This entry into The Vault is Mr. Wingrove’s is about the concept of world-building as it relates to the history of science fiction and where Chung Kuo fits into that scheme. It’s worth noting that Wingrove co–authored the Hugo-winning book The Trillion Year Spree, a history of science fiction, so he knows his stuff. Full text after the break.
Category: The Vault
EXCLUSIVE: The Wounded (Teaser)
I’ve managed to have a teaser section for The Wounded, a 60,000-word novella by David Wingrove, fall right into my lap. Although not part of the Chung Kuo universe, I know some of us have been looking for stuff to read between novels. This teaser is the first scene of the story, which I understand might be a part of something bigger in the future. Enjoy! Full text of the teaser after the break…
Lost in the Library of Babel
What follows is a talk given by David Wingrove regarding his experiences in researching for Chung Kuo – including the scientific aspects of the series and the Chinese cultural aspects. As usual, it’s long but worthy. Full text after the break…
The Surrounding Game
With our very own Wei Chi Cafe happening in The Forums, started by contributor uncalledfor9, The Surrounding Game is particularly relevant. This is a recent piece by Mr. Wingrove about “the world’s most elegant game” that was posted to the official Chung Kuo site, but seems to have dropped off the end. Full text after the break…
Science Fiction: Tradition and Revolution
Today’s entry into The Vault is a talk given by David Wingrove at the Cheltenham Literary Festival concerning the various currents throughout the history of the science fiction genre, and where Chung Kuo fits in that scheme.
To my knowledge, this hasn’t been published elsewhere. It’s lengthy but well worth a read. Full text after the break…
A View From The Cusp
I’ve got a real treat to post today. What follows is a review of Son of Heaven by Brian Griffin, a close friend of David Wingrove’s and a Chung Kuo insider from its inception (no Family Guy jokes please…). This piece goes into much more depth than most Son of Heaven reviews abound, touching on its place in the grander scheme of sci-fi and its inplications toward the rest of the series. It’s a fine read. Although not written by Wingrove, it’s a treat to have this in The Vault.
Full text after the break…
The Year So Far…
Here’s a biggie, folks. The Year So Far… is some of Mr. Wingrove’s journal entries from 1993. Evidently scanned and OCR’d from handwritten notes, it’s been a long process to edit this beast (and some of it in the last half was completely indecipherable), but it’s been worth it for the most personal of DW’s writings here in The Vault. Particularly interesting, about halfway down, is his mention of a camping trip to Dorset, not far from Corfe Castle (ring a bell to anyone…?).
The real treat, however, is the last third or so of the text, containing the amazing details of Mr. Wingrove’s first trip to China.
Enjoy the full text after the break…
A Great Wheel Turning
A Great Wheel Turning is Mr. Wingrove’s primer to the original series and some of its over-arching themes. Those new to the series are advised that not much of this will make sense for another several books. There are some serious spoilers herein, so newcomers are advised to skip it. Veterans are sure to appreciate. Full text after the break…
Flames Dancing in a Glass
Flames Dancing in a Glass chronicles Mr. Wingrove’s reflections regarding the inception of the Chung Kuo franchise. Full text, OCR-proofed for the first time on the web, after the break…
Three Questions
Three Questions is a transcript of a talk given by David Wingrove at the Neal East Bookshop on the evening of September 14, 1989, shortly after the launch of the series. Full text after the break…