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Known Space
Neutron Star
Come to Larry Niven's Universe and meet all the Thrints, Bandersnatchi, Puppeteers — and a host of other wonderfully created characters.Visit Lookitthat, Down, and Jinx — indeed, an entire galaxy of planets found only in these stories that trace man's expansion and colonization throughout Known Space.A spectacular cycle of the future . . . a 10,000-year history of man on Earth and in space!
Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1966
174 people are currently reading
3882 people want to read
About the author
Larry Niven
669 books3,249 followersLaurence van Cott Niven's best known work is Ringworld (Ringworld, #1) (1970), which received the Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics. The creation of thoroughly worked-out alien species, which are very different from humans both physically and mentally, is recognized as one of Niven's main strengths.
Niven also often includes elements of detective fiction and adventure stories. His fantasy includes The Magic Goes Away series, which utilizes an exhaustible resource, called Mana, to make the magic a non-renewable resource.
Niven created an alien species, the Kzin, which were featured in a series of twelve collection books, the Man-Kzin Wars. He co-authored a number of novels with Jerry Pournelle. In fact, much of his writing since the 1970s has been in collaboration, particularly with Pournelle, Steven Barnes, Brenda Cooper, or Edward M. Lerner.
He briefly attended the California Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics (with a minor in psychology) from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, in 1962. He did a year of graduate work in mathematics at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has since lived in Los Angeles suburbs, including Chatsworth and Tarzana, as a full-time writer. He married Marilyn Joyce "Fuzzy Pink" Wisowaty, herself a well-known science fiction and Regency literature fan, on September 6, 1969.
Niven won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story for Neutron Star in 1967. In 1972, for Inconstant Moon, and in 1975 for The Hole Man. In 1976, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette for The Borderland of Sol.
Niven has written scripts for various science fiction television shows, including the original Land of the Lost series and Star Trek: The Animated Series, for which he adapted his early Kzin story The Soft Weapon. He adapted his story Inconstant Moon for an episode of the television series The Outer Limits in 1996.
He has also written for the DC Comics character Green Lantern including in his stories hard science fiction concepts such as universal entropy and the redshift effect, which are unusual in comic books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/larryn...
Niven also often includes elements of detective fiction and adventure stories. His fantasy includes The Magic Goes Away series, which utilizes an exhaustible resource, called Mana, to make the magic a non-renewable resource.
Niven created an alien species, the Kzin, which were featured in a series of twelve collection books, the Man-Kzin Wars. He co-authored a number of novels with Jerry Pournelle. In fact, much of his writing since the 1970s has been in collaboration, particularly with Pournelle, Steven Barnes, Brenda Cooper, or Edward M. Lerner.
He briefly attended the California Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics (with a minor in psychology) from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, in 1962. He did a year of graduate work in mathematics at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has since lived in Los Angeles suburbs, including Chatsworth and Tarzana, as a full-time writer. He married Marilyn Joyce "Fuzzy Pink" Wisowaty, herself a well-known science fiction and Regency literature fan, on September 6, 1969.
Niven won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story for Neutron Star in 1967. In 1972, for Inconstant Moon, and in 1975 for The Hole Man. In 1976, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette for The Borderland of Sol.
Niven has written scripts for various science fiction television shows, including the original Land of the Lost series and Star Trek: The Animated Series, for which he adapted his early Kzin story The Soft Weapon. He adapted his story Inconstant Moon for an episode of the television series The Outer Limits in 1996.
He has also written for the DC Comics character Green Lantern including in his stories hard science fiction concepts such as universal entropy and the redshift effect, which are unusual in comic books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/larryn...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
July 23, 2014
[Original review, Feb 2009]
For people who haven't read the book, a quick physics test. The hero agrees to put his ship on an orbit that will take it to within one mile of the surface of a neutron star. His employers assure him, correctly, that the ship's hull will stop any form of radiation. Nevertheless, it's a really stupid idea. Why?
If you didn't get it, don't feel bad. Beowulf Shaeffer doesn't either, and finds out the hard way.
__________________________________
[Update, Jul 2014]
Since posting the above review, I've read a fair amount of general relativity. It's given me a good opportunity to assess just how stupid this so-called "hard SF" story is.
For people who haven't read the book, a quick physics test. The hero agrees to put his ship on an orbit that will take it to within one mile of the surface of a neutron star. His employers assure him, correctly, that the ship's hull will stop any form of radiation. Nevertheless, it's a really stupid idea. Why?
If you didn't get it, don't feel bad. Beowulf Shaeffer doesn't either, and finds out the hard way.
__________________________________
[Update, Jul 2014]
Since posting the above review, I've read a fair amount of general relativity. It's given me a good opportunity to assess just how stupid this so-called "hard SF" story is.
November 3, 2010
Holy crap was this ever good. I'm not sure how I missed reading any of the Ringworld series before, but with this being the 40th Anniversary, I figured it was time.
With epic series like this, I usually hit the 'net to see if there's a recommended reading order, or anything that will help me to "get it" a little more easily. Every site I visited recommended starting with Neutron Star. This is an anthology of 8 short stories (each novelette length,) set in the universe of Ringworld - the future of humanity. Each story stands on it's own as character studies, political and social commentary, scientific exploration and adventure. It's easy to see why Niven is widely regarded as one of the masters of Sci-fi.
I'm looking forward to diving into Ringworld next.
With epic series like this, I usually hit the 'net to see if there's a recommended reading order, or anything that will help me to "get it" a little more easily. Every site I visited recommended starting with Neutron Star. This is an anthology of 8 short stories (each novelette length,) set in the universe of Ringworld - the future of humanity. Each story stands on it's own as character studies, political and social commentary, scientific exploration and adventure. It's easy to see why Niven is widely regarded as one of the masters of Sci-fi.
I'm looking forward to diving into Ringworld next.
November 28, 2023
Niven never disappoints
Beowulf Schafer is the man.
I love how interconnected the known space universe is and how much thought he puts into it. People from planets with different gravitational fields are built differently, someone born in space might be very thin and seven feet tall, someone from a higher gravity planet is squat and strong. People can change their appearance down to checkerboard skin and blood red eyes. There’s even uplifted animals like dolphins. Tons of cool stuff packed into these smart, entertaining stories.
Beowulf Schafer is the man.
I love how interconnected the known space universe is and how much thought he puts into it. People from planets with different gravitational fields are built differently, someone born in space might be very thin and seven feet tall, someone from a higher gravity planet is squat and strong. People can change their appearance down to checkerboard skin and blood red eyes. There’s even uplifted animals like dolphins. Tons of cool stuff packed into these smart, entertaining stories.
May 8, 2016
I remember reading this years ago when I was first exploring science fiction - the artwork by Peter Jones - the doorway in to Known Space even today still appeals to me. But I get ahead of myself I can tell.
Okay this was part of a series of books I picked up at a carboot sale (British thing trust me) and where there was an old suitcase full of books. Well I could not resist not realising what I was letting myself in for.
Anyway this is a series of interconnected stories - if you accept the connection being in the majority the same character or adventures in the same universe, okay rather vague but it works for me. You see Larry Niven created a universe where various stories can occur which share some common thread. Now I must admit I am not sure if this was some mater plan or if like Asimov's Foundation and Robots stories sort of evolved together in to one massive time line.
Either way you meet in this book some of Niven's most famous and long lasting characters and events from the Puppeteers to the Kzin along with the odd Bandersnatchi along the way. There is no starting point for the tales of Known Space rather its a case of pick a point and start from there - and this book is as good a place as any.
Okay this was part of a series of books I picked up at a carboot sale (British thing trust me) and where there was an old suitcase full of books. Well I could not resist not realising what I was letting myself in for.
Anyway this is a series of interconnected stories - if you accept the connection being in the majority the same character or adventures in the same universe, okay rather vague but it works for me. You see Larry Niven created a universe where various stories can occur which share some common thread. Now I must admit I am not sure if this was some mater plan or if like Asimov's Foundation and Robots stories sort of evolved together in to one massive time line.
Either way you meet in this book some of Niven's most famous and long lasting characters and events from the Puppeteers to the Kzin along with the odd Bandersnatchi along the way. There is no starting point for the tales of Known Space rather its a case of pick a point and start from there - and this book is as good a place as any.
October 19, 2022
I'd been in the mood to read some classic sci-fi: something distant and cynical, taking place in deep space, where there was fantastic technology and alien races and not many people to mess it all up. This was perfect. Neutron Star is a collection of short stories from Niven prefacing Ringworld and highly worthwhile if you like the latter. I'll be re-reading Ringworld soon with these stories in mind. Plus let this also be a good reminder to just read more Larry Niven. There aren't many writers so good at picturing real people in fantastic futures. Plus he's a lot funnier than I think he gets credit for.
(Updated Oct. '22) I first read this about 12 years ago and have filled out my Niven reading since. His catalog is definitely hit-and-miss. But sometimes he really nails a certain wry scoundrel voice that is a lot of fun, as he does splendidly here, without losing his far-out SF edge. I love revisiting stories about the Kzinti and Puppeteers, two of the more fully-realized fake space races in the genre.
(Updated Oct. '22) I first read this about 12 years ago and have filled out my Niven reading since. His catalog is definitely hit-and-miss. But sometimes he really nails a certain wry scoundrel voice that is a lot of fun, as he does splendidly here, without losing his far-out SF edge. I love revisiting stories about the Kzinti and Puppeteers, two of the more fully-realized fake space races in the genre.
April 16, 2021
Larry Niven seems to have some fascinating ideas of the future and his alien cultures are truly unique, however I just don't vibe with his characters and plots. They are well crafted, though, creating a sense of adventures while also including a lot of mundane moments of world building and every day life.
The main characters are the typical science fiction protagonists of the time with not much to endear them to me or make them stand out and the stories are often about some kind of scamming and hostility. Like I said, I like a lot of the ideas presented but not a lot of the actions will stick with me. While for a lot of readers it would probably be nice to have recurring characters, for me it didn't help if someone appeared that I already knew I wasn't invested in. I still enjoyed the future and universe Niven presented here a lot, but I won't continue in the series.
The main characters are the typical science fiction protagonists of the time with not much to endear them to me or make them stand out and the stories are often about some kind of scamming and hostility. Like I said, I like a lot of the ideas presented but not a lot of the actions will stick with me. While for a lot of readers it would probably be nice to have recurring characters, for me it didn't help if someone appeared that I already knew I wasn't invested in. I still enjoyed the future and universe Niven presented here a lot, but I won't continue in the series.
April 26, 2022
In other reviews I’ve mentioned that I get nostalgic about books I read as a teen-ager and undergraduate, and could kick myself that I didn’t hang on to them.
Recently, I got into such a mood and bought Kindle versions of Neutron Star and 3 Books of Known Space. The following is a joint review and I will link to it in the entry for the latter book.
I think I first heard of Larry Niven from an art book that illustrated several SF novels, including Ringworld, the author’s classic about a remarkable piece of planetary engineering. I got a SFBC edition of Ringworld and liked it. I found I liked a fair amount of Niven’s work, especially the tales of Known Space, his future history. I was never a fanatic; there’s plenty that I don’t care for & I stopped finding him interesting by the time I had graduated from college.
Neutron Star brings together several stories of Known Space, many starring one of Niven’s recurring characters, the crashlander Beowulf Shaeffer. For me much of the interest I have (had) for Niven is that he takes a physical principle (as understood at the time of writing; a lot of what he writes about is outdated in 2022) or technology and explores its ramifications. Thus we have the titular story about Shaeffer’s adventures investigating a neutron star. This collection also contains “The Soft Weapon,” upon which the animated TOS episode “The Slaver Weapon” is based. It’s Niven who invented the Kzinti, a felinoid race familiar to players of ADB’s Star Fleet Battles. This collection also contains “At the Core,” the story explaining why the Puppeteers are fleeing the galaxy.
3 Books of Known Space brings together several short stories and two novels - World of Ptavvs and A Gift From Earth. Of the short stories, my favorites are:
Of the novels, I had read World of Ptavvs a long time ago. One-and-a-half billion years ago, the Thrintun were absolute masters of the galaxy, enslaving other races with their mental powers. One of their slave races, the tnuctipun, were masters of biological engineering and eventually rose up against their masters. The resulting war exterminated every sentient species (with one exception). Outside of that exceptional species, the only evidence of the Slaver Empire are stasis boxes. Technological marvels that stop time for the objects included in them, including living animals. One slaver survives to our era in such a box; and the novel recounts poor Kzanol’s interactions with the humans who discover him.
A Gift From Earth is about the colony of Mt. Lookitthat, set before humans acquired a hyperdrive. The colony is highly stratified between the descendants of the crew of the slowboat that brought the original population and the colonists. A dictatorship maintained through the crew’s absolute monopoly on the transplant technology that makes it possible to live extended lives. The slightest infraction is punishable by being sent to the organ banks. The titular gift is the technology to grow organs.
My issue with both these novels, is that there are no relatable or interesting characters. Particularly so with A Gift. Matthew Keller is a self-centered jerk, and doesn’t improve. In fact, he’s contemplating using his psychic ability to mentally roofie woman by the end of the book.
So – to recommend Niven or not to recommend Niven.
Overall, I can’t recommend the author. But I would recommend sampling him. Ringworld is a true classic and any serious SF reader needs to read it (IMO). And he’s created one of my favorite aliens – the Pak Protector. Despite the relationship between them and humans being hokum, I would love to eat a tree-of-life root and metamorphose into a Protector (see Protector).
A caution, his positions on sexuality/gender and related issues are, charitably, dated. Like many so-called hard SF writers he doesn’t know what to do with a female character (much less a nonbinary one) and his concept of the male is limited. As a cisgender male heterosexual these things don’t trigger me as much as they might others, though they do detract from the pleasure I used to derive from Niven and similar authors I read in my youth. But even I was surprised at Niven’s attitude toward homosexuality in A Gift and the homophobia evident in “How the Heroes Die,” which is about a man who murders another who’s made unwelcome advances to him.
Recently, I got into such a mood and bought Kindle versions of Neutron Star and 3 Books of Known Space. The following is a joint review and I will link to it in the entry for the latter book.
I think I first heard of Larry Niven from an art book that illustrated several SF novels, including Ringworld, the author’s classic about a remarkable piece of planetary engineering. I got a SFBC edition of Ringworld and liked it. I found I liked a fair amount of Niven’s work, especially the tales of Known Space, his future history. I was never a fanatic; there’s plenty that I don’t care for & I stopped finding him interesting by the time I had graduated from college.
Neutron Star brings together several stories of Known Space, many starring one of Niven’s recurring characters, the crashlander Beowulf Shaeffer. For me much of the interest I have (had) for Niven is that he takes a physical principle (as understood at the time of writing; a lot of what he writes about is outdated in 2022) or technology and explores its ramifications. Thus we have the titular story about Shaeffer’s adventures investigating a neutron star. This collection also contains “The Soft Weapon,” upon which the animated TOS episode “The Slaver Weapon” is based. It’s Niven who invented the Kzinti, a felinoid race familiar to players of ADB’s Star Fleet Battles. This collection also contains “At the Core,” the story explaining why the Puppeteers are fleeing the galaxy.
3 Books of Known Space brings together several short stories and two novels - World of Ptavvs and A Gift From Earth. Of the short stories, my favorites are:
“Intent to Deceive” – a light-hearted look at the perils and pitfalls of automated restaurants.
“The Warriors” – the story that introduces us to the Kzinti.
“There Is A Tide” – a tale of Louis Wu before he set out to explore the Ringworld.
Of the novels, I had read World of Ptavvs a long time ago. One-and-a-half billion years ago, the Thrintun were absolute masters of the galaxy, enslaving other races with their mental powers. One of their slave races, the tnuctipun, were masters of biological engineering and eventually rose up against their masters. The resulting war exterminated every sentient species (with one exception). Outside of that exceptional species, the only evidence of the Slaver Empire are stasis boxes. Technological marvels that stop time for the objects included in them, including living animals. One slaver survives to our era in such a box; and the novel recounts poor Kzanol’s interactions with the humans who discover him.
A Gift From Earth is about the colony of Mt. Lookitthat, set before humans acquired a hyperdrive. The colony is highly stratified between the descendants of the crew of the slowboat that brought the original population and the colonists. A dictatorship maintained through the crew’s absolute monopoly on the transplant technology that makes it possible to live extended lives. The slightest infraction is punishable by being sent to the organ banks. The titular gift is the technology to grow organs.
My issue with both these novels, is that there are no relatable or interesting characters. Particularly so with A Gift. Matthew Keller is a self-centered jerk, and doesn’t improve. In fact, he’s contemplating using his psychic ability to mentally roofie woman by the end of the book.
So – to recommend Niven or not to recommend Niven.
Overall, I can’t recommend the author. But I would recommend sampling him. Ringworld is a true classic and any serious SF reader needs to read it (IMO). And he’s created one of my favorite aliens – the Pak Protector. Despite the relationship between them and humans being hokum, I would love to eat a tree-of-life root and metamorphose into a Protector (see Protector).
A caution, his positions on sexuality/gender and related issues are, charitably, dated. Like many so-called hard SF writers he doesn’t know what to do with a female character (much less a nonbinary one) and his concept of the male is limited. As a cisgender male heterosexual these things don’t trigger me as much as they might others, though they do detract from the pleasure I used to derive from Niven and similar authors I read in my youth. But even I was surprised at Niven’s attitude toward homosexuality in A Gift and the homophobia evident in “How the Heroes Die,” which is about a man who murders another who’s made unwelcome advances to him.
July 6, 2018
I’m not fond of Science Fiction in general, except for the ‘known space’ stories by Larry Niven. Known Space is populated by more than 10 intelligent species, each with its own eccentricities. My favorites are the puppeteers — extremely smart but ditto cowards — and the Outsiders, who do not need an atmosphere and live by selling information: interesting facts about the galaxy, which they seem to know better than anyone.
Niven has written many stories about known space. This book was recommended as a good starting point. The stories themselves are often funny and definitely not to be taken seriously. Just light and very enjoyable reading (at least to me).
Niven has written many stories about known space. This book was recommended as a good starting point. The stories themselves are often funny and definitely not to be taken seriously. Just light and very enjoyable reading (at least to me).
December 2, 2024
you read these and you're like "what about foo?" and then it turns out foo was the hinge on which the story turned, and niven just assumed you didn't know about it. but foo is things like: tidal forces. also, kinda gross in the way most scifi of this period is gross.
July 4, 2017
Neutron Star is arguably Niven's best Known Space collection, containing stories that appeared over a relatively brief span but introduced a vast array of fantastic puzzles and fabulous stories. Beowulf Schaeffer, a likable rogue who's one of Niven's best characters, appears in many of them, and planets such as Jinx, Down, and Lookitthat provide classic science fiction settings. This is hard sf at its best.
March 27, 2011
Neutron Star is my favorite short story collection, with quite a few gems from Niven’s Known Space universe. Unfortunately it is out of print. Luckily though, all the Beowulf Shaeffer stories have been republished in Crashlander with the addition of two newer stories.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=255
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=255
September 30, 2019
Second time through and I was able to finish as well as remember what I read.
My favorite is "The Ethics of Madness". I was dumbstruck by the ending. I also really liked the structure and the way Niven related the story and the information indirectly.
My favorite is "The Ethics of Madness". I was dumbstruck by the ending. I also really liked the structure and the way Niven related the story and the information indirectly.
July 31, 2024
A marked improvement on Niven's World of Ptavvs. That book felt like it was stuffed to bursting with way too many ideas for a short action novel. As if he wasn't sure he was gonna get a second chance, but he need have feared no such thing. Niven got about a dozen Known Space books out, not even counting the 17(!) book Man-Kzin Wars series mostly written by other authors.
Neutron Star's focus is tighter, mostly on cosmology and the aftermath of the ancient war of the Thrint empire that was described in Ptavvs. About half of the stories follow Beowulf Shaeffer, a starship captain who inadvertently ends up exploring strange celestial bodies in the galaxy, while most of the others show how the Slaver war a billion years ago has had lasting effects on the galaxy. While not directly related to each other, there is clear continuity and chronology between the alternating streams, with the exception of "Ethics of Madness" which is set much earlier than the rest of the stories and not much related to them, though a comment in "Flatlander" touches on a similar scenario.
The overwhelming impression was the monetary bent of the stories. The majority feature people either worrying about getting paid, or the economy more generally. Beowulf doesn't travel to a neutron star for science, or the allure of exploration, but because he's offered a lot of money. The researcher in "Relic of the Empire" doesn't oppose his kidnappers for his own safety, but because he fears their actions will cause a stock market crash. Unless a scifi book is actually about commerce or piracy, these things tend to get glossed over, even if paying off a debt provides the impetus to start off. But here, it's an integral part of witnessing the cataclysmic future of the galactic core.
The exploratory/cosmological side of the collection, combined with the precursor war backstory lends a certain resemblance to the later Xeelee series by Stephen Baxter. Neutron Star lacks the reverential, Stapledonian mode that the Xeelee and Manifold books sometimes entered. From Baxter, witnessing the death of the galactic core would be a moment for awed contemplation, here it's closer to mere spectacle.
Interestingly, while neutron stars had been theorized to exist since the 30s, the first were only discovered a year after the publication of "Neutron Star", as it was found that a rapidly rotating neutron star creates beams of radiation that are detectable from Earth when oriented toward us.
Introduced in this collection are one of the major species of Known Space, the Puppeteers. Finally, another entry in Barlowe's Guide where the alien is both alien and actually integral to the story. The Puppeteers are descended from herd-based herbivores, and so they have evolved an in-born extreme cowardice, all flight, no fight. This drives the plot, as they hire Beowulf to explore dangerous locations that no Puppeteer would risk getting anywhere near, and their paranoid secrecy regarding the location of their homeworld is a plot point in several stories. Unfortunately,
Barlowe does justice to the weird concept of the Puppeteers, where the hand/mouth/heads are mere appendages. The rear leg anatomy is complex, a concept which would be elaborated on in his Expedition. That ended up inspiring C.M. Koseman's Snaiad project, which coincidentally used a similar concept to the Puppeteers, where Snaiadi "heads" are not heads, and even takes it further, where the mouths don't look like mouths, and the beak is no such thing. Don't know whether this is a case of actual influence, but it's plausible.
"Neutron Star" - Beowulf is hired to determine why a crew died unexpectedly doing a flyby of the first discovered neutron star. If it gets out that there is an unknown flaw in Puppeteer-built ship hulls, it would be absolutely disastrous for business. A fun puzzle-story, and the resolution gets Beowulf an extra blackmail payout.
★ "A Relic of the Empire" - A scientist studying the remnants of the Slaver empire's biological rocket "stage trees" is captured by pirates, who want to blackmail the Puppeteers with knowledge of their homeworld. A tense escape and chase story, with knowledge providing the edge for survival. The interstellar reproduction of the feral stage trees is a great xenobiological concept.
★ "At the Core" - Beowulf is hired once again by the Puppeteers to test an experimental hyperdrive far faster than anything on the market. A publicity stunt journey to the core of the galaxy is planned, but proves far more trying than Beowulf anticipated, and what he discovers there has implications for the future of the galaxy.
"The Soft Weapon" - A group of Kzin get their hands on an ancient Slaver-war weapon, both them and their captives attempt to determine how it works. Really long, but ultimately thin as a story. The highlight is the insane Puppeteer Nessus, who is willing to attack in defence of another.
★ "Flatlander" - Beowulf joins a rich acquaintance's voyage, where they ask the information-broker Outsiders for the location of the most interesting system in known space. They are directed to a proto-sun with a single planet travelling rapidly through the plane of the galaxy. Things get so interesting that Has a surprisingly pragmatic "safety first" outlook.
★ "The Ethics of Madness" - A simple accident ends up plunging two men into a vendetta that leads to death and insanity. It's a freaky little thriller, with a grotesque twist ending. There's a gesture at examining who is responsible for an insane man's crimes, himself, or the cause of his insanity? but ultimately it's much more about madness than ethics.
"The Handicapped" - A manufacturer of tools for handless species investigates the sessile Grogs of the planet Down. There's no direct evidence of their intelligence aside from massive brains, but that brain has no obvious purpose to their biology. What's more, it has proved impossible to raise Grogs in captivity or even feed their adult forms.
"Grendel" - Beowulf gets mixed up in a plot to kidnap an alien sculptor. It's a solid adventure, especially the Wile E. Coyote physics ending, but compared to the earlier cosmological journeys it's a step down for Beowulf. Plus the plot point about him being a willing cuck. Like, I get it, it's the future, things change, but dude. At least as a consolation prize .
A typology of fix-up novels is desperately needed (by me, anyway). Despite not actually being a fix-up, Neutron Star actually ends up among the more novelistic collections out there, beaten out only by Mike Resnick's Kirinyaga.
There are many dimensions to consider with a fixup. There's the extent of new material, removals, edits, frames, combining related and unrelated material, not even getting into assessments of quality. I have found:
Unrelated material given the widest, barest frame story possible: Starswarm by Brian Aldiss.
Related material, not originally intended to be part of one whole, given a frame story: Vacuum Diagrams by Stephen Baxter.
Unrelated material, edited together to be a true novel: The War Against the Rulls and Changeling by A.E. van Vogt.
Related material, edited together to be a true novel: Voyage of the Space Beagle by A.E. van Vogt
Related stories, some directly sequential and some not directly connnected, assembled as a novel: Neutron Star by Larry Niven.
Chapters of a single story originally published as independently comprehensible stories, as distinct from a serialized novel: Kirinyaga by Mike Resnick.
Neutron Star's focus is tighter, mostly on cosmology and the aftermath of the ancient war of the Thrint empire that was described in Ptavvs. About half of the stories follow Beowulf Shaeffer, a starship captain who inadvertently ends up exploring strange celestial bodies in the galaxy, while most of the others show how the Slaver war a billion years ago has had lasting effects on the galaxy. While not directly related to each other, there is clear continuity and chronology between the alternating streams, with the exception of "Ethics of Madness" which is set much earlier than the rest of the stories and not much related to them, though a comment in "Flatlander" touches on a similar scenario.
The overwhelming impression was the monetary bent of the stories. The majority feature people either worrying about getting paid, or the economy more generally. Beowulf doesn't travel to a neutron star for science, or the allure of exploration, but because he's offered a lot of money. The researcher in "Relic of the Empire" doesn't oppose his kidnappers for his own safety, but because he fears their actions will cause a stock market crash. Unless a scifi book is actually about commerce or piracy, these things tend to get glossed over, even if paying off a debt provides the impetus to start off. But here, it's an integral part of witnessing the cataclysmic future of the galactic core.
The exploratory/cosmological side of the collection, combined with the precursor war backstory lends a certain resemblance to the later Xeelee series by Stephen Baxter. Neutron Star lacks the reverential, Stapledonian mode that the Xeelee and Manifold books sometimes entered. From Baxter, witnessing the death of the galactic core would be a moment for awed contemplation, here it's closer to mere spectacle.
Interestingly, while neutron stars had been theorized to exist since the 30s, the first were only discovered a year after the publication of "Neutron Star", as it was found that a rapidly rotating neutron star creates beams of radiation that are detectable from Earth when oriented toward us.
Introduced in this collection are one of the major species of Known Space, the Puppeteers. Finally, another entry in Barlowe's Guide where the alien is both alien and actually integral to the story. The Puppeteers are descended from herd-based herbivores, and so they have evolved an in-born extreme cowardice, all flight, no fight. This drives the plot, as they hire Beowulf to explore dangerous locations that no Puppeteer would risk getting anywhere near, and their paranoid secrecy regarding the location of their homeworld is a plot point in several stories. Unfortunately,
Barlowe does justice to the weird concept of the Puppeteers, where the hand/mouth/heads are mere appendages. The rear leg anatomy is complex, a concept which would be elaborated on in his Expedition. That ended up inspiring C.M. Koseman's Snaiad project, which coincidentally used a similar concept to the Puppeteers, where Snaiadi "heads" are not heads, and even takes it further, where the mouths don't look like mouths, and the beak is no such thing. Don't know whether this is a case of actual influence, but it's plausible.
"Neutron Star" - Beowulf is hired to determine why a crew died unexpectedly doing a flyby of the first discovered neutron star. If it gets out that there is an unknown flaw in Puppeteer-built ship hulls, it would be absolutely disastrous for business. A fun puzzle-story, and the resolution gets Beowulf an extra blackmail payout.
★ "A Relic of the Empire" - A scientist studying the remnants of the Slaver empire's biological rocket "stage trees" is captured by pirates, who want to blackmail the Puppeteers with knowledge of their homeworld. A tense escape and chase story, with knowledge providing the edge for survival. The interstellar reproduction of the feral stage trees is a great xenobiological concept.
★ "At the Core" - Beowulf is hired once again by the Puppeteers to test an experimental hyperdrive far faster than anything on the market. A publicity stunt journey to the core of the galaxy is planned, but proves far more trying than Beowulf anticipated, and what he discovers there has implications for the future of the galaxy.
"The Soft Weapon" - A group of Kzin get their hands on an ancient Slaver-war weapon, both them and their captives attempt to determine how it works. Really long, but ultimately thin as a story. The highlight is the insane Puppeteer Nessus, who is willing to attack in defence of another.
★ "Flatlander" - Beowulf joins a rich acquaintance's voyage, where they ask the information-broker Outsiders for the location of the most interesting system in known space. They are directed to a proto-sun with a single planet travelling rapidly through the plane of the galaxy. Things get so interesting that Has a surprisingly pragmatic "safety first" outlook.
★ "The Ethics of Madness" - A simple accident ends up plunging two men into a vendetta that leads to death and insanity. It's a freaky little thriller, with a grotesque twist ending. There's a gesture at examining who is responsible for an insane man's crimes, himself, or the cause of his insanity? but ultimately it's much more about madness than ethics.
"The Handicapped" - A manufacturer of tools for handless species investigates the sessile Grogs of the planet Down. There's no direct evidence of their intelligence aside from massive brains, but that brain has no obvious purpose to their biology. What's more, it has proved impossible to raise Grogs in captivity or even feed their adult forms.
"Grendel" - Beowulf gets mixed up in a plot to kidnap an alien sculptor. It's a solid adventure, especially the Wile E. Coyote physics ending, but compared to the earlier cosmological journeys it's a step down for Beowulf. Plus the plot point about him being a willing cuck. Like, I get it, it's the future, things change, but dude. At least as a consolation prize .
A typology of fix-up novels is desperately needed (by me, anyway). Despite not actually being a fix-up, Neutron Star actually ends up among the more novelistic collections out there, beaten out only by Mike Resnick's Kirinyaga.
There are many dimensions to consider with a fixup. There's the extent of new material, removals, edits, frames, combining related and unrelated material, not even getting into assessments of quality. I have found:
Unrelated material given the widest, barest frame story possible: Starswarm by Brian Aldiss.
Related material, not originally intended to be part of one whole, given a frame story: Vacuum Diagrams by Stephen Baxter.
Unrelated material, edited together to be a true novel: The War Against the Rulls and Changeling by A.E. van Vogt.
Related material, edited together to be a true novel: Voyage of the Space Beagle by A.E. van Vogt
Related stories, some directly sequential and some not directly connnected, assembled as a novel: Neutron Star by Larry Niven.
Chapters of a single story originally published as independently comprehensible stories, as distinct from a serialized novel: Kirinyaga by Mike Resnick.
October 8, 2020
From the descriptions on here I was well-prepared for a very hard form of sf. So I was pleasantly surprised to find this book to contain many lighter-spirited moments as well. Sure, the titular story is very technical (and a bit dry), but for me it was made interesting through the amazing world worldbuilding throughout, with the later stories also back-referring to other stories. Some interesting technology and the depiction of alien races (and the foreigner's look on Earth in "Flatlander"), too.
To be honest, I liked the less "physical" stories (the ones after "Neutron Star" and "At the Core") better than what it probably Niven's more popular work. Niven has some interesting takes on familiar ideas like decisions under uncertainty (in "Flatlander"), mental health and responsibility (in "The Ethics of Madness") and evolution (in "The Handicapped"). Actually, espeically "The Handicapped", but also the general feeling, made me think of Lem's earlier works (which is a good thing).
Unfortunately, my German version is missing half of the stories. I should look out for "A Relic of the Empire", "The Soft Weapon", and "Grendel". And I should certainly get my hands on Ringworld!
To be honest, I liked the less "physical" stories (the ones after "Neutron Star" and "At the Core") better than what it probably Niven's more popular work. Niven has some interesting takes on familiar ideas like decisions under uncertainty (in "Flatlander"), mental health and responsibility (in "The Ethics of Madness") and evolution (in "The Handicapped"). Actually, espeically "The Handicapped", but also the general feeling, made me think of Lem's earlier works (which is a good thing).
Unfortunately, my German version is missing half of the stories. I should look out for "A Relic of the Empire", "The Soft Weapon", and "Grendel". And I should certainly get my hands on Ringworld!
July 13, 2013
A very entertaining anthology of hard SF novellas set in the Known Space universe. I'm a particular fan of "The Soft Weapon," probably for nostalgia reasons--I saw the adaptation of it on Star Trek: The Animated Series when I was a kid. But the original story has a Pierson's Puppeteer in the role given to Spock in the adaptation. Those two-headed and cowardly aliens are always fun to hang out with. Of all the nifty aliens Larry Niven created to populate Known Space, the Puppeteers are my favorite.
June 28, 2008
Niven sure has a wild imagination. And a really bad taste for puns, but also some really intellectual humor. His ideas are genius even to this day and age. His science-fiction is so realistic, it's disturbing at times.
November 27, 2008
Great book of short stories, which I usually don't care for. The difference here, I believe, is that most of the stories relate in some manner or if nothing else they are all set in the same sci-fi universe. Good stuff.
May 16, 2020
I've been rereading these stories for a couple of months, a few pages at a time. I always did think that Larry Niven wrote better short pieces than novels, and this reread just made me believe it more.
The stories are set in the "Tales of Known Space" universe, of which Ringworld is probably the most well known example. I believe all these stories take place before Ringworld, but it's not necessary to read them before Ringworld. They're still fun.
Yes, I think "The Soft Weapon" drags in the middle, but otherwise, these are some of the most memorable short SF stories I have ever read. And even "The Soft Weapon" has a great bit in it that I am glad to have found again. See if you can guess which bit it is.
The stories with Beowulf Shaeffer are tied with "A Relic of Empire" for #1, with "Handicapped" coming in a close second. I'm pretty sure "Neutron Star" won the Hugo and/or Nebula in the short story category back in the day.
Anyway, anyone who likes any type of SF should like these. They have enough science for the hard SF affectionados, and great characters for those who love that. Also, they introduce the universe in small, fun bites.
And the supposed sexism that some claim Niven is guilty of does not seem evident to me--though it is true his protagonists are male. There are a few strong secondary female characters. So the collection is fine on that ground as far as I am concerned.
Try it! You will have fun and you will smile.
The stories are set in the "Tales of Known Space" universe, of which Ringworld is probably the most well known example. I believe all these stories take place before Ringworld, but it's not necessary to read them before Ringworld. They're still fun.
Yes, I think "The Soft Weapon" drags in the middle, but otherwise, these are some of the most memorable short SF stories I have ever read. And even "The Soft Weapon" has a great bit in it that I am glad to have found again. See if you can guess which bit it is.
The stories with Beowulf Shaeffer are tied with "A Relic of Empire" for #1, with "Handicapped" coming in a close second. I'm pretty sure "Neutron Star" won the Hugo and/or Nebula in the short story category back in the day.
Anyway, anyone who likes any type of SF should like these. They have enough science for the hard SF affectionados, and great characters for those who love that. Also, they introduce the universe in small, fun bites.
And the supposed sexism that some claim Niven is guilty of does not seem evident to me--though it is true his protagonists are male. There are a few strong secondary female characters. So the collection is fine on that ground as far as I am concerned.
Try it! You will have fun and you will smile.
December 28, 2024
Short stories that epitomize classic science fiction.
This takes place in Niven’s known space universe that contains Ringworld, but you don’t need any prior knowledge to enjoy these stories.
While the stories are separate, several contain the adventures of Beowulf Shaeffer. A lanky opportunistic star pilot that gets suckered into several adventures. He’s quite a lazy rogue but he’s very clever and his rascality pairs perfectly with Niven’s somewhat sophomoric sense of humor. He’s a great grinning companion for the reader and seems to actually grow heroic (at least a little) by the final story.
These stories paint a fascinating world and have plenty of great science fiction plot twists. A few of the stories got so science-y that I had to mentally review my high school physics knowledge. The stories that don’t contain any twists or mystery fall a little flat but the rest make up for it. For an anthology, the stories flow very well and the setting is very consistent.
If you like strange new worlds and seeking out new life, this is a great pick. Niven seems to really shine when he’s snappy and doesn’t have to fill a whole novel.
This takes place in Niven’s known space universe that contains Ringworld, but you don’t need any prior knowledge to enjoy these stories.
While the stories are separate, several contain the adventures of Beowulf Shaeffer. A lanky opportunistic star pilot that gets suckered into several adventures. He’s quite a lazy rogue but he’s very clever and his rascality pairs perfectly with Niven’s somewhat sophomoric sense of humor. He’s a great grinning companion for the reader and seems to actually grow heroic (at least a little) by the final story.
These stories paint a fascinating world and have plenty of great science fiction plot twists. A few of the stories got so science-y that I had to mentally review my high school physics knowledge. The stories that don’t contain any twists or mystery fall a little flat but the rest make up for it. For an anthology, the stories flow very well and the setting is very consistent.
If you like strange new worlds and seeking out new life, this is a great pick. Niven seems to really shine when he’s snappy and doesn’t have to fill a whole novel.
sony-or-android
November 11, 2022I am encouraged by this, by James Davis Nicoll:
"There is good reason to believe that if one wants to hook readers on Niven’s work, this is the collection with which to do it. The eight stories are all set in Niven’s Known Space setting. Most date from 1966 or 1967 (with one 1968 straggler), the period in which a then-young Niven was doing his worldbuilding. While some of the hard SF puzzle stories don’t hold up to close examination (I am afraid the protagonist of “Neutron Star” absolutely should have died), the stories evince a charming youthful exuberance."
https://www.tor.com/2022/11/04/five-c...
"There is good reason to believe that if one wants to hook readers on Niven’s work, this is the collection with which to do it. The eight stories are all set in Niven’s Known Space setting. Most date from 1966 or 1967 (with one 1968 straggler), the period in which a then-young Niven was doing his worldbuilding. While some of the hard SF puzzle stories don’t hold up to close examination (I am afraid the protagonist of “Neutron Star” absolutely should have died), the stories evince a charming youthful exuberance."
https://www.tor.com/2022/11/04/five-c...
April 6, 2024
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 Larry Niven, 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.
November 26, 2017
Neutronster van Larry Niven, ISB nummer 90 290 5707 6, eerste druk maart 1998, Uitgever Meulenhoff SF.
De omschrijving op de achterzijde van het boek:
Larry Niven, voluit Laurence Van Cott Niven, opgestaan in de jaren 60 en meteen herkend als spannend vernieuwer, verwierf in Nederland bekendheid met zijn Ring Wereld-Romans - Ringwereld, Bouwers van Ringwereld, Beschermers van Ringwereld.
De verhalen in deze uitgave spelen zich alle af in het universum van de Ringwereld-romans, Larry Nivens zogeheten Bekende Heelal.
Twee tintelende prikkelende avonturen met als hoofdpersoon Beowulf Shaeffer, bewoner van Tisgelukt, waar alle mensen albino’s zijn. Meestal ligt hij overhoop met zijn tweekoppige poppenbazen, het curieuze ras dat liever laf dan dood is en dat hem fabelachtige geldsommen beloofd om onuitvoerbare opdrachten uit te voeren.
Zij zijn bij lange na niet de vreemdste wezens in Larry Nivens Bekende Heelal, dat wordt bevolkt door rare beesten en intelligente wezens zoals de Grogs, de Kzinti en de reeds lang uitgestorven Tnuctipun, die her en der in de kosmos hun knapste vindingen hebben verborgen.
Voor Neutronster ontving Larry Niven de Hugo Award.
In deze band de twee volgende verhalen:
• Neutronster, Engelse titel is Neutron Star, 1967.
• Vlaklander, Engelse titel is Flatlander, ook uit 1967.
Omslagillustratie is van Peter A. Jones copyright © Solar Wind Library. Please enjoy the works of this gifted artist at http://www.peterandrewjones.net/iacg.htm.
Vertaling door Ivain Rodrigues de León.
Beide verhalen van Larry Niven zijn uitstekend geschreven en blijven boeien tot het einde. Als je kennis wilt maken met het Universum van Larry Niven, is dit boek de juiste keuze om mee te beginnen.
Neutronster:
In dit verhaal gaan Sonya en Peter Lasking in 2641 op onderzoek naar de enige bekende neutronen ster BVS-1 (ontdekt in 2639) en komen op mysterieuze wijze om het leven. Het ruimteschip welke ze hebben gebruikt, is door de APU ter beschikking gesteld. De APU, eigendom van de Poppenspelers, is ter beschikking gesteld in ruil voor de onderzoeksresultaten. De Poppenspelers hebben een romp ontwikkeld die bestand is tegen alle bekende invloeden van buitenaf. Lees hoe Beowulf Shaeffer wordt overtuigd om dit mysterie op te lossen.
Een opgave van de personages en andere bijzonderheden:
• Sonya and Peter Laskin, onderzoekers van het Instituut van de Wetenschap op de planeet Jinx en beide ruimtevaarders.
• 2605 Sinclair Intrastelsel ruimteschip.
• APU, Algemene Projecten Unie.
• Sigmund Ausfaller, agent van ARM.
• Poppenspeler Adonis.
De volgende tekst is te vinden op de Larry Niven Wiki:
BVS-1 was de eerste bekende oude en afgekoelde neutronster. Ontdekt in 2639 door het Wetenschappelijke Instituut van Jinx. De ster heeft een geschatte massa van 1,3 maal die van onze zon en een rotatieperiode van twee minuten en 27 seconde.
De geschatte samenstelling is 11 mijl neutronen bedekt met ongeveer een halve mijl gedegenereerde materie en 12 voet normale materie.
Vlaklander:
In Vlaklander beleeft Beowulf Shaeffer het volgend avontuur na zijn succesvolle terugkeer van de Neutronster BVS-1. Dit keer samen met Olifant (bijnaam van Alexander Pelton), één van de rijkste bewoners van de aarde.
De omschrijving op de achterzijde van het boek:
Larry Niven, voluit Laurence Van Cott Niven, opgestaan in de jaren 60 en meteen herkend als spannend vernieuwer, verwierf in Nederland bekendheid met zijn Ring Wereld-Romans - Ringwereld, Bouwers van Ringwereld, Beschermers van Ringwereld.
De verhalen in deze uitgave spelen zich alle af in het universum van de Ringwereld-romans, Larry Nivens zogeheten Bekende Heelal.
Twee tintelende prikkelende avonturen met als hoofdpersoon Beowulf Shaeffer, bewoner van Tisgelukt, waar alle mensen albino’s zijn. Meestal ligt hij overhoop met zijn tweekoppige poppenbazen, het curieuze ras dat liever laf dan dood is en dat hem fabelachtige geldsommen beloofd om onuitvoerbare opdrachten uit te voeren.
Zij zijn bij lange na niet de vreemdste wezens in Larry Nivens Bekende Heelal, dat wordt bevolkt door rare beesten en intelligente wezens zoals de Grogs, de Kzinti en de reeds lang uitgestorven Tnuctipun, die her en der in de kosmos hun knapste vindingen hebben verborgen.
Voor Neutronster ontving Larry Niven de Hugo Award.
In deze band de twee volgende verhalen:
• Neutronster, Engelse titel is Neutron Star, 1967.
• Vlaklander, Engelse titel is Flatlander, ook uit 1967.
Omslagillustratie is van Peter A. Jones copyright © Solar Wind Library. Please enjoy the works of this gifted artist at http://www.peterandrewjones.net/iacg.htm.
Vertaling door Ivain Rodrigues de León.
Beide verhalen van Larry Niven zijn uitstekend geschreven en blijven boeien tot het einde. Als je kennis wilt maken met het Universum van Larry Niven, is dit boek de juiste keuze om mee te beginnen.
Neutronster:
In dit verhaal gaan Sonya en Peter Lasking in 2641 op onderzoek naar de enige bekende neutronen ster BVS-1 (ontdekt in 2639) en komen op mysterieuze wijze om het leven. Het ruimteschip welke ze hebben gebruikt, is door de APU ter beschikking gesteld. De APU, eigendom van de Poppenspelers, is ter beschikking gesteld in ruil voor de onderzoeksresultaten. De Poppenspelers hebben een romp ontwikkeld die bestand is tegen alle bekende invloeden van buitenaf. Lees hoe Beowulf Shaeffer wordt overtuigd om dit mysterie op te lossen.
Een opgave van de personages en andere bijzonderheden:
• Sonya and Peter Laskin, onderzoekers van het Instituut van de Wetenschap op de planeet Jinx en beide ruimtevaarders.
• 2605 Sinclair Intrastelsel ruimteschip.
• APU, Algemene Projecten Unie.
• Sigmund Ausfaller, agent van ARM.
• Poppenspeler Adonis.
De volgende tekst is te vinden op de Larry Niven Wiki:
BVS-1 was de eerste bekende oude en afgekoelde neutronster. Ontdekt in 2639 door het Wetenschappelijke Instituut van Jinx. De ster heeft een geschatte massa van 1,3 maal die van onze zon en een rotatieperiode van twee minuten en 27 seconde.
De geschatte samenstelling is 11 mijl neutronen bedekt met ongeveer een halve mijl gedegenereerde materie en 12 voet normale materie.
Vlaklander:
In Vlaklander beleeft Beowulf Shaeffer het volgend avontuur na zijn succesvolle terugkeer van de Neutronster BVS-1. Dit keer samen met Olifant (bijnaam van Alexander Pelton), één van de rijkste bewoners van de aarde.
April 1, 2021
Fun little collection of short stories that go together quite coherentley to paint a diverse, interesting little universe. Easy to pick up and put down as you finish a story or chapter here and there.
August 22, 2019
Classic sci-fi but dated in spots as well as illogical. The stories featuring Beowolf were a highlight though.
May 21, 2019
An interesting set of stories. I plan on reading more of the ringworld books and this was a good introduction to the universe.
May 24, 2020
Re-reading this splendid specimen of 1970s hard SF. Neutron star is probably my favorite Larry Niven short story collection. I wanted to pick this up to re-read "the Soft Weapon" and "the Handicapped", which I guess means that I'm partial to the stories with the Thint (I also really liked World of Ptaavs). I really enjoyed the Beowulf Shaeffer stories, even though "Neutron Star" & "Flatlander" are clearly intended as vehicles for thought experiments about how a human would experience exotic space phenomena such as neutron stars. "Ethics of Madness" is probably the darkest of the stories in this collection. This collection, along with many of Niven's known space stories, are more space western than space opera (with the accompanying libertarian & colonialist world view of westerns); e.g. Beowulf S. wanders from world to world, sometimes reluctantly cleaning up the town, sometimes just escaping by the skin of his teeth; a lone prospector is beset by (space) bandits; space stage coach is held up by space desperadoes, etc, etc. Niven's depiction of life extension technology is used to speculate on the cultural and psychological effects of having lots of very long-lived people, rather than just being a plot device to have the same characters around for all of the events in a narrative. Niven can in many ways be compared to a more serious Harry Harrison & a less serious Heinlein (& without the militarism).
June 15, 2018
Damn fantastic collection of short stories.
This would be a great first book to read if someone is interested in getting into Niven's Known Space universe, but don't know where to begin. Since this book's stories consist of much of Niven's initial fleshing out of Known Space, in 1966 and 1967, it is most definitely a perfect book to use to dip one's toes into Known Space.
And if you have already read Ringworld or any other Known Space books, this collection is pretty much a must. You will instantly recognize many of the concepts and much of the lore and canon that is referred to in Ringworld and other Known Space novels, such as the discovery of the Cascading Super Nova chain reaction and the subsequent fleeing of the Puppeteers, and the history of the Slavers and their stasis technology. It also serves to give an even better, more fleshed out understanding of the different human colonist cultures and societies and how they differ, both physically and culturally.
Also, I loved reading more from favorite characters like Beowulf Shaeffer, and Nessus the insane puppeteer (I think my favorite character next to Louis Wu)
Favorites were "Neutron Star", "At the Core", and "The Soft Weapon".
After reading this collection, I will be sure to end up committing to another collection sometime in the near future.
This would be a great first book to read if someone is interested in getting into Niven's Known Space universe, but don't know where to begin. Since this book's stories consist of much of Niven's initial fleshing out of Known Space, in 1966 and 1967, it is most definitely a perfect book to use to dip one's toes into Known Space.
And if you have already read Ringworld or any other Known Space books, this collection is pretty much a must. You will instantly recognize many of the concepts and much of the lore and canon that is referred to in Ringworld and other Known Space novels, such as the discovery of the Cascading Super Nova chain reaction and the subsequent fleeing of the Puppeteers, and the history of the Slavers and their stasis technology. It also serves to give an even better, more fleshed out understanding of the different human colonist cultures and societies and how they differ, both physically and culturally.
Also, I loved reading more from favorite characters like Beowulf Shaeffer, and Nessus the insane puppeteer (I think my favorite character next to Louis Wu)
Favorites were "Neutron Star", "At the Core", and "The Soft Weapon".
After reading this collection, I will be sure to end up committing to another collection sometime in the near future.
February 5, 2011
I first read this quite some years ago and was blown away by it. It stands up well to repeated re-readings.
The title story - a Hugo winner - introduces us to star pilot Beowulf Shaeffer (who appears in three other stories in the book, "At the Core," "Flatlander," and "Grendel"), as well as the Puppeteers who also feature in Niven's later Ringworld series. These are the tales that introduce us to Known Space. I particularly enjoyed the Shaeffer stories for the character's voice (told first-person). "A Relic of Empire" has an interesting twist -- and a data point that later (much later) turns out to be false. "The Soft Weapon" has the distinction of having been adapted to an episode of the animated Star Trek series, which otherwise is thankfully forgotten.
Good old fashioned space opera with a hard science flavor. The latter is a bit outdated in places, but overall the collection stands up amazingly well.
Readers of the Larry Niven-Ed Lerner collaboration Juggler of Worlds will recognize several of these stories, but as told from a completely different perspective.
The title story - a Hugo winner - introduces us to star pilot Beowulf Shaeffer (who appears in three other stories in the book, "At the Core," "Flatlander," and "Grendel"), as well as the Puppeteers who also feature in Niven's later Ringworld series. These are the tales that introduce us to Known Space. I particularly enjoyed the Shaeffer stories for the character's voice (told first-person). "A Relic of Empire" has an interesting twist -- and a data point that later (much later) turns out to be false. "The Soft Weapon" has the distinction of having been adapted to an episode of the animated Star Trek series, which otherwise is thankfully forgotten.
Good old fashioned space opera with a hard science flavor. The latter is a bit outdated in places, but overall the collection stands up amazingly well.
Readers of the Larry Niven-Ed Lerner collaboration Juggler of Worlds will recognize several of these stories, but as told from a completely different perspective.
September 25, 2024
I jumped back into reading ‘Neutron Star’ largely because I was curious as to whether or not my fondness for the stories in Larry Niven’s Known Universe series was a function of time (which is to say that I read them when I was just a dumb, voracious teen reader) or that there was ‘something there’ in terms of the author.
The verdict is in and I’m happy to report that it does not appear that my teen omnivorous reading machine had to gloss over a lack of quality.
Niven is legit, he may be an egregious reaganite douchebag in the real world but as a writer he has the skills. His writing is instantly engaging with a clear sense of place and character that make his stories legitimately fun and satisfying. In ‘Neutron Star’ in particular he manages to split his time between Sci-Fi romps and Science ‘problem/solution’ stories that are simply well constructed and a pleasure to read.
Within this slim volume we also get a sense of a ‘world’ that has been conceived at an impressive scope with so much supplementary detail casually tossed about that you can’t help but be curious about ‘all the other stuff’.
I look forward to revisiting more work later.
The verdict is in and I’m happy to report that it does not appear that my teen omnivorous reading machine had to gloss over a lack of quality.
Niven is legit, he may be an egregious reaganite douchebag in the real world but as a writer he has the skills. His writing is instantly engaging with a clear sense of place and character that make his stories legitimately fun and satisfying. In ‘Neutron Star’ in particular he manages to split his time between Sci-Fi romps and Science ‘problem/solution’ stories that are simply well constructed and a pleasure to read.
Within this slim volume we also get a sense of a ‘world’ that has been conceived at an impressive scope with so much supplementary detail casually tossed about that you can’t help but be curious about ‘all the other stuff’.
I look forward to revisiting more work later.
Read
February 4, 2009A collection of early short stories by Larry Niven that take place in his "Known Space" universe (i.e., Ring World). Mostly of a "hard science" sort of story lines, where actual aspects of physics are a part of the plot line. I really enjoyed at least half of the stories in this book. Would recommend for fans of the hared science short stories of Asimov and Clarke.
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