Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Here we have an unimpeachable collection of early short fiction from an author whose output can be uneven at time. These stories, all set in the Known Space universe, and originally published between 1966 and 1968, hang together loosely and help to form a sort of exposition of that universe, its conventions, and its inhabitants. Because this exposition is embedded only incidentally within eight fast-paced and ingenious short stories, the reader is never plagued by tedium. Of course, one can always find minor points to quibble over: Niven, for example, has a frustrating tendency to use names which are unpronounceable, which does slow the reader's pace at times. But when the story lines are this engaging, such minor flaws are easily ignored. And while this collection obviously lacks the long-lined story arc of a novel-length work, readers who are looking for compelling sci-fi (mostly) unadulterated by fantastic elements will find this a rewarding read.
This is probably rightly considered Niven’s best short story collection. I’m not a big fan of Beowulf, but these are his best stories. It also contains “The Soft Weapon,” which is probably the best Niven short story I’ve read. There are some rough bits, and I think there’s just a weird section of Known Space history that I think is exceptionally stupid, but still, a decent collection.
"Neutron Star" (1966) 3 Stars
I understand the charm of Beowulf, but the Niven focus on hard Science Fiction limits its effectiveness a bit for me. Also, why are the Puppeteers even bothering with Beowulf’s shenanigans? This is an issue I see Niven still struggling with in the later stories, so it isn’t just me.
"A Relic of the Empire" (1966) 3.5 Stars
Another solid one-off adventure story that uses the principles of adaptation to craft an adventure story.
"At the Core" (1966) 3.5 Stars
This seems like the prototypical Beowulf story: he needs money, gets in over his head, and he has to find a tricksy way out of overwhelming odds. It’s an enjoyable Science Fiction romp.
"The Soft Weapon" (1967) 4.5 Stars
I can see why this one was adapted for Star Trek: The Animated Series. It’s easily my favorite of the Niven stories I’ve read. The characters are fun, and their relationships are integral to the story. The mystery is compelling and makes sense, and the adventure story is tense and action packed. Rightfully renowned.
"Flatlander" (1967) 2.5 Stars
I was expecting the introduction to Beowulf’s true love to be more… interesting? The legal pickpocket thing is really dumb.
"The Ethics of Madness" (1967) 1 Star
They didn’t know much about mental health then… I genuinely didn’t enjoy this one. I thought the opening conceit might be interesting, and then it was technology’s fault and then it was the logic of the law’s fault. Stupid. This was stupid and overlong. I could have been convinced this was written two or three decades earlier.
"The Handicapped" (1967) 3 Stars
They didn’t know much about physical disability then… Also, Niven’s knowledge of evolution wasn’t quite there. Still, the story is fun and a rather nice extension of his other stuff.
"Grendel" (1968) 2 Stars
So… Kidnappers abide by contracts? What the actual hell? The setup of the mystery was alright, but this universe is kind of falling apart on me. Also, the “clever” Beowulf loophole in this is pretty dumb.
"Neutron Star" (1966) 3 Stars
I understand the charm of Beowulf, but the Niven focus on hard Science Fiction limits its effectiveness a bit for me. Also, why are the Puppeteers even bothering with Beowulf’s shenanigans? This is an issue I see Niven still struggling with in the later stories, so it isn’t just me.
"A Relic of the Empire" (1966) 3.5 Stars
Another solid one-off adventure story that uses the principles of adaptation to craft an adventure story.
"At the Core" (1966) 3.5 Stars
This seems like the prototypical Beowulf story: he needs money, gets in over his head, and he has to find a tricksy way out of overwhelming odds. It’s an enjoyable Science Fiction romp.
"The Soft Weapon" (1967) 4.5 Stars
I can see why this one was adapted for Star Trek: The Animated Series. It’s easily my favorite of the Niven stories I’ve read. The characters are fun, and their relationships are integral to the story. The mystery is compelling and makes sense, and the adventure story is tense and action packed. Rightfully renowned.
"Flatlander" (1967) 2.5 Stars
I was expecting the introduction to Beowulf’s true love to be more… interesting? The legal pickpocket thing is really dumb.
"The Ethics of Madness" (1967) 1 Star
They didn’t know much about mental health then… I genuinely didn’t enjoy this one. I thought the opening conceit might be interesting, and then it was technology’s fault and then it was the logic of the law’s fault. Stupid. This was stupid and overlong. I could have been convinced this was written two or three decades earlier.
"The Handicapped" (1967) 3 Stars
They didn’t know much about physical disability then… Also, Niven’s knowledge of evolution wasn’t quite there. Still, the story is fun and a rather nice extension of his other stuff.
"Grendel" (1968) 2 Stars
So… Kidnappers abide by contracts? What the actual hell? The setup of the mystery was alright, but this universe is kind of falling apart on me. Also, the “clever” Beowulf loophole in this is pretty dumb.
