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The Noon Universe #7
Puștiul
O expediție de pe Pământ ajunge pe o planetă îndepărtată, într-o lume rece și pustie pe care trebuie să o pregătească pentru viitorii coloniști spațiali.
Aici, exploratorii întâlnesc un copil straniu, crescut de reprezentanții unei rase extraterestre misterioase.
Cu ajutorul lui, pământenii speră să stabilească un contact cu o civilizație extrem de avansată.
Povestea fraților Strugațki, captivantă și dinamică, dar în același timp profundă și melancolică, ridică întrebări esențiale, lăsând cititorul să găsească propriile răspunsuri. Cine este Puștiul? O descoperire științifică remarcabilă sau un copil care poartă povara unei suferințe tăcute? Este moral să intervii în destinul unei ființe pentru a urmări obiective care servesc intereselor întregii umanități?
Aici, exploratorii întâlnesc un copil straniu, crescut de reprezentanții unei rase extraterestre misterioase.
Cu ajutorul lui, pământenii speră să stabilească un contact cu o civilizație extrem de avansată.
Povestea fraților Strugațki, captivantă și dinamică, dar în același timp profundă și melancolică, ridică întrebări esențiale, lăsând cititorul să găsească propriile răspunsuri. Cine este Puștiul? O descoperire științifică remarcabilă sau un copil care poartă povara unei suferințe tăcute? Este moral să intervii în destinul unei ființe pentru a urmări obiective care servesc intereselor întregii umanități?
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
12 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Arkady Strugatsky
513 books1,889 followersThe brothers Arkady Strugatsky [Russian: Аркадий Стругацкий] and Boris Strugatsky [Russian: Борис Стругацкий] were Soviet-Russian science fiction authors who collaborated through most of their careers.
Arkady Strugatsky was born 25 August 1925 in Batumi; the family later moved to Leningrad. In January 1942, Arkady and his father were evacuated from the Siege of Leningrad, but Arkady was the only survivor in his train car; his father died upon reaching Vologda. Arkady was drafted into the Soviet army in 1943. He trained first at the artillery school in Aktyubinsk and later at the Military Institute of Foreign Languages in Moscow, from which he graduated in 1949 as an interpreter of English and Japanese. He worked as a teacher and interpreter for the military until 1955. In 1955, he began working as an editor and writer.
In 1958, he began collaborating with his brother Boris, a collaboration that lasted until Arkady's death on 12 October 1991. Arkady Strugatsky became a member of the Union of Soviet Writers in 1964. In addition to his own writing, he translated Japanese language short stories and novels, as well as some English works with his brother.
Source: Wikipedia
Arkady Strugatsky was born 25 August 1925 in Batumi; the family later moved to Leningrad. In January 1942, Arkady and his father were evacuated from the Siege of Leningrad, but Arkady was the only survivor in his train car; his father died upon reaching Vologda. Arkady was drafted into the Soviet army in 1943. He trained first at the artillery school in Aktyubinsk and later at the Military Institute of Foreign Languages in Moscow, from which he graduated in 1949 as an interpreter of English and Japanese. He worked as a teacher and interpreter for the military until 1955. In 1955, he began working as an editor and writer.
In 1958, he began collaborating with his brother Boris, a collaboration that lasted until Arkady's death on 12 October 1991. Arkady Strugatsky became a member of the Union of Soviet Writers in 1964. In addition to his own writing, he translated Japanese language short stories and novels, as well as some English works with his brother.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
February 26, 2019
Space Mowgli is a short novel that describes, much like Solaris, the first contact with an alien race. There is a twist, though, as the alien is a human kid, modified to survive on a planet by unknown beings with unimaginable power.
You can immediately separate Russian scifi from American scifi.
The Russian space exploration expeditions are mostly civilian, led by the smartest and more rational scientist around, acting as the brain of the expedition; the characters are unique and react unpredictably, led by their own feelings or beliefs; their biggest problems are bureaucratic or social and mostly internal in the group.
In contrast, American scifi usually deals with military expeditions led by a charismatic or at least authoritative figure, acting as the heart of the expedition; the characters usually act within a strict set of rules which, if they chose to bend, they do as a group rather than as individuals, their greatest issues being external or technical.
I personally prefer the Russian version.
This particular book explores the way humans understand their own humanity, rather than a true interaction with an alien race. The aliens are there, but they choose not to be characters in the story. Each human character has their own view of things and of how things should go on. Reading the book, one is forced to evaluate humanity together with the crew of the expedition and the ending becomes irrelevant. The inner exploration of the reader himself becomes the story.
Bottom line: nice and introverted. Easy to read and rather short. Lacking a conclusion because their is no need for one. The Strugatski brothers considered this story the closest to their hearts.
You can immediately separate Russian scifi from American scifi.
The Russian space exploration expeditions are mostly civilian, led by the smartest and more rational scientist around, acting as the brain of the expedition; the characters are unique and react unpredictably, led by their own feelings or beliefs; their biggest problems are bureaucratic or social and mostly internal in the group.
