Dying Inside

Dying Inside by Robert Silverberg is the story of David Selig. Born in 1935 with the ability to read minds, David has used this skill to eke out a living. But as the novel starts the year is 1976, and Selig's is losing his ability to read minds. Now I have made it no secret that I have read very few "classic" or "master" science fiction novels in the past. Part of the reason why is a story like Dying Inside. I just don't get it. I don't understand why it is considered Sci-Fi; but it most assuredly is. Written in 1972, it was nominated for a Nebula, a Hugo, and a Locus. It is also listed on SF Masterworks, Locus Best SF Novels of All Time, The Classics of Science Fiction, Easton Press Masterpieces of Science Fiction, and is number 107 on Worldswithoutends.com Top Listed Books of All Time. So clearly this novel has a science fiction pedigree.

As for the story itself, it transitions from flashbacks of David's childhood and young adulthood to current day, as I said; in this case current day is 1976. Using the flashbacks the reader is able to see that Selig squandered his ability to read minds. David had the ability to read minds, but still seemed unable to use this skill to connect with humanity, so he spends the entire novel desperately trying to make true connections with people, but also looking upon others as less than he was especially his lover Toni.

With Dying Inside, Robert Silverberg wrote a very internal novel. There is very little action physically. I kept waiting for something to happen in the novel, something a little "sci-fiey." But it just was not that type of novel. Fortunately it was a short novel so I was able to slog through. I found all the characters to be a tedious combination of shallowness and boredom. I do believe there is a place for novels about internal struggle of man against his nature, but I just don't think of those as science fiction. I guess I am just not cultured or sophisticated enough to find this novel interesting.