Ringworld ~Larry Niven

–1970, DelRey Books
–352 pages

REVIEW SUMMARY: My foray into the classics continues with my first read of Larry Niven’s award-winning classic. While definitely hard science fiction, I found the day I spent with this nearly 40 year old masterwork to be one of imagination and adventure.

MY RATING: 4.25/5 stars

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Nessus, a member of a strange race of aliens known as the Puppeteers, gathers together a disparate crew consisting of a human male (Louis Wu), a human female (Teela Brown), and a large, ferocious creature of the Kzin race by the name of Speaker-to-Animals, to travel in a vessel faster than anything known to either race to investigate a mysterious artifact. This artifact, an enormous self-contained world, a Ringworld, is beyond anything that the Known universe has ever seen or imagined.

MY REVIEW:

PROS:

–All four major characters are interesting and well-realized.
-Mystery, suspense, drama, romance, adventure…all that in an exciting science fiction setting.
-Engaging frontier exploration aspect.
-Fantastic world-building.
-A variety of intriguing revelations keep readers on their toes.
-Many sequels for those who would like to continue on with these characters/this universe.

CONS:

-A great deal of scientific language and introduction of a variety of scientific concepts may throw off new science fiction readers or those who are not interested in hard sci fi.
–Ringworld desperately needs a special edition hardcover graced with a Stephan Martiniere illustration.

BOTTOM LINE: A must-read for those interested in exploring the various classics of science fiction. In the midst of varied scientific concepts lies an inventive, engaging adventure in a fantastically realized universe. The characters the reader travels with are interesting and worth getting to know.

Continue reading Ringworld ~Larry Niven →

(photo by Carl V.)

I, Robot ~Isaac Asimov

–1956, Signet (originally published 1950, Gnome Press)
–192 pages

REVIEW SUMMARY: A collection of nine short stories written by Isaac Asimov between 1940 and 1950, gathered together with a framing story, that tells of the failures, triumphs, and terrors of man’s future existence with intelligent robotic life forms.

MY RATING: 4/5 stars

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: In an interview upon the eve of her retirement from U.S. Robot and Mechanical Men, Inc, Dr. Susan Calvin, robopsychologist, reviews successes and failures from the early days of robot use up through the novel’s current time, where robots are an integral part of the fabric of our existence. Man’s fear and loathing of intelligent machines is an ever present theme leading to a few very suspenseful tales.

MY REVIEW:

PROS:

–Differences between the nine stories keeps things interesting.
–Humor interjected with the characters of Powell and Donovan
–Framing story is interesting and gives cohesion to the collection.
–A couple of page-turning, suspenseful tales carry the book.
–The 3 laws explored in a variety of interesting ways.

CONS:

–Fans of the film might be disappointed, the story is nothing like the movie that bears its name.
–A few of the nine stories are weak.
–The collection misses ending on a real strong note as the final story’s very interesting message is diminished by the story’s structure.
–Dr. Susan Calvin is not the most warm and cuddly character.

BOTTOM LINE: A seminal science fiction classic worth taking a look at.

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The Stars My Destination ~Alfred Bester

–published 1956, originally as a 4 part serial in Galaxy Magazine
–212 pages, SFBC 50th Anniversary Collection
–5/5 stars

REVIEW SUMMARY: A must-read classic science fiction re-imagining of the Count of Monte Cristo, yet so much more.

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Gulliver Foyle, sleep-walking through his existence, is awakened to his full, monstrous potential when his derelict ship, adrift in space, is ignored by the passing vessel, Vorga, and he is left to die. This catalyst propels Foyle on a course of vengeance that will shape the future of an entire galaxy.

THE GOOD: A page-turner. Surprisingly contemporary 60+ years after its release. Engaging anti-hero. Introduction of the concept of jaunting–planet-bound teleportation controlled by thought–which dramatically changes the planets’ economic and social structure. Thought-provoking and exciting vision of the future.

THE BAD: One small portion of the ever-escalating climax is conceptually odd; the denouement could have been a few pages longer.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The Stars My Destination is a book that all science fiction fans should read simply because it is a classic worth reading. It maintains its relevancy and should appeal to those who prefer to read more contemporary science fiction as well. This is also a book I would recommend for those who do not consider themselves fans of science fiction but enjoy a good story. It is an accesible, fast-paced story with enough thought-provoking material to appeal to those who like a good story with a little meat to it.

Highly recommended!

Continue reading The Stars My Destination ~Alfred Bester →