Sargasso of Space - Andre Norton - Andrew North - Emshwiller
comments by CR:
"Sargasso of Space" (1955) by Andre Norton (1912-2005) is the 1st book in the series detailing the adventures of the crew from the Free Traders Starship Solar Queen. Web sites such as the Internet Science Fiction Data Base (isfdb.org) refer these publications as the Solar Queen books. The other publications in the series and the first edition date are as follows: "Plague Ship" (1956), Voodoo Planet (1959) and "Postmarked the Stars" (1969). It certainly would be desirable to read these books in sequence but it is not essential. Each story stands alone but references are made to events that took place in the previous volumes. Unfortunately the books are long out of print but are readily available on used book sites like Amazon at reasonable cost.
One of the pleasures of this series and more particularly this book is the rather well thought out back-story that Ms Norton elegantly weaves into the text. Some of the elements that are sketched into the narrative as the story unwinds are as follows: We learn, for example, that a formal regiment of training in the various skills required to man a starship is compulsory for aspiring all-male crewmembers - yes male, no co-ed crews in these stories. Our protagonist, a newly minted assistant cargo master must deposit his "token" into a device that evaluates his training and personality and matches him to a ship where he will be most compatible. Norton's universe includes remnants of an ancient extinct civilization called the Forerunners. They left behind cryptic machines that play roles in many of her stories. Intelligent aliens beings and races play supporting roles in this story and add a layer of "otherworldliness" to the narrative.
The story open with the officers of the Solar Queen attending an auction where they are bidding on the rights to obtain an exclusive trade and transportation franchise to a specific planet. The Free Traders cannot outbid the vast shipping combines for the more lucrative planets but must be satisfied with the dregs. The crew pools their resources and ends up with rights to a backwater planet called Limbo. Upon opening the sealed documents they find images of a planet that has multiple ancient scars from a devastating atomic war. The Solar Queen acquires several odd passengers who wish to travel to Limbo. Needless to say said passengers, Forerunner artifacts and mysterious aliens play a role in resolving the various plot entanglements.
The "Sargasso of Space" was written and marked for the young adult market. With that in mind, and considering it was published well over 50 years ago it is still an entertaining book, recommended for Norton admirers and those individuals looking for a couple hours of outer space diversion.
Sargasso of Space - Andre Norton - Andrew North - Emshwiller
comments by CR:
"Sargasso of Space" (1955) by Andre Norton (1912-2005) is the 1st book in the series detailing the adventures of the crew from the Free Traders Starship Solar Queen. Web sites such as the Internet Science Fiction Data Base (isfdb.org) refer these publications as the Solar Queen books. The other publications in the series and the first edition date are as follows: "Plague Ship" (1956), Voodoo Planet (1959) and "Postmarked the Stars" (1969). It certainly would be desirable to read these books in sequence but it is not essential. Each story stands alone but references are made to events that took place in the previous volumes. Unfortunately the books are long out of print but are readily available on used book sites like Amazon at reasonable cost.
One of the pleasures of this series and more particularly this book is the rather well thought out back-story that Ms Norton elegantly weaves into the text. Some of the elements that are sketched into the narrative as the story unwinds are as follows: We learn, for example, that a formal regiment of training in the various skills required to man a starship is compulsory for aspiring all-male crewmembers - yes male, no co-ed crews in these stories. Our protagonist, a newly minted assistant cargo master must deposit his "token" into a device that evaluates his training and personality and matches him to a ship where he will be most compatible. Norton's universe includes remnants of an ancient extinct civilization called the Forerunners. They left behind cryptic machines that play roles in many of her stories. Intelligent aliens beings and races play supporting roles in this story and add a layer of "otherworldliness" to the narrative.
The story open with the officers of the Solar Queen attending an auction where they are bidding on the rights to obtain an exclusive trade and transportation franchise to a specific planet. The Free Traders cannot outbid the vast shipping combines for the more lucrative planets but must be satisfied with the dregs. The crew pools their resources and ends up with rights to a backwater planet called Limbo. Upon opening the sealed documents they find images of a planet that has multiple ancient scars from a devastating atomic war. The Solar Queen acquires several odd passengers who wish to travel to Limbo. Needless to say said passengers, Forerunner artifacts and mysterious aliens play a role in resolving the various plot entanglements.
The "Sargasso of Space" was written and marked for the young adult market. With that in mind, and considering it was published well over 50 years ago it is still an entertaining book, recommended for Norton admirers and those individuals looking for a couple hours of outer space diversion.