Way Station | Litsy

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

A few questions about the book for those who have thoughts!

Q3: While clearly a product of the Cold War, the book ends on a hopeful note for humankind. This differs in its positive outlook from some other books from the same era. Did you find this a realistic outcome?

#ClassicLSFBC

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CatLass007 It‘s good to have at least a few optimistic writers from that time period. 1d

RamsFan1963 Considering that Enoch had already been alive for the American Civil War, WWI and WWII, his optimism about mankind's future tempered by his realistic belief that man was headed for the war that would end civilization. It gave him an edge of desperation, for only by joining the galactic fraternity did he see mankind's salvation. 1d

Ruthiella @CatLass007 It is, isn‘t it! So many seem so pessimistic about the future. 1d

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Ruthiella @RamsFan1963 True! The book doesn‘t mention the two world wars (that I recall) but of course Enoch would have been aware of them. This book reminded me a lot of Gene Roddenberry‘s positive view of the future and humankind‘s place in it. 1d

CatLass007 @Ruthiella @RamsFan1963 I was thinking the same thing about Gene Roddenberry. It‘s sad that networks, syndication companies, producers of later seasons of TNG and every other spinoff series and movie have not had that same sense of optimism. Of course, I don‘t think I do either. I enjoyed Way Station tremendously and loved the optimism. But I‘m not sure I could find the same sense of optimism in myself. 1d

RamsFan1963 @Ruthiella @CatLass007 In a lot of ways, I saw the Galactic Council as a precursor to ST Federation. Less military in nature than Starfleet & the Federation, the Council was still a diverse group of planets and civilizations that banded together for the common good of all. Enoch wanted that for humans, to become something better, transcending our uglier nature to join a brotherhood in the stars. 1d

CatLass007 @RamsFan1963 @Ruthiella I actually prefer the Galactic Council idea because it isn‘t military in nature. 1d

KathyWheeler I want to believe that the optimistic outlook is rooted in reality, but I‘m afraid it probably isn‘t. We can‘t seem to stop fighting each other or oppressing those we view as less than. 1d

rwmg I remember reading a lot of SF dating back to that period during the 1970s and yes, the overall feel was optimistic, that problems would be overcome. It's something I miss nowadays when SF mainly seems to consist of dystopias. 1d

Ruthiella @KathyWheeler I feel like the CIA guy was far more acquiescing than an actual government official would be when confronted with aliens. 👽 But it was nice to read something with a hopeful note. 1d

Ruthiella @rwmg I‘ve certainly read less SF than you but a some of what I have encountered written in the first half of the 20th century has been quite pessimistic and dark, like

A Canticle for Leibowitz

KathyWheeler @Ruthiella Yes! I completely agree about the CIA guy. 1d

rwmg @Ruthiella I didn't find Canticle pessimistic - in the book's own terms, the Church is a positive civilisation-preserving influence which will continue. One may or may not agree with that view of the Church, but I think that is what the book is saying. 1d

Ruthiella It wasn‘t the continued influence of the Church that I found pessimistic in Canticle, it was the fact that humans kept blowing themselves up. 1d

TheSpineView While I liked the optimism of the book; unfortunately, I don't have much faith in humans. In my opinion, I thought it was a bit unrealistic. 21h

Ruthiella @TheSpineView This is why, at least in part, why I read! To give me hope, even if it‘s fictional. 21h

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I‘m a naively optimistic person, so even when things in books or real life seem absolutely dire, I have hope. I‘m actually currently reading Canticle and yes, it‘s much darker and seems very hopeless, but there are still people living their lives, following their passions, despite the past destruction and the new looming one. To me, SF always has that glimmer of hope. Maybe we won‘t continue as is, but something/someone will always find a way. 18h

Ruthiella @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm That‘s a much nicer reading of Canticle than I had. And you are right actually about the long view, I think. What seems dire to me in my short lifetime looks very different on a scale of centuries or even millennia. 17h

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella Well, I haven‘t finished it yet, so maybe my thoughts won‘t be so sunshiney once it‘s all said and done. 😅 16h

kwmg40 I did like the more optimistic tone. It's not just that humankind has a chance of survival, despite its doing the utmost to sabotage that, but there are also wiser, more intelligent beings out there. TBH, it's kind of scary and depressing to think that we humans might be the smartest people in the universe! 😂 13h

Ruthiella @kwmg40 True that! We need some Vulcans to set us straight! 🖖 11h

38 likes22 comments

Ruthiella

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

A few questions about the book for those who have thoughts!

Q2: What did you think about Enoch‘s “relationship” with David and/or Mary? I was hoping Mary might somehow manifest and become his companion - alleviate his loneliness. 🤞

#ClassicLSFBC

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wanderinglynn I think Simak was telling a subtle story about the tension between growth and belonging through the theme of loneliness. One the one hand, his interactions with the aliens are diverse, challenging, and often baffling. On the other, his interactions with humanity and his home environment are supportive but largely unchanging, 1d

Ruthiella @wanderinglynn Yes, I really felt his isolation and need to have companionship of some kind. That was one of the more bittersweet aspects of the story. 1d

CatLass007 @wanderinglynn @Ruthiella I guess I didn‘t see the isolation. That‘s interesting. It felt more like solitude to me. I enjoy my solitude. I guess I don‘t necessarily equate being alone with being lonely. But he wouldn‘t have created Mary and David if he weren‘t lonely, would he? Or was it because he wanted companions from his own time? 1d

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Ruthiella @CatLass007 I think he did want the companionship of someone from his youth , who knew and understood the world he grew up in and that‘s why he created Mary and David. 1d

wanderinglynn @CatLass007 I agree with @Ruthiella – I think it was a combination of being out of time and being stuck in between two worlds. My grandfather who was born in 1912, before he died in 2005, used to say that it wasn‘t his world. (edited) 1d

TheSpineView I did get the sense he was lonely. I did wish he had found a partner to share his life with. 21h

Ruthiella @wanderinglynn Good point. Technology and culture change so fast just in reality, never mind adding in an alien way station. 21h

Ruthiella @TheSpineView I was kind of hoping either Mary would come to life somehow or that Lucy would become his companion. He only had his journals to express himself. 21h

TheSpineView @Ruthiella My vote was for Lucy. 21h

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I think it was very much akin to when we make up imaginary friends as children. They can be there for us only for so long. Then we have to face reality. I thought it was very sad that he had developed such strong feelings for Mary, but I never hoped anything would come of it. There‘s something icky about having a relationship with someone you brought to life. I was also happy that Lucy didn‘t become anything more than a friend. 🤷‍♀️ 18h

Ruthiella @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm You‘re right about the ick factor. But I wanted him to have someone he could share his experiences with. I‘ve been once or twice to museums on my own and often just wanted someone to look at what I was looking at and get their perspective. A whole lifetime of remarkable experiences and no one to share them with struck me as sad. (edited) 17h

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella I definitely get that. The ending for me seemed to imply that he wouldn‘t have to be as isolated from humanity in the future. What with the planet entering into the bigger arena of the galaxy. Maybe he will find someone to be a steady companion. ❤️ 16h

kwmg40 I was saddened by Enoch's loneliness and his inability to have a companion, even an “artificial“ one like Mary. However, the ending is consistent with his character's belief that his own desires are secondary to the greater goals and the work that needs to be done to achieve it. 13h

Ruthiella @kwmg40 That‘s a good point. Enoch does think more about the greater good over his own wants or needs. 11h

34 likes14 comments

Ruthiella

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

A few questions about the book for those who have thoughts!

Q1: How do you think Enoch‘s experience as a soldier and veteran influenced his actions and attitudes as station master, if at all?

#ClassicLSFBC

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RamsFan1963 I think being a soldier and veteran instilled in him a strong sense of duty, to honor his commitment to run the way station, no matter the isolation and loneliness it caused him. 1d

RamsFan1963 Also, being a soldier, he knew how to keep a secret. Despite his optimistic view of humanity, he knew in a lot of ways, mankind wasn't ready yet to be part of the bigger universe. 1d

wanderinglynn I think from being a soldier, he understood the importance that all sentient beings must & can get along, or perish. That war never really changes and understanding others is the key to survival. 1d

See All 12 Comments

Ruthiella @RamsFan1963 Great insight! Enoch really did have a strong sense of duty and discipline that was likely reinforced by his war experiences. 1d

