What do You think about Majipoor Chronicles (1996)?
Robert Silverberg's Majipoor Chronicles is a splended book of short stories. They are connected by the activities of Hissune, a young government functionary in the Pontifex's Labyrinth. Hissune views different soul-recordings of different characters throughout the planet Majipoor's history, little knowing how much it adds to his education, which has a higher purpose in the series beginning with Lord Valentine's Castle. I loved this book more than Lord Valentine's Castle, because it fleshed out Majipoor as a world so much more vividly. Each story had an emotional impact on me - I first read this book about 20 years ago and still remember certain stories quite well. Majipoor is an important character in itself.This is one of those books I would gladly read over and over again. I highly recommend it, but read it only after you've read Lord Valentine's Castle.
—Mona
I was a bit hesitant to jump into the middle of Robert Silverberg’s Majipoor series, but Majipoor Chronicles made the perfect landing spot and I liked it a lot. Akin to Arabian Nights, it is a set of short stories that are linked together by the novel’s plot so it’s also a good stand-alone. As Hissune discovers the planet-world’s history spanning thousands of years and its diverse lands and people so does the reader.14-year old Hissune is a clerk in the House of Records located in the Labyrinth. Feeling forgotten by Coronal Valentine, who had given him the position, and trapped in his subterranean station, Hissune seeks consolation by forging his way into the Register of Souls. With the push of a button he is free to explore the memories and "the minds of folk long dead, explorers, pioneers, warriors", and even Majipoor’s leading officials.The sci-fi/fantasy series is set in the distant future when Old Earth is no longer inhabitable due to overpopulation, crime, and other forms of destruction. Human colonists have since settled on the large planet-world of Majipoor, fighting with the aboriginal Metamorphs and forcing them onto reservations. Along with tension between the natives, other alien races have also come to settle. Majipoor is neither a utopia nor a dystopia. Aside from the theiving guild, crime of any kind is practically non-existant. The government is unique in that the man assuming the position of Coronal is chosen by the Pontifex. When the Pontifex passes away, the Coronal takes up the role of Pontifex, chooses a new Coronal, and moves from his mountain castle down into the inner depths of the Labyrinth, where he remains until his passing. It’s a duty that is occasionally seen as a prison sentence.I look forward to reading the rest of the series and more by Silverberg. Having written since the fifties there’s a long list to choose from.
—Misha
Le titre peut le laisser présager, les chroniques sont assez loin de la trame très linéaire du chateau de lord Valentin, et c'est tant mieux. En effet, les différentes expériences qui sont proposées permettent de mieux saisir la réalité de l'existence sur cette immense planète, où les continents ont la taille de mondes. Et dans ce roman, foisonnant et complexe, on se perd comme les habitants de Majipoor peuvent se perdre des années durant. Et surtout, on rêve : que ce soit aux côtés du peintre d'âmes amoureux d'un métamorphe, de la voleuse de Ni-Moya ou des autres, un monde fascinant, et nettement plus intéressant que le décor du premier tome, nous est proposé. Il n'est pas une facette de Majipoor qui ne puisse se cacher de nos yeux : des pouvoirs du roi des rêves à la formidable diversité des environnements, nous survolons tout, et nous plongeons à chaque fois avec délice dans des vies plus diverses que tout ce qu'on pourrait supposer d'un premier abord. En bref, et bien que le style soit facile, j'ai été tout à fait séduit par ce roman-mosaïque (il fallait bien le claquer quelque part, celui-là, d'autant plus que c'est très exactement l'effet produit). Un seul reproche, cependant : l'absence marquante des non-humains. J'aurais adoré me plonger dans la tête d'un vroon, d'un skandar ou de quelque autre créature extraterrestre.
—Nicolas
