Argonaut [Hardcover]

Stanley Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 5, 2002

Stanley Schmidt's first novel in sixteen years!

Three decades in the future, in a public garden north of New York City, a man enjoying the seasonal blossoms, butterflies, and buzzing bees notices a strange flying insect unlike any he's ever seen before. When it stings him between the eyes, he is overwhelmed by a tidal wave of memories crashing through his mind in a flood of simultaneous sensations and emotions. As he collapses, he manages to catch and hold onto the bug.

At the hospital, medical technologist Pilar Ramirez watches as the creature is pried from Lester Ordway's hand. It releases a swarm of even smaller insects that sting her and several other people in the emergency room causing similar, if milder, cognitive effects. Frightened but fascinated, and frustrated by the hospital's attempt to dismiss what happened after the bugs disappear, Pilar befriends Lester and joins his quest for an explanation.

Pilar and Lester enlist the help of entomologist Maybelle Terwilliger, and the three soon begin to suspect that they have discovered a secret alien invasion of Earth. An incursion on a tiny scale but of global scope, it is pervasive reconnaissance that puts the legendary hundred eyes of Argus to shame. Somebody is literally bugging the planet. Can Pilar and her friends convince the government before it's too late?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Analog editor Schmidt takes to heart Peter Graham's adage that the Golden Age of SF is 12, in the best possible way, in his instructive tale of first contact. In a near-future New York, three humans set out to track down the origins of a plague of puzzling insects. Quickly realizing that the bugs are constructs that use nanotechnology beyond Earth's capability to produce, they face the unenviable task of convincing the authorities that We Are Not Alone. Worse, they find that the mysterious maker of the spy-creatures knows about their discovery and is taking steps (some merely annoying, others nearly fatal) to persuade them not to tell. Fortunately, the authorities aren't as clueless as often portrayed in such fiction, and the three amateur investigators are soon closely involved with the U.S. government's plans to chase off, peacefully or violently, the snooping aliens. The novel's straightforward expository style recalls classic-era SF. Per Chekhov's rule, all shotguns mentioned in act one are fired by act three. Schmidt fails to disguise his "info dumps" as well as he should, as when the U.S. president explains a secure facility's emergency floor lighting. He also repeats himself on occasion, as when the main protagonist, Pilar Ramirez, has two experiences "for the first time in her life" within two pages. Though the story climaxes in tragedy, the author ends on a hopeful note, rewarding Pilar's emotional maturity and empathy with the chance to travel to the stars. Schmidt may teach his readers a didactic lesson, but it's one well worth learning.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Lester Ordway's gardening comes to an abrupt halt when an insect sting sends him to the hospital, where medical worker Pilar Ramirez witnesses a swarm of tiny insects erupting from the bug affixed to Ordway's hand. Unable to forget their shared experience, Lester, Pilar, and entomologist Maybelle Terwilliger come to the conclusion that the plague of bugs represents an alien invasion and that their duty lies in informing the government of the extraterrestrial plot. Veteran sf short story writer and Analog editor Schmidt's first novel in 16 years presents an unlikely premise told with deadpan humor and real emotion. Fans of alien contact and conspiracy theories should enjoy this well-told tale. For most libraries.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (July 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312877269
• ISBN-13: 978-0312877262
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,787,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful tale of alien contact, January 28, 2003

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Argonaut (Hardcover)

When Lester Ordway spots a bug he's never seen before, he tries to grab it--and it stings him. But the sting isn't normal--and the bug isn't either. In the hospital where Lester is rushed, the bug releases hundreds of swarming micro-bugs that seem to suck the memories of everyone around it. Medical technologist Pilar Ramirez swears she'll find out what caused the infestation. As she and Lester explore the possibilities, though, the most unlikely seems increasingly possible. Could the strange bug be an alien probe send down to monitor Earth? If so, what possible motive could the aliens have?

Pilar's investigation soon lands her in the government's hands. A U.S. shuttle has been destroyed investigating something orbiting the Earth in apparent stealth mode. What began as a bug filled with nanotechnology is starting to look like an alien invasion. Only Pilar, with her unique communication with the aliens, seems equipped to do anything about what is happening--whatever it is. But no one seems able or willing to listen to Pilar's bizarre theories.

ARGONAUT has been labeled as a 'golden age' science fiction story and it's easy to see why. The 'alien invaders,' small band of ordinary people provided with unique insights and opportunities, and straightforward and linear plot all hark back to the earlier and simpler days of SF. Author Stanley Schmidt delivers a pleasant, if unexceptional, tale. It is sometimes hard to believe that the government would react the way Schmidt has it act, but Pilar's goals and actions (and two-dimensionality) are classic SF. ARGONAUT doesn't provide a lot of surprises, but it makes a fast and enjoyable read.

4.0 out of 5 stars this book was a surprise, May 16, 2011

By 

Jennifer S. Willis (Beaverton, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Argonaut (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book, even though it was not at all what I had expected. Set in the not-too-distant future, the story line is actually quite plausible, and it was interesting to read through these pages while keeping in the back of my mind how old I would be when the action is to take place.

"Argonaut" explores both the pros and cons of nanotechnology and addresses the issue of "intelligence," specifically in how we determine sentience.

I understand the reference implied in the term "Argonaut," though I'm still puzzling over its use as the book's title.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for science fiction fans, July 29, 2004

By 

Victoria (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Argonaut (Paperback)

This book is entertaining and will definately keep you from being bored which is one of my requirements.