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A Wreath of Stars
Ironically, for Gilbert Snook, who considered himself the human equivalent of a neutrino, a particle able to travel through the Earth without disturbing any other particle, it all started with the panic that followed the sighting of the anti neutrino planet as it approached Earth. Earth was unaffected but Snook ended up in a small African Republic teaching English to diamond miners. Then the miners started seeing ghosts and Snook found himself at the centre of a bizarre and far reaching scientific discovery and in the middle of some very dirty political infighting.
220 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 2, 2018
La novela comienza con el descubrimiento de un astro que atraviese el Sistema Solar, invisible a los ojos humanos a no ser que se lleven unas gafas especiales. Cuando dicho astro atraviesa la Tierra, se descubre la existencia de un planeta en el interior del nuestro, ocupando el mismo espacio. Y aquí surge el conflicto, ya que cada poco tiempo, según la rotación de ambos planetas, sus habitantes se pueden ver, pareciendo fantasmas.
‘Una guirnalda de estrellas’ (A Wreath of Stars, 1976), de Bob Shaw, es una interesante novela de ciencia ficción de primer contacto, que empieza muy bien, con una idea alucinante, pero que se va desinflando según avanza. No es una maravilla, pero se lee con gusto.
‘Una guirnalda de estrellas’ (A Wreath of Stars, 1976), de Bob Shaw, es una interesante novela de ciencia ficción de primer contacto, que empieza muy bien, con una idea alucinante, pero que se va desinflando según avanza. No es una maravilla, pero se lee con gusto.
July 7, 2012
What happens when miners using light-amplifying goggles start seeing ghosts? The answer is so weird that this can only be a Bob Shaw novel. While he was often seen as a traditionalist, or reactionary, in the days of New Wave sf, Shaw dealt in very weird ideas. As an engineer he had the knack of making wildly improbable things seem technically feasible, and this was never more obvious than in A Wreath of Stars. I don't want to include spoilers - just read it. And enjoy the deep peace of the running wave...
June 17, 2017
7/10
An oddly enjoyable book from the 1970s. While there are a few despicable cardboard villains and stereotypical secondary characters, the "heroes", a remarkably mediocre scientist who runs a planetarium and a mechanic whose main purpose in life is avoiding human connections, are more three-dimensional. I cannot comment on the soundness of the science, but the descriptions of the interactions between the humans and the "ghosts" and the consequences of those interactions touched my emotions, sparked my imagination, and made for an engaging story.
An oddly enjoyable book from the 1970s. While there are a few despicable cardboard villains and stereotypical secondary characters, the "heroes", a remarkably mediocre scientist who runs a planetarium and a mechanic whose main purpose in life is avoiding human connections, are more three-dimensional. I cannot comment on the soundness of the science, but the descriptions of the interactions between the humans and the "ghosts" and the consequences of those interactions touched my emotions, sparked my imagination, and made for an engaging story.
December 24, 2017
A Wreath of Stars takes place in the far future of the 1990s. It is not a particularly bright future. The developing world is increasingly fragmented into statelets feuding over natural resources, being unable to produce anything else of value. The developed countries are doing a better job of keeping afloat, though environmental degradation is taking its toll and the era of safe travel is long gone. The UN is a blustering, incompetent mass, waving development aid in an attempt to get everyone to play along, and achieving little more than lip service in return. But neither is the future terrible. Life goes on, economies keep chugging, science progresses. Dictators abound but their powers are at least somewhat curtailed by public opinion, and people still believe in things. In short, it's a much more believable vision of the future than what is the norm in sci-fi, which tends to veer towards either the utopian or dystopian.
The reluctant hero is Gilbert Snook, an aircraft mechanic who makes a living servicing the aging military equipment of these warring statelets, never staying in one place long enough to set down roots, and doing his best not to care about anyone or anything. This he does a good job of until an astronomic discovery of an anti-neutrino world draws him, more or less kicking and screaming, into an adventure to discover this parallel universe. The characters in the book are generally well written and engaging, managing to both represent a wider social class while retaining enough individuality not to fall into the pit of stereotypes. Except Prudence, I guess. The book could have done without her.
