Scott Hutchins wonders: > Chat with Bruce Sterling, one of cyberpunk's founding fathers, about his > latest novel, DISTRACTION. Sterling's previous novels include the > best-selling HEAVY WEATHER and HOLY FIRE. His latest > novelette, TAKLAMAKAN, can be found in the October/November 1998 > issue of Asimov's Science Fiction. > > This sounds like he's ripping off the film by Senkichi Taniguchi starring > Toshiro Mifune. Does anyone know what Taklamakan means? The Japanese > title was Ki Gan Jo no Boken (Strange Stone Castle Adventure). I can't say about the Taniguchi film, but the Taklamakan is the name of a desert and means "Sea of Death." Note the following citation: Beijing Review July 20 1998, v41, n29, p23(2) Title: Exploring the 'sea of death'. (Taklamakan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China)(China City & Country Tour '98) Description: ill. (photograph) Abstract: Taklamakan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China used to be a part of the ancient Silk Road. At present it is a desert destination for adventure tourism as it attracts travel enthusiasts, adventurers and domestic and foreign scientists. The Keriya River winds its way towards the Daryaboyi Oasis at the heart of Taklamakan which literally means sea of death. The ancient civilizations that thrived in the area make it an excellent archaeological site. Don Larsson ---------------------- Donald Larsson Minnesota State U, Mankato [log in to unmask] ---- Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite http://www.tcf.ua.edu/screensite