Ruthiella @wanderinglynn I agree. The bloodshed he experienced first hand would have helped him understand that need for cooperation with and understanding about those who are different and who may hold different views. 1d

rwmg I think his experience of war realise the importance of striving for peace and the need to find something in common even with people who seem to be diametrically opposed to you. 1d

Ruthiella @rwmg I wonder too if the author specifically picked the Civil War (compared to many other US wars to choose from) for that reason. 1d

rwmg @Ruthiella I suspect the US Civil War was chosen as a protracted war which took place at a time which made Enoch's immortality demonstrable and still loomed large in the US's consciousness 1d

TheSpineView I agree with @RamsFan1963 I think that experience did influence him greatly. I think he understood the value of life and Peace. If you haven't faced death do we truly value life??? 🤷‍♀️ 21h

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I agree with everyone that it definitely influenced his actions. The self discipline especially would be inherent. 19h

kwmg40 I too was impressed by his discipline, his sense of devotion to a greater good, and the willingness to sacrifice his own desires and comforts for that good, all of which are consistent with our ideas of a soldier's best qualities. 13h

35 likes12 comments

KathyWheeler

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

I really liked Way Station. It‘s such a hopeful book. Simak‘s vision of humanity‘s future is an optimistic one of a united galaxy. When so many people — including me — view humanity through a negative lens, it‘s nice to read something with a more positive outlook. Read The Wishing Game sitting on the beach and listened to Lightning Strike on my #audiowalk #ClassicLSFBC

29 likes

RamsFan1963

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

43/150 I finished this last night, but I wanted to think about it before posting. Can you describe a book as gentle? If so, then this book is gentle, and so optimistic about humanity and our future in a Galactic community (I see the Star Trek similarities). Enoch is an amazing character, giving up so much, to be the lonely, maybe outcast, keeper of his station. He gives up so much, because he wants so much for mankind. 5 🌟 read #ClassicLSFBC

Deblovestoread Lovely review. I‘m going to start today. 1w

Ruthiella I would describe this book as gentle, for sure! 👍 1w

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CatLass007

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

#ClassicLSFBC #ReadAway2024 What a hopeful tale! Highly recommended and deserving of millions of stars.✨ ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

DieAReader, Andrew65, RamsFan1963, GHABI4ROSES

RamsFan1963 It seems pretty much unanimous, no one has had anything bad to say about this, it's been a hit across the board 👍 2w

CatLass007 @RamsFan1963 I‘m glad to hear that everyone is enjoying it! 2w

DieAReader 🥳Great!! 1w

48 likes3 comments

KathyWheeler

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

I had a nice day out with my husband. We drove to Weeks Bay and then to a couple of other parks. I‘d wanted to visit the pitcher plant bog, but it‘s closed — they‘re doing construction on the boardwalks. We listened to Way Station, which we are loving, and I listened to The Mystery Writer on my #audiowalk

CBee Oooo, a pitcher plant bog sounds awesome! We have some those at home - they came back this year and are flowering! Super cool. 2w

KathyWheeler @CBee The staff at Weeks Bay told my husband they lost a lot of trees during the last few storms but the tree loss has allowed the pitcher plants to come back on the nature trail. If I‘d known that, I‘d have walked farther on the trail. 2w

Bookwormjillk Love that bird‘s attitude! 2w

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CBee @KathyWheeler I‘d love to see pictures when you end up going 😊 2w

KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk me too! 2w

KathyWheeler @CBee I‘ll definitely take some pics. 2w

23 likes6 comments

RamsFan1963

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

Sorry I'm a couple of days late with the mid-month check-in. Hopefully, everyone was able to get a copy of Way Station, and is either enjoying it now (like myself) or has already finished it. Remember May's reading selection is Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. It's a little more contemporary than the last two books, but it is a classic in the cyberpunk sub-genre of SF.
@Bookwomble @Ruthiella @TheSpineView @BookmarkTavern @wanderinglynn @Readergrrl

RamsFan1963 @Johanna414 @Lizpixie @BookBelle84 @Larkken @julesG @Deblovestoread @majkia @LeticiaToraci @sebrittainclark @kwmg40 @CatLass007 @BookwormAHN @CSeydel @bnp @PaperbackPirate @Klou @Roary47 @AuthorCjwhitcomb @PageShifter @MerlinTheSlightlyAwkward @Books_et_al @rwmg @tokorowilliamwallace @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @rretzler 2w

