Best Selling Books by Samuel R. Delany

Celebrate classic novels of the New Wave era of sci-fi with this second collectable science fiction anthology from Library of America. Presenting 4 underrated science fiction classics from a tumultuous time in American history—including works by iconic Black author Samuel R. Delany and feminist Joanna Russ. In R. A. Lafferty’s utterly idiosyncratic and uncategorizable Past Master (1968), Renaissance philosopher Thomas More is summoned to Golden Astrobe in the year 2535: Can he save the planet’s troubled utopia from its soulless technological perfection and ensure the survival of the faith? Joanna Russ introduces one of SF’s first and most engaging female adventurers in her taut and edgy debut novel Picnic on Paradise (1968): the tough, sardonic, unforgettable Alyx, an ancient Phoenician mercenary teleported into the future to serve as guide and bodyguard for a band of stranded space tourists. The first African American writer to make a name for himself in the genre, Samuel R. Delany was hailed as “the best science-fiction writer in the world” on the basis of Nova (1968), a white-hot, fast-paced, protocyberpunk interstellar adventure featuring a misfit crew on a high-stakes quest. Stumbling on a mysterious ancient text among his father’s belongings, the son of a master woodcarver uncovers the key to revolutionary change in Jack Vance’s Emphyrio (1969), a marvel of craftsmanship and visionary world-building set on remote, feudal, theocratic Halma.

"Through 57 letters and documents from the year 1984, Samuel R. Delany offers portraits of millionaire parties, avant-garde artists, porno-house denizens, modern-day gurus, tax auditors, and the early years of AIDS in New York City."--P.[4] of cover.

In the fourth volume in the Why I Write series, the iconic Samuel Delany remembers fifty years of writing and shaping the world of speculative fiction “Delany’s prismatic output is among the most significant, immense and innovative in American letters.”—Jordy Rosenberg, New York Times "He dispenses wisdom about craft—including the demanding revision process his dyslexia requires—but most moving are the moments when he sheds light on connections he has made with other readers and writers. . . . Delany’s fans are in for a treat."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review Language is the way humans deal with past, present, and future possibilities, as well as the subset called the probable. This is where Samuel Delany finds his justification for the writing life. Since the 1960s, occurrences such as Sputnik, school desegregation, and the advent of AIDS have given Delany, as a gay man, as a black man, access to certain truths and facts he could write about, and the language—sometimes fiction, sometimes nonfiction—in which to present them. “We write,” Delany believes, “at the intersection of your experience and mine in a way, I hope, that allows recognition.”

In ferner Zukunft hat sich die menschliche Zivilisation in der ganzen Galaxis ausgebreitet. Dabei kommt es zum Kontakt mit Außerirdischen, die fremdartiger nicht sein könnten – und nicht alle sind den Menschen friedlich gesonnen. Einer der außerirdischen Spezies scheint es gelungen zu sein, ihre Sprache im interstellaren Krieg als Waffe einzusetzen. Rydra Wong, Linguistin, Dichterin und Telepathin, erhält den Auftrag, das Geheimnis dieser Sprache zu entschlüsseln. Gemeinsam mit einer Gruppe sternenfahrender Abenteurer unternimmt sie eine Reise ins Ungewisse ... Als Auftakte der Werkausgabe: Das erste der drei frühen Meisterwerke von Samuel R. Delany, ein intellektuelles Lesevergnügen ersten Ranges.

A, B, C: Three Short Novels contains the first three novels of Samuel R. Delany’s long and illustrious career. The Jewels of Aptor is a science-fantasy story about a seafaring quest that sets out to find powerful magic jewels on a mystical, forbidden island where unimaginable danger lies. The Ballad of Beta-2 is about a future academic searching for the true story behind an interstellar voyage, a journey over multiple generations that ended in tragedy. They Fly at Çiron is a fantasy about the clash between a marauding army and a peaceful village at the foot of a mountain from which a race of winged people oversees both sides. Presenting these three novels in this omnibus volume for the first time, along with a new foreword and afterword by the author, A, B, C showcases Delany’s masterful storytelling ability and deep devotion to his craft.

