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mar's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
sorry cant write a proper review bc every time i think about how Niven writes women in this book i start seeing red
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Confinement, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape, Racism, and Slavery
weird eugenics shitzee's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
3.5
Ringworld is rich in world building (both the Ringworld itself and the Puppeteer planet) and classic sci-fi alien species. It is, unfortunately, also rich in misogyny. There are 2 female-presenting characters, and one is used as a ditzy childish good luck charm (though her character arc at the end is neat!), and the other's purpose was to be her spaceship's whore (and therefore is powerful because sex and men).
For classic sci-fi written over 50 years ago, if you can manage to temper the misogyny, it is fun. The premise is interesting, the science is hard, and the concepts fairly unique. The central characters and dialogue are flat. Certainly not the most sexist of classic sci-fi, but there's also great books with significantly less.
For classic sci-fi written over 50 years ago, if you can manage to temper the misogyny, it is fun. The premise is interesting, the science is hard, and the concepts fairly unique. The central characters and dialogue are flat. Certainly not the most sexist of classic sci-fi, but there's also great books with significantly less.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, Misogyny, Addiction, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
quitegood's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I tried to keep an open mind with this book, I really did, but it's very outdated attitudes towards women really soured the experience for me. The descriptions of various sci fi concepts the characters encounter are incredibly vivid and interesting, and by far the best part of this book, but the characters and plot are severely lacking.
Take Louis Wu, an absolute personality vacuum. We're stuck in his head this whole book listening to his endless pontificating. It's funny, because he's clearly an author insert and meant to be this debonair fellow who stays cool in crisis, but knows how to crack a joke, but he just comes across as a complete and utter tosser. Speaker and Nessus aren't much better, being pretty much blank ciphers until a situation calls upon Speaker to show aggression or Nessus to show fear. At points, Niven elects to not say who is speaking, assuming each characters unique personality will shine through. It doesn't. And lastly there's Teela Brown. Now I will be fair and say that her being a childish ditz is justified at length, but at points, Niven betrays himself showing his complete lack of understanding of female emotions. It can be baffling to witness.
As for the plot, you think it's going somewhere, but then literally goes in circles before ending on essentially a cut to black. The ideas it explores are fascinating, but if you need a plot or at least interesting characters to string you along, avoid this book. Niven has clearly thought hard about the realities of the Ringworld but not what happens there. Its like the flavour text in a pen and paper roleplaying game; a backdrop to whatever adventure you can think of.
I'll likely check out the rest of the series, because in terms of question the book initially asked, many go unanswered. Hopefully with practice, Niven makes a main character who I don't want to expose to hard vacuum.
Take Louis Wu, an absolute personality vacuum. We're stuck in his head this whole book listening to his endless pontificating. It's funny, because he's clearly an author insert and meant to be this debonair fellow who stays cool in crisis, but knows how to crack a joke, but he just comes across as a complete and utter tosser. Speaker and Nessus aren't much better, being pretty much blank ciphers until a situation calls upon Speaker to show aggression or Nessus to show fear. At points, Niven elects to not say who is speaking, assuming each characters unique personality will shine through. It doesn't. And lastly there's Teela Brown. Now I will be fair and say that her being a childish ditz is justified at length, but at points, Niven betrays himself showing his complete lack of understanding of female emotions. It can be baffling to witness.
As for the plot, you think it's going somewhere, but then literally goes in circles before ending on essentially a cut to black. The ideas it explores are fascinating, but if you need a plot or at least interesting characters to string you along, avoid this book. Niven has clearly thought hard about the realities of the Ringworld but not what happens there. Its like the flavour text in a pen and paper roleplaying game; a backdrop to whatever adventure you can think of.
I'll likely check out the rest of the series, because in terms of question the book initially asked, many go unanswered. Hopefully with practice, Niven makes a main character who I don't want to expose to hard vacuum.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Rape and Xenophobia
adamjeffson's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence, Vomit, Rape, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
commander_zander's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I recommend this to all Halo fans with a passing interest in classic science fiction. Funny, exciting, & a very cool setting. I don't read many books from this decade, but it was much easier to read than i expected.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Rape
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