Dying Inside

Robert Silverberg
Dying Inside Cover

Dying Inside -- Good SF, challenging read

Tar Daddoo
12/16/2014
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What is the Science Fiction Premise?

Dying Inside takes place in a contemporary setting (1970s New York City). There are no space ships, aliens, or time travelers. We follow one man, David Selig, whose ability to read other people's minds is fading.

Is the science of the premise explored?

The story is told from Selig's point of view and he does not understand the theory behind his capability. He became aware of his ability at a young age and assumes it was part of his genetic endowment. Since no one else has this gift, he has learned to keep quiet about it. Much of the story is spent revealing the nature and limits of his skill. During the height of his abilities, the major constraints are proximity -- he has to be fairly close -- and isolating one mind from among many.

Is the impact of the premise on an individual explored?

The whole point of Dying Inside is to examine how the ability to read minds has affected Selig. The author provides a very intimate look at Selig's life and thinking. It is not always a pleasant portrayal. We are drawn to see Selig's ability as both a gift and a curse. Even he sees it that way, which makes the prospect of losing it bitter-sweet.

Is the impact of the premise on society explored?

Dying Inside portrays the ability to read minds as extremely rare. The novel is interested in David, not how society might change if people only knew.

How well written is the story?

The book is well-written and relatively easy to read. There is rather a lot of sex and talk of sex, but it did not feel gratuitous.

The two most difficult aspects of the story for me were the abundance of literary references and the rather depressing mood throughout the story. Neither of these is inappropriate; David is far more literate than I and is not a happy man. These things just made the reading a bit more of a slog.

Can I recommend the book?

Dying Inside is a difficult book to recommend for everyone. It is not an easy story to read. David is not altogether likable. There is no grand adventure. If you read this novel to be entertained, you are likely to be disappointed.

Nevertheless, as Science Fiction, Dying Inside is top notch. There is a clear premise, which is doggedly pursued to its eventual and unblinking conclusion. The Science Fiction is all the better because the author resists the temptation to include the usual trappings of SF just to hold our attention. David is a real person -- someone we might know -- who makes everyday choices based on what he knows about himself and others. He just grows up knowing much more than most of us.

Tar Daddoo

http://TarDaddoo.com