ryanseay's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.25
Very interesting philosophical ideas but the religious discourse was very technically demanding
misanthrope's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book explores many interesting ideas. I want to read more from this author.
ewelshie's review against another edition
You know a book is gonna be a pretentious mess when there's a pronunciation key for the alien language at the front of it.
marct22's review against another edition
5.0
great book, although ending I thought wasn't quite as good as I had hoped...
daynpitseleh's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting sci-fi novel dealing with religion and morality.
jstamper2022's review against another edition
4.0
Earth meets a highly logical, moral without religion race of lizards. A commission lead by a Jesuit Priest, visits the planet. Turns out it's actually a creation of the Adversary (The Devil) cause the Priest to have an existential crisis that everything he was taught about God might actually be wrong and that science and religion can coexist. Loads of Cold War themes.
lauribooks's review against another edition
4.0
Es una novela fascinante, toca temas y enfoques muy interesantes. A mí el que más me ha impresionado es aquello de que a pesar de que tus genes te predispongan a tener cierto carácter, el lugar en el que creces y la gente de la que te rodeas es decisiva a la hora de desarrollar una personalidad.
En general me ha gustado mucho, me habría gustado conocer más de Litino (el planeta extraterrestre) pero aun así me he quedado muy complacida.
Me gustaría leer más de este autor.
Pongo algunas frases que pueden resultar problemáticas para algunas personas. Hay que tener en cuenta que este libro se publicó hace más de 80 años y que, por lo tanto, tocará temas y dirá cosas que estén en conflicto con nuestros valores actuales pero que reflejen el pensamiento y la situación de la época, por lo que no se puede juzgar el libro por comentarios sexistas y homófobos:
- “No existen delincuentes, homosexuales ni aberraciones de clase alguna”.
- “¿Cómo explicar que entre los litinos no solo no haya invertidos sexuales (imagínate: ¡no tienen invertidos en su especie!) […]”.
- “El tren entró en la Stazione Termini de Roma cinco minutos antes del horario previsto al tiempo que emitía un pitido estridente como el chillido de una mujer”.
En general me ha gustado mucho, me habría gustado conocer más de Litino (el planeta extraterrestre) pero aun así me he quedado muy complacida.
Me gustaría leer más de este autor.
Pongo algunas frases que pueden resultar problemáticas para algunas personas. Hay que tener en cuenta que este libro se publicó hace más de 80 años y que, por lo tanto, tocará temas y dirá cosas que estén en conflicto con nuestros valores actuales pero que reflejen el pensamiento y la situación de la época, por lo que no se puede juzgar el libro por comentarios sexistas y homófobos:
- “No existen delincuentes, homosexuales ni aberraciones de clase alguna”.
- “¿Cómo explicar que entre los litinos no solo no haya invertidos sexuales (imagínate: ¡no tienen invertidos en su especie!) […]”.
- “El tren entró en la Stazione Termini de Roma cinco minutos antes del horario previsto al tiempo que emitía un pitido estridente como el chillido de una mujer”.
thomcat's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of the book, originally a 1953 novella, is a very good story of the evaluation of a planet with intelligent life by a commission of four gentlemen with differing goals. This is very well done and ends with a surprise opinion from one of the four, a Jesuit priest.
In this book, as in Mary Doria Russell's [b:The Sparrow|334176|The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1)|Mary Doria Russell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1230829367s/334176.jpg|3349153] and Dan Simmon's [b:Hyperion|77566|Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos #1)|Dan Simmons|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405546838s/77566.jpg|1383900], religion plays a major part. As this book arrived first, one can't help but think the others were influenced by this one - and each was quite good. James Blish wrote other books connected with this one, part of a group called "After Such Knowledge", where he continues to explore the religious theme.
The second half of this book follows a path of politics. The world of Earth the commission left from is described for the first time, and it is a bit different from our own - though definitely a likely future from the perspective of the 1950s. Interactions with (and damage to) this world is not as interesting to read and also not science fiction. The closest we have to that is a description of instantaneous communication (and later vision) that predates LeGuin's ansible by 7 years. These bits of sci-fi are needed for the ultimate ending of the book, and feel forced.
The conclusion, without spoilers, is interesting. While I appreciated the combination of religion and politics, the piecemeal nature of this book was jarring. The first half by itself would rate 4-5 stars, but I can't (in good conscience) rate the entire book so highly.
In this book, as in Mary Doria Russell's [b:The Sparrow|334176|The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1)|Mary Doria Russell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1230829367s/334176.jpg|3349153] and Dan Simmon's [b:Hyperion|77566|Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos #1)|Dan Simmons|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405546838s/77566.jpg|1383900], religion plays a major part. As this book arrived first, one can't help but think the others were influenced by this one - and each was quite good. James Blish wrote other books connected with this one, part of a group called "After Such Knowledge", where he continues to explore the religious theme.
The second half of this book follows a path of politics. The world of Earth the commission left from is described for the first time, and it is a bit different from our own - though definitely a likely future from the perspective of the 1950s. Interactions with (and damage to) this world is not as interesting to read and also not science fiction. The closest we have to that is a description of instantaneous communication (and later vision) that predates LeGuin's ansible by 7 years. These bits of sci-fi are needed for the ultimate ending of the book, and feel forced.
The conclusion, without spoilers, is interesting. While I appreciated the combination of religion and politics, the piecemeal nature of this book was jarring. The first half by itself would rate 4-5 stars, but I can't (in good conscience) rate the entire book so highly.
johnday's review against another edition
2.0
When I read this in the 60s I liked it enough to recommend it to others. I wouldn't today.