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lyslys's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mrlmnop's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
firegorn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jeremiea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
seanakadug's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
cherrick8's review against another edition
2.0
This was an interesting premise and there was plenty of dialogue. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it never did. It's not a bad book, there's just not that much story.
christopherc's review against another edition
3.0
Paul Anderson's TAU ZERO, originally published in 1967, is one of those classic science fiction novels based around a simple scientifically plausible premise. Some three hundred years from the present time, the space vessel Leonora Christine is sent to colonize a star several light years away. Because of the relativistic affects of traveling at speeds close to that of light, only five years will pass for the crew on board, while a couple of decades go by outside. The twist comes when the Leonora Christine's deceleration system is destroyed en route in a collision with the dust and gas clouds of a nebula. Unable to stop her acceleration, the ship moves closer and closer to the speed of light, with billions of years eventually passing outside while the crew struggles to find a way to stop and find a new home.
The science behind Poul Anderson's plot is fascinating, leading the reader to reflect on the vastness of space and the challenges to space exploration that it poses. While the Bussard ramjet concept on which the story is based is now somewhat dubious, and the lack of heavy computing in Anderson's future makes it somewhat dated, among other issues, it's still a good read for fans of hard science fiction. Unfortunately, the other side of the book weakens it. Anderson decides to relate how the crew might psychologically with their predicament, and creating realistic characters was not Anderson's forte. I found it wearying that his only way of depicting the international nature of the expedition to have e.g. a German through "Jawohl" into his other perfect 1960s American English, while a Frenchman says "Eh, bien". Much of Anderson's works are split between amazing science and poor depictions of interpersonal relationships see, for example, the future history starting with HARVEST THE STARS as well.
The science behind Poul Anderson's plot is fascinating, leading the reader to reflect on the vastness of space and the challenges to space exploration that it poses. While the Bussard ramjet concept on which the story is based is now somewhat dubious, and the lack of heavy computing in Anderson's future makes it somewhat dated, among other issues, it's still a good read for fans of hard science fiction. Unfortunately, the other side of the book weakens it. Anderson decides to relate how the crew might psychologically with their predicament, and creating realistic characters was not Anderson's forte. I found it wearying that his only way of depicting the international nature of the expedition to have e.g. a German through "Jawohl" into his other perfect 1960s American English, while a Frenchman says "Eh, bien". Much of Anderson's works are split between amazing science and poor depictions of interpersonal relationships see, for example, the future history starting with HARVEST THE STARS as well.
quijohnjinn's review against another edition
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
yevolem's review against another edition
3.0
I read because of a deal made on a whim, otherwise I probably wouldn't have done so. I don't have any particular interest in the author despite many others classifying more than a few of his works as classics. This novel was based on his 1967 short story "To Outlive Eternity". I haven't read that story. Did this need to be a novel? No, I don't think so.
I assume that time dilation used in this way in 1970 was still a fresh idea and worthy of standing on its alone, but unfortunately, to me at least, today time dilation in this sort of story is routine, expected even. The magical becomes the mundane over time. There's no escaping the treadmill it would seem, hedonic or otherwise. It's a hard sf story, where the idea is almost everything, though I was surprised that there was some attempt at character development and relationships. It was unexpectedly funny for me. I laughed out loud multiple times. This is probably an atypical reaction.
Four years later The Forever War would be released and go on to be much more successful in every way with a similar core idea. Forty four years later Interstellar would be released and have a similar idea. What these three also have in common is that I didn't particularly enjoy any of them. At least Tau Zero made me laugh, if nothing else.
Out Of Context Excerpt Mining (mild spoilers)
You are more a man than any I've met before
most enchanting face
features ordinary but the rest of her shown to high advantage by shorts and tee shirt
come around to my cabin and exercise me
I'd enjoy that
full breasts and hips, slim waist, long supple limbs
You're a wonderful lover. I've never had better.
I want you in me again
the curves of her breast and flank were subtler than ordinary
hand down her side and thigh
nude and wet
It was never easy to be a king
Rating: 2.5/5
I assume that time dilation used in this way in 1970 was still a fresh idea and worthy of standing on its alone, but unfortunately, to me at least, today time dilation in this sort of story is routine, expected even. The magical becomes the mundane over time. There's no escaping the treadmill it would seem, hedonic or otherwise. It's a hard sf story, where the idea is almost everything, though I was surprised that there was some attempt at character development and relationships. It was unexpectedly funny for me. I laughed out loud multiple times. This is probably an atypical reaction.
Four years later The Forever War would be released and go on to be much more successful in every way with a similar core idea. Forty four years later Interstellar would be released and have a similar idea. What these three also have in common is that I didn't particularly enjoy any of them. At least Tau Zero made me laugh, if nothing else.
Out Of Context Excerpt Mining (mild spoilers)
Spoiler
You are more a man than any I've met before
most enchanting face
features ordinary but the rest of her shown to high advantage by shorts and tee shirt
come around to my cabin and exercise me
I'd enjoy that
full breasts and hips, slim waist, long supple limbs
You're a wonderful lover. I've never had better.
I want you in me again
the curves of her breast and flank were subtler than ordinary
hand down her side and thigh
nude and wet
It was never easy to be a king
Rating: 2.5/5