The Reefs of Space
The Reefs of Space is a dystopian science fiction novel written by Frederik Pohl and Jack Williamson in 1964. It is part of the Starchild Trilogy, a series of three books in which mankind is ruled by a brutal totalitarian government known as the Plan of Man, enforced by a computerized surveillance state. The other books in the series are Starchild (1965) and Rogue Star (1969).
Plot
The novel is set in dystopian future in an Earth where a computer named Plan of Man operates a harsh surveillance state. The main character is a genius scientist, Steve Ryeland, who is trying to build a new type of rocket drive. While Ryeland is struggling with amnesia, he has a computer companion named Oporto. Due to Ryeland's anti-government actions in the past, the Plan of Man Computer deems him to be a security risk, so he is forced to wear a bomb-equipped collar, which he is hoping to be able to remove.
Reception
Joachim Boaz' review in Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations' calls it "an enjoyable read" and he praises the "quick prose", action, and dialogue that keeps the reader interested.[1]
References
- ^ Boaz, Joachim (2 June 2010). "BOOK REVIEW: THE REEFS OF SPACE, FREDERIK POHL AND JACK WILLIAMSON (1964)". sciencefictionruminations.com. Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations. Retrieved 3 January 2020.