Over at The Guardian, Sam Jordison’s exploration of past Hugo winners has struck gold. Well he has just been reading The Man in the High Castle, which is a favorite book of mine as well.
Sam expresses confusion as to why the “book-within-a-book” is titled The Grasshopper Lies Heavy. I admit to not having a clue myself, but I did find some speculation. Warning: trying to work out what Phil Dick was thinking is like trying to drink from a whirlpool.
And one other thing: check out the comments. I do believe that “dergus” is complaining that Sam’s post is too SerCon for a blog. I am greatly amused.
Update: Here’s my own review of the book (from the pre-Ann days when I had horrible typos in Emerald City).
It’s a long long time since I read TMITHC but I must say I didn’t see any reference among the linked speculators to the fable of the grasshopper and the ants, which I’m sure has drawn some obvious comparisons to various political systems.
If I had the energy and time for a re-read, I might even try to draw a dotted line to Dowland’s song “Come heavy sleep”, or Keats’ “On The Grasshopper And Cricket”.
Thanks for the link Cheryl! Would you mind posting that link on the blog too? That’s really interesting… I’d put it up there myself, but I spent so long gassing about “dergus” that I’m embarrassed to revisit the scene too quickly!
Meanwhile, glad you like TMIAHC too… Although I’d have been surprised if you didn’t.
Sam:
Done. And thanks once again for all the good publicity for the Hugos.
Thanks! Glad you put a plug in for your blog too…
Will join the fray over there again shortly… I always enjoy the debate the Hugo blogs bring up… so it’s my pleasure!