes. Conversationally. I flow along with the story, happily ensconced in the moment, not entirely concerned about where events are going. Just enjoying the ride and hoping it never ends.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 