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kueltzo's review against another edition
4.0
As I am already a huge fan of Niven's Known Space, I am not surprised I liked this. However, what did surprise me is how many hits there were. Normally, I expect a short story collection to run about 65% like, 35% meh or dislike. This one came in at about 85% like, and is a good start to my RIngworld re-read.
sexton_blake's review against another edition
4.0
In this collection of eight short stories, Larry Niven takes us on a tour of “Known Space,” a playground for his incredibly fertile imagination. He makes science one of his principal characters and, in a couple of the tales, I felt this was overemphasised to the point where human interest was lacking. Having said that, his world-building is exemplary, and he’s created a reality here that I’m keen to revisit in his other novels and collections.
jersy's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
3.0
Larry Niven seems to have some fascinating ideas of the future and his alien cultures are truly unique, however I just don't vibe with his characters and plots. They are well crafted, though, creating a sense of adventures while also including a lot of mundane moments of world building and every day life.
The main characters are the typical science fiction protagonists of the time with not much to endear them to me or make them stand out and the stories are often about some kind of scamming and hostility. Like I said, I like a lot of the ideas presented but not a lot of the actions will stick with me. While for a lot of readers it would probably be nice to have recurring characters, for me it didn't help if someone appeared that I already knew I wasn't invested in. I still enjoyed the future and universe Niven presented here a lot, but I won't continue in the series.
The main characters are the typical science fiction protagonists of the time with not much to endear them to me or make them stand out and the stories are often about some kind of scamming and hostility. Like I said, I like a lot of the ideas presented but not a lot of the actions will stick with me. While for a lot of readers it would probably be nice to have recurring characters, for me it didn't help if someone appeared that I already knew I wasn't invested in. I still enjoyed the future and universe Niven presented here a lot, but I won't continue in the series.
bonfireatnight's review
4.0
From the descriptions on here I was well-prepared for a very hard form of sf. So I was pleasantly surprised to find this book to contain many lighter-spirited moments as well. Sure, the titular story is very technical (and a bit dry), but for me it was made interesting through the amazing world worldbuilding throughout, with the later stories also back-referring to other stories. Some interesting technology and the depiction of alien races (and the foreigner's look on Earth in "Flatlander"), too.
To be honest, I liked the less "physical" stories (the ones after "Neutron Star" and "At the Core") better than what it probably Niven's more popular work. Niven has some interesting takes on familiar ideas like decisions under uncertainty (in "Flatlander"), mental health and responsibility (in "The Ethics of Madness") and evolution (in "The Handicapped"). Actually, espeically "The Handicapped", but also the general feeling, made me think of Lem's earlier works (which is a good thing).
Unfortunately, my German version is missing half of the stories. I should look out for "A Relic of the Empire", "The Soft Weapon", and "Grendel". And I should certainly get my hands on Ringworld!
To be honest, I liked the less "physical" stories (the ones after "Neutron Star" and "At the Core") better than what it probably Niven's more popular work. Niven has some interesting takes on familiar ideas like decisions under uncertainty (in "Flatlander"), mental health and responsibility (in "The Ethics of Madness") and evolution (in "The Handicapped"). Actually, espeically "The Handicapped", but also the general feeling, made me think of Lem's earlier works (which is a good thing).
Unfortunately, my German version is missing half of the stories. I should look out for "A Relic of the Empire", "The Soft Weapon", and "Grendel". And I should certainly get my hands on Ringworld!
nicholasbobbitt1997's review
4.0
I just really enjoy Larry Niven's writing style, and these short stories are excellent examples of it. Someday I really should try to read his series.
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