Quote:
Originally Posted by ahi
How so? Is this generally agreed upon? This is the first I heard these two books so highly praised.
Surely Niven's "Ringworld" trilogy (the fourth being but a shadow) eclipses these two books in significance by far. No?
Genuinely curious--not being sarcastic.
- Ahi
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Not both books. Most people consider the sequel The Gripping Hand to be not nearly as good. The Mote In God's Eye is Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's "acknowledged masterpiece." It is important in that it remains as a major "first contact" novel, one that many consider to be THE first contact novel. Certainly one of the best collaborative efforts of the genre.
Ask any person who has read The Mote In God's Eye for what he/she thinks. Heck, just google it for reviews and you're likely to be flooded with plenty of people who give it high praise. Many "best of" and "must read" lists puts it in the top 25 or the top 100.
It was nominated for both the Nebula Award for Best Novel and the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1975
Of course, I should mention the oft-printed accolades:
Robert A. Heinlein is quoted as saying the story was "possibly the finest science fiction novel I have ever read".
Theodore Sturgeon
"One of the most engrossing tales I've read in years...fascinating."
San Francisco Chronicle
"As science fiction, one of the most important novels ever published." (note the reviewer didn't say "sci-fi")
Frank Herbert
"A spellbinder, a swashbuckler...And, best of all, it has a brilliant new approach to that fascinating problem — first contact with aliens."
Some folks say it's not the best book they've ever read but they admit the message it contains is very important.
I could go on, but I'll agree that Ringworld is already considered a sci-fi classic considered to be one of the best sci-fi novels ever. But then there are folks like me who think Ringworld doesn't hold a candle to Dune or 2001. And I love anything by Larry Niven.