Synopsis: The united
'Second Empire of Man' spans vast distances, due to the Alderson Drive which
has enabled humans to travel easily between the stars. After an alien probe is
discovered, the Navy dispatches two ships to determine whether the aliens pose
a threat… Called by Robert A. Heinlein: "Possibly the greatest science
fiction novel ever written," this magnificent exploration of first contact
and a truly alien society is a "must read" for science fiction fans.
(from the online description)
Review: First contact
stories tend to fall into two tropes: either the benevolent aliens come to help
to poor humans or Independence Day. Niven and Pournelle deftly side step these
tropes and give us a first contact story both riveting and real. Moties, as
they are named, are both benevolent and dangerous. And it falls to a diverse,
flawed sortie of humans to determine the fate of both the Moties – and the
human race.
A fast-paced plot, combined with complex characters and an intricate
world of limiting technologies, create a story both mind-expanding and
heart-wrenching. There are no good guys and bad guys, simple creatures, Motie
and Human alike, working towards the survival of their species.
My only complaint is, once again, is the portrayal women. Only
one female with speaking lines, but she is an integral part of the story,
mostly. She could be replaced with a male and the story wouldn’t change much,
despite her being presented as an educated woman with intelligence. She is
often the “heart” of the discussion, favoring emotion-driven benevolence over
logic. There are remarks to a male-centric society and she seems accepting,
even supporting, of that institution. One of the few shallows characters, sadly, but
better than most women in pre-1980s sci-fi/fantasy novels.
It will up to the individual to determine if this book lives
up to the hype, but for my part, I think it does. Worth the time to read.
Bookmarks: 5 of 5
Awards: Nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel, Hugo Award for Best Novel, and Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1975)
ISBN: 0-671-43403-9
Year Published: 1974
Date Finished: 1-25-2017
Pages: 560
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