Zindell David 01

Reviews & Overviews by Rod Cameron

Neverness by David Zindell

Neverness, David Zindell's first novel was originally published in 1988. And has recently been reissued under the Voyager Classic label. It is an epic in the true sense of the word as the hero searches the universe in a quest for knowledge. The world of Neverness is complex, and populated by strange and diverse aliens. Many are crafted from original human stock, such as the Alaloi who have chosen to return to the Neanderthal state. There are also god-like beings among the stars, such as the Solid State Entity, a vast brain consisting of countless moon-sized bio-computers.
Mallory Ringess belongs to the Order of Pilots who traverse the universe using mathematics and physics to rework the laws of space and time while linked to their computers / space craft. On the eve of his promotion to Master Pilot, Mallory swears an oath to map the Solid State Entity, and seals his glorious fate. Neverness is a story on many levels. Not only is it an action adventure quest, but it is also an attempt to answer why man is here and how he fits into the universe. The book is supported by excellent characterisation of the hero's friends and family. There is his huge friend Bardo, his mother Moira, his uncle Soli and the strange Timekeeper who controls the Order of Pilots. I enjoyed reading it, and have no hesitation in recommending it.

Publisher: Voyager Classics
Date: 2002
Pages: 685
Price: £7.99
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0 00 712437 6
Reviewed by: Rod Cameron
Review Date: April 2002