Under a calculating star [Paperback]

John Morressy (Author), Paul Alexander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1978

Book

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Popular Library (1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0445042400
• ISBN-13: 978-0445042407
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,890,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Social-Commentary Science Fiction, January 14, 2005

By 

J. Brian Watkins (Laie, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Under a calculating star (Doubleday science fiction) (Hardcover)

I own thousands of books now but this one was my first purchase. I recently revisited the book and was surprised to find a story that had survived the years quite well. As in much of 70s science fiction, this work focuses on social issues under a veneer of space opera.

The protagonist is a member of a subjugated race that bears patiently the burdens of prejudice and intolerance. Fortunately he finds an enlightened soul who looks past common prejudice and gives our hero the chance to break free. Predictably we learn that this oppressed race has an intellect to match their brute strength. Unfortunately the author forgets to pay as much attention to the plot as to the message.

Despite the overt and preachy tone of the story the science fiction is actually pretty good. Nothing that is going to challenge the likes of Dune--but enough to warrant seeking out others of Mr. Morressy's works.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars unremarkable mid-70s space opera, January 29, 2011

By 

J. Higgins (Jessup MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under a Calculating Star (Paperback)

`Under A Calculating Star' was first published in 1975; this Popular Library paperback was issued in 1978.

Kian Jorry is an interstellar man of fortune, hustler, and schemer. He assembles a multi-racial crew in an attempt to breach the fabled Citadel on the now-uninhabited plant of Boroq-Thaddoi. While it is rumored to contain a vast treasure, the Citadel is well-guarded, and would-be looters from throughout the galaxy have met their doom in trying to access its interior. Joining Jorry on his quest is Axxal, a member of a slow-moving, slow-thinking race of aliens called the Quespodons.

The first third of 'Under' is an engaging adventure tale as Jorry and his team endure all sorts of perils in their efforts to journey overland to the Citadel and make their way inside. Unfortunately, after page 70 the action shifts away to a different locale, the plot centers on dealings with a blustering despot, as well as one character's inner journey to self-awareness and racial pride. The narrative loses momentum, always a fatal flaw in a space opera, and while things start to move again in the book's last 15 pages it is too little, too late.

As an example of mid-70s sci-fi adventure, 'Under' is a mediocre novel and demonstrates that at that period of time the genre was in need of revival, something 'Star Wars' was able to amply provide.