FORGETABLE FI

In his Aug. 12 letter, Mark Kelly suggests that science-fiction works merit “real” reviews in literary journals. Unfortunately, SF writers--with some exceptions--set for themselves the narrow goal of cleverness.

For example, William Gibson won several SF awards when “Neuromancer” debuted, despite the cartoonishness of the characters and the story’s complete disconnectedness from real life. Stanizlaw Lem, on the other hand, demonstrates the genre’s potential by using technology and futurism as tools rather than as ends.

The bulk of such writing, however, remains entertaining but forgettable.

MEIR RINDE

CLAREMONT