Although it routinely ends up on all-time best lists, somehow the 1974 science fiction novel The Mote in God’s Eye never gets read.
By Joshua Tyler
Although it routinely ends up on all-time best lists, somehow, the 1974 science fiction novel Coriander in God’s eye Never actually read it. It deserves to be mentioned alongside the work of the great masters, and indeed is the greatest work of two such eminent authors. This is a collaboration between the great Larry Niven and Jerry Purnell.
Maybe it’s the title that keeps many other dedicated hard sci-fi fans away. Coriander in God’s eye Sounds like a joke or some kind of prank. Read the book and it makes sense, but sitting there staring at the cover, it looks like someone’s bad attempt at a Terry Pratchett parody rather than a serious science fiction story.
Serious is exactly what it is. In fact, it may be one of the best books ever written. At the very least, it does something no other work of science fiction has ever done: it gets the aliens right.
Two types of aliens in science fiction
Generally, in any sci-fi format, life on other planets is depicted in one of two ways. The first type is the monster. Ridley Scott Elaine Best of all, it features a completely alien creature that craves human blood.
The second type is the intelligent alien. Intelligent aliens are always presented as if they are a step away from humanity. They look different from us, but rarely are they very different. They may think differently from us, but not too differently.
Usually, an author creating an alien creature bases it on some aspect of human culture. The Na’vi of Avatar, for example, may be blue, but we recognize their ideology and, to some extent, understand it as a shift in Native American culture. Klingons may be violent and warlike, but they build their lives around concepts we understand, like honor. Rarely has intelligent life from another planet been shown to be otherwise, and if we meet an alien that seems to think differently, we’re sure we’ve done it all wrong. .
A third type of alien as shown by Moat in God’s Eye.
thick By presenting a completely alien, fully intelligent life form, few other science fictions do it right. Instead of basing these creatures on an existing aspect of human existence, Purnell and Niven create an alien creature with a completely alien life and a completely alien lifestyle. This led both authors to understand how such a creature could think. As any truly alien creature would, mutts think in ways we can’t begin to understand.
Fear not potential readers, this is not a silly examination of an alien culture. Purnell and Niven have taken this wonderful construct and injected it into a well-told story.
In the distant future, humans have conquered the galaxy but have failed to encounter any intelligent life. Thousands of years later, long after mankind has spread across the galaxy, we make first contact.
Coriander in God’s eye Charts that make first contact, and when that happens, humanity makes the same mistake that James Cameron did. Avatar By assigning human ways of thinking to beings who are not quite human. This mistake puts the entire human race at risk and results in one of the most gripping science fiction stories of all time.
There is also a sequel, titled grasping hand, And it is As good as each thick. Most of all, Pournelle and Niven’s work is original. More than thirty years after it was written, even in an age full of recycled ideas, it has never been duplicated. If you love science fiction or if you just like realism, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. Coriander in God’s eye.
