The Universe Between [Mass Market Paperback]

Alan E. Nourse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1987

Follows the 1967 Paperback Library edition. This is a novel-length expansion of two previously published stories, "High Threshold" and "The Universe Between" from 1951.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 169 pages
• Publisher: Ace; 2nd paperback edition (May 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441854567
• ISBN-13: 978-0441854561
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,800,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique ideas; Great blend of adventure, science, philosophy, January 25, 2002

By 

Mr. Roger H. Geyer "outcast_searcher" (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Universe Between (Mass Market Paperback)

Like several reviewers, I discovered this book around age 12 in a Junior high school library. It was my favorite novel for about 10 years, and remains in my top 5, even 30 years later.
The author, Alan E. Nourse was a physician, who wrote SF novels and short stories as a hobby. Given that, the combinaton of qualities that shine forth from this novel are very impressive, in my opinion.
First, Nourse uses some unique ideas, based on speculation about scientific questions of the day (the short stories which this novel sprang from were first published in 1951, in short stories called "The Universe Between" and "High Threshold", per my searching on the internet).
An example: Using the highly adapatable "blank slate" of a young child's brain to imprint/adapt/learn an environment which is incomprehensible and even dangerous to a "rigid" adult mind - utilizing the normally unused parts of the human brain. (I hate to give others, because they would be plot "spoilers" to some extent - but most of these utilize hard science concepts and are explained in a way that entertains and teaches too).
As I've reread and rethought this book as an adult, it also occurs to me that Nourse is most likely writing on multiple levels and sending multiple messages. Such as:

1. An exciting adventure appealing to the young, young at heart, and both the hard and the fantasy SF lover.
2. A commentary on the difficulty of meaningful communication between people of radically different cultures/backgrounds.
3. A commentary on the surprising number and nature of the wonderful discoveries about our universe the pursuit of science brings us.
4. A reflection/reminder of the precious nature of life, and how close/uncertain death can be at any moment - a reminder not to take anything for granted.
5. Commentary on how important it is not to squander our natural resources, and the critical need to plan ahead for humanities' resource needs - given the inevitiblity of population and technological expansion throughout the globe over time.
6. And finally, repeatedly, a reminder of how little we know, and how little our limited perception allows us to grasp the true nature of reality.

This novel should leave you thougtful; hopeful, yet challenged. An exciting, interesting and unique children's SF novel? Yes! But also quite a bit more - very commendably written by this "hobbyist" for the thinking adult SF fan, in this reader's opinion.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Place to Start a lifelong love of Sci-Fi, November 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Universe Between (Mass Market Paperback)

First true sci-fi novel I ever read. I was 12, attending a small parochial school in the outback of SE Missouri. Picked it out of the racks during a Book Mobile visit. Gave new maning to how we perceive our universe. The thought of something "feeling green", or "sounding red", set my imagination on fire!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ALAN E NOURSE'S BEST BOOK!!!, July 19, 2002

By 

George Stancliffe (Toppenish, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Universe Between (Mass Market Paperback)

For several years in Jr High and High School, I was a SF junkie. I just couldn't get enough. And Nourse was my favorite SF author (with the exception of the Foundation Trilogy).

The Universe Between had some almost bizarre ideas about transporting between two universes. But the very strangeness was part of the fun. If we ever actually do get to travel to another universe, the method used may end up being just as strange as the method presented herein.

One of the things that I appreciated most about Nourse was that he was able to tell a story and keep your interest without pandering to sexual innuendos like some other popular SF writers sometimes do. I would be completely comfortable letting any of my young children read Nourse's science fiction.

--George Stancliffe

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