The Einstein Intersection by Samuel R. Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After this re-read, I have to say that this is one of the best novellas I've ever read. At least, it's within the top ten. It kept a space in my heart and mind for the last 30 years and I'm sure it'll keep a space there for thirty more. Assuming I live that long.

But being memorable is hardly a claim to true excellence. I could say it's an Orphic western featuring post-human aliens appropriating our culture, riding dragons like horses and living above ancient AI labyrinths. But that's just the spice to the tale. The core is very, very human, full of longing, then revenge, and a youthful quest to do the impossible. Or several impossibles.

And all the while, we, the reader, are balanced on a knife's edge between a deeply literal read and a full-blown metaphorical one. Or we could go the full mythological route, and this novella is full to the brim and overflowing with it.

Or we can read it simply as a fantastical adventure full of music, a psychic devil, and another knife's edge of surviving despite being "different".

No matter how one reads it, it's a rich, rich story and engaging on every level.

Should it be required reading in colleges? Yes! Should it have pride of place in your favorites bookcase? Yes!

Some things are just plain brilliant, and some things are emotionally fulfilling. And sometimes, we get both at once.



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