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1970 - Year in SF&F: Reviews



THE WONDER TIMELINE: SF&F RETROSPECTIVE
Read other issues here

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Larry Niven
"Ringworld" (nv)
(Ringworld series)
© 1970, Ballantine Books
--novel : 1971 Hugo W
--novel : 1971 Nebula W
--novel : 1971 Locus W
--international sf : 1972 Ditmar W
--all time novel : 1975 Locus All-Time Poll /12
--foreign novel : 1979 Seiun W
--all time sf novel : 1987 Locus All-Time Poll /9
--sf novel (before 1990) : 1998 Locus All-Time Poll /25 (tie)

--/ second place space sf novel
--/ wonder award
--/ adventure award
--/ idea award
--/ style award
--/ awesome scale


The cornerstone of Niven's "Known Space Universe" series of stories and novels Ringworld is pure science fiction adventure – on a scale that's quite literally immense. Set in a very distant future where humanity is just one of dozens of space-faring species, the novel is about several unique beings (two aliens and two humans) on a very unique quest: to explore the single greatest engineering feat in the universe: The Ringworld. Initially at each other's throats, the cowardly Puppeteer, the savage Kzin, the 'lucky' Teela Brown, and Louis Wu -- the book's 200-year-old hero – they soon find a way to work together to try and survive as well as solve the riddle of the staggeringly huge structure. How big? Well, the Ringworld is a band the size of Earth's orbit and thicker than the diameter of our tiny planet.

Although the book does require a pretty good grasp of Niven's Known Space Universe to understand and appreciate the complexity of the Ringworld and how it fits into the other books and stories, the knowledge is by no means essential to enjoying the book. It remains a truly classic novel of science fiction and is worth reading over and over again.
Review by author M. Christian

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"SF&F Reading Experience" is part of "Dark Roasted Blend / Thrilling Wonder" family of sites. We try to highlight the most entertaining and rewarding science fiction and fantasy, with emphasis on memorable reader experience, not necessarily general acceptance by the critics. Have fun, and delve into our extensive ratings and reviews!

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