Heart of the Comet: Amazon.ca: Gregory Benford, David Brin: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

To celebrate the rturn of Halley's comet this year, two of SF's best young writers have collaborated on this long, intriguing but ultimately depressing novel that begins with the next fly-by in 2061. An ambitious expedition uses the iceball as a natural spaceship but their discoveries soon include a deadly viral lifeform that decimates the crew. Then, the already volatile conflicts between factions explode into violent confrontation as the Orthos attack the genetically enhanced Percells. Against this background, the novel highlights the love affair of biologist Saul Lintz, who helped create the Percells, and Percell computer engineer Virginia Herbert, who is pioneering a biologically based computer possessing genuine artificial intelligence. Although they eventually save the mission from itself and a hostile Earth, the multiple examples of mankind's perversity make this a frustrating experience. 40,000 first printing; $40,000 ad/promo.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
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Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and thought-provoking, Dec 9 2003

By	MJCIV - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heart of the Comet (Library Binding)

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I was fascinated by how the authors created such tension and drama around little things, like molds and bacterias. Also, it was refreshing to see a "new" trajectory for the development of humanity in a sci-fi novel: cometary man. Good stuff!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Adventure science-fiction at it's literate best, April 3 2003

By	Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Heart of the Comet (Library Binding)

Ah, this was such a satisfying novel. It follows three primary characters over a century as they are part of the effort to study Halley's comet. They discover a primitive life-form which attatches itself to the humans in a symbiotic relationship and eventually causes them to be an imagined threat to Earth.

The theme of genetically enhanced humans (Percells) and the rivalry between them and the normal humans is explored. Some consider this an overworked theme, but the authors here approach it from a logical perspective.

This is a good read and quite recommended for science-fiction readers.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Hard Science, Sep 21 2002

By	Eric Callman "Mr. E" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Heart of the Comet (Mass Market Paperback)

I enjoyed this book immensely! The perfect balance of exploring scientific concepts and telling a riveting story. Like "Earth" (novel by David Brin), some of the scientific ideas are a little farfetched, but not just silly. They are well thought out, and explained in relatively simple terms. There are explorations of biology (the interplay of hostile and symbiotic microscopic life forms - germs), astrophysics (using sublimation to steer a comet), and even the psycology (small groups of people under stress - a la "Lord of the Flies"). I think this is why it took two authors to write this book... there are just too many interesting concepts going on for just one person to have thouroughly researched. Oh, and did I mention that it has lots of action and a great story. Not nearly as dry as you might guess from the title - quite a treat.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
I'm from the Heinlein, Colin Wilson, Lovecraft wing of SF, but I really enjoyed this book. It would make a great movie.

Published on Jun 20 2002

2.0 out of 5 stars didn't work for me
to be fair, i have about 100 pages left at the time i an writing this. i bought this book because of the high recommendations here on amazon. Read more

Published on April 29 2002 by J. Blattman

5.0 out of 5 stars hope for the comet
I just finished this book and anyone who enjoys hard s/f would probably enjoy this book. My main reason for a review is to request that the authors consider a sequel as I have... Read more

Published on Feb 16 2002 by DAVID PESHECK

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best sf books I've ever read
Very very cool stuff with amazing depth. Guys...can you revisit for a sequel?

Published on Mar 8 2001 by H. J. Spivack