A four-volume "postmodern sword-and-sorcery" epic from a multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author (The Washington Post Book World). Tales of Nevèrÿon: After his parents are killed during a political coup, Gorgik is taken into captivity and forced to work the government obsidian mines in Nevèrÿon''s Faltha Mountains. Years later, he is sold to serve one of the royal families, and eventually the army. When he is finally free, he leads a rebellion against Nevèrÿon''s rulers to end the tyranny of slavery. Neveryóna: Or, The Tale of Signs and Cities: One of the few in Nevèrÿon who can read and write, Pryn escapes her village on the back of a dragon. On her journey across the civil war–torn land, Pryn has a fateful encounter with Gorgik the Liberator, whom she finds herself fighting beside in his war against slavery. Flight from Nevèrÿon: A smuggler, witness, and worshipper of Gorgik the Liberator follows his idol''s bloody trail on a quest to meet him. But a disease has ravaged Nevèrÿon. Men, rich and poor, are dying. The illness seems to have first come from the Bridge of Lost Desire, a hangout for male and female prostitutes, and is spreading fast. With no hope of recovery or cure, it will change Nevèrÿon''s sexual and political landscape forever. Return to Nevèrÿon: Slavery is outlawed and the land is finally free. At a deserted castle in the countryside, as Gorgik the Liberator regales a young barbarian about his deeds, he prepares to return to the mines where his own slavery began for one final battle.

In "The Jewels of Aptor," Samuel R. Delany weaves an intricate tapestry of science fiction and fantasy, exploring themes of identity, desire, and the human condition against a richly imagined backdrop. The novel melds a dual narrative structure with vivid descriptions and an innovative linguistic style, reflecting the author''s ability to transcend conventional genre boundaries. Delany''s work is set in a fantastical world filled with enigmatic artifacts and culturally diverse societies, serving as both an adventure tale and a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of reality and perception. Delany, an influential figure in speculative fiction, is known for pushing the limits of narrative form and exploring complex social themes, including race, sexuality, and language. His own experiences growing up in Harlem and encountering the richness of human diversity deeply inform his storytelling. These influences illuminate "The Jewels of Aptor," marking it as a significant work that examines the multiplicity of human experience through the lens of fantasy and speculative elements. This novel is recommended for readers interested in groundbreaking literature that combines adventure with thought-provoking themes. Delany''s masterful prose captivates while prompting introspection, making "The Jewels of Aptor" an essential read for those who appreciate innovative narratives in speculative fiction. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work''s timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era''s events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work''s messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Captives of the FlameBy Samuel R. Delany

Written by black, gay science-fiction writer, professor, and theorist Samuel R. Delany, and drawn by artist/martial arts instructor Mia Wolff, Bread & Wine is a graphic autobiography that flashes back to the unlikely story of how Delany befriend ed Dennis, and how they became an enduring couple―Delany, a professor at Philadelphia’s Temple University, Dennis, an intelligent man living on the streets. For casual readers and fans, Bread & Wine is a moving, sexually charged love story, with visuals informed by Wolff’s professional physical pursuits. Her black-and-white, pen-and-ink work not only expressionistically represents the characters’ “body language” and the bustling New York setting, but is also filled with impish art references and visual puns. The scholarly potential for the book, based on the poem “Bread and Wine” by the German lyric poet Friedrich Holderlin, not only encompasses queer, African-American, and graphic novel studies, but also exploration in the literary and paraliterary academic fields. This edition includes an introduction by Watchmen writer Alan Moore, commentary by the book’s protagonists, Delany and Dennis, and a new interview with Delany and Wolff.

The balance of galactic power in the 31st century revolves around Illyrion, the most precious energy source in the universe. The varied and exotic crew who sign up with Captain Lorq van Ray know their mission is dangerous, and they soon learn that they are involved in a deadly race with the charismatic but vicious leader of an opposing space federation. But they have no idea of Lorq''s secret obsession: to gather Illyrion at source by flying through the very heart of an imploding star.

"Originally published as by Edward P. Bradbury [in 1965 with the title Barbarians of Mars]."

Bread & Wine is Samuel R. Delany''s autobiographical graphic novel about how he met a homeless man, Dennis, who became his partner.

This 1979 American Book Award nominee contains five interlocked stories that tell of the slave Gorgik in a long-ago land, and a masked swordswoman narrates an astonishing feminist creation myth.