Unexpectedly brilliant
I got a few pages in and was having a hard time getting into it so set it aside for awhile. Then I picked it up again and realized how much depth there was to it. A series of interconnected stories with crazy ends to some parts of it. The ending itself was enjoyable and I can't help wishing there was more. However, I find danger in prequels and sequels. Frankly, this work stands on its own and has no need for more. It just makes me want more.
I got a few pages in and was having a hard time getting into it so set it aside for awhile. Then I picked it up again and realized how much depth there was to it. A series of interconnected stories with crazy ends to some parts of it. The ending itself was enjoyable and I can't help wishing there was more. However, I find danger in prequels and sequels. Frankly, this work stands on its own and has no need for more. It just makes me want more.
Although out-of-print, Neutron Star is a book worth getting for any fan of science fiction. It collects several of Niven's "Known Space" short stories from his golden age of the late-1960s, including the Beowulf Shaeffer stories.
In 1966 Larry Niven created the ultimate tourist with his award-winning short story "Neutron Star." It was the tale of Beowulf Shaeffer, a laid-off pilot heavily in debt and easy to blackmail, and how the alien race the puppeteers convinced him to make a dangerous flyby of a neutron star. In "A Relic of the Empire," Shaeffer effectively creates the Known Space universe by binding his far-future stories to the near-future epoch of Lucas Garner. It deals with an xenoarchaeologist who uses his esoteric knowledge to defeat a band of pirates. In "At the Core", the puppeteers convince Beowulf Shaeffer to take an experimental hyperdrive all the way to the galactic core, where he makes a discovery that spurs the puppeteers into fleeing Known Space. "The Soft Weapon" is the only dud of the collection, a drawn-out struggle between husband and wife pilots with the mad puppeteer Nessus (who went on to become a major character in Ringworld) against Kzinti set on revenge. The third Beowulf Shaeffer story, "Flatlander", begins with the quixotic hero as a tourist on Earth, and takes him on a journey with a millionaire to a very unusual planet. "The Ethics of Madness" is the story set earliest in Niven's chronology, dealing with the creation of a Bussard ramscoop that can accomodate a human pilot, opening the galaxy for exploration. In "The Handicapped", the reader is introduced to the sessile Grogs on the planet Down, and given several clues as to the ultimate fate of the Slaver Empire. "Grendel", the last of the golden age of the Shaeffer stories, has Shaeffer foil a kidnapping on a newly-colonized world. These stories are all excellent and are recommended reading for any fan of science fiction.
Larry Niven was off a little in predicting the future, personal computing doesn't play any role in these stories and in fact one character even uses a typewriter. There are hardly any female characters, and the gender roles are certainly right out of the 1960's. The characters are all Americans and seem to have never heard of the metric system. Nonetheless, few science fiction writers have conjured up a future as colourful as Niven's, and with such fascinating hard science. Although the Beowulf Shaeffer stories can be found in the collection Crashlander (a highly disappointing book because of the poor quality of Niven's post-1975 material), I'd recommend Neutron Star, which offers the golden-age Shaeffer tales with other Known Space wonders. It is also necessary back story for understanding Niven's great novel Ringworld.
In 1966 Larry Niven created the ultimate tourist with his award-winning short story "Neutron Star." It was the tale of Beowulf Shaeffer, a laid-off pilot heavily in debt and easy to blackmail, and how the alien race the puppeteers convinced him to make a dangerous flyby of a neutron star. In "A Relic of the Empire," Shaeffer effectively creates the Known Space universe by binding his far-future stories to the near-future epoch of Lucas Garner. It deals with an xenoarchaeologist who uses his esoteric knowledge to defeat a band of pirates. In "At the Core", the puppeteers convince Beowulf Shaeffer to take an experimental hyperdrive all the way to the galactic core, where he makes a discovery that spurs the puppeteers into fleeing Known Space. "The Soft Weapon" is the only dud of the collection, a drawn-out struggle between husband and wife pilots with the mad puppeteer Nessus (who went on to become a major character in Ringworld) against Kzinti set on revenge. The third Beowulf Shaeffer story, "Flatlander", begins with the quixotic hero as a tourist on Earth, and takes him on a journey with a millionaire to a very unusual planet. "The Ethics of Madness" is the story set earliest in Niven's chronology, dealing with the creation of a Bussard ramscoop that can accomodate a human pilot, opening the galaxy for exploration. In "The Handicapped", the reader is introduced to the sessile Grogs on the planet Down, and given several clues as to the ultimate fate of the Slaver Empire. "Grendel", the last of the golden age of the Shaeffer stories, has Shaeffer foil a kidnapping on a newly-colonized world. These stories are all excellent and are recommended reading for any fan of science fiction.
