Title: Dhalgren
Author: Samuel R. Delany
First published January 1, 1975
836 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.77
Overview
A city in turmoil. Bellona is a place where time and space are distorted, where the sky is unpredictable and buildings appear and disappear in the blink of an eye.
The city has been abandoned by most, but for some, it’s a place of refuge. Among them is the Kid, a man of mixed heritage who has lost his memory.
As he navigates the chaotic streets of Bellona, he encounters a cast of characters who are equally lost and searching for meaning in a world that has left them behind. Dhalgren is a haunting tale of the marginalized, the forgotten, and the outcast in a world that has been turned upside down.
About the Author
Samuel Ray Delany, who goes by the nickname “Chip,” is an accomplished American science fiction author. He was born into a prominent black family on April 1, 1942, and grew up in Harlem.
His mother, Margaret Carey Boyd Delany, worked as a library clerk in the New York Public Library system, while his father, Samuel Ray Delany, Senior, ran a successful funeral home in Harlem. Delany’s aunts, Sadie and Bessie Delany, inspired the characters Elsie and Corry in the opening novella of his book.
Delany attended the Dalton School and the Bronx High School of Science. During high school, he was selected to attend Camp Rising Sun, an international summer scholarship program.
It was there that he met poet Marilyn Hacker, whom he later married in 1961. Their marriage lasted for nineteen years, and they had a daughter together.
Delany was already a published science fiction author by the age of 20, with nine novels and several prize-winning short stories under his belt. His most popular novel, , was published in 1975.
He also wrote a four-volume series and several autobiographical/semi-autobiographical accounts of his life as a black, gay, and dyslexic writer. His autobiography, , won the Hugo award.
Since 1988, Delany has been a professor at various universities. He has taught comparative literature, English, and has had several visiting positions.
He has also published several books of criticism, interviews, and essays. In one of his non-fiction books, , he explores the relationship between the redevelopment of Times Square and the public sex lives of working-class men in New York City.
In 2007, Delany was the subject of a documentary film, . It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Editoral Review
“Dhalgren” by Samuel R. Delany is a science fiction novel that was first published on January 1, 1975.
The novel is a challenging, complex, and experimental work that has been praised by many as a masterpiece of the genre. Samuel R.
Delany is a prominent science fiction writer and critic who has won numerous awards for his work, including the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award. He is known for his groundbreaking and provocative writing, which often explores themes of sexuality, race, and identity.
The novel is set in a futuristic city called Bellona, which has been devastated by an unexplained catastrophe. The city is in chaos, and the few remaining inhabitants are struggling to survive in a world that is constantly shifting and changing.
The protagonist of the novel is a young poet named Kid, who is trying to make sense of his surroundings and find his place in the world. Along the way, he meets a variety of characters, including a group of bikers, a mysterious woman named Lanya, and a scientist named Tak.
The novel is a dense and challenging work that requires a great deal of patience and attention from the reader. The narrative is nonlinear and fragmented, with scenes and events that are repeated and reinterpreted throughout the novel.
The language is dense and poetic, with Delany often using unconventional grammar and syntax to create a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere.
Despite its challenges, “Dhalgren” is a rewarding and thought-provoking novel that has been widely praised for its originality and ambition. The novel is a meditation on the nature of identity, reality, and perception, and it raises important questions about the role of the artist in society.
Delany’s prose is masterful, and he creates a vivid and immersive world that is both unsettling and beautiful.
However, “Dhalgren” is not without its flaws. The novel’s nonlinear structure can be confusing and disorienting, and some readers may find the book’s experimental style off-putting.
Additionally, the novel’s treatment of gender and sexuality has been criticized for being outdated and problematic.
Overall, “Dhalgren” is a challenging and rewarding work that is sure to appeal to fans of experimental and thought-provoking science fiction. The novel’s themes and ideas are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published, and Delany’s prose is as powerful and evocative as ever.
While the novel may not be for everyone, those who are willing to put in the effort will be richly rewarded. I give “Dhalgren” a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
