Growing Up Weightless [Paperback]

John M. Ford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1993

Talented, imaginative, and self-confident, Matt Ronay has never known any other life but that on the moon, and he clashes with his brilliant politician father, Albin Ronay, in attempt to change his future.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's not that Matt Ronay, the protagonist of this novel, is weightless; it's just that he lives on the Moon, and he has the ability to flow gracefully through the low gravity. There's a figurative weightless to the story as well, that of Ronay's life and decisions he faces growing up as an adolescent in lunar society. Ronay, a brilliant youth, takes a trip to distant city, acts in theater and dreams of flight to far-off worlds. His father, a leader in lunar politics, doesn't always understand, though he may have had some of the same yearnings as his son. This imaginative novel won the 1994 Philip K. Dick Award. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Ford offers a hard SF novel that is supposed to have a soft, touchie-feelie center. Unfortunately, this story of a lost generation coming of age in a sterile lunar colony is hollow. Matt Ronay and his posse of hacker friends pass the time in the 21st century by playing virtual reality games and making fun of Terran tourists, while dreaming about future employment on starships. They're a spirited, funky bunch, like their ancestors who declared independence from Earth years ago. Although they speak in a Russian/English/Japanese jive--passed down from the settlers--the sound of self-pitying adolescence rings true. The portrayal of self-absorbed teens is the novel's strongest aspect. Matt's father, Albin, is a lunar bureaucrat (in charge of negotiating water rights for the population) who still manages to let his son know that he honestly cherishes him. But the narcissistic youth doesn't notice and ultimately finds a job that whisks him off the moon. Does Ford ( The Dragon Waiting ) envision a resurgence of careerism over family ties? Long before this, however, despite the occasional vivid description or teenage witticism, the lack of tension and tepid narrative contrive to lull the reader into apathy.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Spectra; First Edition edition (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553373064
• ISBN-13: 978-0553373066
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,857,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realized its power years after the last page, November 27, 2000

By 

Spring Lea E. Henry "Ellorien" (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Growing Up Weightless (Paperback)

I read this book when I was too young to fully understand the complexity of the main character's decision about his future. When I started to go through the same sorts of choices, I found myself haunted by the book, even though I had finished it years ago. The most powerful scene for me is the mother's farewell. Even at the time it made me cry; now it is one of those scenes I use as an example to myself of what good writing really is. Thank you John M. Ford for a very moving experience!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, September 22, 2004

By 

ailsaek (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growing Up Weightless (Mass Market Paperback)

I just read this book recently and loved it. I'm amazed people haven't been collaring me and saying "Have you read Growing Up Weightless yet? It's fantastic!" It's the sort of book that ought to have a cult following.

It isn't really a coming of age book, it's more complicated than that. A lot goes on around the edges, and much that you think is important, isn't. This book is best read, in my opinion, in one or two sittings where you are really paying attention, and taking five minutes to process and then turning around and rereading to see what bits you missed the first time isn't out of place, and is well-rewarded.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moon-dreamer's classic, January 21, 2000

By 

Phyllis Gotlieb (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growing Up Weightless (Paperback)

I cannot imagine why Growing Up Weightless is not in print. I was on the jury that picked it for the P.K. Dick award, and since reading it I have always felt that it describes life on the Moon as it should and must be.