A Fire Upon the Deep

This novel is the absolute epitome of work in Vernor Vinge's "Zones of Thought" universe, where different regions of our galaxy have distinctly different laws of physics. The "hard SF" aspects include differential "speed limits" for computation and travel, meaning that the speed of light is no longer the upper limit in certain parts of the galaxy. Also, a large amount of time is spent explaining bizarre and diverse alien species (herd consciousnesses and sessile plantlike beings are particular features) as well as the information networks that would allow a vast interstellar economy to function. It's extremely well thought out.However, there is also a large amount of great character drama within the book. An especially interesting feature is that this book contains two parallel stories; one of the interstellar effort to rescue two children who crash landed with their parents on a planet whose inhabitants are stuck in something like the High Middle Ages, and one of the children themselves as they navigate the complex, backward alien society into which they have been thrust.The Middle Ages aspect combined with the interstellar adventure makes this feel like a combination of a sci fi novel with a fantasy novel. I think that alone makes for tremendous appeal, as Vinge shows the breadth of his writing ability. It helps tremendously that both of these stories are compelling and that they betray the peak of Vinge's ability to write complex characters. A particular highlight for me is a dilletante character who lives on the planet in question, who in another age might be called a genius but who is instead laughed at and ridiculed because he lacks the society (and the connections) to get his outlandish ideas off the ground. It is a reminder of how geniuses can often appear nonsensical unless they live in the proper technological context, and it is also an accurate picture of the struggles of people born before their time. The character reminds me a little of Boltzmann, who was ridiculed into suicide by the scientific community, despite having the most accurate description of thermodynamics yet.The interstellar society is very creative. It feels like a combination of cyberpunk information systems with the diversity and strangeness of David Brin's Uplift Saga aliens. Vinge manages to effortlessly blend these ideas into a rich galactic culture full of danger and adventure. If any of that appeals to you, you will really enjoy this work.Note: there's no need to start here if you plan to read A Deepness in the Sky. The two books are independent, entirely. But you should read both, no matter the order!

Pham's Revenge & The Net of a Million LiesFirst Impressions:I finished Vernor Vinge's "A Fire Upon the Deep" and let me tell you this monster book, clocking at nearly 600 pages, does have adventure, medieval civilizations, a bit of romance and has its dark side as well. Parts of the book do drag and the author might have been in need of an editor, but overall not a bad space tale.Basic Premise, Some Comments:In this universe we have 'zones of thought' that are linked through a subspace network, similar to our Internet which is colloquially called the "Net of a Million Lies." Would make a great advertisement for Wikipedia and the World Wide Web of today! The book was written in the 90s and so the pattern is of the Usenet groups of that time.The book is broken down into several areas - the release of the "Blight", a malignant force that destroys all who oppose it, a family that discovers the "Countermeasure" but crash on a planet of dog-like aliens that only communicate in groups (a "pack" can think and respond only in a group, not singly), Ravna's planet, her job at "Relay" (as a librarian) and her relationship with a human (put together from parts by "The Old One," a superior being from "The Beyond", and their adventures together.These parts don't always fit well. Each is expanded on (such as in the dog-like alien world, "Tine's World") and that's where the story tends to drag. We get involved in the intrigue, the castles, the battles and traitors of their race. The man and woman mentioned earlier crash-land and are immediately killed by this race. The brother and sister (Jefri and Joanna) are separated and each thinks the other is dead. The warring factions take advantage of this misunderstanding and slowly leech out technology that these children may know for their own advantages.Interest:I did enjoy the clash between factions in this alien society and the imaginative way they built "packs" where you would take different skills from each "dog" and they would somehow think together. With the invention of radio, thanks to the humans, the Tines discovered that they could radio to each others' brains! This was interesting but never expanded upon to include the whole race, but just one pack.Other aspects of the story: The warring factions clash near the last 100 pages of the book which I found fascinating, how each faction used the children as pawns and at one point wanting to kill them to gain advantage.The part where each discovers that the other is alive is heartwarming but also comes with the price of a life. That was the best part of the book.Romance: There is a bit of this, between Ravna and Pham (at least before she discovers he's not all man - oops!). Also camaraderie and loyalty between starship captains as they attempt to rescue Ravna from "the Blight." Great space battle here.World Building and The Internet:The author dwells too long on detail and I felt the reader spends a long, long time on the chatter of the 'Net, which can be annoying as you just want to story to move along, and the extraordinary time we spend on the Tines' World. There's not a lot of explanation of the "Beyond" and how and what that's all about - just hints of superior beings and we as humans or lesser aliens are their pawns, and only in the lower levels are we safe from them.Finally, it's a tough book to put down and wait awhile and pick up again. You have to reread a few sections to refresh your memory on what's going on. As well, Vernor Vinge tends to make up words without explanation and leaves it up to the reader to figure out, as well as not fully explaining what's going on. For example it took quite awhile into the book before discovering that the alien "packs" communicated as groups not as individuals.Final Thoughts:Overall, a decent read. Set aside some time and give Vinge your full cooperation. May not be as good as the amazing space operas of the Golden Age of Science Fiction, but it is a worthy, if dragged-out read. Recommended.Vernor Vinge's Other Novels: The Children of the Sky Marooned in Realtime The Collected Stories of Vernor Vinge A Deepness in the Sky  [Sequel to "Fire."]