In contrast, American scifi usually deals with military expeditions led by a charismatic or at least authoritative figure, acting as the heart of the expedition; the characters usually act within a strict set of rules which, if they chose to bend, they do as a group rather than as individuals, their greatest issues being external or technical.
I personally prefer the Russian version.
This particular book explores the way humans understand their own humanity, rather than a true interaction with an alien race. The aliens are there, but they choose not to be characters in the story. Each human character has their own view of things and of how things should go on. Reading the book, one is forced to evaluate humanity together with the crew of the expedition and the ending becomes irrelevant. The inner exploration of the reader himself becomes the story.
Bottom line: nice and introverted. Easy to read and rather short. Lacking a conclusion because their is no need for one. The Strugatski brothers considered this story the closest to their hearts.
March 10, 2025
Cine nu a auzit de cei doi scriitori rusi si nu a citit macar una din cartile lor, si se doreste a fi sefist adevarat pus la punct cu greii genului, ar trebui sa de-a fuguta prin librarii si sa-si caute neaparat macar “Picnic la marginea drumului“, dupa care s-a facut vestitul film a lui Andrei Tarkovsky, in 1977, sau si mai recent a constituit sursa de inspiratie pentru jocul Stalker, infrumusetat si cu o continuare datorita succesului de care s-a bucurat printre gameri.
Insa nu voi vorbi despre cartea ce le-a crescut foarte mult notoritatea, probabil o s-o mai recitesc cu prima ocazie, ci despre “Piciul“, o poveste cu tente usoare de dramatism ce radiografiaza in cel mai pur stil sf, contactul dintre rasa umana si o specie necunoscuta omului. Am notat-o ca fiind necunoscuta pentru ca in ciuda asemanarii cu fiintele umane si a trecutului comun, de fapt modul de viata si elementele ce ni se dezvaluie pe parcurs de cei doi scriitori ne prezinta o cu totul alta realitate.
In ciuda faptului ca textul nu este dominata de un ritm alert, imboldul si curiozitatea de a da pagina si a afla ce se mai intampla in continuare sunt prezente de-a lungul intregii povestiri. As fi vrut sa cred ca in esenta este mai mult o carte inchinata science fiction-ului si mai putin o satira adresata societatii rusesti de la acea vreme, insa partea finala nu prea m-a convins ca ar fi incercat sa evite in totalitate acest subiect.
De mentionat ca actiunea se petrece intr-un univers inventat de catre cei doi si raspandit de-a lungul povestirilor scrise, avand in centru figura misterioasa a Pelerinilor (The Wanderers) despre care nu se cunosc prea multe lucruri. Dovada ca acestia si-au lasat amprenta sau cel putin au intervenit in sistemul planetei de fata constituind-o unele ramasite tehnologice descoperite ulterior aterizarii de echipajul de fata.
Personajele ce populeaza cartea si ale caror destine sunt aduse sub lupa literara, sunt credibile si nu se chinuie prea mult in a te purta cu ei pe planeta ostila vietii, insa nu lipsita de surprize pentru cei trimisi sa investigheze posibilitatea realizarii unei teraformari.
Subiectul nu este unul prea complicat ci dimpotriva are o abordare facila, sustinand idea ca scriitura de fata se constituie cu usurinta intr-o lectura agreabila certa.
Accentul nu se pune pe o prezentare ostentativa a tehnologiilor sclipitoare sau pe caracterizarea unui viitor specific ci pe infrigurarea si starea de frenezie ce-i cuprinde pe oameni in lupta dusa pentru a realiza cu succes contactul mult visat.
Textul nu este dominat si nici construit de asa maniera incat sa se permita un lung sir de rasturnari de situatii, ci are in special o evolutie usor liniara cu o parte finala, totusi, mai greu de intuit. De asemenea, un alt atu il constituie comprimarea povestirii intr-un spatiu de o intindere relativ redusa, cei doi scriitori stapanind cu indemanare arta preciziei si facand cu brio faţă, imboldului de a se intinde pe prea multe pagini, evitand starile de plictiseala sau nervozitate ce ar fi putut pune stapanire pe un eventual cititor.
In cele din urma nu poti sa nu constati ca in fapt cei doi sunt adevarate puncte de reper ale science fictionului mondial, textele lor fiind presarate de idei si abordari originale, chiar si cind urmaresc teme valorificate deseori in multe scrieri, iar valoare literara ridicata ce domina romanele acestora vorbind de la sine despre talentul si aptitudinile deosebite ce le-au caracterizat inspiratia.
