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Title: Jupiter by Ben Bova, Harlan Ellison, Christian Noble, David Warner ISBN: 1-57453-411-4 Publisher: Audio Literature Pub. Date: 02 March, 2001 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 8 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.84 (37 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Science fiction in the classic style
Comment: Although he has been around for a while and I have read a lot of science fiction, this is only the second Ben Bova novel I have read, the first being one of his stories for teenagers. What I found with Jupiter is that Bova is a decent author, well-deserving of his longetivity in the genre.
Bova's late 21st Century Earth is an unpleasant place dominated by the New Morality, a futuristic spin-off of the Moral Majority. Protagonist Grant Archer is a religious man who is used as a pawn of the New Morality in its efforts to spy on the Jovian explorers. Archer is sent to a space station above Jupiter and quickly learns there are mysterious goings-on, and as the story develops, he gets more and more involved with these happenings himself, until finally he must go on a high-risk exploration of the big planet itself.
I say that this novel is in the classic style of science fiction because it is reminiscent of such sci-fi giants as Asimov and Clarke. Science and scientific exploration are the most important things, and plot and character are next on the list. Nonetheless, although his characters are not all that well developed, they are not one-dimensional. Archer, in particular, is a conflicted individual, torn between the New Morality who he often agrees with and offers his only chance to go home to his wife and his own feelings that the Jovian explorers are doing a necessary thing.
I recommend this book for fans of hard science fiction, in particular, fans of classic hard science fiction. This book fits well into this genre and will not disappoint those readers.
Rating: 4
Summary: A Fascinating Look at the King of Our Solar System
Comment: Jupiter was one of my first forays into the works of Ben Bova. While not the best author around, Bova does some things very well.
The main character, Grant Archer just graduated from college and is preparing for mandatory public service. However, he recently got married and was expecting to serve his time on the Moon. Instead, religious zealots, who are in control of governments on Earth, send him out to Jupiter to spy on the scientists here. Now, my main problem with this is how little sense it makes. However, the one thing I've learned from this is that you do NOT read a Ben Bova book for superior characterization. You do NOT read a Ben Bova book for a suspenseful plot. The characters are shallow, their motives simple. The plot is transparent and quite cliche... With that being said, what Bova DOES do well is give us a fascinating glimpse of our solar system and the possibilities therein. Bova gives us a mostly scientific look at Jupiter, and even slips in some fairly believable alien life.
Some may criticize Bova's shortcomings, but the bottom line is, I liked this book. If you are looking for deep characters or an awesome plot, look elsewhere: Bova is not the author for you. But if you would like a fast-paced romp through Jupiter's atmosphere and into the ocean below, this is your cup of tea. Bova keeps the pages turning, simply by making you want to know more and more about Jupiter.
Rating: 4
Summary: I really liked this one. . .
Comment: I enjoyed the Mars books; I enjoyed the Moonbase books; I HATED Venus; and it was with a question of whether "Jupiter" would be more like the former than the latter that I cautiously decided to try this book.
I'm very glad that I did so! Bova, as he as occasionally done before, actually has a thoughtful, religious major character, while at the same time, railing against the worst sorts of religious fundamentalism. This type of balance is difficult to achieve.
I enjoyed the (somewhat predictable) plot and the interesting descriptions of what sort of a manned ship could actually penetrate deep into the Jovian clouds, and the descriptions of the sort of life which might exist under those circumstances.
This book was worth my time.
Recommended.
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Title: Venus by Ben Bova ISBN: 0812579402 Publisher: Tor Science Fiction Pub. Date: 15 May, 2001 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Return to Mars by Ben Bova ISBN: 0380797259 Publisher: Eos Pub. Date: 01 July, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Precipice by Ben Bova ISBN: 0812579895 Publisher: Tor Science Fiction Pub. Date: 15 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Saturn by Ben Bova ISBN: 0312872186 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 01 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Moonrise by Ben Bova ISBN: 0380786974 Publisher: Eos Pub. Date: 01 March, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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