Star of Gypsies [Paperback]

Robert Silverberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1989

Yakoub was once the legendary King of the Rom, the Gypsy race that has evolved from the days of caravans into lords of the spaceways - the only pilots capable of steering ships safely between the many worlds of the Galaxy. Weary and proud, Yakoub has relinquished his power and lives in exile on a distant, icy world. In his absence, chaos fills the vacuum of power. The fate of the entire Galactic Empire hangs in the balance. Yakoub must journey across the cosmos and fight to regain his throne. Only then can he fulfil his dream - to return his people to their ancestral home of Romany Star. The Rom need the Yakoub of legend once more. Can the once-mighty King overcome time and tyranny and inspire his people in their darkest hour?

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This inventive space adventure…should have been reprinted a long time ago." --Science Fiction Chronicle, March 2005 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Robert Silverberg has been writing science fiction for fifty years. Among his many books are such novels as Dying Inside, Lord Valentine's Castle, The Book Of Skulls, and Nightwings, and he has had more than five hundred short stories published as well. He is a five-times winner of the Nebula award and five-times winner of the Hugo award and in 2004 was awarded the Grand Master Nebula of the Science Fiction Writers of America, science fiction's highest honor. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Popular Library (November 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0445206187
• ISBN-13: 978-0445206182
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,933,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Tour de Force from Sci-Fi's Brightest Star, March 14, 2005

By 

Carolyn Blount Brodersen "Tumerica" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star of Gypsies (Paperback)

If any of Robert Silverberg's many fabulously colorful, brilliantly conceived, and intoxicating addictive novels would make a fabulous movie, Star of the Gypsies would. In fact, if I knew how to write screenplays, I'd write one for this gem. The story? Where to begin? Complex, rich, juicy--becoming raucous good fun. I fell in love with the Gypsy King and the huge universe of the future in which he lives. Love, love, LOVE this book. Think I'll read it again!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Flame from Tip to Tip, September 14, 2005

By 

doomsdayer520 (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Star of Gypsies (Paperback)

Here Robert Silverberg utilizes a milieu that is surprisingly creative and effective for a mainstream sci-fi novel. The Gypsies (or Rom, their self-given name) are elevated from a persecuted minority in the present world, to the most influential leaders of a future in which humans have spread across the galaxy. They are not just nomads on Earth, but have wandered throughout the Milky Way in a quest to return to their original home in another solar system. Silverberg makes outstanding use of Gypsy folklore here, as well as their view of the world and their place in the human scheme of things. If Silverberg isn't a Gypsy himself, he sure has made himself familiar with their worldview. The book centers on the future King of the Rom, Yakoub, and his travails as he tries to get his widely scattered people back on track, and lead them to the promised land (planet). Yakoub might also have to use his influence and leadership to save all of humanity from the dark ages. This novel seems pretty understated and mellow on the surface. But Silverberg has created a very poignant and perceptive treatise on the power of mythology, ethnicity, leadership, and humanity. [~doomsdayer520~]

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really good..., May 8, 2000

By 

"dimitk" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star of Gypsies (Hardcover)

Silverberg is very inconsistent and I can't say I like any of his latest books, such as "Starborne" or "A Hot Sky at Midnight". Luckily, "Star of Gypsies" appears to be one of his earlier works, and it is quite good. Not quite like "Lord Valentine's Castle", but still great. Adventures of Yakoub, the King of Gypsies, and the worlds they take him to are varied and wondrous, and Yakoub himself is quite a character. This is definitely a book worth reading!