Sundiver
by David Brin
Uplift (1)
science fiction
copyright 1980
re-read in March 2014
rated 7/10: well worth reading
Well, truth to tell, perhaps my rating would be 6/10 (read to pass the time) if I had not already read the later Uplift books.
Sundiver is an enjoyable story, set in the early days of Uplift. It is a relatively narrow view of the impact of galactic civilisation on earth races -- and the various ways in which earth races respond. The correct response is more in doubt than in later books.
So this book benefits from knowledge of its place in the Uplift sequence.
As a book... there is too much science. Too much discussion, of science and of social and personal issues. Too much that distracts from the main plot. In my opinion :-)
In a similar vein... The main character brings personal issues to the book. Did he star -- and suffer -- in a previous book ? It certainly seems like it. Without having read the previous book his problems -- and his family background -- are just distractions.
Signs of an early book ? Signs of an author developing his skills ? Maybe.
It's still a good book. Just not as good as the later Uplift novels.
On an unrelated matter:
My copy of the book is from the days when the cover of the book reflected the content of the book !
I can look at the cover picture and recognise each character. Almost as though the artist had read the book ! Amazing :-)
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