Millennium by John Varley: 1985 First Edition Sci-Fi Paperback
Price range: $32.00 through $36.84
This is a very clean and bright vintage paperback (very good – very good plus) edition of John Varley’s much-loved time-travel novel “Millenium”.
First printing in English in paperback. Now a relatively hard-to-find edition.
Shows slight minimal aging, a little edge wear on covers, a light spine crease, but no significant flaws (no writing, tags, marks, loose, torn or folded pages). Covers are tight, close flat, sharp corners. Insides of covers are tanned (typical of this vintage of book).
Certainly a great addition to a vintage science fiction collection and a worthy gift!
See the accompanying images for full condition details.
Will ship promptly, carefully packaged, with tracking.
About the book:
In the skies over Oakland, California, a DC-10 and a 747 are about to collide. In the distant future, a time travel team is preparing to snatch the passengers, leaving prefabricated, smoking bodies behind for the rescue teams to find.
The story follows two main characters: Bill Smith, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator in 1983, and Louise Baltimore, a time traveler from a dystopian future where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to pollution and genetic decay.
As Bill investigates a mysterious plane crash, he uncovers anomalies that lead him to Louise and the truth about the time travel missions. The novel delves into predestination, paradoxes, and the ethical implications of altering the past to save the future.
About the Author:
John Varley is a Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author known for his innovative, character-driven science fiction.
Emerging in the 1970s as part of the “New Wave” of SF writers, Varley often explored themes of identity, technology, and societal collapse.
Millennium fits neatly into his body of work, showcasing a knack for blending hard science fiction with humanistic storytelling.
His ability to craft believable future societies and morally complex scenarios makes Millennium a standout in his bibliography.
Why You Should Read It
If you enjoy smart, thought-provoking science fiction with a noir-ish mystery twist, Millennium is a must-read. The novel excels at balancing tension with philosophical depth, making it more than just a time-travel thriller. Varley’s world-building—particularly his depiction of a bleak, sterile future—is both haunting and fascinating.
For collectors, this book is a great addition due to its cult following and its status as a classic of late-20th-century SF. Whether you’re drawn to intricate timelines, ethical quandaries, or simply a well-told story with unexpected twists, Millennium delivers.
Interesting Fact:
Varley originally wrote Millennium after being approached by Hollywood to adapt “Air Raid” into a film.
Frustrated with script limitations, he expanded the story into a novel first—giving him the freedom to develop richer characters and a more detailed future society than the movie could portray.
Awards and Nominations:
While Millennium itself wasn’t a major award-winner, Varley’s original short story “Air Raid” was nominated for a Hugo Award in 1978.
If You Enjoyed These, You’ll Like Millennium:
“The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger –
Like Millennium, this novel plays with nonlinear timelines and the emotional weight of time travel.
“Doomsday Book” by Connie Willis –
Another SF classic involving time travelers interacting with catastrophic events, blending historical and futuristic drama.
“The Man in the High Castle” by Philip K. Dick –
Fans of alternate histories and dystopian futures will appreciate Varley’s similarly bleak yet thought-provoking vision.
Additional information
| Weight | 7 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8 × 6 × 2 in |
| Shipping Options | Standard w- Tracking, Tracking + Insurance, Priority + Insurance |
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