Star of Eypsies
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Book Overview
From the author of the Majipoor Trilogy, this is Robert Silverberg's most ambitious work to date, set in the year 3500 and encompassing the entire history of the world--past, present, and future.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0917657926
ISBN13:9780917657924
Release Date:September 1986
Publisher:Dutton Books
Length:397 Pages
Weight:1.76 lbs.
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Of Gypsy King and Gypsy Kingdom...
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
I'm a pretty big fan of using a creative formula in presenting your character and his/her story. And I think that's one of the reasons I really enjoyed this novel. The first two-thirds is comprised of flashbacks interspersed with present action. It's a beautiful way to reveal a character as well as show how he/she has matured and changed through the years. I also found it neat that the main character was actually in his later years, because I feel like almost every sci-fi book I open has a young dashing hero or heroine (not all, of course, but far too many). Silverberg's pacing, characterization, and vision - as always - are amazing and complex, and he's woven quite an entrancing story here. I was hooked shortly after I opened it. This is quite a beautifully complex and thorough "what if", and I loved every minute of it. So yeah, all you science fiction buffs out there, grab a copy and sit down to be enthralled. Silverberg weaves a beautiful web, and this is one gypsy spider you'll not want to miss.
All Flame from Tip to Tip
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Here Robert Silverberg utilizes a milieu that is surprisingly creative and effective for a mainstream sci-fi novel. The Gypsies (or Rom, their self-given name) are elevated from a persecuted minority in the present world, to the most influential leaders of a future in which humans have spread across the galaxy. They are not just nomads on Earth, but have wandered throughout the Milky Way in a quest to return to their original home in another solar system. Silverberg makes outstanding use of Gypsy folklore here, as well as their view of the world and their place in the human scheme of things. If Silverberg isn't a Gypsy himself, he sure has made himself familiar with their worldview. The book centers on the future King of the Rom, Yakoub, and his travails as he tries to get his widely scattered people back on track, and lead them to the promised land (planet). Yakoub might also have to use his influence and leadership to save all of humanity from the dark ages. This novel seems pretty understated and mellow on the surface. But Silverberg has created a very poignant and perceptive treatise on the power of mythology, ethnicity, leadership, and humanity. [~doomsdayer520~]
An exquisite masterpiece
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
I've been delighted by this unusual book of the great Robert Silverberg. A persecuted minority, the Gypsies, is used in this fictional tale, to show rhe folly and cruelty of those who despise human diversity. Here is a fantastic apologue on human potential, inventiveness and potential, both for greatness and utter stupidity, the latter represented in the three pretenders on the Imperial crown. These grave matters are narrated in a very witty, brillant style, where Silverberg's humorous persona is at its best. Yakoub is a magnificent trickster, ironic, rckless, self-centered and caring for friends and his people at the same time: you'll love him, and his friends, Julien, Polarca, Damiano. Other than that, you have a grand panorama of a Universe, planets unspeakably horrid as Trinigalee Chase and Alta Hannalanna, and beautiful planets like Xinamu and sthange Mulianu. an influence of Douglas Adam's Hitch-hiker's Guide cannot be excluded. A magnificent work, Silverberg at his best!
Brilliant Tour de Force from Sci-Fi's Brightest Star
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
If any of Robert Silverberg's many fabulously colorful, brilliantly conceived, and intoxicating addictive novels would make a fabulous movie, Star of the Gypsies would. In fact, if I knew how to write screenplays, I'd write one for this gem. The story? Where to begin? Complex, rich, juicy--becoming raucous good fun. I fell in love with the Gypsy King and the huge universe of the future in which he lives. Love, love, LOVE this book. Think I'll read it again!
Really good...
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Silverberg is very inconsistent and I can't say I like any of his latest books, such as "Starborne" or "A Hot Sky at Midnight". Luckily, "Star of Gypsies" appears to be one of his earlier works, and it is quite good. Not quite like "Lord Valentine's Castle", but still great. Adventures of Yakoub, the King of Gypsies, and the worlds they take him to are varied and wondrous, and Yakoub himself is quite a character. This is definitely a book worth reading!
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