Scan barcode
nickedkins's review against another edition
4.0
The concept is brilliant: intelligent life evolves on a neutron star, which means they experience the world a million times faster than us.
The question of how to communicate with a being whose lifespan unfolds over your coffee break adds an interesting personal dimension, as we see relationships develop in which each side has a very different experience of their shared time. The progress of the civilisation as a whole is just as compelling. The cheela (inhabitants of the neutron star), while capable of reasoning and abstract thought, had been acting essentially on instinct, under the harsh constraints of their environment. But with the slightest prod from human contact, they explode into civilisation.
Given their ability to spend a lifetime planning a response to any move from the humans, the cheela are able to run rings around us; no spoilers, though, about what they choose to do.
As usual, I'd love to be able to read a book like this without having to hear how hot all the female scientists are, but hey.
The question of how to communicate with a being whose lifespan unfolds over your coffee break adds an interesting personal dimension, as we see relationships develop in which each side has a very different experience of their shared time. The progress of the civilisation as a whole is just as compelling. The cheela (inhabitants of the neutron star), while capable of reasoning and abstract thought, had been acting essentially on instinct, under the harsh constraints of their environment. But with the slightest prod from human contact, they explode into civilisation.
Given their ability to spend a lifetime planning a response to any move from the humans, the cheela are able to run rings around us; no spoilers, though, about what they choose to do.
As usual, I'd love to be able to read a book like this without having to hear how hot all the female scientists are, but hey.
kaboom326's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyed this enough I had to stop myself from reading too quickly so I could save it for my long international flights
protogen_dianma's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
rssulliv's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
pronkbaggins's review against another edition
4.0
I had to have my husband interpret so much of this book for me to fully understand it, but after that it was great!
bennywhatever's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
supermayo8a's review against another edition
4.0
Oh boy, this is not your conventional story by any means. This lacks character depth, and development, it doesn't have great prose either. What it lacks in all of this it makes up for in deep scientific creativity. Forward has taken what he understands about physics and filled it with creativity and imagination. He was able to imagine such ann odd place to live in, full of weird wonders and unimaginable feelings. All senses are different here, and it was such a great feat to create life in such an unimaginable and inhospitable place. I wish the writing was much better! Maybe a collaboration would have worked wonders here! Still super glad I read this.
spitzig's review against another edition
3.0
The cheela is one of the most interesting ideas for an alien I've ever read. Life on a neutron star would be DIFFERENT.
Not much plot or character development, though. I read the sequel first accidentally about 20 years ago.
Not much plot or character development, though. I read the sequel first accidentally about 20 years ago.
misterpowell's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately, this is an excellent short story (possibly a novella) ruined by being drawn out into a full novel. There are some interesting ideas here, but due to the necessities of the setup, the lack of any enduring characters and the molasses-slow pace really prevented me from really getting into it.
the_kristin_amber's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Never read anything like this. Really enjoyed it. Heavy on the science, which I always love.