Insa nu voi vorbi despre cartea ce le-a crescut foarte mult notoritatea, probabil o s-o mai recitesc cu prima ocazie, ci despre “Piciul“, o poveste cu tente usoare de dramatism ce radiografiaza in cel mai pur stil sf, contactul dintre rasa umana si o specie necunoscuta omului. Am notat-o ca fiind necunoscuta pentru ca in ciuda asemanarii cu fiintele umane si a trecutului comun, de fapt modul de viata si elementele ce ni se dezvaluie pe parcurs de cei doi scriitori ne prezinta o cu totul alta realitate.
In ciuda faptului ca textul nu este dominata de un ritm alert, imboldul si curiozitatea de a da pagina si a afla ce se mai intampla in continuare sunt prezente de-a lungul intregii povestiri. As fi vrut sa cred ca in esenta este mai mult o carte inchinata science fiction-ului si mai putin o satira adresata societatii rusesti de la acea vreme, insa partea finala nu prea m-a convins ca ar fi incercat sa evite in totalitate acest subiect.
De mentionat ca actiunea se petrece intr-un univers inventat de catre cei doi si raspandit de-a lungul povestirilor scrise, avand in centru figura misterioasa a Pelerinilor (The Wanderers) despre care nu se cunosc prea multe lucruri. Dovada ca acestia si-au lasat amprenta sau cel putin au intervenit in sistemul planetei de fata constituind-o unele ramasite tehnologice descoperite ulterior aterizarii de echipajul de fata.
Personajele ce populeaza cartea si ale caror destine sunt aduse sub lupa literara, sunt credibile si nu se chinuie prea mult in a te purta cu ei pe planeta ostila vietii, insa nu lipsita de surprize pentru cei trimisi sa investigheze posibilitatea realizarii unei teraformari.
Subiectul nu este unul prea complicat ci dimpotriva are o abordare facila, sustinand idea ca scriitura de fata se constituie cu usurinta intr-o lectura agreabila certa.
Accentul nu se pune pe o prezentare ostentativa a tehnologiilor sclipitoare sau pe caracterizarea unui viitor specific ci pe infrigurarea si starea de frenezie ce-i cuprinde pe oameni in lupta dusa pentru a realiza cu succes contactul mult visat.
Textul nu este dominat si nici construit de asa maniera incat sa se permita un lung sir de rasturnari de situatii, ci are in special o evolutie usor liniara cu o parte finala, totusi, mai greu de intuit. De asemenea, un alt atu il constituie comprimarea povestirii intr-un spatiu de o intindere relativ redusa, cei doi scriitori stapanind cu indemanare arta preciziei si facand cu brio faţă, imboldului de a se intinde pe prea multe pagini, evitand starile de plictiseala sau nervozitate ce ar fi putut pune stapanire pe un eventual cititor.
In cele din urma nu poti sa nu constati ca in fapt cei doi sunt adevarate puncte de reper ale science fictionului mondial, textele lor fiind presarate de idei si abordari originale, chiar si cind urmaresc teme valorificate deseori in multe scrieri, iar valoare literara ridicata ce domina romanele acestora vorbind de la sine despre talentul si aptitudinile deosebite ce le-au caracterizat inspiratia.
March 14, 2025
I liked the prose, the overal idea and discussions and the conversations with the boy, but for such a short book it takes way too long to get going, the characters aren't compelling and it's the kind of Science Fiction that reads a bit sterile.
August 9, 2022
4.5/5
July 9, 2022
The Strugatskis have finally nailed it. The Little One, or Space Mowgli in the English translation, is a novelette that is the peak of the Strugatskis' themes and techniques. Immersive: check. Surreal: check.
Good characters: check.
The large majority of Arkady and Boris' opus has a unifying theme, how us, humans don't and can't understand the universe outside their little piece, their mind's interepretation of reality and they back it up with excellent writing and scenarios, and their prolific consistency of quality is amazing.
I won't spoil too much of the plot, it's best to go in blind, like I did. But the premise is this: a group of people from Earth are participating in Project Ark, where they try to colonize a planet, but they abandon the plan when surreal stuff starts happening, and an absolutely mindbending contact with another civilization happens.
I feel like I can't say much more of this excelent novelette. If you can find it somewhere, for its not really famous and not really easy to find, then I suggest you don't give up that chance.
Good characters: check.
The large majority of Arkady and Boris' opus has a unifying theme, how us, humans don't and can't understand the universe outside their little piece, their mind's interepretation of reality and they back it up with excellent writing and scenarios, and their prolific consistency of quality is amazing.
I won't spoil too much of the plot, it's best to go in blind, like I did. But the premise is this: a group of people from Earth are participating in Project Ark, where they try to colonize a planet, but they abandon the plan when surreal stuff starts happening, and an absolutely mindbending contact with another civilization happens.
I feel like I can't say much more of this excelent novelette. If you can find it somewhere, for its not really famous and not really easy to find, then I suggest you don't give up that chance.
May 12, 2015
"Piknikas šalikelėje" (nes "Mažylio" nusprendžiau neskaityt) - viena iš tų knygų apie kurias nėra labai daug ką pasakyt. Nu taip, nebloga. Ir idėja originali. Ir išpildyta neblogai. Nu bet nesusigyveni su ja iki galo, ir viskas, nors tu ką. Ir, be abejo, labai jautėsi tas vadinamas "rusiškas stilius" - aš jį užčiuopiu beveik kiekvieno rusų autoriaus, bent jau šiuolaikiškesnio, kūryboje - ar tai būtų Strugatskis, ar Perumovas, ar Lukjanenko, ar Gluchovskis - visi jie tą savyje turi. Ir visų jų "tas" man nepatinka. Ne tai, kad būtų kažkas blogo, negero, neigiamo, ne. Bet erzina ir nors tu ką.
O šiaip.. viskas su tuo pikniku gerai. Neslėpsiu, kad vienas iš pagrindinių motyvų, jei ne vienintelis, ją perskaityti buvo "Stalker". NE Tarkovskio, beje. Bet nepaisant to, pilnai galiu suprasti, kodėl sovietų laikais, kai visuomenė buvo ne tik toleruojama, bet ir aktyviai skatinama būti pilkų robotukų mase, tokios netradicinės minties kūrinys tapo kultiniu.
O šiaip.. viskas su tuo pikniku gerai. Neslėpsiu, kad vienas iš pagrindinių motyvų, jei ne vienintelis, ją perskaityti buvo "Stalker". NE Tarkovskio, beje. Bet nepaisant to, pilnai galiu suprasti, kodėl sovietų laikais, kai visuomenė buvo ne tik toleruojama, bet ir aktyviai skatinama būti pilkų robotukų mase, tokios netradicinės minties kūrinys tapo kultiniu.
January 7, 2020
> Феноменально!
July 22, 2024
To pierwsze co przeczytałam od Strugackich i nie czuję tego zupełnie. Raczej nie lubię takiego sci-fi, dobrze, że było krótkie XD
November 13, 2024
3.5 bbb przyjemne
June 26, 2025
O poveste sci-fi cu gust de Mowgli, în stilul tare deosebit al fraților Strugatsky.
August 10, 2014
Ulmeelamus ütleks ja arusaadav miks selle teose kirjutamine oli vendadele raske, sest sedavõrd raske teksti kirjutamine ei saagi olla kerge. Jah, raske on ikka olla ulmekirjanik, ainuüksi mõnede küsimuste esitamine on keeruline, neile vastamine aga lausa võimatu. Tavakirjanikul on kõik märksa lihtsam, tema saab alati teha jooksvaid vaatlusi enese ümbruses või sees. Strugatskid aga võtavad ette ühe ulmekirjanduses esineda võivatest küsimustest keerulisema - võõrmõistuse - ning lisavad sinna veel ühe olulise elemendi - Väikemehe - muutes raskustaseme veelgi kõrgemaks. Igaljuhul jätsid siin-seal tehtud võrdlused Mowgliga teksti enne lugemist hoopiski lustlikuma mulje. Sünge, kurb aga hea tekst, mis annab mõtlemisainest pikemaks ajaks.
February 6, 2020
Как-то очень по-Лемовски.
July 17, 2024
Лучшее из цикла Полудня
Совсем не понимаю как эту книгу переварить в своей голове. Гениальная книга, к которой я пока могу только прикоснуться. Красота невероятная
Совсем не понимаю как эту книгу переварить в своей голове. Гениальная книга, к которой я пока могу только прикоснуться. Красота невероятная
December 3, 2022
Üllataval kombel antud romaan mulle isegi meeldis - lühike, oma abstraktsusele vaatamata ikkagi piisavalt konkreetne ja aktuaalne ka tänapäeval, kuna inimkond ei ole siiani aru saanud, mis meie eesmärk on. Järelsõnas ilmselt sõnastas Veiko Belials ära ka ilmselt selle, miks ma üle ühe Strugatskite raamatu aastas lugeda ei suuda, sest autorid loobusid asjade seletamisest ja loogilisusest suht varakult. Mul on aga vaja loo nautimiseks konkreetseid pidepunkte ja võimalusi tegelastega samastuda.
April 8, 2021
After several years of a break I am starting a new re-read of the Strugatsky books (probably for the 10th time, but who is counting). What I always feel about these stories, is that despite being science fiction they are incredibly human in nature and core.
Space Mowgli is the first book I decided to pick, out of chronological order for the cycle, and that in the end, is a very intimate story of a crew that finds themselves on a new planet and is faced with a unique case, a boy born to human parents but raised by an alien civilization of unknown nature. By following their attempt at establishing contact, we are faced with fundamental questions of what makes us truly human, and what rights an advanced civilization has, in this case, our advanced humankind, to affect the fates of those beings we find during our space exploration.
Beautifully written, touching and incredibly honest, this re-read has made me feel utterly emotional and ready for more. Next, 'Hard to be God'. 5/5 stars.
