Nova

by Samuel R. Delany

Mass Market Paperback, 215 pages

English language

Published April 1, 1983 by Spectra.

ISBN:: 978-0-553-23621-7
OCLC Number:: 54901870

(26 reviews)

Given that the suns of Draco stretch almost sixteen light years from end to end, it stands to reason that the cost of transportation is the most important factor of the 32nd century. And since Illyrion is the element most needed for space travel, Lorq von Ray is plenty willing to fly through the core of a recently imploded sun in order to obtain seven tons of it. The potential for profit is so great that Lorq has little difficulty cobbling together an alluring crew that includes a gypsy musician and a moon-obsessed scholar interested in the ancient art of writing a novel. What the crew doesn’t know, though, is that Lorq’s quest is actually fueled by a private revenge so consuming that he’ll stop at nothing to achieve it. In the grandest manner of speculative fiction, Nova is a wise and witty classic that casts a fascinating new light …

13 editions

Alecs Ștefănescu reviewed Nova by Samuel R. Delany

Labor as technology

5 stars

The way "Nova" experiments with the concept of labor, and its implications on culture, migration, social classes and religion is genuinely fresh, interesting and well-deserving of the "science-fiction" label. Even more so than the endless drivel about android and conquering faraway planets. The exploration of embodied labor, of a closer and more visceral link between people and the process of producing of maintaining, genuinely inspired me to look at the real-world alienated labor with an even more critical eye.

Antolius reviewed Nova by Samuel R. Delany

Review of 'Nova' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Reminded me of:
[b:The Stars My Destination|1258746|The Stars My Destination|Alfred Bester|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1182313330l/1258746.SY75.jpg|1398442]

Good:
space politics!
a lot of interesting concepts scientifically accepted tarot, work revolutionized by cybernetics, ...
has some interesting romantic elements

Bad:
at times fees self indulgent
I really hate the trope of a driven yet abusive leader that inspires devotion in their followers despite bullying them
* flat & boring antagonist/supporting characters