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A review by erickibler4
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester
4.0
A fast-paced science fiction adventure loosely based on The Count of Monte Cristo.
It starts with a future where people have learned how to "jaunte", or teleport, by using the unlocked potential of their minds. Earth has colonized the planets of the solar system, and conflict has developed between the inner and outer worlds.
Enter simple, working-class Gully Foyle, who finds himself stranded in space in a wrecked ship with dwindling rations and air. Suddenly another ship approaches. Although he knows the other ship has seen his signal, it passes him by, leaving him to die. Gully nevertheless saves himself and vows to have his revenge against whoever decided to leave him in space.
Gully is single-minded and has no scruples in hunting his prey. He uses and discards allies (usually women). Starting out as a simple worker, he eventually educates himself and assumes the identity of a successful circus impressario. Like Edmond Dantes, he is more of a force of nature than a person. Alert: Foyle exhibits a high degree of misogyny, although the women he partners with are portrayed as smart and resourceful.
But other forces conspire to rehumanize him. The reader is left to decide whether he redeems himself.
Four fifths of the book is a slam-bang pulpy adventure, but the last fifth gets a bit grandiose and preachy, somewhat dampening my enjoyment. Still, this book is one of the classics of science fiction for a reason. The action and settings are exciting and surprising. I hovered between giving it three or four stars, but settled on four.
It starts with a future where people have learned how to "jaunte", or teleport, by using the unlocked potential of their minds. Earth has colonized the planets of the solar system, and conflict has developed between the inner and outer worlds.
Enter simple, working-class Gully Foyle, who finds himself stranded in space in a wrecked ship with dwindling rations and air. Suddenly another ship approaches. Although he knows the other ship has seen his signal, it passes him by, leaving him to die. Gully nevertheless saves himself and vows to have his revenge against whoever decided to leave him in space.
Gully is single-minded and has no scruples in hunting his prey. He uses and discards allies (usually women). Starting out as a simple worker, he eventually educates himself and assumes the identity of a successful circus impressario. Like Edmond Dantes, he is more of a force of nature than a person. Alert: Foyle exhibits a high degree of misogyny, although the women he partners with are portrayed as smart and resourceful.
But other forces conspire to rehumanize him. The reader is left to decide whether he redeems himself.
Four fifths of the book is a slam-bang pulpy adventure, but the last fifth gets a bit grandiose and preachy, somewhat dampening my enjoyment. Still, this book is one of the classics of science fiction for a reason. The action and settings are exciting and surprising. I hovered between giving it three or four stars, but settled on four.