The Greatest Science Fiction Masterpiece Of All Time
POSTED BY: peacekeeper
UPDATED: Thursday, October 1, 2009 23:48
VIEWED: 3558
PAGE 1 of 2
I have got to rave about "Downbelow Station" by C.J.Cherryh.Written in 1981,it is, for me the forerunner of all modern humanity based sci-fi(including Firefly).I would not be surprised if Joss himself hasn't gleaned one or two ideas from it.
The story is set about 300 years into the future. Earth's resources have been wearing thin over the preceding centuries and space exploration has been at the forefront of economic policy in order to find planets that can provide extra mineral resouces(although humans still live on Earth as a viable homeworld).
Space travel is funded by the powerful "Earth Company", which makes incalculable profits from its' activities. Dozens of stars have been discovered that can provide minerals and resources and space stations have been built in these systems in which workers and their families have set up permanent home.From these bases,humanity expands even further and eventually finds an habitable planet in the Pell system and builds a station orbiting it.Humanity eventually expands so far out that Earth has less and less influence over the affairs of the outlying systems.However,The Earth Company is still adamant that it still wants the outlying regions of space to be controlled directly by them,despite the fact that the systems run themselves without Earth intervention.Eventually,a breakaway organisation forms the "Union", and rejects paying any profits into Earth Company funds. Earth retaliates and builds 50 supercarrier warships to take back control of the outlying systems.A war of attrition ensues until the 7 remaining carriers make a last desperate stand at Pell Station which may see Union obliterate the Earth Company influence over the universe forever.
Caught in the middle of the War are the Merchanter class ships that are the lifeblood of trade between all systems.They form their own Merchanter Alliance and attempt to gain leverage by blockading trade between the warring factions.
Each citizen of the system is forced into taking a side,including the Captain of one of the most powerful carriers in the Earth fleet.
This story is one of epic proportions,examining the economic and political dilemmas facing the human race with the expansion into the stars,and of course the effects on all those caught in between.It is a story of military supremacy and planetary independance and is a thoroughly cracking read.I recommend it to all Flans.
Peacekeeper---keeping order in every verse!!!
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
While I agree that Downbelow Station is a great book, and so is Cyteen, I wouldn't go so far as to say it is the greatest. My opinion of that varies from time to time, but it usually revolves around Olaf Stapledon's Star Maker, Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination, Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama.
ETA: Oh, and all the SF written by Cordwainer Smith (one novel and about thirty short stories).
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Sounds like a historical review of the British Empire (as Earth Company) exptrapolated into space.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Opinions differ, Nadi Peacekeeper, although the work in question is quite good, else I might have filed Intent.
-F
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
A Foreigner connoisseur I see.lol
Peacekeeper---keeping order in every verse!!!
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Oh indeed, and I am quite fond of Banichi, who's effective job, much like mine is.. "What if ?"
Sadly though, I must admit over the last couple books the story itself seems to be running out of gas, so I hope it gets wound up and tied off rather than dragged out a'la Robert Jordan *wince*.
I cannot for the life of me think of an "all time" greatest, but I tellya one I would put forth for "Masterpiece".
Margaret Weis - Star of the Guardians
If one should read all four, and truly, fully, understand the motivations of Warlord Derek Sagan, they'd really understand why.
-F
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
I will look for this book and buy it. Thanks
http://www.swyzzlestyx.com/index.html
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Is it really a forerunner if it was written in 1981? Didn't Isaac Asimov cover a story like this with the Foundation Series even though that series had robots and empires in it?
http://www.swyzzlestyx.com/index.html
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
While I agree that Downbelow Station is a great book, and so is Cyteen, I wouldn't go so far as to say it is the greatest. My opinion of that varies from time to time, but it usually revolves around Olaf Stapledon's Star Maker, Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination, Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama.
ETA: Oh, and all the SF written by Cordwainer Smith (one novel and about thirty short stories).
I might add Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's The Mote In God's Eye to that list. Really makes you wonder how long we've been here, and how many times we've boomed and busted...
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Would be nice for a quick synopsis of these other works guys.
Peacekeeper---keeping order in every verse!!!
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME