DEAN R. KOONTZ – The Fall of the Dream Machine. Ace Double 22600, paperback unique; 1st printing, 1969. Printed back-to-back with The Star Venturers, by Kenneth Bulmer (evaluation of which to be posted quickly). Cowl artwork by Jack Gaughan. By no means reprinted in English.
McLuhan’s theories are made actual in a future the place Present dominates, a couple of actors and actresses appearing out their feelings for an viewers who can really feel them via electrical wizardry. The domination of Present extends past mere communication, nevertheless, for the reason that financial system of the nation is already beneath Present’s energy, and it’s not troublesome to see that full political management is subsequent.
This revolution of media, Present having taken over the operate of tv, which has disappeared, together with books and flicks, is spawning one other revolution, one devoted to bringing again the previous. Is that potential? The books ends with the victors watching a film made by twentieth Century Fox, symbolizing their try to take action. It might be potential.
Revolution is commonly bloody, as Koontz vividly reminds us, and I’ve no quarrel with the violence what occurs. The emphasis shocks, and one doesn’t prefer it, however it might need to be this manner. And in a participatory authorities, the place the leaders truly lead, the concept happens that violence which is then formally sanctioned is by golly going to be required.
I’m not personally satisfied that the disappearance of books, specifically, goes to happen that quick, with out extra of a battle, or certainly that this world Koontz envisions may truly exist. The issue with direct communication of ideas and feelings in drama is that science fiction, with its ideas of the as-yet unimaginable, couldn’t exist. And such concepts and ideas die onerous.
Naturally, I’m a romanticist, as are the story’s new revolutionaries. See web page 31: “… gathering previous books which he couldn’t learn, previous motion pictures which he may nut view…” And romanticists will delight on this guide.
Mike’s doubts of his love (web page 43) are efficient; his seek for the revolutionaries motives (web page 47) shouldn’t be. Present has existed for 200 years, and but solely now could be Director Cockley’s energy rising so harmful. Nit. I didn’t learn this very quick. Concepts have been being woke up proper and left.
Score: ****½
— February 1969.
