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The Disappeared
Kristine Kathryn Rusch Book Review

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Plot Summary of The Disappeared
"

Roc, July 2002, 6.50, 384 pp.
ISBN 0451458885

In the far distant future, Earth exists with other sentient species by obeying galactic law, though this may not be the best in some individual human cases. If Terra or its colonies want to trade with other species, the law must be obeyed. Miles Flint doesn't think of these ramifications when he becomes a moon detective. He accepts the job because he sees it as a way of helping people.

Then the Wygin come. This alien species want the children of two humans who have committed crimes on their home world, crimes that they never even knew they were committing and were nothing similar to Earth law. Miles must also deal with the case of Ekaterina Maakestad, a woman who did her duty as a defense attorney and is wanted by the Rev because her client then went on to commit other crimes after she got him acquitted on the first charge. Miles, in good conscience, can't turn the children and the woman over to the aliens but if he doesn't, he is breaking the very laws he has sworn to uphold.

In THE DISAPPEARED, there are disappearance agencies that help people wanted by aliens establish new identifies reminiscent of today's witness protection program. The results of an unscrupulous agency is what this story line is all about and how one man within the system, tries to do what is right even if it is not legal. Kristine Kathryn Rusch is a talented storyteller who creates a make believe future galaxy that seems very real.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Disappeared
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Inner Struggle Yes
Plotlet: - search for identity/new understanding - change of heart
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture Yes
Culture clash- - one culture tries to impose its culture on another group

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - police/lawman
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization

Setting
Which planet? - Earth's Moon
Not Earth, in Solar System? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - a fair amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
Most similar books to The Disappeared
Heart of Gold by Sharon Shinn
Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
The Price of the Samaritan by Ellen Anthony
Xanthan Gumm by Robin Reed


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Kristine Kathryn Rusch Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Harriet Klausner  

SCHOLARS:
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