The plot is strong. There are three interweaving currents to it -- political maneuvering in a banana republic with the primary goal of not getting disappeared, conducting a scientific investigation in a country that really doesn't want you there, and a world's struggle to find a way out of extinction -- and the characters play enough of a role in all three to incite interest and suspense, but not enough to degenerate into Luke Skywalker single-handedly saving the galaxy. Some elements are satisfyingly tied up at the end, others left dangling, because that's just the way life is.
The book is written with a good sense of humour, especially with regard to the dialogue. The science is well-handled, plenty of detail but nothing particularly jarring. (Unless you're a physicist, I guess, but in that case you should be spending less time reading books and more developing fusion. What do we feed you for?)
This was my first exposure to Bob Shaw, but I will definitely look to read more of him in the future.
The reluctant hero is Gilbert Snook, an aircraft mechanic who makes a living servicing the aging military equipment of these warring statelets, never staying in one place long enough to set down roots, and doing his best not to care about anyone or anything. This he does a good job of until an astronomic discovery of an anti-neutrino world draws him, more or less kicking and screaming, into an adventure to discover this parallel universe. The characters in the book are generally well written and engaging, managing to both represent a wider social class while retaining enough individuality not to fall into the pit of stereotypes. Except Prudence, I guess. The book could have done without her.
The plot is strong. There are three interweaving currents to it -- political maneuvering in a banana republic with the primary goal of not getting disappeared, conducting a scientific investigation in a country that really doesn't want you there, and a world's struggle to find a way out of extinction -- and the characters play enough of a role in all three to incite interest and suspense, but not enough to degenerate into Luke Skywalker single-handedly saving the galaxy. Some elements are satisfyingly tied up at the end, others left dangling, because that's just the way life is.
The book is written with a good sense of humour, especially with regard to the dialogue. The science is well-handled, plenty of detail but nothing particularly jarring. (Unless you're a physicist, I guess, but in that case you should be spending less time reading books and more developing fusion. What do we feed you for?)
This was my first exposure to Bob Shaw, but I will definitely look to read more of him in the future.
January 4, 2016
Bob Shaw's underrated on here, he stands with the greats in my opinion. I've not read a bad book of his and this is one of his best.
December 22, 2025
Wow I need to read more Bob Shaw
July 12, 2023
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Gil Snook avoids contact and entanglement, passing through society like a human neutrino. But, having ended up in the new country of Barandi, he finds himself caught up in a startling discovery about an anti-neutrino world only barely interacting with ours.
Review
Bob Shaw’s strength was in his characters, though he didn’t always succeed with them. Here, he largely does, with Gil Snook, determined to interact with others as little as possible; and Boyce Ambrose, trying to redeem himself as a true – or at least famous – scientist. While Snook and Ambrose are engaging, Shaw’s maneuvering to get them into position for the main story is on the bare bones side. And, while Snook is determined to limit his commitments, somehow a pretty face seems to be all it takes to break his concentration.
Despite those flaws, the characters carry the story through, and even the ending – a bit on the expository side – works fairly well, and without the Hollywood climax the story sometimes leads you to expect. It’s not really a book that will stay in your mind for long, but it’s a fun, readable mid-70s SF story you’ll enjoy while you’re in it, with some nice moments of humor.
Summary
Gil Snook avoids contact and entanglement, passing through society like a human neutrino. But, having ended up in the new country of Barandi, he finds himself caught up in a startling discovery about an anti-neutrino world only barely interacting with ours.
Review
Bob Shaw’s strength was in his characters, though he didn’t always succeed with them. Here, he largely does, with Gil Snook, determined to interact with others as little as possible; and Boyce Ambrose, trying to redeem himself as a true – or at least famous – scientist. While Snook and Ambrose are engaging, Shaw’s maneuvering to get them into position for the main story is on the bare bones side. And, while Snook is determined to limit his commitments, somehow a pretty face seems to be all it takes to break his concentration.
Despite those flaws, the characters carry the story through, and even the ending – a bit on the expository side – works fairly well, and without the Hollywood climax the story sometimes leads you to expect. It’s not really a book that will stay in your mind for long, but it’s a fun, readable mid-70s SF story you’ll enjoy while you’re in it, with some nice moments of humor.
