Very interesting and thought-provoking. I am enjoying your Philosophical Novels series! I haven't read any of Olaf Stapledon's books, but you have really piqued my interest! 👍
@@michaelbartlettfilm Four of Olaf Stapledon's books are available on Audible (Star Maker, Last and First Men, Sirius, and Odd John). I have some credits accumulated, so I just now used one of them to get Sirius. After I listen to it, maybe I'll get others.
Very interesting and informed commentary on books (not just the highlighted 'Last Men in London') that were unfamiliar to me. Stapledon, none of whose works I have yet read, seems exemplary as a promoter of science fiction as vehicle for philosophy, a trait he shares with Stanisław Lem (the author of the previous work in your series), and this function has been argued to be the genre's highest calling. From their synopses alone, Stapledon's fictions certainly come across as some of the most ambitious efforts in an arena that still is undervalued in some quarters for literary merit, a prejudice I imagine was even stronger in Stapledon's time.
Stapledon had some curious fans in his time, like Virginia Woolf, though I don't suppose he was ever really "famous". You're right, science-fiction was undervalued then, as it is now (though HG Wells did all right out of it!)
I considered reading Søren Kierkegaard one time. But just couldn't bring myself to step off! 😉. Ludwig Wittgenstein (realise I am going astray here talking about actual practictioners rather thatn Novelists. Sorry. if I dont say something I clam up) really freaks me out. I can't understand why I don't have much of a capacity to understand Tractatus... There is no maths in it that I can blame. Just statements. But can't get anywhere and lose my temper every time
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This is brilliant. I've dismissed Stapledon as naive, didactic and mystical, but you've persuaded me to look closer. Love the book videos btw.
Thanks, Alistair! Star Maker and Sirius are perhaps the best place to start with Stapledon.
Very interesting and thought-provoking. I am enjoying your Philosophical Novels series! I haven't read any of Olaf Stapledon's books, but you have really piqued my interest! 👍
Thanks, Julie! Sirius is a good place to start, I think.
@@michaelbartlettfilm Four of Olaf Stapledon's books are available on Audible (Star Maker, Last and First Men, Sirius, and Odd John). I have some credits accumulated, so I just now used one of them to get Sirius. After I listen to it, maybe I'll get others.
@@julieborel3043 All four are good!
Very interesting and informed commentary on books (not just the highlighted 'Last Men in London') that were unfamiliar to me. Stapledon, none of whose works I have yet read, seems exemplary as a promoter of science fiction as vehicle for philosophy, a trait he shares with Stanisław Lem (the author of the previous work in your series), and this function has been argued to be the genre's highest calling. From their synopses alone, Stapledon's fictions certainly come across as some of the most ambitious efforts in an arena that still is undervalued in some quarters for literary merit, a prejudice I imagine was even stronger in Stapledon's time.
Stapledon had some curious fans in his time, like Virginia Woolf, though I don't suppose he was ever really "famous". You're right, science-fiction was undervalued then, as it is now (though HG Wells did all right out of it!)
I considered reading Søren Kierkegaard one time. But just couldn't bring myself to step off! 😉. Ludwig Wittgenstein (realise I am going astray here talking about actual practictioners rather thatn Novelists. Sorry. if I dont say something I clam up) really freaks me out. I can't understand why I don't have much of a capacity to understand Tractatus... There is no maths in it that I can blame. Just statements. But can't get anywhere and lose my temper every time
That's not good. Try Hume on religion or Sartre's Nausea. They're more fun! Well, philosophically speaking...
Just went book shopping today! What poor timing
Oh, go on, room for one more book surely?