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A Fire Upon the Deep Book Summary and Study Guide

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Detailed plot synopsis reviews of A Fire Upon the Deep


It's kind of hard to make a short description of such a far-ranging book. You essentially have two plots--one involving a unique (and very well-thought-out) alien race, and one involving a set of humans abnd aliens trying to circumvent the rise of an accidentally-created Transcendant Power of extreme maliciousness. There are great descriptions of the primary alien race's politics and culture as well as that of the overall galactic society.
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The review of this Book prepared by Jason T.



Chapter Analysis of A Fire Upon the Deep

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 10%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 20%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 20%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 50% Tone of book    -   suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   science fiction story Explore/1st contact/ enviro story    -   Yes Explore:    -   exploring a wondrous planet or phenomena    -   generally friendly contact with alien(s) Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Identity:    -   Female Profession/status:    -   scientist Age:    -   20's-30's

Setting

Terrain    -   Water    -   Mountains    -   Forests    -   Space, need spacesuit Spaceship setting:    -   a space station    -   futuristic human freighter/transport    -   really, really giant spaceship/station A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:    -   inhabited by friendly aliens    -   unfriendly aliens    -   primitive aliens Planet outside solar system?    -   Yes Takes place in spaceship?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   explicit references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only)    -   a fair amount of scientific explanation Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only    -   descript of kissing How much dialogue?    -   significantly more descript than dialog

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Vernor Vinge Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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