The Founder

Fenrille #1

by Christopher Rowley

By the 25th Century CE the slow building conflict between the billions trapped a greenhouse Earth and the 20 million Offworlders spread across the solar system approaches the breaching point. In the distant Uranus system, Edward Fundan, a habitat builder with vast resources, builds a star ship. Other, earlier treks to the nearby systems were begun long before, but Fundan will use Phoenix reaction energies to achieve much higher velocity. Before he can finish the job, he is poisoned. His grandson, carefully raised to handle the job, takes over. Despite resistance from his own family, a powerful spacer clan, Dane completes the "Founder". On the way he strikes a pact with the devil, in the shape of the Khalifi Clan, a semi-outlaw group that clings to ancient Arab ways. The Founder escapes the system ahead of the efforts by the Earth Social-Synthesis government to prevent it, possibly the last star ship that will ever do so...

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera

251 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 1989

About the author

Christopher Rowley is a prolific writer of both science fiction and fantasy novels. He was born in 1948 in Lynn, Massachusetts to an American mother and an English father. Educated for the most part at Brentwood School, Essex, England, he became a London-based journalist in the 1970s. In 1977 he moved to New York City and began work on The War For Eternity, his first science fiction novel. He currently lives in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun, if brutal read! Rowley writes with terse, clear prose that reminded me of Crichton. More opera than hard science fiction, the book is a prequel to the Fenrille series, mapping out the journey and arrival of the ship to Fenrille fleeing from Earth's solar system. Could be cliche, but Rowley pulls it off with aplomb.
Edit: reread 12-20. Rowley has a knack for creating real albeit brutal worlds. This starts off in the habitats around Uranus-- the last 'free' parts of space. Earth is ruled 'collectively' so to speak with one government for its many billions, slowly suffocating in the toxic greenhouse. In space are millions who live in habitats, but Earth is slowly asserting itself and demanding heavy taxes.

Edward Fundan is a living legend-- the owner of Fundan enterprises, a leading builder of habitats and all things space. His dream is to leave Earth in a giant space ship that is partially constructed, with new tech to go FTL. His only hope to finish the massive project is his grandson Dane, who quickly assumes the main POV. After Edward is assassinated, his grandson is left to finish the project, but unfortunately, Edward's will is contested and Dane is short of cash. He makes a deal with the devil so to speak with a rich Muslim family to help fund the ship and ensuing mission. After many trials and tribulations, the ship finally sails, but Dane has the ship stolen and is reduced to passenger status, and then less than that...

This is part a Generation ship (albeit only one) and also a first contact novel, and while it could be cliche, Rowley does and very nice job. The tempo slowly builds to a frenetic conclusion, which seems to be his style. Also, as usual, the human condition is laid bare, with its hopes and cruelties. Gripping read from start to finish. 4 solid stars.

[Blogul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this feels so dated (written in 1989, but feels like 60s space opera) that i got bored and dnf.

[Lee Holodney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool dynamic on ship. Freaky in cool way on planet

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #1 of a loose four book sequence (The Founder, To A Highland Nation, The War for Eternity, The Black Ship), but written as a prequel. Good, solid series. Each book is different, but weave together with great effect.

[S. A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome colonizing of alien worlds book. A must read.