ISBN: 067172178X Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
A mildly entertaining but limited and dated science fiction, where interesting extrapolations are balanced by cliches.
Reviewed by David on November 10, 2002
Genre: Science Fiction (Politics, Aliens)
Synopsis: In the future, most of the world is splintered into two groups: "Ortho" are the tax-paying, documented, "square" citizens, and the "Byworlders", and collectively all the misfits, from the criminal fringe, to the religious communities, to anachronists, to the artists. Despite the huge variety of the byworlders, and the sharp culture clash between the Ortho and the byworlders, the two groups generally coexist peacefully.
When an alien ship of obviously advanced technology approaches Earth, this generates tension, fear and excitement. Old political rivalries heat up, faced with the prospect of a great leap in technical advancement.
However, the ship's inhabitants are puzzling: the communications remain extraordinary difficult, and the alien purpose mysterious. Attempts by the best Earth linguists prove in vain, until a promising new theory by Dr. Yvonne Canter. Skip Wayburn, a Byworld drifter, and high-flying Yvonne are unlikely to meet, and yet the pair may hold the key to communication with the alien Sigman—a possibility immensely valuable to some, and threatening to others.
Full Review: This is a short, quick-paced book which shows its age. The scientific approach is interesting, but is based on a couple of speculations which would probably be more appropriate to a short story. The action is streamlined and very predictable, filled with what now reads like clichés;. Even the predictable and simple plot shows the obvious skill of a craftsman, but the result is only mildly interesting.
Overall: 4; Plot: 3.5; Characters: 4.5; Style: 4; World-building: 5; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 1971, The New American Library (Signet), September 1971, Mass-market, 160 pages
ISBN: 067172178X Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com