Austria - The Orchid Cage - Herbert W. Franke
I just google the first European country I hadn't yet Found. I'm focusing the early part of this project on Europe, as I'm European and It seems quite easy to Find the books. However finding an Austrian science fiction author was quite tricky, but managed to find Herbert W. Frank and sourced a second hand copy of the Orchid Cage. Once again, from the cover, title and blurb, it's not a book that I would have naturally been drawn too, and would have probably popped it back on the shelf.
The Story:
The book starts off as a fairly intriguing science fiction adventure and exploration book. But soon gets weirder and weirder, with lots of rather unusual ideas, technologies and philosophies. I much preferred the exploration element of the book, the weird more cerebral parts of the book were less interesting to me. Overall it was a good read.
The Physical Book:
Very much old school!
How Austrian:
The book didn't draw on, or reference the authors Austrian heritage, and given its weirdness and uncompelling story I found it all a bit dry. Having read the book, I'm glad I've read it but it also confirms my awesome ability to judge a book by it's cover.