On Wings of Song: Amazon.ca: Thomas M. Disch: Books

Product Description

Ingram

In his seventh novel, Disch reaches a literary high point in the field of science fiction. At once hilarious and frightening, it follows Daniel Weinreb as he attempts to escape the repressive laws and atmosphere of the isolationist State of Iowa. A rich black comedy of bizarre sexual ambiguity and adventurism. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Virtuoso!, April 25 2001

By	"kirkdax" (England, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Wings of Song (Mass Market Paperback)

Disch has done it again! Surpassed himself with this gem of a book! Daniel Weinreb is a creation beyond belief. Never have I sympathised so much with a character. This book is so subtly layered that everytime I read it, I find something new. The concept is original and I'm envious that I didn't think of it! Disch's style is also enviable. He is everything a writer should aspire to. Certainly this is his best novel. Disch is a Maestro, the language is at his command. It's fabulous the way he mocked Norberg at the end of the novel - however frustrating the ending was. If Disch is reading this: Did he ever get to fly? This novel deserves ten stars out of five

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Ever, Jul 5 2000

By	Sam Lewis (Nottingham, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Wings of Song (Mass Market Paperback)

For me, "On Wings Of Song" is among one of the best books I've ever read. It transcends such concepts of genre and manages to become something quite different. This book should appeal to all, but especially the young as its themes of escape, rebellian and success deal explictly with the perils of growing up. It is interesting too how Disch paints such a division between American states in the future, but it is not done in usual future prediction style. This book will make you think about where you're heading in life.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

3.0 out of 5 stars Disch's poison pen letter to Middle America, May 25 2000

By	The Sanity Inspector (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Wings of Song (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is best read by young people with active imaginations. Thomas Disch's talent and way with a phrase carries such readers through an interesting, original plot, and vivid characterizations. Many of his sentences indeed have the same impact as a jazz phrasing, as one print reviewer said.

Coming back to it in midlife, the book impresses only with the above technical aspects. The escapist theme now seems immature, and the oppressive society of the midwest from which the hero escapes is just Disch--and a thousand other transplants thinking that they are destined for bigger things--sticking his tongue out in the rear view mirror on his way to The Big Time. At the end, the villain guns down the hero, and then recites the Pledge of Allegiance. How silly is that? People who imagine themselves to be the brains or conscience of America really should lay off mocking people who are America's backbone.

The soaring dude on the cover of my old copy looks a lot like Tom Cruise, though...Maybe we'll see a movie of this someday.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 6 customer reviews...

Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A totally unique and unforgettable read!
This is a brilliant book. The originality & relevance of Disch's vision is breathtaking, dazzling. Read more

Published on Jan 5 2000 by inframan

5.0 out of 5 stars Not my favorite, but still good
This was Disch's first SF novel in a long time when it came out in '79. Some consider it to be his best work, but I don't know about that. Read more

Published on Mar 22 1999 by hoorayforme

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book of all time.
Disch traverses the spectrum in his subjects, but but not in his skills. He is consistently top notch. In my opinion, this is his best. Read more

Published on Dec 24 1998 by Gregory Monahan