Ringworld by Larry Niven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Something like my fourth read of this book.

The first time I read it was way back in the '80s and I was simply thrilled for any kind of big-concept, awe-inducing SF, whether it was a Hugo or Nebula winner or not. Of course, this one was, and it remains one of the greats.

Maybe by the second or third time reading it, I was wondering if I should feel a bit weird about the psycho-sexual dynamics, but by now, it's no biggie. It's future, stemming from the free love culture, but at no point is it icky. Indeed, the ADVENTURE, the great alien dynamics (Puppeteers!! Woooo! Kzin! Humans!) and jaw-dropping discoveries (not just Ringworld, itself, but the enormity of a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of its exploration) and the mysteries of its limited-Dyson sphere construction.

It's funny, of course. This is the most classic example of a concept: "BDO" Big Dumb Object. Back when I heard such a thing, I thought it was awfully dismissive of the true JOY such a thing can evoke in a reader. Indeed, the idea that SOMEONE could have created such a thing--something that could hold the equivalent landmass of 3 million earths, all able to be POPULATED by humanoids--is truly jaw-dropping.

I retain my sense of awe. My imagination runs in overdrive.

Or, indeed, maybe I just feel lucky to have read it.

I miss awe in SF, but this captures it well.

This book's synesthesia is all in the heart's pounding, the excitement of discovery, the scent of sweat and exertion.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

Arctunn.com

View all my reviews