Space Mowgli is the first book I decided to pick, out of chronological order for the cycle, and that in the end, is a very intimate story of a crew that finds themselves on a new planet and is faced with a unique case, a boy born to human parents but raised by an alien civilization of unknown nature. By following their attempt at establishing contact, we are faced with fundamental questions of what makes us truly human, and what rights an advanced civilization has, in this case, our advanced humankind, to affect the fates of those beings we find during our space exploration.
Beautifully written, touching and incredibly honest, this re-read has made me feel utterly emotional and ready for more. Next, 'Hard to be God'. 5/5 stars.
March 18, 2023
Книга - бриллиант! В ней все совершенно - идея, сюжет, интрига, настроение, характеры. Увлекательная и философская одновременно - редчайшее качество. Литература высшей пробы!
June 28, 2018
Prvá kniha, ktorú som od Strugatskych čítal, a ľutujem, že až teraz. Vedia veru písať.
Páčilo sa mi to, až som ľutoval, že je to tak krátke. Scifi, ktorá ani po 50 rokoch nezostarla.
Páčilo sa mi to, až som ľutoval, že je to tak krátke. Scifi, ktorá ani po 50 rokoch nezostarla.
November 8, 2020
Было много канцелярского языка (но что поделаешь - тогда именно так и разговаривали), зато история получилась интересная!!!
February 24, 2025
Ընդհանուր բավական հետաքրքիր էր, բայց շատ քիչ Ստրուգացկի կար գրքի մեջ: Նկատի ունեմ՝ չկային եղբայրների փիլիսոփայությունը, մեծածավալ ֆանտաստիկ աշխարհները և այլն:
Անծայրածիր Կերօրի աշխարհի համար չափազանց կամերային ստեղծագործություն էր: Իրադարձությունները տեղի են ունենում մի մոլորակի մի փոքրիկ հատվածի վրա: Պատմությունն այն մասին է, թե ինչպես են Երկիր մոլորակից ժամանած գիտնականները փորձում ձևափոխել մոլորակը, որպեսզի այնտեղ տեղափոխեն մեկ այլ մոլորակի բնակչություն: Բայց բախվում են անհասկանալի իրադարձությունների հետ: Մնացածը սփոյլ է:
Ընդհանուր սյուժեն շատ հետաքրքիր է և ստիպում է կարդալ: Բայց եթե Ստրուգացկիների լավագույն գրքերը կարդացել եք, այս մեկը դժվար հավանեք:
Անծայրածիր Կերօրի աշխարհի համար չափազանց կամերային ստեղծագործություն էր: Իրադարձությունները տեղի են ունենում մի մոլորակի մի փոքրիկ հատվածի վրա: Պատմությունն այն մասին է, թե ինչպես են Երկիր մոլորակից ժամանած գիտնականները փորձում ձևափոխել մոլորակը, որպեսզի այնտեղ տեղափոխեն մեկ այլ մոլորակի բնակչություն: Բայց բախվում են անհասկանալի իրադարձությունների հետ: Մնացածը սփոյլ է:
Ընդհանուր սյուժեն շատ հետաքրքիր է և ստիպում է կարդալ: Բայց եթե Ստրուգացկիների լավագույն գրքերը կարդացել եք, այս մեկը դժվար հավանեք:
July 12, 2019
другая негуманойдная цивилизация. усики таракана. малыш как симбиоз, как сплав как посредник. гуманно ли? возможно ли? ребёнок или возможность уникального открытия?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2024
3/5⭐ Moje pierwsze spotkanie z Braćmi, sięgnęłam po ich twórczość za rekomendacjami Profesora Leszka Błaszkiewicza. Jestem bardzo ciekawa jak wypadanie inna książka duetu 'Piknik na skraju drogi' 😊
February 21, 2021
To jest przykład SF niemal idealnego. Spokojna, wyważona narracja, idealne proporcje w zakresie tempa akcji, wiedzy o uniwersum i bohaterach, wreszcie doskonały pomysł fabularny i niedopowiedzenie w zakresie, który nie może być dopowiedziany. Palce lizać, tylko za krótkie!
July 17, 2020
Очередная хорошая Sci-fi новелла Стругацких. Тот самый Малыш из названия – мил, но слишком уж странный для восприятия персонаж. Конфликтная со стороны исследователей история контакта удалась.
February 7, 2025
Quite philosophical.
November 7, 2014
Iseenesest huvitav, et "Väikemees" on võrreldes teiste Strugatskite antud sarja kuuluvate raamatutega suhteliselt vähe hinnanguid saanund, nii siin kui mujal baasides. Esimese emotsiooni pealt lajatasin kohe viis tärni, aga mõne päeva loetut seedides sai üks pall maha võetud, kuid minu jaoks on endiselt tegu väga mõnusa ja mõtlema paneva lugemisega. Veiko tõlge oli suurepärane ja tema järelsõna võiks rahus arvustusse ümber kopeerida, sest taolisi mõtteid lugu tõepoolest tekitas.
