Ringworld

S.F.Masterworks S.

by Larry Niven

Paperback, 208 pages

Published June 9, 2005 by Gollancz.

ISBN:: 978-0-575-07702-7
OCLC Number:: 58052749

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(172 reviews)

1 edition

DThoris reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Classic 1970s scifi written by a guy. Heavy on the theoretical science discussions, light on seeing the societal change acomin'. Still interesting but doesn't age well in some ways.

I did love revisiting the Kzin. The Man-Kzin wars were fun when I was younger.

Feminism is based in the sexual revolution.
Treats rape as almost acceptable due to "men's needs."
Massive age gap sexual relationship.
The men are always calm and rational, while the women aren't.

Tavish reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

No rating

DNF'd because it gave gross vibes and had a very pulpy science fiction setting and characters (which I personally do not like). The central idea is well known and explored enough in other places now so that was not enough of a pull for me.

ProjectAzar reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

This story contains some fascinating ideas for aliens, tech, and cultural interactions, written in a consistently uninteresting fashion. At no point does the plot develop into anything meaningful, nor do the characters ever grow into anything interesting. Niven seems to have an utter hatred for women as anything more than objects to be ogled or fondled, and the only two female characters in the story with anything to say only seem to be written as literal objects of lust.

The male protoganist even quips that one of the two female characters was not particularly smart except she was an expert at sex. It's like Niven had some interesting ideas about sci-fi settings but was too bored and horny to develop them into anything more than a backdrop for his poorly written romance novel.

SI CLARKE reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Holy sexism, Batman! What is this nonsense?

Adrián Astur Álvarez reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This reads like an extended Star Trek episode, which puts it into a category of fluff I usually don't mind. Unfortunately, the scope of the Ringworld, often touted as the reason this became a classic, didn't blow me away as it might have in 1970. Larry Niven relies heavily on the awe and mystery of this world yet doesn't bring the sort of gravitas a novel like Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama uses to impose his ancient floating structure. Part of the problem is how I just can't take these characters very seriously. The women are either dumb blonde archetypes or whores, anyway they seem to exist only to be sexed on. The male protagonists are too narrowly drawn to relate to. Sci-fi authors from this time period often sacrificed character for big ideas, and sometimes that's fine, but I wasn't getting enough trade off here.

I guess I'm glad I …

Unruly Stacks reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

The sexism is a big, big issue, but aside from that, this book is great.

Don DeBon reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A true classic. Larry Niven's work still holds up well. The only aspect that might date it is the few references to "tapes" with regard to a visual storage medium. I was surprised that so many questions went unanswered such as who built the thing and why considering the book was not intended to be a series. Still, that does not distract from the story which is very solid. The one part about Teela Brown wanting to remain on the Ringworld with a guy she just met and doesn't even know much of his language because she 'loves him' seemed a little far. One could argue this is because of her 'luck'. Still, how would she know? Then again, luck I suppose. Of course so many plots have been centered on 'love at first sight'. It is nothing new.

Regardless it is a great read for anyone that enjoys a …

Yashima reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I've wanted to read this for a long time. The worldbuilding is impressive and fulfilled my - high! - expectations. It's not only the Ringworld but also everything else. The Puppeteer planets and what is going on on Earth. I enjoyed this part of the book the most. The characters are interesting but they don't capture me and I am not rooting for them like I do in many other books. What I liked least is the plot of the book. I kept waiting and waiting and waiting ... and then it's all based on Teela's luck? I am really convinced, even though the explanation is well done. The world building is still worth 3 stars and I may yet read the next book, because I'd like to know what is going to happen to the Ringworld.

halkeye reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I loved the overall story, I did, I did. Louis and Speaker were awesome. Less so with the rest of the group. It had some amazing concepts. I actually read the foreword for book 2, and Niven mentions all the people that independently provided science(y) proofs to him.

That being said, I couldn't follow most of the story. The way things were written, combined with the way my brain works, I got lost a lot.

I'm kinda tempted to read the next book, but considering I kinda struggled to stay focused on this one, I will probably read something else and try book two in the future.

Tom Goetz reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I liked the ringworld concept. I didn't like the Teela Brown bred for luck stuff.

Gossamerchild reviewed Ringworld by Larry Niven (S.F.Masterworks S.)

Review of 'Ringworld' on 'Storygraph'

2 stars

More like 2.5 or 2.75. Loved the idea and the story, hated the characters. Almost to a person. Well, I liked the aliens. None of the humans had much going for them, and maybe that was intentional. Seemed very dated.