On Wings of Song

by Thomas M. Disch

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553136674
• ISBN13: 9780553136678
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful entertainment with some clever social commentary

There is no way not to enjoy this clever book "On Wings of Song". I found Daniel Weinreb to be a 21st century Holden Caufield, from "Catcher in the Rye". Life on the inner city edge also reminded me of Denis Johnson's "Jesus' Son". Disch's future America, a politically divided nation of secular excess on either coast, divided by a conservative theocracy in the middle, is almost too real to be funny. On another level the book is about enlightenment and Daniel's efforts to reach nirvana, where the soul becomes a fairy and zones out for centuries contemplating electric motors. Daniel is also totally devoted to his young wife as she lays in a coma while her soul flits and flirts around the world in a state of ecstasy which he only imagines (until the final pages of the book). Someone needs to make this classic science fiction work into a movie. Colin Ferrell or Matt Dillion would both do a great job playing Daniel in his quest to leave conservative religious middle America and not only escape to less repressive societies but also to experience the state of being a fairy, divorced from the human body and in a state of perpetual enlightenment.

Virtuoso!

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

Best Ever

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.

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. I certainly thnk it's great, and that it deserved the 1980 John W. Campbell award for best novel of the year that it won, though. It's a shame it didn't win a Hugo or a Nebula, this is far superior to Arthur C. Clarke's "The Fountains of Paradise." If you liked 334, you'll probably like this. Disch's greatest strength has always been his social commentary. This book is an excellent example. In addition, recently a lot of books by this publisher (Carrol & Graf) have been going out of print (BOO!). So you might not have long to get your hands on it in a normal book store.Still, you should read Camp Concentration first, to see if you like Disch's style. If you like it, go for his other two classics (this one and 334).

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. It falls somewhere between The Priest and The Brave Little Toaster. If you enjoyed "334", I am sure this will please you even more. Although it is science fiction, I am truly loath to put it in that category, because it trancends the genre. It is a brilliant piece of work.