Minajutustajast kübertehnik annab edasi sündmuseid, mis leiavad aset uuel planeedil nimega Ark, mida spetsiaalsed üksused elik progressorid on saadetud pantalaste, kelle koduplaneeti ootab häving, ümberkoloniseerimist ette valmistama. Peagi selgub, et esialgselt mõistuslikult elutuks peetud taevakera pole seda ühti, ja puuduliku biosfääri tingimustes on kohtumine tundmatu poisisarnase inimolevusega uurijatele eriti rabav. See tähendab küll koloniseerimisprojekti lõppu, kuid selle asemel avastatakse, et väike müstiline tegelane võib vahendada planeedi esialgsete elanike mõtteid... Või siiski enda omi? Või mõlemaid korraga?
Paar imetillukest tõrvatilka...
Kuid kokkuvõtteks ei häirinud igasugused radiogrammid ja muud tolle ajastu shi-fiile omane butafooria mind põrmugi, oli pigem selline nunnu aspekt sügava eneseotsimise loo kõrval; jutu lõpp iseenesest minu jaoks täiesti priima! Aitäh Vendadele mõnusate lugemistundide eest. Nad ikka oskavad ütlemata jätta... ;)
“See oli meie pall. Ümber palli oli tõmmatud “kolmanda silma” võru. Objektiiv oli kildudeks ja võru ise nägi välja, nagu oleks laviini alla jäänud. Ja mitte ainsatki jälge valgel lumel.”
Ka sellega oleks võinud raamat lõppeda.
Minajutustajast kübertehnik annab edasi sündmuseid, mis leiavad aset uuel planeedil nimega Ark, mida spetsiaalsed üksused elik progressorid on saadetud pantalaste, kelle koduplaneeti ootab häving, ümberkoloniseerimist ette valmistama. Peagi selgub, et esialgselt mõistuslikult elutuks peetud taevakera pole seda ühti, ja puuduliku biosfääri tingimustes on kohtumine tundmatu poisisarnase inimolevusega uurijatele eriti rabav. See tähendab küll koloniseerimisprojekti lõppu, kuid selle asemel avastatakse, et väike müstiline tegelane võib vahendada planeedi esialgsete elanike mõtteid... Või siiski enda omi? Või mõlemaid korraga?
Paar imetillukest tõrvatilka...
Kuid kokkuvõtteks ei häirinud igasugused radiogrammid ja muud tolle ajastu shi-fiile omane butafooria mind põrmugi, oli pigem selline nunnu aspekt sügava eneseotsimise loo kõrval; jutu lõpp iseenesest minu jaoks täiesti priima! Aitäh Vendadele mõnusate lugemistundide eest. Nad ikka oskavad ütlemata jätta... ;)
“See oli meie pall. Ümber palli oli tõmmatud “kolmanda silma” võru. Objektiiv oli kildudeks ja võru ise nägi välja, nagu oleks laviini alla jäänud. Ja mitte ainsatki jälge valgel lumel.”
Ka sellega oleks võinud raamat lõppeda.
September 7, 2024
Imagine ripping off that one episode of Star Trek but you get away with it because no one in the USSR knows what the hell Star Trek is.
August 16, 2014
Olen suur vendade austaja, "Väikemees" aga valmistas natuke pettumuse... Raamat ise oli ilus tervik, hästi kirjutatud, karakteridki õnnestunud, teose õhustik lummav, aga minu jaoks oli midagi puudu... Midagi hästi vennalikku oli puudu, puudu olid linn, luiged ja tigu.
Usun, et pean raamatut veel üle lugema, seda natuke seedima... Praegu panen kolme, vendade skaalal kolme, meelis, aga mitte üliväga.
Usun, et pean raamatut veel üle lugema, seda natuke seedima... Praegu panen kolme, vendade skaalal kolme, meelis, aga mitte üliväga.
July 27, 2024
First starting as a space horror story, which is actually good at transmitting a feeling of vague dread and unease to the reader, this reveals itself to be a psychological study book with the message, opposed to the book 6 - not all ends justify the means, and consent is key for contact.
This is quite a lot better as a book than "The Inhabited Island".
This is quite a lot better as a book than "The Inhabited Island".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2020
FULL REVIEW: https://persephonesyndrome.wordpress....
"The Little One" mostly known as "Space Mowgli" or "The Kid" is a russian sci-fi short novel about a group of investigators who land in the Ark planet - a supposedly uninhabited and sterile planet that the crew try to verify if it's possible to terraform into a habitable one - and the first contact they have with an unexpected (and apparently only) inhabitant: a little savage humanoid boy that looks simultaneously too much and too little like an human.
The story is part of a extended universe called "The noon universe" and despite the book being a standalone (I have read that some of the characters appears in other books) many of the terms, objects, races and historical events that are mentioned on the book are hard to follow because it's assumed that the reader are familiar with them.
