Robert Heinlein called it "possibly the finest science fiction novel I have ever read." The San Francisco Chronicle declared that "as science fiction, The Mote in God's Eye is one of the most important novels ever published." Now Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, award winning authors of such bestsellers as Footfall and The Legacy of Heorot, return us to the Mote, and to the universe of Kevin Renner and Horace Bury, of Rod Blaine and Sally Fowler. There, 25 years have passed since humanity quarantined the mysterious aliens known as Moties within the confines of their own solar system. They have spent a quarter century analyzing and agonizing over the deadly threat posed by the only aliens mankind has ever encountered-- a race divided into distinct biological forms, each serving a different function. Master, Mediator, Engineer. Warrior. Each supremely adapted to its task, yet doomed by millions of years of evolution to an inescapable fate. For the Moties must breed-- or die. And now the fragile wall separating them and the galaxy beyond is beginning to crumble.
The Gripping Hand (The Mote Series)
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From Publishers Weekly
This adequate but inconsequential sequel to The Mote in God's Eye explores xenophobia and overpopulation in a futuristic world.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From the Publisher
Robert Heinlein called it "possibly the finest science fiction novel I have ever read." The San Francisco Chronicle declared that "as science fiction, The Mote in God's Eye is one of the most important novels ever published." Now Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, award winning authors of such bestsellers as Footfall and The Legacy of Heorot, return us to the Mote, and to the universe of Kevin Renner and Horace Bury, of Rod Blaine and Sally Fowler. There, 25 years have passed since humanity quarantined the mysterious aliens known as Moties within the confines of their own solar system. They have spent a quarter century analyzing and agonizing over the deadly threat posed by the only aliens mankind has ever encountered-- a race divided into distinct biological forms, each serving a different function. Master, Mediator, Engineer. Warrior. Each supremely adapted to its task, yet doomed by millions of years of evolution to an inescapable fate. For the Moties must breed-- or die. And now the fragile wall separating them and the galaxy beyond is beginning to crumble.END
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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By Michael
Format:Audio Cassette
Following up on "The Mote in Gods Eye" was a difficult job, which is why it took so long. Staying true to the original, this sequal does not dissapoint.
By Fx3
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I have to agree with other reviewers. This book is not that great. I truly enjoyed "The Mote in God's Eye", a masterpiece, and was eager to go back to its universe. Unfortunately, "The Gripping Hand" is a tedious exercise of authorship. The book is divided into two parts. The first one prepares the actual action in which the moties are involved (no spoiler, this is very predictable). It is just an unbearable tale of space politics and average character development with very little action. The second half is more interesting, and it does make use of some slick ideas, but the story is too fragmented to be exciting. In summary, Larry and Jerry wasted a couple of good ideas, and a lot of the credit they gained from "The Mote".
By J. Vilches
Format:Mass Market Paperback
In this sequel to The Mote in God's Eye, humans and the alien "Moties" once again come into contact with dramatic results. The Empire of Man has a blockade to keep the Moties bottled up in their own system because the Moties are explosively expansive and would quickly overrun the Empire. Horace Bury, an Imperial Trader, and Kevin Renner, his pilot, travel through the Empire helping Naval Intelligence quell rebellion. But Bury and Renner, veterans from the first contact with the Moties, have another goal: to make sure that the Moties stay penned up in their system. When they find possible evidence that the Moties may escape, they pull all the strings they can find in order to visit the blockade. Events unfold quickly and they end up once more in the Mote system, trying to prevent a disaster. They have help of Chris and Glenda Ruth Blain, the two children of the first expedition's captain. The Blaine's have unique insight into the situation because they grew up around the only Moties allowed into the Empire.
The tension is thick at times, and the space battles are well plotted. However, there are large stretches consisting of political intrigue and Motie history lessons that slow down the plot considerably. I think the sections are interspersed well enough to hold the reader's interest. Some of the plot twists were hard to follow, especially once the Moties are involved. However, considering the chaos involved during battles and throwing in completely alien thought patters, it's probably fair to have some confusion in the plot. The characters are engaging, but I found it a little annoying that some of them just drop out of the story at the end without resolutions.
The Gripping Hand is definitely easier to read if you have the background found in The Mote in God's Eye. However, like most sequels, it doesn't live up to the promise of the first book. It's entertaining, but not destined to be a classic.
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3.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mostly mediocre, but has its good parts.
First off, I read this off and on during one semester - no other fiction for 3 months. I found that ultimatly, it didn't keep my interest much of the time and I gravitated toward... Read more
Published on July 10 2003 by Edit your Pen Name
2.0 out of 5 stars
a very disappointing sequel
The Mote in God's Eye was one of the best sci-fi stories of the last 30-odd years. In order to stand up to it, Niven and Pournelle had to produce something really good. Read more
Published on Nov 2 2002 by johnk29
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't bother
One of the poorest examples of science fiction I've ever come across. It's hard to believe that it was turned out by Niven and Pournelle. Read more
Published on Jun 6 2002 by Philip Crissman
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
A very disappointing sequel. Like many others who have commented, I am a big fan of "The Mote in God's Eye", and although sequels often fall short of the original, this... Read more
Published on Dec 7 2001 by "publius21"
5.0 out of 5 stars
An entertaining talk-a-thon
Eighteen years in the making! the cover proclaims. Not that I believe they spent the last eighteen years writing it but I guess everyone is allowed some poetic license. Read more
Published on Sep 2 2001 by Michael Battaglia
4.0 out of 5 stars
Standard sequel fare...
Look, this is a sequel folks, and like nearly all sequels, it loses some of the magical mystery of First Contact. Read more
Published on Aug 27 2001 by Steven Dennis
4.0 out of 5 stars
A terrific sequel! You'll love it if you love Niven!
First the praise- This is a terrific and spellbinding sequel to "The Mote in God's Eye". "The Gripping Hand" keeps you turning pages with a well crafted... Read more
Published on July 6 2001 by "wellsoul@zdnetonebox.com"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great sequel
Good sequel. Compared to many of the sequels on the market today (Hammers slammers; Eye of the world; etc;) this one delivers. Read more
Published on Feb 11 2001
1.0 out of 5 stars
A HUGE disappointment
Frankly, after waiting for several years for the sequel, I was severely disappointed. Mote was undoubtedly a great book, one of the best first contact novels ever written and I am... Read more
Published on Jan 9 2001
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 Motie hands, none gripping too tightly
Niven and Pournelle are, in my opinion, the greatest science fiction writing partnership since Frederick Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth. On a good day, they are even better. Read more
Published on Oct 26 2000 by Bill Mac
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