Larry Niven was off a little in predicting the future, personal computing doesn't play any role in these stories and in fact one character even uses a typewriter. There are hardly any female characters, and the gender roles are certainly right out of the 1960's. The characters are all Americans and seem to have never heard of the metric system. Nonetheless, few science fiction writers have conjured up a future as colourful as Niven's, and with such fascinating hard science. Although the Beowulf Shaeffer stories can be found in the collection Crashlander (a highly disappointing book because of the poor quality of Niven's post-1975 material), I'd recommend Neutron Star, which offers the golden-age Shaeffer tales with other Known Space wonders. It is also necessary back story for understanding Niven's great novel Ringworld.
I read a lot of Larry Niven during my youthful years and I remember the books fondly.
Good reads doesn't list the 2013 ebook edition of this book, so I'm linking to this. The 2013 edition has a new introduciton by [a:Larry Niven|12534|Larry Niven|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596428206p2/12534.jpg], so it's adifferent book, not a different edition of the same book! Granted, it doesn't have an ISBN or even a copyright page, so how woudl the librarians add an entry for it?
Anyway, I read it again.
Anyway, I read it again.
Not a bad collection of short stories, which is saying something because I don't usually enjoy them too much.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
An enjoyable collection of stories that set up the Known Universe series of books Nivem would go onto write. The recommended starting point before jumping into the huge collection of books.
https://osrascunhos.com/2017/11/11/neutron-star-larry-niven/
Eis um inesperadamente bom conjunto de histórias. Não conhecia o mundo em que decorre, nem o autor, mas mesmo sem conhecer o enquadramento dado por outras histórias consegue ler-se sem necessidade de introduções – até porque a realidade expressa aqui é simples.
Num futuro distante a humanidade já colonizou vários mundos e conheceu outras espécies alienígenas, destacando-se os “Puppeteers” (uma raça de mercadores manipuladores que têm valor para tudo). Este volume apresenta várias aventuras que se centram sobretudo em Beowulf Shaeffer, um aventureiro sortudo que se arrisca a missões perigosas e sobrevive.
Não se tratam de missões perigosas no sentido bélico. Beowulf aceita ir até ao centro da Galáxia numa nova nave capaz de percorrer, em poucos dias, a distância necessária, ou visitar um estranho planeta que viaja a alta velocidade e onde apenas existem animais numa das suas metades.
Tratam-se de aventuras onde se denota o espírito solitário do herói curioso que é capaz de, quando pressionado, ultrapassar a sua preguiça mental, e arranjar soluções interessantes para os problemas diplomáticos e económicos que atravessa. Só assim é capaz de sobreviver à missão que o coloca perto de uma Estrela de Neutrões ou à viagem solitária que quase o leva ao centro da Galáxia.
A interacção com outras espécies alienígenas também não é fácil. Com códigos de conduta distintos ou diferentes forças diplomáticas, o resultado das missões a que se disponibiliza revela-se muitas vezes inesperado.
Bem disposto, carregado de situações inusitadas e com espécies alienígenas que fornecem elementos interessantes, Neutron Star fornece uma leitura engraçada e espirituosa que me levará à procura dos restantes livros que decorrem no mesmo Universo ficcional.
Eis um inesperadamente bom conjunto de histórias. Não conhecia o mundo em que decorre, nem o autor, mas mesmo sem conhecer o enquadramento dado por outras histórias consegue ler-se sem necessidade de introduções – até porque a realidade expressa aqui é simples.
Num futuro distante a humanidade já colonizou vários mundos e conheceu outras espécies alienígenas, destacando-se os “Puppeteers” (uma raça de mercadores manipuladores que têm valor para tudo). Este volume apresenta várias aventuras que se centram sobretudo em Beowulf Shaeffer, um aventureiro sortudo que se arrisca a missões perigosas e sobrevive.
Não se tratam de missões perigosas no sentido bélico. Beowulf aceita ir até ao centro da Galáxia numa nova nave capaz de percorrer, em poucos dias, a distância necessária, ou visitar um estranho planeta que viaja a alta velocidade e onde apenas existem animais numa das suas metades.
Tratam-se de aventuras onde se denota o espírito solitário do herói curioso que é capaz de, quando pressionado, ultrapassar a sua preguiça mental, e arranjar soluções interessantes para os problemas diplomáticos e económicos que atravessa. Só assim é capaz de sobreviver à missão que o coloca perto de uma Estrela de Neutrões ou à viagem solitária que quase o leva ao centro da Galáxia.
A interacção com outras espécies alienígenas também não é fácil. Com códigos de conduta distintos ou diferentes forças diplomáticas, o resultado das missões a que se disponibiliza revela-se muitas vezes inesperado.
Bem disposto, carregado de situações inusitadas e com espécies alienígenas que fornecem elementos interessantes, Neutron Star fornece uma leitura engraçada e espirituosa que me levará à procura dos restantes livros que decorrem no mesmo Universo ficcional.