Ian Watson

A quarter of a year ago I set out, belatedly, to fill in some of the gaps of my lamentably spotty Ian Watson reading. Below are links to the reviews I wrote as a result; but before I go any further I should note one thing. I searched charity shops, second-hand book emporia and (of course) online vendors to locate these old, out-of-print Watson novels. But before very long the launch of the excellent-sounding SF Gateway from Gollancz will render such hit-and-miss scrabbling around redundant. Once it's up and running you'll be able to download the entire Watson backlist, as well as the entire backlist of a range of other classic SF authors. (Full disclosure: Gollancz are my publisher, of course, but I get no commission for plugging the SF Gateway, nor am I one of the authors honoured with inclusion -- I just think it's a really, really good idea).   I can't think of a writer of SF more deserving of rediscovery than Watson; and if I were you I'd hoover up his backlist as soon as you get the chance. So here are the links:

The Embedding (1973)

The Martian Inca (1977)

Alien Embassy (1977)

The Very Slow Time Machine (1979)

Miracle Visitors (1978)

The Gardens of Delight (1980)

Slow Birds (1987)

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor (1990)

I shall add more as-and-when. You know what 'as-and-when' means, of course. It's a time-traveller's phrase; and it means that I may be [clears throat] very slow.