Also, because being the book hard sci-fi from the 70's, some of the sci-fi terms of the time are very archaic or "over the top", making the read a bit funky. I have read a translation that dates from the same period, so the technological terms are very old and not adapted to new audiences. Younger people probably wouldn't get most of it. Maybe newer editions take this into account.
A thing that made me confuse several times throughout the book: The russian name system: The same character sometimes has up to 3 or more names that are casually changing along the narrative with no warning. Also, short names sometimes doesn't match the full name, or the same name has small variations.
It could be a translation issue, yeah, but still I had a hard time reading because of this (and because russian names sounds a bit too similar to each other, since I'm not used)
Storywise I liked the overall plot despite the loose strands of information I lacked by not being familiar with the Noon Universe. The book gives you at least enough information so you at least don't lose interest.
None of the characters are much developed, they kind of stay in a archetype\stereotype state throughout the entire book, but I don't think it was a bad thing in this case. The book was small and even though there was a part it was dragging enough to have time to develop said characters (Stas was maybe the more developed because he was the narrator, and knowing his way of thinking we get to know him better than the rest), I think if we got to know them more emotionally, the way they interacted with the kid wouldn't be the same, or at least we wouldn't view it in the same way. I say that because by not being close or empathetic to any of characters, I was able to watch their actions towards the kid with no bias.
After a major action of one of the characters by the end, we get to know them a little better because they all react to the consequences of this action, so we get to see a hint of their true colors. By this point, I finally had a bias towards some of them. And I think leaving this to the end was great.
There's a downside to it: as they are left in a stereotype state for most of the plot, of course, there's cliches and common tropes we all are tired to see, but oh well *cough*emotional angry female*cough*
The book has neither a bad nor a good ending. In fact, it doesn't even have exaclty an ending. The ending is open, we don't know how the situation ended up, just the situation of some of the main characters.
I was not dissatisfied with it, but I thought something was missing because a loooot of questions were left unanswered, and they made such a big deal of them in the beggining.
"The Little One" mostly known as "Space Mowgli" or "The Kid" is a russian sci-fi short novel about a group of investigators who land in the Ark planet - a supposedly uninhabited and sterile planet that the crew try to verify if it's possible to terraform into a habitable one - and the first contact they have with an unexpected (and apparently only) inhabitant: a little savage humanoid boy that looks simultaneously too much and too little like an human.
The story is part of a extended universe called "The noon universe" and despite the book being a standalone (I have read that some of the characters appears in other books) many of the terms, objects, races and historical events that are mentioned on the book are hard to follow because it's assumed that the reader are familiar with them.
Also, because being the book hard sci-fi from the 70's, some of the sci-fi terms of the time are very archaic or "over the top", making the read a bit funky. I have read a translation that dates from the same period, so the technological terms are very old and not adapted to new audiences. Younger people probably wouldn't get most of it. Maybe newer editions take this into account.
A thing that made me confuse several times throughout the book: The russian name system: The same character sometimes has up to 3 or more names that are casually changing along the narrative with no warning. Also, short names sometimes doesn't match the full name, or the same name has small variations.
It could be a translation issue, yeah, but still I had a hard time reading because of this (and because russian names sounds a bit too similar to each other, since I'm not used)
Storywise I liked the overall plot despite the loose strands of information I lacked by not being familiar with the Noon Universe. The book gives you at least enough information so you at least don't lose interest.
None of the characters are much developed, they kind of stay in a archetype\stereotype state throughout the entire book, but I don't think it was a bad thing in this case. The book was small and even though there was a part it was dragging enough to have time to develop said characters (Stas was maybe the more developed because he was the narrator, and knowing his way of thinking we get to know him better than the rest), I think if we got to know them more emotionally, the way they interacted with the kid wouldn't be the same, or at least we wouldn't view it in the same way. I say that because by not being close or empathetic to any of characters, I was able to watch their actions towards the kid with no bias.
After a major action of one of the characters by the end, we get to know them a little better because they all react to the consequences of this action, so we get to see a hint of their true colors. By this point, I finally had a bias towards some of them. And I think leaving this to the end was great.
There's a downside to it: as they are left in a stereotype state for most of the plot, of course, there's cliches and common tropes we all are tired to see, but oh well *cough*emotional angry female*cough*
The book has neither a bad nor a good ending. In fact, it doesn't even have exaclty an ending. The ending is open, we don't know how the situation ended up, just the situation of some of the main characters.
I was not dissatisfied with it, but I thought something was missing because a loooot of questions were left unanswered, and they made such a big deal of them in the beggining.
May 18, 2024
История о Маугли в космосе, на неизведанной планете. Вот вам как говорится своеобразная трактовка истории о том, что будет если "человеческий детёныш" будет воспитан не, то что у животных, а у инопланетян на другой планете.
История из мира Полдня, активно упоминаются Горбовский, Атос Сидоров, даже Максим Камеррер.
