You know that book, with the alien blob crystal things?
December 30, 2009 1:44 PM Subscribe
What'sThisBook-ForAFriend filter: novel about aliens that are blob-shaped and eventually come in contact with humans?
So it is about an alien race, and they are basically blob things.
The planet has some strange north south resistance where it is easy to go east west but not north south, and if they sit still enough they can crystalize their internal structure (I think it was that they developed some kind of internal support structure that was crystal and eventually they dessicated into just crystal, but there was some force of will involved).
Near the end they make contact with humans and it turns out they are tiny and have very short life spans compared to ours. But basically the book was about the evolution of this species
and their discoveries over time, like being able to walk in a row and only the lead critter had to force the north-south resistance.
Other: it's a novel, I read it a while back (2002 or earlier: I was living in England for a couple years back then and may have read it over there). I think it might even have been a YA novel
Friend is about 30, grew up in Pacific Northwest before joining the Air Force and going to England. I can relay questions and answers :)
So it is about an alien race, and they are basically blob things.
The planet has some strange north south resistance where it is easy to go east west but not north south, and if they sit still enough they can crystalize their internal structure (I think it was that they developed some kind of internal support structure that was crystal and eventually they dessicated into just crystal, but there was some force of will involved).
Near the end they make contact with humans and it turns out they are tiny and have very short life spans compared to ours. But basically the book was about the evolution of this species
and their discoveries over time, like being able to walk in a row and only the lead critter had to force the north-south resistance.
Other: it's a novel, I read it a while back (2002 or earlier: I was living in England for a couple years back then and may have read it over there). I think it might even have been a YA novel
Friend is about 30, grew up in Pacific Northwest before joining the Air Force and going to England. I can relay questions and answers :)
Response by poster: He says that looks right: I told him this place was awesome. Thanks!
posted by jacalata at 1:53 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by jacalata at 1:53 PM on December 30, 2009
Robert Forward was my Dad, so I guess I'm kinda hot on the subject. :) but he would have been chuffed beyond words to hear your friend had remembered his work, so send friend a handshake from me. :)
posted by The otter lady at 7:24 PM on December 30, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 7:24 PM on December 30, 2009 [6 favorites]
Can I just say Metafilter is so cool? I'm amazed at seeing a "what's this book" being answered by the author's daughter.
I have fond memories of reading that book, probably from 20 years ago; I think my copy disappeared after I loaned it out. It is one of the classics in the world of "hard" SF.
posted by fings at 7:57 PM on December 30, 2009
I have fond memories of reading that book, probably from 20 years ago; I think my copy disappeared after I loaned it out. It is one of the classics in the world of "hard" SF.
posted by fings at 7:57 PM on December 30, 2009
I know the question's already been answered, but "Dragon's Egg" is one of my favorite books of all time. The sequel, "Starquake," is also excellent, and has the distinction of being one of the most direct sequels ever written -- it starts at pretty much the exact instant Dragon's Egg ends.
posted by mmoncur at 1:48 AM on December 31, 2009
posted by mmoncur at 1:48 AM on December 31, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The otter lady at 1:46 PM on December 30, 2009