This post was originally published in my February 18th newsletter. If you haven’t yet signed up for my newsletter, you really, really should. It’s fun, it’s once every four weeks (with an occasional special issue), and it’s the best way to stay in touch. Sign up here.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the only way for me to find new science fiction was to visit the little Waldenbooks at Maui Mall. Two short shelves held the full selection of mass-market paperbacks—the only format I could afford. It took only a few minutes to peruse the titles. Very often, I came away with something excellent to read. One of those lucky finds was a novel called The Broken God by David Zindell. I loved this book enough to go on to read the rest of the trilogy. Sometime later, I happened to be talking to a friend when the subject of David Zindell’s work came up.

Him: “Have you read Neverness?

Me: “Well, uh, no…”

Him: “It takes place before The Broken God—and you have to read it. It’s one of my favorite books of all time!”

So of course I eventually hunted down a copy. I remember that I didn’t like it as much as the later books. But recently I had an urge to revisit the story world of Neverness and decided that this time I’d tackle the books in the proper order, starting with Neverness itself. An excellent decision!

Neverness is a long, complicated, truly amazing novel. It belongs in a class with Dune for the detail and originality of its world-building, and also because, like Dune, it is in large part a philosophical novel, concerned with ultimate questions and the place of humanity in the Universe—though of course the story includes conflict and action too.

The protagonist, Mallory Ringess, is a pilot in an order dedicated to seeking knowledge throughout the galaxy. In one-person lightships, these pilots use complex mathematics to navigate the “manifold,” allowing them to jump from star to star—not instantly, but within endurable timespans.

But Neverness is not concerned only with the future. A reconstructed ancient past also plays a large part in the story.

Mallory is a sympathetic character, though not entirely likable, and I think that’s why, on my long-ago first reading, I didn’t love this book as much as those that followed. Even so, the story is fascinating. And although Neverness was originally published in 1988, it rarely shows its age.

If you’re looking for a fast read, this isn’t it. But if what you enjoy is a deep dive into an enthralling, uncertain future, Neverness is for you. When you reach the last page, you’ll know you’ve been on a magnificent journey.

Neverness is available at Amazon. (affiliate link)

PS: reading the reviews at Amazon, this is either a love-it or hate-it book. 🙂