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Novellas, NovelettesHomeHugosNebulas P.K.
Dick Locus
Grand
MastersNewbery
Top
20Internet
Top 100 Short
Stories
Novellas, NovelettesHomeHugosNebulas P.K.
Dick Locus
Grand
MastersNewbery
For a young child,
because everything is new, the most simple experience is exciting and wonderful.
After a life of 200 years, our hero, Louis Wu, needs something new and adventurous.
Technologies providing instantaneous travel within the known planets has given
the world a dull sameness. Why not a little adventure in realms beyond explored
space?
This begins an increasingly engaging exploration. Somewhat thin on plot and drama but a cascading series of strange places, people, and alien creatures maintains a high interest level. And also some deeper themes acceptance and understanding despite vast differences of culture, background and species; the value of suffering and difficulties; the importance of wholesness in character development.
A recurrent theme of how to deal with over-population, an issue more relevant now (though possibly more ignored) than when Niven wrote Ringworld. The motivation of one alien is to prove his courage and thereby earn his right to reproduce. Earth has fertility laws and the speculated reason for Ringworld was the overpopulation of planets.
High adventure, humor ("It is not pleasant to realize that one is part of a genetic experiment.") and optimism ("I can help your world, Lewis. Your people know little about sex.") a fun, easy-reading book.
Parental discression: medium dose of 60's style free-love life-style but otherwise fine.
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HomeHugosNebulas P.K.
DickLocus
Grand
MastersNewberyTop
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StoriesNovellas,
Novelettes