This is a large book and I was a bit apprehensive about reading it. I was worried that there would be too much going on, too many characters and I'd just get a bit lost. Thankfully this wasn't the case. The plot is actually quite straightforward and and the majority of the book focuses on just a few sets of characters. I think the main thing that will divide readers is the pace. Whilst there are a number of epic, well thought out and exciting set pieces there's also a fair amount of exposition which slows things down quite considerably. About two thirds of the way through I began to worry that the ending might be a bit underwhelming and that I'd be disappointed after putting in so much time reading the story. Thankfully the ending is very satisfying. I understand that there's a prequel and a sequel and whilst I've got a stack of books to get through beforehand, I wouldn't rule out checking them out in the not too distant future.

Excellent. Well realized alien races and a unique view of the galaxy. Plenty of tension and suspense. Believable characters. Good character development. Just about everything a lover of science fiction could want.

"A Fire Upon the Deep" is a masterpiece in the genre. A book for lovers of challenging and serious science fiction. It's one of those stories that make you feel tiny in an uncaring universe while at the same time fill you with wonder. Everything in it is big: the ideas, the characters, the scale of events. This is what happens when you make GOOD science fiction.

Vince setzt seiner Studie der technischen Singularität fort. Interessant ist das Zusammenleben zwischen den intelligenten Lebewesen (die Menschen sind dabei nur noch eine kleine Gruppe am Rand) und diese künstlichen Intelligenzen. Sie werden nicht mehr als eine reine Gefahr oder mindestens eine Diskussionsthema über ihre Freilassung oder nicht. Nein, sie gehören der Welt, spielen ihre Rolle in der Gesellschaft, sind gut, böse (oder mit undefinierter Absicht), entwickeln sich und sogar sterben, genauso wie andere Lebewesen.Ein weiteres Visionäraspekt, das Vinge in die Liga der Großen bestätigt, ist die Problematik der Informationqualität und deren Wirkung auf die Welt. Information, Desinformation, rafinierte Manipulation ... Was stimmt denn noch? Was stimmt definitiv nicht? Kann man der Quelle vertrauen? Versteht man überhaupt noch die Mendung richtig?Das Thema ist leider keine SciFic, sondern unser Alltag. Wenn Trump lesen könnte, glaubte man fast, dass er Vinge gelesen hat.Bei diesem Werk könnte man den Name der Kunsttechnik "Mise en abyme" aus zwei Gründen fast wortwörtlich nehmen.1) "Abyme" bedeutet Abgrund, also "deep" in english. Die Inszenirung des Kontrasts zwischen dem "Beyond", wo eine künstliche Intellingenz eine Art Bürgerkrieg auslöst (denken Sie an Terminator, es ist sehr ähnlich) und viele Welte zerstören lässt oder "ins Feuer setzt", und dem "Slow Zone", wo nur noch unter der Lichtgeschwindigkeit eine Reise denkbar ist und von "oben" wie einen geheimnisvollen Abgrund wahrgenommen wird, ist eine litterale "Mise en abyme".2) Ja, die anderen Rezensionen haben recht. Vinge Kreativität ist sehr beeindruckend (Beispiel: Spezies wie die Rudel von Wolfen, die ein Vernetzes Wesen durch die Synchronisierung ihrer Gehirne gestalten) und sein Buch hat die Dimension eines Space Operas. Und ja, sie haben auch recht: Vinge geht oft nicht ins Detail. Wir bekommen nur Bruchteile der Themen mit. Als würden wir den Trailer einer Oper zuschauen. Insofern spürt der Leser die potenzielle Tiefe der erschaffenen Welt, doch ohne dorthin zugelangen. Auch wird es dem Leser schwindelig, sich "den Abgrund" (oder die Tiefe) dieser Geschichte vorzustellen, ohne hinrunter zu fallen.Eine echte Mise en Abyme (nach der Definition) könnte man so sehen:Eine Künstliche Intelligenz produziert künstliche InformationenFür Beispiele von Mise en Abyme empfehle ich "Ubik" oder "The Man in the high Castle" von P.K Dick zu lesen. Es gibt extrem viel Werke, die die Technik nutzen. Die Wikipedia Artikel listen nur einen Burchteil davon auf.In meinem Buch (3939044466) finden Sie sowohl eine technichen Singularität als auch eine Vorführung in der Technik der Mise en Abyme. Und eine Desinformation fehlt im Inventar nicht.

I really struggled to get through the first third or so, while the settings and characters are very original, the story took a while to gain momentum. That said, once it took off, it was a thrilling ride. Very worth the read.