Ruthiella I‘ve already finished it and really enjoyed it. It reminded me of the original Star Trek in its positivity. 2w

TheSpineView I finished Way Station also. Enjoyed it. 2w

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KathyWheeler I‘m in the middle of listening to Way Station and really like it so far. 2w

julesG Whoops! Slipped my mind. But I have a few days left before discussion. 2w

kwmg40 About halfway through my reread and enjoying it. 2w

PageShifter I got the book two days ago and have now started it. I really love the beginning! 1w

46 likes7 comments

rwmg

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

Unknown to the rest of Earth's inhabitants, Enoch Wallace is looking after a station in a inter-stellar transportation network but affairs on Earth and in the Galactic Council are coming to a crisis.

This was a pioneering work of pastoral science fiction which still exerts its quiet attraction with on one level weird and wonderful goings-on but on another an uneventful slice of life until the last 1/3 of the book.

#ClassicLSFBC
@RamsFan1963

23 likes

rwmg

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

#ClassicLSFBC
@RamsFan1963

19 likes

TheSpineView

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

This is April's selection for #ClassicSFBC @RamsFan1963

It is a good combo of hard Sci-Fi and Space Opera. The story was thoughtful done and a slow ride as the author builds the tension to the conclusion. I see why this one won a Hugo award. A must read for Sci-Fi fans. 4⭐️

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MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

5 ⭐️s
After my first Simak merely a week ago, I was nervous about how much I might like this one. I ADORE it! It‘s a library copy but I love it so much it‘s been added to my list of books to buy for my collection. Enoch is such a wonderful protagonist. Just enough of the old fashioned without being a patriarchal ass. His relationships with all the supporting characters were so lovely. I will absolutely be picking up more Simak in the future!

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm #ClassicLSFBC 2w

Ruthiella I really liked this one too. BTW did you finally finish Dahlgren or did you bail? 😱🤔 2w

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella Lol, I bailed at a little over halfway. It was such a relief. 😅🤣 How about you? 2w

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Ruthiella I bailed too! 🤣 2w

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella Yay! 🙌😅 2w

RamsFan1963 @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella Dhalgren, and 90% of Delany's work IMO, is a very acquired taste. You either love it or hate it, there's no grey area in between. 2w

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @RamsFan1963 The parts that I did like in Dhalgren, I REALLY liked. It‘s what got me so far into the book. I might give another one of his a try in the future. My recent experience with Simak proved I can‘t judge an author by one book, for sure. 2w

RamsFan1963 @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm If you're going to read more Simak, can I recommend They Walked Like Men and Why Call Them Back From Heaven?. Those are two of my favorites by him, he also writes great short stories. 2w

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @RamsFan1963 Thanks, I‘ll definitely check those out! I really do enjoy his writing and want to read more of him. 2w

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swynn

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

(1963) Joining the #ClassicLSFBC this month, and I'm glad I did. I remember trying to read Way Station in my early teens and running out of interest early. And though I still see why -- there's little of the peril and rapid pacing that defined a good read for me then -- man, was I wrong about this. It's thoughtful and humane and just lovely, a sort of proto-cozy sf, and I wonder what else I've missed from Simak.

Bookwomble Great review. I utterly agree 😁 2w

28 likes1 comment

RamsFan1963

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

1. After being unemployed for a month or so, I'm back to work. Not the greatest job, but it pays the bills.
2. Ice tea or Starbuck's Doubleshot coffee drinks
3. I use a bookmark.
4. Tagged

#motivationalmonday @cupcake12

AnnCrystal 👏 congratulations 🙏☺️👍. 3w

IMASLOWREADER congratulations on the new job…at least its paying the never ending bills 3w

Gissy Congratulations in your new job🙌 3w

kelli7990 Congratulations on your new job! 3w

48 likes4 comments

Bookwomble

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

Ahh 😌 I love the quietness of Simak's writing. He deals with big questions calmly, he's enchanting and optimistic, but tinged with sadness, opening majestic vistas while acknowledging the transitoriness of life and the inevitability of change. I think the sadness is in the limitedness of individual experience, the optimism in the potential of collective growth, and his magic is in seeking to reconcile us to both realities.