Земляне осваивают угрюмую планету чтоб переместить сюда одну из форм жизни в космосе, т.е. осваивают ее для другой расы, но внезапно сталкиваются с необъяснимым явлением. Сначала в песках находят потерпевший крушение космический корабль с двумя скелетами летчиков на борту - мужчиной и женщиной. Дальше с исследователями начинают происходить странные вещи, они то слышат странный голоса и крики, то видят призрака маленького мальчика и т.д. В последствии оказывается, что это человеческий мальчик, сын погибших на корабле людей, каким-то чудом выживший после катастрофы.
Мальчик очень необычный, мало того, что он помнит все что когда-либо видел, даже в младенчестве, он может воспроизводить любые звуки и голоса и к тому же прекрасно приспособлен к жизни на планете где обычный человек без помощи не протянул бы и нескольких дней.
Вообще образ мальчика очень хорошо проработан и выписан, очень живо себе представляешь и что самое главное веришь в его описание - в то как он словно ртуть подвижен и изменчив, в то как говорит, вставляя невпопад странные слова, в его внешний вид, способ мышления, когда он для того чтобы что-то понять или рассказать, да и вообще помыслить использует камни, ветки, листья, словно игральные карты.
Хотел написать, что авторы как-то бледно представляют себе развитие техники в будущем если у них даже связь до тех пор ведется по радио, но оказалось, что все не так печально, визоры у них оказывается есть, что -то вроде скайпа нашего. Есть также знакомые мне по роману "Трубно быть Богом" обручи с камерой в виде камня. Упоминаются роботы стражи-разведчики, которые могут облетать и исследовать территорию, что-то вроде квадрокоптеров. В общем с фантазией на тот момент у авторов было все в порядке и многие вещи они словно жюльверны предсказали верно. Хотелось бы конечно более совершенных роботов, ну да ладно.
Концовка удивила, вернее без эпилога, было бы как надо, т.е. все как любят авторы - никаких объяснений и лишней словесности, потому я был удивлен, когда в эпилоге авторы все же немного сгладили историю окончания.
Еще не верится в светлые мотивы людей будущего, не могли они вот так бросить и отказаться от такого шанса, навести контакт с другой цивилизацией через мальчика, они отказались! Причем по этическим мотивам!!! Такого просто не могло произойти, а потому эта часть самая фантастическая на мой взгляд. Да люди скорее в жертву принесли бы этого мальчика, а не отказались от контакта.
История из мира Полдня, активно упоминаются Горбовский, Атос Сидоров, даже Максим Камеррер.
Земляне осваивают угрюмую планету чтоб переместить сюда одну из форм жизни в космосе, т.е. осваивают ее для другой расы, но внезапно сталкиваются с необъяснимым явлением. Сначала в песках находят потерпевший крушение космический корабль с двумя скелетами летчиков на борту - мужчиной и женщиной. Дальше с исследователями начинают происходить странные вещи, они то слышат странный голоса и крики, то видят призрака маленького мальчика и т.д. В последствии оказывается, что это человеческий мальчик, сын погибших на корабле людей, каким-то чудом выживший после катастрофы.
Мальчик очень необычный, мало того, что он помнит все что когда-либо видел, даже в младенчестве, он может воспроизводить любые звуки и голоса и к тому же прекрасно приспособлен к жизни на планете где обычный человек без помощи не протянул бы и нескольких дней.
Вообще образ мальчика очень хорошо проработан и выписан, очень живо себе представляешь и что самое главное веришь в его описание - в то как он словно ртуть подвижен и изменчив, в то как говорит, вставляя невпопад странные слова, в его внешний вид, способ мышления, когда он для того чтобы что-то понять или рассказать, да и вообще помыслить использует камни, ветки, листья, словно игральные карты.
Хотел написать, что авторы как-то бледно представляют себе развитие техники в будущем если у них даже связь до тех пор ведется по радио, но оказалось, что все не так печально, визоры у них оказывается есть, что -то вроде скайпа нашего. Есть также знакомые мне по роману "Трубно быть Богом" обручи с камерой в виде камня. Упоминаются роботы стражи-разведчики, которые могут облетать и исследовать территорию, что-то вроде квадрокоптеров. В общем с фантазией на тот момент у авторов было все в порядке и многие вещи они словно жюльверны предсказали верно. Хотелось бы конечно более совершенных роботов, ну да ладно.
Концовка удивила, вернее без эпилога, было бы как надо, т.е. все как любят авторы - никаких объяснений и лишней словесности, потому я был удивлен, когда в эпилоге авторы все же немного сгладили историю окончания.
Еще не верится в светлые мотивы людей будущего, не могли они вот так бросить и отказаться от такого шанса, навести контакт с другой цивилизацией через мальчика, они отказались! Причем по этическим мотивам!!! Такого просто не могло произойти, а потому эта часть самая фантастическая на мой взгляд. Да люди скорее в жертву принесли бы этого мальчика, а не отказались от контакта.
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