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30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Taut, original science fiction, January 27, 2002
"Starfish" is an outstanding work of dystopian fiction taking place in the not too distant future. As the demand for energy grows exponentially, mankind turns to the thermal energy from deep-sea vents as a solution. Of course, the ocean floor is the least hospitable environment on Earth, and it takes a special breed to man these remote outposts...literally.
People who represent the dregs of society (child abusers, violent criminals, sociopaths) are genetically, psychologically and "mechanically" altered to survive in this harsh climate. However, what no one counts on is what will happen when these same people fulfill their need for danger just by staying alive, and become, if not friends, then certainly allies. Furthermore, no one considers what they might encounter in that ancient habitat, and what it will mean for the rest of the planet.
That's about all I can say about the plot without spoiling it, but this is definitely a book you will want to pick up, for several reasons. First of all, the writing is absolutely breathless; Watts has perfectly translated the mind numbing pressure found at the ocean bottom into a palpable sense of tension that permeates the novel. Secondly, his characters are brilliantly conceived and realized. The reader never exactly feels sympathy for them, but they are incredibly complex and evolve in unexpected, but realistic, ways. Finally, although this novel is classified as "science-fiction" that really does it something of a disservice. It's not that there's anything wrong with SF, but this novel is much more; it's about our insatiable demand for convenience, and what it's doing to our planet (both geo-politically and environmentally) and what it is doing to those who get left behind by the pace of change.
"Starfish" is a great read and a novel that will leave you thinking. With an engaging plot, excellent characters and relentless pacing, it is a superb first novel. In particular, if you are at all in interested in marine biology, or even biology in general, then this is a must read for you.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Ingenious Debut Science Fiction Thriller, February 7, 2000
_Starfish_ is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in sometime. The premise of Peter Watts' debut is that a multinational company is seeking personnel for its deepsea geothermal stations, located near thermal vents. Through trial and error, they find that only psychotic, damaged, abused people can withstand the pressures of working in such an environment, some of them actually growing to like being there. The lead character, Lenie Clarke, is an adult survivor of abuse and one of the earliest success stories. She's grown to be comfortable with the bioengineering and implants which are necessary for anyone to survive at 3000 feet down. She's become the unacknowledged leader at Beebe station on the Juan de Fuca rift. Also stationed at Beebe are a variety of pedophiles, manic depressives, and those who've volunteered to avoid a prison sentence. The undersea world is vividly imagined, complete with horrific, overgrown fish-monsters who make periodic appearances and attacks. Some of the crew begin to "native," preferring the cold, dark sea to the oppressive interior of the station. One, pedophile Gerald Fischer, actually begins to devolve into something not entirely human anymore, in a very emotional, tragic development. About the only flaw the story had was the rushed, hurried ending, with a threat to the existence of life as we know it suddenly thrust into the midst of an otherwise very grim, yet satisfying story. The book might have used another hundred pages or so to adequately contain all the ideas on display. Despite this, I'd still recommend the book very highly.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating main female character & supporting cast., May 30, 2003
I admit it. I pulled it off the shelf based on the cover art. What's under the cover is a fantastic read, filled with characters that are twisted, but somehow sympathetic. They are the unwanted of society, doing a job no one else wants. But, what to do with them once the job is over.... This book explores the characters that mind the underwater rift, a big vent in the deep sea. They have all been modified to live and work under the intense pressure of the ocean. With time, some of them feel more comfortable in the cool embrace of the water than with their own kind, with one even "going native." Lenie Clarke is the main protaganist, and she is likable, despite her many faults. You just feel for her when she's lying on the ocean floor, falling asleep alone in the dark rather than going back to the dismal station environment. No one in the "Company" anticipated the profound impact this environment would have on these outcasts from society. It's really a fast read with compelling dialogue and motivations. An excellent read. Take it to a beach or poolside. It works well next to water. :)
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