Bookwomble #ClassicLitsySciFiBookClub #ClassicLSFBC @TieDyeDude 4w

Bookwomble @TieDyeDude @RamsFan1963 Oops! I mixed up my Tuesday Tunes tag with my Classic LSFBC tag! Apologies ☺️ 4w

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RamsFan1963

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

Hello fellow #ClassicLSFBC readers! Happy Easter!
Tomorrow is April 1st, so it's time to put the unpleasant memories of Dhalgren behind us, and look forward to April's selection, Way Station by Clifford D. Simak. I've read several Simak novels, but never this one. I'm looking forward to a lighter and shorter reading experience than our last selection.
@Bookwomble @Ruthiella @TheSpineView @BookmarkTavern @wanderinglynn @Readergrrl

TheSpineView I have high hopes for this book. 1mo

RamsFan1963 @TheSpineView I've enjoyed every book I've read by Simak, about 14 by my count, so I expect it to be good. 1mo

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Ruthiella Looking forward to this! Luckily it‘s available in ebook on Hoopla! 👍 1mo

TheSpineView @RamsFan1963 Excellent 1mo

Bookwomble Starting today 🚀 1mo

wanderinglynn One of my faves! 4w

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RamsFan1963

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

My copy of Way Station came in the mail today. I got it off ebay for about $6 so I won't complain too much, but it is a pretty ratty copy. Its readable but not something I'd keep in my collection. Either way, I'm ready for April's #ClassicLSFBC read.

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wanderinglynn

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

#acrossapril April 13: departure

There are lots of arrivals and departures in Way Station.

Bonus, Ford Prefect and Arthur Dent departed Earth in HHGTTG.

Eggs

Eggs Perfecto 4y

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rabbitprincess

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

An interesting read, thoughtful and not so much about the tech. Would be fairly accessible for someone new to sci-fi.

Had to show my book/bookmark synchronicity; the sprayed edges of the book perfectly match the ruby on my Indexers' Society of Canada bookmark.

26 likes

wanderinglynn

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

#24b4Monday - my timer deleted at some point & then I forgot to turn it on again (although I swear I turned it on). 🤦🏼‍♀️ So I‘m guesstimating today‘s time. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I think 14.24 hrs total.

As for Way Station, WOW! What a read! Published in 1963, this book was ahead of its time. Easy to see why it won the Hugo & why Mr. Simak was a Grand Master of SciFi & Fantasy. Thank you again @cobwebmoth for including this in my #staycationintime swap. 😘

Andrew65, jb72, BeansPage

BeansPage LOL stopwatches can be so fickle. You're still making great time though! Keep going girl don't give up! 5y

Andrew65 That‘s a great time. 👏👏👏 5y

SpaceCowboyBooks Love Simak! 5y

cobwebmoth I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 5y

jb72 You did a great job! So glad you joined us. 5y

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wanderinglynn

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

#friyayintro
1. Much better than expected considering I started off the year in a terrible reading slump! I‘ve had to increase my goal twice. I‘m at 102 and hope to get a few more in September with this weekend‘s #24b4Monday readathon.
2. I‘ve written 2 novels (unpublished) and am currently competing in a flash fiction short story writing challenge. 🤞🏻
3. Grunge
4. N/A
5. 🙌🏻🎉🥳🥂

howjessicareads

84 likes

mreads

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

It's 1960s America and Earth still thinks it's alone in the galaxy but on a farm in the mid west Enoch has for a 100 years been the keeper of Earth's only galactic transfer station.

Won the Hugo in 1964 and so though it's a classic and maybe one of the first about transfer/travel stations it's a bit dated and at sometimes a little too philosophical. Overall a pick.

wanderinglynn Sounds interesting. Stacked! 5y

Geeklet I‘ve really been wanting to read this. I think it‘s on my Kindle but I like physical copies of my sci-fi jams. ❤️ 5y

mreads @Geeklet it was a lucky grab at a thrift store along with

Time and Again

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GatheringBooks

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

#QuotsyFeb19 Day 20: #Alien is what we all are, as we belong to the stars. I haven‘t read this novel yet, but based on Litsy Reviews, the response has been somewhat lackluster.

TK-421

gradcat The quote is nice, tho.... 5y

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allison_tx

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

"...the Earth was now on the galactic charts, a way station for people traveling star to star. Strangers once, but now there were no strangers. There were no such things as strangers. In whatever form, with whatever purpose, all of them were people."

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allison_tx

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak