An exam-time homework-avoidance rereading of A FIRE UPON THE DEEP by Vernor Vinge (Tor) (one of the most popular r.a.sf.written books of 1993) left me with mixed feelings about this Hugo winner's lasting stature. On the plus side, it is not a book you can just dip back into and hit the high points. The world it describes is complex and interesting enough that you have to reread it from start to finish. The Tines, especially, are one of the best alien races ever created in SF. On the minus side, the human culture of Sjandra Kei is pretty boring, and I had a hard time getting past the Norwegian shtick.
The verdict? Too soon to tell. I think the ultimate reputation of AFUTD will depend on what Vinge does with the Zone universe in future books.
Editor's Recommendations, Summer 1996In this inaugural edition of IBIC's Featured Books, I'd like to draw your attention to several titles which have helped to shape my life and thinking.
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