March 10, 2017
After reading too much bad pulp sf, this was a nice change. Not that I liked it much, but I could tell the author put some thought into it. Not that the science made much sense (a planet made of neutrinos, really?), but it was interesting that they found alien life in the last place we'd ever look for it:
The characters seemed annoyingly unheroic and selfish at first, but they ended up quite a bit more likeable and even a little heroic by the end of the book. Even the aliens turned from annoyingly superior to humans in every way to fallible and somewhat petty.
Why didn't I enjoy this book, even though it had plenty of stuff going for it? I guess it was the politics of the tiny African nation. It bored me, yet most of the drama came from it. The protagonist's desire to keep interaction with others to a minimum was a bit annoying as well, but that was the whole point of the character. I should appreciate that, because I'm just like him.
Sadly, this book seems to have done most things right, but I never enjoyed reading it.
The characters seemed annoyingly unheroic and selfish at first, but they ended up quite a bit more likeable and even a little heroic by the end of the book. Even the aliens turned from annoyingly superior to humans in every way to fallible and somewhat petty.
Why didn't I enjoy this book, even though it had plenty of stuff going for it? I guess it was the politics of the tiny African nation. It bored me, yet most of the drama came from it. The protagonist's desire to keep interaction with others to a minimum was a bit annoying as well, but that was the whole point of the character. I should appreciate that, because I'm just like him.
Sadly, this book seems to have done most things right, but I never enjoyed reading it.
August 21, 2018
Gratamente sorprendido por esta historia. Tuve un inicio fallido con el autor, pues encontré difícil de leer su historia “Los astronautas harapientos”, con rasgos misóginos y burdos. Tal vez debí seguir y entender que la historia así la ameritaba. En cambio “Una guirnalda de estrellas” tiene todos los elementos que la anteriormente mencionada historia no tiene. Personajes claros, definidos y todos necesarios. Hay dureza y también mucha emoción. Aún encuentro al autor muy centrado en el uso de la mujer-objeto-premio para el hombre, cosa que en estos tiempos se hace un poco cavernaria, pero considerando en año que fue escrita, pasa. Vamos a por más del autor...
March 16, 2024
2.5 stars
I mistakenly read this book instead of his highly recommended Other Days, Other Eyes 1: Because I had a copy in my to read pile. 2: They’re both about glass that does something strange. 3: Here in the States we’re not exactly tripping over copies of Bob Shaw everywhere.
A strange little book that toddles out its story at the pace of a stroll with grandma to feed the ducks.
Newfangled glass allows us to see a world made of anti-neutrinos superimposed with our own world. Characters investigate.
I couldn’t help wondering why this book even existed by the strange fart of an ending, but I didn’t dislike it.
This Pan edition features a killer uncredited anonymous cover.
I mistakenly read this book instead of his highly recommended Other Days, Other Eyes 1: Because I had a copy in my to read pile. 2: They’re both about glass that does something strange. 3: Here in the States we’re not exactly tripping over copies of Bob Shaw everywhere.
A strange little book that toddles out its story at the pace of a stroll with grandma to feed the ducks.
Newfangled glass allows us to see a world made of anti-neutrinos superimposed with our own world. Characters investigate.
I couldn’t help wondering why this book even existed by the strange fart of an ending, but I didn’t dislike it.
This Pan edition features a killer uncredited anonymous cover.
December 24, 2018
6/10. Media de los 6 libros leídos del autor : 6/10
Regular, pero tiene cierto interés. Mejor leerse "Periplo nocturno"
Regular, pero tiene cierto interés. Mejor leerse "Periplo nocturno"
October 21, 2023
3/5
A mysterious and unforeseen astronomical event occurs when a bright object made of neutrinos passes through our solar system. This event was only witnessed due to a new device in the world of optics that allows human eyes to see the neutrinos like light. Years later, this event is found to have caused the shift in orbit of a neutrino planet, with all its own life forms and society, that has been resting inside of earth itself. Gilbert Snook, the self-described human neutrino, ends up becoming caught in an attempt to contact the lifeforms on this planet as its orbit slowly shifts it outside of the earth's surface.
This is my first Shaw and an enjoyable one. Shaw is able to weave some hard-ish scientific concepts and explanations into the plot line in a smooth and enjoyable way. The premise itself is the real draw here, and it definitely was my favorite part of the novel. I also really enjoyed the description of the culture on this new planet, including the telepathic locals. Shaw's prose style tended to be understated, but with short moments of beauty, especially towards the beginning and end. I especially liked the light smattering of humor that he writes with. It actually tended to be pretty funny, which is saying something coming from someone who struggles to connect with humor through text. The plot moved along at a good pace, and the ending was pretty good if a bit saccharine.
Most of the characters were... bland at best. All of the characters, even the more minor ones, were well drawn in that they all had clearly described motivations that seemed believable, but that didn't stop them from being pretty transparent. The primary characters, Ambrose and Gilbert, were far more three-dimensional than the rest. I especially found the treatment of sex and race to be pretty dated. And speaking of being dated, the future world that Shaw draws is bland and tepid, barely feeling like things have progressed that far from the 1960s. The setting, a new and corrupt African nation-state, was a bit boring, which is a shame because that's ultimately where Shaw tries to summon most of the drama and suspense from. I think I would've enjoyed the novel more if these qualities were instead drawn from the freaking alien race of neutrinos. C'mon Mr. Shaw.
I don't know. It was pretty good, but maybe forgettable. Nothing really stuck with me strongly, even if it was a fun time. I could see this going over better for me if I was in a more 'beach-read' mood. I think there are some flashes of excellence that make me eager to get back to some of Shaw's other works.
A mysterious and unforeseen astronomical event occurs when a bright object made of neutrinos passes through our solar system. This event was only witnessed due to a new device in the world of optics that allows human eyes to see the neutrinos like light. Years later, this event is found to have caused the shift in orbit of a neutrino planet, with all its own life forms and society, that has been resting inside of earth itself. Gilbert Snook, the self-described human neutrino, ends up becoming caught in an attempt to contact the lifeforms on this planet as its orbit slowly shifts it outside of the earth's surface.
This is my first Shaw and an enjoyable one. Shaw is able to weave some hard-ish scientific concepts and explanations into the plot line in a smooth and enjoyable way. The premise itself is the real draw here, and it definitely was my favorite part of the novel. I also really enjoyed the description of the culture on this new planet, including the telepathic locals. Shaw's prose style tended to be understated, but with short moments of beauty, especially towards the beginning and end. I especially liked the light smattering of humor that he writes with. It actually tended to be pretty funny, which is saying something coming from someone who struggles to connect with humor through text. The plot moved along at a good pace, and the ending was pretty good if a bit saccharine.
Most of the characters were... bland at best. All of the characters, even the more minor ones, were well drawn in that they all had clearly described motivations that seemed believable, but that didn't stop them from being pretty transparent. The primary characters, Ambrose and Gilbert, were far more three-dimensional than the rest. I especially found the treatment of sex and race to be pretty dated. And speaking of being dated, the future world that Shaw draws is bland and tepid, barely feeling like things have progressed that far from the 1960s. The setting, a new and corrupt African nation-state, was a bit boring, which is a shame because that's ultimately where Shaw tries to summon most of the drama and suspense from. I think I would've enjoyed the novel more if these qualities were instead drawn from the freaking alien race of neutrinos. C'mon Mr. Shaw.
I don't know. It was pretty good, but maybe forgettable. Nothing really stuck with me strongly, even if it was a fun time. I could see this going over better for me if I was in a more 'beach-read' mood. I think there are some flashes of excellence that make me eager to get back to some of Shaw's other works.
April 29, 2018
Další fanzinovka, kterou jsem vyhrabal ve skříni a nějakou dobu tahal sebou. Od Boba Shawa jsem četl už Jiné dny, jiné oči. Obě knížky jsou tenké, nějakých 150 stránek, obě mají zajímavý nápad (pokaždé založený na tom, co člověk vidí), a tahle je z těch dvou knížek rozhodně slabší. Možná i proto, že se to pouští do rajónu clarkovské hard sf a spíš se vysvětluje, než se tam něco děje. Navíc nemám moc rád, když se přijde s vědeckým objevem a pak se problémy řeší pomocí telepatie. To už byste rovnou mohli zraněné ve válečných filmech léčit pomocí čarovné hůlky. Nebo ještě hůř, homeopatie.
Původní nápad je fajn. Díky speciálním brýlím umožňujícím vidět v temnotě se zjistí, na obloze je běžným zrakem neviditelná neutrinová planeta. Vzápětí se zjistí, že uprostřed Země je také jedna, která se pohybuje ve shodě s ní, a je obydlená. Bohužel se dotýká povrchu právě na místě afrických dolů a místní diktátor nemá pro vědce moc pochopení.
A pak se navazuje kontakt (člověk by řekl, jak se bude lidstvo, ještě v omezeném čase, dorozumívat s obyvateli planety, kteří ani netuší, že existujeme... ale je tu tak telepatie!), řeší se problémy a vlastně se nic extra neděje. Jen se tedy potvrzuje, že Bob Shaw vážně neumí moc psát ženské postavy, protože tady vyrukuje s klasickým mixem "jsem silná, emancipovaná žena" a "jak to, že mě všichni nezachraňujete". Prostě s nepříjemnou krávou. Přišlo mi, že ji ze začátku plánoval jako partnerku pro některého z hrdinů, ale pak ho sama začala tak moc štvát, že ji v závěru nechal vyšumět. Jinak je to klasika. Mimozemšťané jsou moudří, hrdina, který na všechny kašle, se zapojí do života, zakomplexovaný astronom udělá objev a v africké republice dojde k převratu, když zlého krále nahradí jiný, určitě ještě horší. Ale to už je příběh pro další knihu.
Původní nápad je fajn. Díky speciálním brýlím umožňujícím vidět v temnotě se zjistí, na obloze je běžným zrakem neviditelná neutrinová planeta. Vzápětí se zjistí, že uprostřed Země je také jedna, která se pohybuje ve shodě s ní, a je obydlená. Bohužel se dotýká povrchu právě na místě afrických dolů a místní diktátor nemá pro vědce moc pochopení.
A pak se navazuje kontakt (člověk by řekl, jak se bude lidstvo, ještě v omezeném čase, dorozumívat s obyvateli planety, kteří ani netuší, že existujeme... ale je tu tak telepatie!), řeší se problémy a vlastně se nic extra neděje. Jen se tedy potvrzuje, že Bob Shaw vážně neumí moc psát ženské postavy, protože tady vyrukuje s klasickým mixem "jsem silná, emancipovaná žena" a "jak to, že mě všichni nezachraňujete". Prostě s nepříjemnou krávou. Přišlo mi, že ji ze začátku plánoval jako partnerku pro některého z hrdinů, ale pak ho sama začala tak moc štvát, že ji v závěru nechal vyšumět. Jinak je to klasika. Mimozemšťané jsou moudří, hrdina, který na všechny kašle, se zapojí do života, zakomplexovaný astronom udělá objev a v africké republice dojde k převratu, když zlého krále nahradí jiný, určitě ještě horší. Ale to už je příběh pro další knihu.
November 2, 2024
I was thoroughly impressed by this, this first book I have read by this author - as far as I know.
The story instantly grabbed me, the characterisations are delightful and the writing is beautiful. We start with Gilbert Snook the man who lived life like a social neutrino and we end the story with him too, as a real life case of neutrinos completely turns his life inside and out - literally.
We started with a device which Shaw puts into his world; magniluenct glasses allow people to see in near darkness, so for instance instead of turning on a light in an observatory, a lone astronomer just wears the glasses and absent minded forgets to take them off before looking into his telescope to see a huge planet apparently heading for Earth.
While this causes some panic and concern it is not really an issue since the neutrino planet will pass right through normal matter without affecting it. The next interesting fact is that instead of a straight trajectory, it is on a curved one which means there is a neutrino mass somewhere in our solar system that we were never aware of...
While this is not a particularly science heavy book, I found it delightful reading a book with astronomy a strong plot device, I realise it has been a long time since I read one.
This book has a number of interesting points it makes about dictatorships, small countries and so on. I don't know that the author was actually trying to make any of these points when he set Gilbert Snook down in a tiny African country where he gets to be first contact for neutrino based aliens.
Excellent writing, fascinating premise, some great characters and an ending that I did not see coming at all and which was very satisfying in it's introspectiveness.
The story instantly grabbed me, the characterisations are delightful and the writing is beautiful. We start with Gilbert Snook the man who lived life like a social neutrino and we end the story with him too, as a real life case of neutrinos completely turns his life inside and out - literally.
We started with a device which Shaw puts into his world; magniluenct glasses allow people to see in near darkness, so for instance instead of turning on a light in an observatory, a lone astronomer just wears the glasses and absent minded forgets to take them off before looking into his telescope to see a huge planet apparently heading for Earth.
While this causes some panic and concern it is not really an issue since the neutrino planet will pass right through normal matter without affecting it. The next interesting fact is that instead of a straight trajectory, it is on a curved one which means there is a neutrino mass somewhere in our solar system that we were never aware of...
While this is not a particularly science heavy book, I found it delightful reading a book with astronomy a strong plot device, I realise it has been a long time since I read one.
This book has a number of interesting points it makes about dictatorships, small countries and so on. I don't know that the author was actually trying to make any of these points when he set Gilbert Snook down in a tiny African country where he gets to be first contact for neutrino based aliens.
Excellent writing, fascinating premise, some great characters and an ending that I did not see coming at all and which was very satisfying in it's introspectiveness.
October 17, 2024
The story of Gilbert Snook, an engineer intent on avoiding human entanglement as much as possible. Not that that works out so well for him.
Thornton's Planet is an anti-neutrino planet detected on its approach to Earth. It can be seen only through the newly developed see-in-the-dark magniluct lenses and its arrival causes a wave of panic.
When its course carries it past the earth, interest in Thornton's Planet wanes.
Then comes news from the African state of Barandi. Miners wearing magniluct lenses have seen ghosts in the mine passages. The visit of Thornton's Planet has had effects on Earth further-ranging than anyone could have imagined.
For Gilbert Snook, the effects will be life-altering and involve romance, danger and a unique journey across universes. Pretty good, and Bob Shaw was a gifted writer, certainly.
Thornton's Planet is an anti-neutrino planet detected on its approach to Earth. It can be seen only through the newly developed see-in-the-dark magniluct lenses and its arrival causes a wave of panic.
When its course carries it past the earth, interest in Thornton's Planet wanes.
Then comes news from the African state of Barandi. Miners wearing magniluct lenses have seen ghosts in the mine passages. The visit of Thornton's Planet has had effects on Earth further-ranging than anyone could have imagined.
For Gilbert Snook, the effects will be life-altering and involve romance, danger and a unique journey across universes. Pretty good, and Bob Shaw was a gifted writer, certainly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2025
An Interesting idea, done well by the science of the time (1976) carried through mainly on the strength of characterization and the interpersonal drama, rather than the SF. And he did blow the plot in the last chapter, with an obvious attempt at a fix inserted.
Worthwhile in general, but expect the end to disappoint
Worthwhile in general, but expect the end to disappoint
October 4, 2025
Strange events take place in a mine, in a non-democcratic African country ruled by powerful men with little concern for anyone else, after a lone wolf planet, named Thornton's Planet comes through the solar system and allows an alternate universe to connect to our universe. Another good book from Bob Shaw.
January 19, 2023
Una lectura que disfrute muchísimo, me encantó como se desarrolla el elemento sci-fi y la creatividad del autor. Lo encontré muy accesible, fácil de leer, disfrutable (a pesar de los clásicos villanos tercermundistas y que la única mujer tenia apenas propósito). Se me pasaron volando las páginas.
September 22, 2022
Irish author Bob Shaw combines ghosts, interdimensional travel, and secession in East Africa into a classic science fiction adventure.
December 21, 2022
Quite creative, a bit dated.
Something keeps this book from being great, though I can't put my finger on it.
Something keeps this book from being great, though I can't put my finger on it.
August 2, 2023
Solid Shaw.
January 22, 2024
First Bob Shaw. Interesting premise and well executed. Look forward to reading more
June 9, 2024
Clumsy racial elements and woeful sexual politics, but otherwise a nifty SF with intriguing ideas and a main character I liked.
November 24, 2025
Alguien que nunca ha querido relacionarse con otras personas se involucrará de manera total por su sentido de lo que es correcto.
Nunca es posible adivinar cómo de lejos nos puede llevar el destino.
Nunca es posible adivinar cómo de lejos nos puede llevar el destino.
June 25, 2022
An intriguing first contact novel involving ghosts, an African diamond mine, a rogue planet, quantum physics and a man who considers himself a human neutrino. A blend of 1970s hard and soft SF with a sympathetic character portrayal of the protagonist and a gut-wrenching poignant ending. My first Bob Shaw, definitely not my last.
February 24, 2021
Another reread of a book I read so very long ago now that was a real pleasure to revisit. I enjoyed the way the story took an unexpected route telling its tale. With all the scientific discovery and potential benefits from what's happening, the greed and fear of humans always get in the way.
This is one of Bob Shaw's more technical-driven stories with a fair amount of effort given to explain some of the science going on in here. The jargon did bog the story down a little, but not enough to remove my enjoyment of it.
This story was quite a fascinating one that had a similar theme to the season 6 Stargate SG-1 episode Sight Unseen which came much, much later than the book. Interestingly, this book, published in the '70s, was set 20 years the future (aka the '90s), now 30 years in the past... There have been some fun predictions of that future world to compare against today but there are certainly some very outdated attitudes regarding race and gender that some may find offensive today.
Another classic that possibly hasn't aged well.
This is one of Bob Shaw's more technical-driven stories with a fair amount of effort given to explain some of the science going on in here. The jargon did bog the story down a little, but not enough to remove my enjoyment of it.
This story was quite a fascinating one that had a similar theme to the season 6 Stargate SG-1 episode Sight Unseen which came much, much later than the book. Interestingly, this book, published in the '70s, was set 20 years the future (aka the '90s), now 30 years in the past... There have been some fun predictions of that future world to compare against today but there are certainly some very outdated attitudes regarding race and gender that some may find offensive today.
Another classic that possibly hasn't aged well.
April 24, 2025
Refreshingly different from the usual US suspects of 1950s sf. A stunning concept stitched into a simple adventure romp across the globe to Africa. Yes Africa. Not America!
My first Shaw. Easy to read with moments of enjoyable hard science.
Bought Medusas children and Who goes here? off the back of it.
Just great to have a non-US writer tbh. Adding more Shaw, Keith Roberts, M John Harrison, Coney, Ballard, Priest and Moorcock to fly the British flag.
My first Shaw. Easy to read with moments of enjoyable hard science.
Bought Medusas children and Who goes here? off the back of it.
Just great to have a non-US writer tbh. Adding more Shaw, Keith Roberts, M John Harrison, Coney, Ballard, Priest and Moorcock to fly the British flag.
September 22, 2013
Buena novela de Ciencia Ficción del maestro Bob Shaw. Si bien las bases científicas del libro no han soportado muy bien el paso del tiempo desde los 70s, la premisa sigue siendo muy interesante... relacionar apariciones fantasmales en una mina de diamantes con habitantes de un universo paralelo ?? genial!... pulgar arriba al autor por ser capaz de relacionar 2 ideas tan disparatadas con un argumento convincente. /spoilers/ Me gustaría que se hubiese profundizado más en la relación que tuvo "Averno" con las civilizaciones antiguas y las religiones, pero supongo que eso hubiese extendido demasiado la novela /spoilers/.
En conclusión, una buena novela de una longitud cómoda (220 págionas), y a diferencia de otras opiniones, el final me pareció interesante. Quizás había intenciones de escribir una secuela.
En conclusión, una buena novela de una longitud cómoda (220 págionas), y a diferencia de otras opiniones, el final me pareció interesante. Quizás había intenciones de escribir una secuela.
May 29, 2013
A Wreath of Stars is an strange science fiction story set around an african diamond mine and civil war with an alternative world thrown in for good measure.
The story is fun and the Sci Fi had me drawn in further and further as we learned more of the odd goings on around the mine. However, i felt a little let down by the end which seemed to peter out once the big reveal happened. It all moved a little fast as the story wrapped up.
Still, this was a different kind of sci fi with the strange interaction between the two world fascinating. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
The story is fun and the Sci Fi had me drawn in further and further as we learned more of the odd goings on around the mine. However, i felt a little let down by the end which seemed to peter out once the big reveal happened. It all moved a little fast as the story wrapped up.
Still, this was a different kind of sci fi with the strange interaction between the two world fascinating. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
September 10, 2016
Good basic sci-fi yarn. Imaginative. Published in 1976, its technology is dated as you might expect. But for this writer of historical fiction, I was also interested in the dated cultural relationships, particularly when it came to the women in the story. The protagonist's comments regarding females -- which was normal for that time -- would today be considered demeaning and offensive. I mention it not to belittle the author or his story, but as an observation of how we have progressed not only technologically, but culturally since the 70s. Overall an enjoyable story.
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