Dhalgren, by Samuel R. Delany: ***1/2

This book is shelved in the science-fiction section, I guess by default because Delany had been a hard-core sci-fi writer before this book, winning the Hugo and Nebula. And I suppose there are some unexplained phenomena that might be classified as sci-fi, but the book is really not about that stuff at all. Someone that picks this up thinking they're going to get spaceships and far-out concepts is going to be very disappointed. Me, I found it fantastic, masterfully addressing issues of race, sexuality, and class unlike any other book I've read. These issues are brought up with healthy candor, but not in any sort of explanatory or preachy sense. Characters live these experiences, and act in such genuine fashion that the multiple points of view he presents make sense on their own.

The book also focuses a lot of attention on the creative impetus, once again presenting different reasonings and motivations about and in regards to art, whether poetry, music, or painting. From varying perspectives, the book looks at the need or lack of need for an audience, the ongoing nature of creativity, and the ability and need to critique art, especially the avant-garde. Really, there's not much wrong with this book - it's got a great formal trajectory, interesting developments, fantastic ideas, and rich characters. I think I would have liked it a little better if the language was a bit richer, but I'm just being picky. And besides, Delany clearly has the skills to write with whatever language he wants, as he proves regularly throughout the book. But the book also became slightly slow for me about 2/3 of the way through, and that is my one other complaint. But this is really an essential read, just tremendously interesting ideas and arguments.

pg. 164: "I wonder sometimes if the purpose of the artistic community isn't to provide a concerned social matrix which simultaneously assures that no member, regardless of honors or approbation, has the slightest idea of the worth of his own work."
(summer 2002)

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