Strokes: Essays and Reviews 1966-1986

Strokes: Essays and Reviews 1966-1986 is a collection of critical writings by science fiction scholar and reviewer John Clute. The essays and reviews were published across multiple outlets during a transformative period in science fiction literature. The collection covers works by major authors including Philip K. Dick, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Samuel R. Delany. Clute examines both individual novels and broader trends in the science fiction genre during these two decades. The reviews combine close textual analysis with cultural context, tracking how science fiction evolved alongside societal changes. Clute's commentary spans the transition from New Wave experimentation to the emergence of cyberpunk. The essays reveal patterns in how science fiction grappled with technological advancement, consciousness, and human identity during a period of rapid change. Through his critical lens, Clute maps the genre's ongoing dialogue between speculation and contemporary reality.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of John Clute's overall work: Readers consistently note Clute's dense, complex writing style and deep analytical approach. His encyclopedic works serve as key reference sources for SF/F research and criticism. What readers liked: - Unmatched depth of genre knowledge - Original critical frameworks and terminology - Precise, detailed analysis - "His reviews cut through hype to reveal what makes stories work" - Amazon reviewer - The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction receives frequent praise for comprehensiveness What readers disliked: - Writing style described as "impenetrable" and "unnecessarily complex" - Heavy use of specialized terminology - Perceived academic elitism - "Sometimes feels like he's writing to show off rather than inform" - Goodreads review - Fiction work Appleseed criticized for prioritizing ideas over plot Ratings: - Encyclopedia of Science Fiction: 4.6/5 on Goodreads (219 ratings) - Appleseed: 3.3/5 on Goodreads (146 ratings), 3.5/5 on Amazon (12 ratings) - Look at the Evidence: 4.1/5 on Goodreads (23 ratings) - Scores: 3.9/5 on Goodreads (17 ratings)

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🔷 John Clute, who wrote this collection of essays, is one of science fiction's most respected critics and co-edited The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, which won a Hugo Award in 1994. 🔷 The essays in Strokes span two decades of significant change in science fiction literature, covering the emergence of cyberpunk and the evolution of New Wave science fiction. 🔷 The book's title "Strokes" refers to both the act of writing (brush strokes) and the forceful critical analysis Clute applies to the works he reviews. 🔷 Many of the reviews in this collection first appeared in publications like The Washington Post, New Scientist, and Foundation: The Review of Science Fiction. 🔷 Clute developed his distinctive reviewing style, known for its complex vocabulary and dense prose, during this period, leading some readers to coin the term "Clutean" to describe his unique approach to criticism.