I came across this book by mistake in a library. I wasn't looking for it, but it fell into my hands and I decided to give it a try. Rare are the moments when something simply falls into my hands and I feel that tingle in my fingers that makes me want to turn the page. And "Song for Lya" was one of these fortunate cases.

I can't say it's a "page-turner" book, but it tests your mind in the most surprising ways. Each chapter makes you seriously think, and if you reflect a bit on it, you discover how hard and cold the author expresses the reality of our days through simple fantastic platitudes. It's one of those books that crushes your soul. Yes, they are not at all pleasant, but sometimes you need them to understand in what world we all live in. It's like a cold shower: you hate it, but sometimes you need it.

"The man who fears losing has already lost" - George R.R. Martin

-CG

Beyond "A Song of Ice and Fire", I think George R. Matirn stood out significantly in the writing of short stories. One proof of this is "A Song for Lya", an anthology of science fiction that showcases the author's talent for storytelling.

The science fiction elements presented in each story are few and very concise, not only due to their length but also because of the more humanistic and existential approach that each story aims to evoke, using elements to reinforce their themes and messages. For example, in "Just for a Yesterday", through the drug Cronin (which helps one visualize the past), we are told about melancholy and escapism as seen through Keith, a man who looks for the good times due to the losses of war. In the main story "A Song for Lya", telepathy is a means by which the characters express their views on love and solitude, and at the same time, they learn more about the religion of the Shkae, whose contact ultimately changes the protagonists' way of seeing things.

Although world-building is not usually the most outstanding aspect (due to the length of the stories), it does provide enough information to give the reader an idea of the type of societies in which the stories take place, relying on the dialogues and idiosyncrasies of the characters to communicate their context.

Although the characters presented in the stories do not have great complexity, they often stand out for the development of their own arcs, giving them a background that justifies their actions (even if their goals are somewhat simple), like Lya, who, by living with the Shkae, questions her own existence as a telepath and the meaning of what she considered love.

Each work has an engaging and concise prose, whether narrated in the first or third person, showing dynamism in each of its scenes and dialogues, making the reading enjoyable and quick. Although in some stories there is often too much exposition, as in "The Hero" or "A Second Kind of Solitude", but nothing particularly bothersome.

Taking a general evaluation, I have liked the stories. Although the endings are a bit left in nothing. Or rather, they are somewhat weak.

However, the experience is good because Martin writes very well, and I don't think the idea of any of the stories is absurd, boring or lacks imagination.

The way he constructs the plots and develops the characters is quite engaging. There are moments in each story that really draw you in and make you want to keep reading.

Even though the endings might not be as strong as one would hope, the overall quality of the writing and the creativity of the ideas make up for it. I would definitely recommend these stories to others who enjoy reading well-written fictional works.

PopSugar Reading Challenge #37

This challenge requires reading a book about someone with superpowers.

The book that I chose for this challenge has several stories, and the first one gives the book its name. In this story, the protagonists have the power of reading (telepathy).

Out of all the stories, the one that I liked the most is "Dark Were the Tunnels". This story was really engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat.

The characters in the story were well-developed, and I could really feel their emotions as they faced various challenges.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and it was a great choice for the PopSugar Reading Challenge #37.

La neblina se pone por la mañana = 4 estrellas

This work titled "La neblina se pone por la mañana" seems to have a certain charm that earns it 4 stars. It might describe the morning fog in a captivating way, perhaps painting a vivid picture of the朦胧景象.

Por un solo ayer = 3.5 estrellas

"Por un solo ayer" gets 3.5 stars. Maybe it tells a story related to just one yesterday, with emotions and details that are engaging yet not quite reaching the full 4-star mark.

Ni las llamas multicolor de una anillo estelar = 3.5 estrellas

The description of "Ni las llamas multicolor de una anillo estelar" also earns 3.5 stars. It could be about the multicolored flames of a stellar ring, presented in a way that is interesting but not overly outstanding.

Una canción para Lya = 4 estrellas

"Una canción para Lya" receives 4 stars. This might be a beautiful song dedicated to Lya, with lyrics and melody that touch the heart.

El Héroe = 3.5 estrellas

"El Héroe" gets 3.5 stars. It could be a story about a hero, with his deeds and character being portrayed in a somewhat average but still enjoyable manner.

Y siete veces digo: no matarás al hombre = 3.5 estrellas

The phrase "Y siete veces digo: no matarás al hombre" earns 3.5 stars. It might have a profound message or a unique narrative associated with it.

La presentación = 3.5 estrellas

"La presentación" also gets 3.5 stars. This could refer to a presentation of some sort, perhaps with decent content and delivery but lacking that extra sparkle to reach a higher rating.

La negra oscuridad de los túneles = 3 estrellas

"La negra oscuridad de los túneles" earns 3 stars. The description of the black darkness in the tunnels might be effective in creating an atmosphere, but not quite as captivating as some of the other works.

Overall, the average rating is 3.5 stars, indicating that these works have a certain level of quality and interest, but there is room for improvement to reach a higher level of excellence.

I just finished reading the final story, "A Song for Lya," and I'm truly touched by it. So much so that I initially wanted to give the entire book a 5-star review. However, I have to be honest and admit that not all the stories are as strong. Even "A Song for Lya" has its own issues.

Like most of the stories in the book, "A Song for Lya" feels a bit repetitive. Additionally, it could benefit from a bit more editing to correct spelling and grammatical errors. The version I read was an original printing, so perhaps some of these problems have since been fixed. But I'm basing my assessment on my own experience.

