Customer Reviews

The Star Dwellers

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I've read that many of Blish books are similar to Star Trek. This is the first Blish novel I've read, and in many ways it is like it. There as an crew of a space craft (which only numbers 3 people) who go off to negotiate a peace treaty with an alien race that is vastly different than humans. The crew all belong to a special group of cadets (Star Fleet Academy, perhaps?) who are smarter than the average human. The book is relatively short, 128 pages, and so the plot isn't too complex, but it has about as much depth as a one hour epside of Star Trek.

In a few parts it starts to read like a Heinlien novel as the characters start talking about how stupid people were back in the old days, and how everything they do now-a-days is so much better. That is to say, they speak just to give the chance for the author to promote his own agenda for how the world should be. But these parts are rare and don't overwhelm the story at all.

I bought the 1961 Berkley paperback for its lovely red/purple cover. The novel, which is short by today's standards, 128 pages, is weak. The plot consists of an interesting trip through space to meet some interesting aliens, but also some boring diplomacy which Blish tries to make more interesting by piling on lots of silly melodramatic moments, including what amounts to a courtroom scene in which the star witness climbs out of his sickbed to provide crucial testimony. Worst of all the first half of the book consists of stereotypical cardboard characters sitting around yakking away.

You might like this if you are interested in pacifistic SF in which aliens have to keep us violent humans in line, or were wondering about James Blish's theories on education, popular music and censorship, but otherwise I have to advise that you steer clear.

James Blish's The Star Dwellers (1961) is a quality sci-fi novel (for younger readers) easily comparable to some of Heinlein's juveniles. The plot is straightforward/predictable yet still engaging. Of course, Jack, our seventeen year old hero, saves the day! Unlike the best "alien encounter" sci-fi novels which convey a certain sense of convincing "reality," The Star Dwellers demands the suspension of disbelief -- but that's not an issue since the short novel is clearly for younger readers.

Brief Plot Summary

The plot plays out exactly like an Original series Star Trek episode. Weird aliens (nicknamed "Angels") composed entirely of energy are discovered in a distant region of space. They accidentally destroy a few Earth vessels when they attempt to inhabit their engines (a source of energy). However, one "Angel" voluntarily comes back to Earth (inside one of the engines). The commercial sphere of space travel sees great benefit in employing these ancient beings because while they're in the spaceship drives they're able to make them run more effectively.

Jack Loftus is a member of the Space Cadets. This highly selective group of boys are assigned to various secretaries and given highly important tasks to perform. Think Wesley Crusher... Jack, a second space cadet, and Field Agent Langer, are sent out to make contact and sign a treaty with the "Angels." The entire system makes little sense because Jack has NEVER piloted a spaceship and clearly doesn't have the experience to undergo a mission of such importance -- but, that's besides the point...

Agent Langer and the second space cadet set off in a small solar sail vessel to make contact with the aliens leaving Jack alone in the main spaceship. The entire situation is complicated when the aliens make contact with him instead! Are their intentions good? He is unable to reach Langer! It's up to Jack to figure things out!

Final Thoughts

Blish rarely bogs down his narrative with endless political preaching which characterizes so many of Heinlein's juveniles. Only when everyone is bored on trip to the area where the aliens live do any of Blish's political leanings emerge. On the whole they're quite benign -- besides, as expected, his view that women serve only to distract men during their most important time of learning. Unlike Star Trek's Starfleet there are NO female Space Cadets. There's one female character, a young news reporter, who attempts to follow them. Although she is unsuccessful in her mission, she does play an important part in saving the day at the end.

Don't expect convincing aliens, deep philosophical discussions, interesting technology, or strong female characters. The Star Dwellers is a fun, (mostly) politically benign, juvenile space adventure tale with a positive moral message.

If you are a fan of the novelizations of Star Trek episodes done by James Blish, then this is a novel you will want to eventually get.

The Star Dwellers is a simple story of earthlings and alien "angels". It is a storyline that has been done better since this novel. But it will help you determine whether you like Blish's writing because it is Star Trek or not.