Out on Blue Six (novel)
![]() First edition paperback cover | |
Author | Ian McDonald |
---|---|
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Science fiction |
Publisher | Spectra |
Publication date | April 1, 1989 |
Media type | Print (Paperback) |
Pages | 320 |
ISBN | 978-0-553-27763-0 |
Out on Blue Six is a 1989 science fiction novel by the British writer Ian McDonald,[1][2] his third novel.[3] The plot describes the adventures of groups of outcasts and "pain criminals" in the Compassionate Society, a civilization in which all forms of pain and unhappiness have been made illegal.
Critical reception
The book is known for its cult following.[4] Author Cory Doctorow (who wrote the forward to the 2014 reprint) described the book as "a 16-car pileup in Dr Seuss country, where the colliding zithermobiles are piloted by William Gibson's console cowboys and Mad Magazine caricatures".[5] Kat Hooper, described the book as "Really bizarre".[6]
Ian McDonald dislikes the book and has stated "I wish I hadn't written the damn thing" and that "[the book is] too forced, it tries to hard, everything is too artificial".[7]
British radio DJ Mark Radcliffe named his 1991 radio show after this book.
References
- ↑ "Out on Blue Six". goodreads.com.
- ↑ "Out on Blue Six". Worlds Without End.
- ↑ "Ian McDonald: Books".
- ↑ Jesse (2014-01-03). "Review of Out on Blue Six by Ian McDonald". Speculative Fiction.
- ↑ Cory Doctorow (2014-01-20). "Out on Blue Six: Ian McDonald's brilliant novel is back". Boing Boing.
- ↑ Kat Hooper (2014-09-16). "Out on Blue Six: Really bizarre". Fantasy Literature.
- ↑ "Interview with Ian McDonald". Linköpings Science Fiction-Förening.