That being said, I must give credit to the book. The peaks of this collection are really impressive, especially considering it was so early in Martin's career. Some of the stories do feel like works from the early stages of a writer's career, showing promise but also room for growth. However, there are some stories that completely shatter that impression.

From the beginning, I thought this would be an okay collection of stories, maybe worthy of a 3-star rating. But then I came across stories like "Dark, Dark were the Tunnels" and realized that even at this early stage, Martin was able to write with a tone and feel that is utterly unmatched.

I think anyone who loves George's writing owes it to themselves to read this collection. It has left me extremely excited to explore the rest of his catalogue.

George R.R. Martin is widely known (extremely well-known) for his A Song of Ice and Fire saga (adapted into TV as Game of Thrones). However, George R.R. Martin is also an old and excellent Science Fiction writer, a friend of Gardner Dozois (the editor of the best annual compilation of Science Fiction stories) and has been awarded many times for his stories or novels.

This book is a great example of the excellence of his tales. Starting with the story that gives the book its title, which is actually a short novel and alone takes up a quarter of the book. It is a powerful story of love, pain, abandonment, and the search for happiness that could only have been written in the key of Science Fiction. And the rest of the stories do not lag behind. A great find!

Martin's ability to craft engaging and thought-provoking Science Fiction is on full display in this collection. Each story offers a unique perspective and explores different themes within the genre. Whether it's the exploration of human emotions in the face of extraordinary circumstances or the examination of the consequences of technological advancements, Martin's writing keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of Science Fiction and anyone who appreciates great storytelling. It showcases Martin's versatility as a writer and his ability to create rich and immersive worlds that draw readers in and make them reluctant to leave.

This took me a couple of days to truly get into.

However, by the time they delved into the depth of human psychology - the fear, yet the inevitability, of being alone and our unwavering quest to find connection and understanding, I was completely sucked in.

I'm now left with an ache in my heart as it really hit home for me, and I'm certain it did for many of us.

At the same time, I know what it's like to seek connection from someone who walls themselves off and doesn't even realize what kind of connection or understanding they are missing out on.

They can only experience up to a certain point.

I can understand the intense need to dive into such a feeling of connection and oneness with the universe, no matter how grotesque the method to get there might be.

Now, I'm left wondering if I would take that leap into the Final Union.

It's a thought that lingers in my mind, making me question my own desires and fears when it comes to such a profound and mysterious concept.

This short story is a beautifully written piece!

It mainly delves into the theme of human loneliness. When you walk down the streets, surrounded by thousands of people, or even when you are with your closest ones, you are always alone with your inner thoughts and feelings.

This story describes three kinds of behaviors towards loneliness. Firstly, full engagement and deep immersion into the universal soul, having knowledge of millions of souls and experiencing joy, just like Lya did. Secondly, living with an understanding and emotional connection with somebody, but not fully absorbed and not losing one's self-ego, similar to what the protagonist did. Thirdly, living always with an emotional barrier, like that chief.

Personally, I myself prefer the second option. It seems to strike a balance between connection and individuality, allowing one to have meaningful relationships while still maintaining a sense of self.

I have just completed reading "A Song for Lya" by George R. R. Martin. This book had been sitting on my bookshelf for a considerable number of years, remaining unread. I am a great admirer of Martin's work, but for some reason, I just hadn't managed to get around to reading this particular book until recently.

"A Song for Lya" is a remarkable collection of short stories and novellas that Martin penned in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Each and every one of these stories is of extremely high quality. I found myself completely engrossed in the worlds and characters that Martin has created. There is not a single story in this collection that I have any complaints about.

In addition to "A Song for Lya", I have also read several other books by George R. R. Martin. These include "Windhaven" (co-authored with Lisa Tuttle), the highly acclaimed "A Game of Thrones", "A Clash of Kings", "A Storm of Swords", "A Feast for Crows", and "Shadow Twin" (co-authored with Gardner Dozois and Daniel Abraham). Each of these books has its own unique charm and has contributed to my growing appreciation for Martin's literary genius.

I look forward to reading more of Martin's work in the future and seeing where his imagination takes us next.

I really loved this compilation. There are some masterful stories in it.

However, 1 or 2 of them didn't hook me and I abandoned them.

Simply because of that, it gets 4 stars.

This is the first time I have read something by George R.R. Martin. I am so surprised and grateful for his pen.

His writing is so vivid and engaging that it draws you into the story from the very beginning.

The characters are well-developed and the plots are full of twists and turns.

I can't wait to read more of his work.

Overall, this is a great compilation and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves reading short stories.

Stylistically, these stories leave much to be desired. They are rather clumsy, with numerous sentences that elicit groans.

Evidently, they are products of their time, with free love and the Vietnam War serving as recurring themes. Nevertheless, the characters have their own charm, some of the setups are ingenious, and the title story, which won a Hugo, is truly thought-provoking.

Moreover, I find the names of the main characters in "A Song for Lya" highly amusing. Robb and Lyanna are names that also appear in Game of Thrones as members of the Stark family, and I don't recall seeing them elsewhere. It must be intentional, don't you think?

This connection between the two works adds an extra layer of interest and speculation. It makes one wonder if there is a deeper relationship or if it's just a clever coincidence.

Overall, despite their stylistic flaws, these stories have their merits and continue to engage readers with their unique blend of characters, themes, and unexpected connections.