Neverness
Encyclopedia
Neverness is a science fiction
novel
written by David Zindell
and published in 1988. The novel grew from a 1985 novelette entitled 'Shanidar'. Neverness (the title may be an allusion to Borges) concerns a medium far-future world where mathematicians have become a kind of caste
or religious order, because of their abilities to do the calculations needed for space travel. It follows one, Mallory Ringess, as he discovers secrets and strangeness in the Universe he inhabits. Amongst these are experiences with the science fiction equivalent of a Goddess
who was once a little girl and the discovery of immortals.
The book is praised for its unusual approach to showing an unfamiliar world, and the deep complexity of its story.
There is a trilogy of sequel novels to Neverness' called A Requiem for Homo Sapiens
.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
written by David Zindell
David Zindell
David Zindell is an American author known for science fiction and fantasy epics. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, and resides today in Boulder, Colorado; he received a BA degree in mathematics and minored in anthropology at the University of Colorado at Boulder...
and published in 1988. The novel grew from a 1985 novelette entitled 'Shanidar'. Neverness (the title may be an allusion to Borges) concerns a medium far-future world where mathematicians have become a kind of caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
or religious order, because of their abilities to do the calculations needed for space travel. It follows one, Mallory Ringess, as he discovers secrets and strangeness in the Universe he inhabits. Amongst these are experiences with the science fiction equivalent of a Goddess
Goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
who was once a little girl and the discovery of immortals.
The book is praised for its unusual approach to showing an unfamiliar world, and the deep complexity of its story.
There is a trilogy of sequel novels to Neverness' called A Requiem for Homo Sapiens
A Requiem for Homo Sapiens
A Requiem for Homo Sapiens is a trilogy of science fiction novels written by David Zindell that is made up of The Broken God , The Wild , and War in Heaven...
.