The Elysium Commission

infobox Book |
name = The Elysium Commission
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = First Edition book cover
author = L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
illustrator =
cover_artist = David Seeley
country = United States
language = English
genre = Science fiction, Detective novel
publisher = TOR
pub_date = February 2007
media_type = Print (Hardcover)
pages = 336 pp (first edition hardcover)
isbn = ISBN 0765317206
preceded_by = The Eternity Artifact
followed_by = The Natural Ordermage

"The Elysium Commission" is a science fiction novel written by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. and published in 2007. Set in the far future, the novel follows private investigator Blaine Donne as he investigates several different cases. The novel has been designated as a Sci Fi channel essential book.

Literary significance and reception

Reviews of "The Elysium Commission" were mixed. Kirkus Reviews said that the novel had "some brisk action closes the proceedings, but otherwise, mediocre problems and solutions--our hero has little idea how to Google for information and spends most of his time asking his friends for gossip."cite journal|date=October 1, 2006|title=THE ELYSIUM COMMISSION|journal=Kirkus Reviews|volume=Vol. 74|issue=Issue 19|pages=p995-996|issn=00426598] Publishers Weekly said "Modesitt cleverly weaves together disparate threads of information to form a complete tapestry."cite journal|date=November 6, 2006|title=The Elysium Commission|journal=Publishers Weekly|volume=Vol. 253|issue=Issue 44|pages=p39-40|issn=00000019] Jackie Cassada reviewing for the Library Journal said "Prolific sf author Modesitt (the "Spellsong Cycle") creates a far-future tale of intrigue and mystery featuring a tough but admirable sleuth."cite journal|last=Cassada|first=Jackie|date=December 1, 2006|journal=Library Journal|volume=Vol. 131|issue=Issue 20|pages=p115|issn=03630277]

Allusions

References to other works

Throughout the book, Medesitt makes tongue-in-cheek references to a number of other science fiction and fantasy authors. These are usually in the form of statements or thoughts by a character, and often jumble the order of the authors names or of their novels. Examples include "Jordan Robert" (Robert Jordan) and "The Lictor's Sword" (in reference to Gene Wolfe's "The Sword of the Lictor"). Other references are made to Ursula K. Le Guin's "The Left Hand of Darkness". Another author given a nod is Paula Volsky.

Notes