Title: Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand
Author: Samuel R. Delany
First published December 1, 1984
375 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780553251494 (ISBN10: 055325149X)
Rating: 3.84
Overview
Featuring the irresistible trio of pilots, Jake, Ethan, and Ryan, Jill Shalvis’s latest series is a thrilling mix of adventure and steamy romance. From soaring through the skies to exploring the depths of desire, these alpha males know how to bring the heat.
Taking Love to New Heights
As the black sheep of her family, Harper Collins has always marched to the beat of her own drum. When she lands a job at High Altitude Adventures, a luxury helicopter service, she knows she’s found her true calling.
But when a routine flight takes a dangerous turn, she finds herself stranded in the wilderness with her sexy, brooding co-pilot, Jake.
As they fight to survive in the unforgiving wilderness, Harper can’t deny the heat between them. But when they stumble upon a hidden stash of drugs, they find themselves on the run from a dangerous cartel.
With their lives on the line, Harper and Jake must rely on each other to stay alive, even as their passion threatens to consume them both.
For Harper, it’s the adventure of a lifetime. For Jake, it’s a chance to finally let go of his past and embrace the future.
But will their love be enough to help them survive the deadly game they’ve stumbled into?
About the Author
Samuel Ray Delany, also known as “Chip,” is a celebrated American author of science fiction. He was born on April 1, 1942, to a prominent black family and grew up in Harlem.
His mother, Margaret Carey Boyd Delany, worked as a library clerk in the New York Public Library system, and his father, Samuel Ray Delany, Senior, ran a successful Harlem undertaking establishment, Levy & Delany Funeral Home. Delany’s aunts were Sadie and Bessie Delany, and he used some of their experiences as inspiration for his characters in his book of mostly autobiographical stories.
Delany attended the Dalton School and the Bronx High School of Science, where he was selected for the Louis August Jonas Foundation’s international summer scholarship program, Camp Rising Sun. During high school, he met poet Marilyn Hacker, whom he later married in 1961.
They had a daughter named Iva Hacker-Delany, who worked in theater for ten years in New York City.
Delany began publishing science fiction at the young age of 20, and by 1968, he had written nine well-received sci-fi novels and numerous award-winning short stories. His most popular novel, , was published in 1975.
He spent much of the late 1970s and 1980s working on his series, which consisted of four volumes.
In addition to his science fiction work, Delany has published several autobiographical and semi-autobiographical accounts of his life as a black, gay, and dyslexic writer. He also worked as a professor at various universities, including the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the University at Buffalo, and Temple University, where he still teaches today.
Delany has also written several books of criticism, interviews, and essays. In his book, , he explores the relationship between Times Square’s redevelopment efforts and the public sex lives of working-class men, both gay and straight, in New York City.
In 2007, a documentary film about Delany’s life called was released and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Editoral Review
In the world of speculative fiction, Samuel R. Delanys Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand has established itself as a groundbreaking work.
Delany, a celebrated African-American author, is known for defying boundaries in his writing, and this 1984 novel is no exception. Presented as a space opera, the book pushes the limits of the genre and offers a thoughtful exploration of themes like gender, sexuality, power, and identity.
In Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand, Delany constructs a vast and complex universe, in which humans and aliens coexist and interact. The plot revolves around two protagonists: Rat Korga, a diplomat from the humanoid race of Velm, who travels to the planet of Rhyonon to retrieve information about a missing archive; and Marq Dyeth, a poet and philosopher of the Radiant, a non-gendered species, who is on a journey to rediscover their voice and ideas after suffering from a traumatic experience.
The novel features a multitude of other characters, including ambassadors, pirates, sex workers, and artists, whose paths intersect and influence each others destinies. The setting in Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand” is meticulously described, with vivid imagery, complex cultural backgrounds, and imaginative technologies.
Delany skillfully navigates the political and social tensions that arise in this diverse world, exploring the intricacies of relationships, power struggles, and cultural exchange. The authors philosophical bent is also evident in the novel, especially in the discussions about language, meaning, and creativity.
In terms of style, Delanys writing in Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand is rich, poetic, and intellectual. He challenges the reader to engage with complex ideas and concepts, and to question their assumptions about gender, sexuality, and culture.
The pacing of the novel is somewhat slow, as the author takes his time to build the world and the characters. However, the slow burn is worth it, as the novel reaches a satisfying conclusion that ties together the various threads of the story.
One of the strengths of Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand is its portrayal of gender and sexuality. Delanys use of non-gendered characters and his exploration of queer dynamics are groundbreaking for the time of its publication.
The novel also features a diverse cast of characters from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, which adds to its significance as a work by a Black author. However, some readers may find the books use of sex and violence as a means of world-building and storytelling problematic.
Overall, Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand is a challenging and thought-provoking work that will appeal to readers who enjoy science fiction that goes beyond the usual tropes and conventions. Though it can be dense at times, the novel rewards close reading and reflection.
It is a testament to Delanys talent that the book remains relevant and influential decades after its original publication.
In conclusion, Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand is an ambitious and innovative work that showcases the vision and talent of Samuel R.
Delany. It is recommended for readers who are looking for science fiction that pushes boundaries, engages with complex ideas, and challenges social norms.
I give it four out of five stars, based on its intellectual depth, its world-building, and its impact on the genre.
