Destiny's Road - The Library of the Uncommons

Paperback, 433 pages

English language

Published Nov. 20, 1997 by Tor.

ISBN:: 978-0-8125-1106-2

The book follows the life of Jemmy Bloocher, (who changes his name several times) as he travels the planet called Destiny, a colony founded over 200 years earlier. The "Road" is a long trail laid down by the founders. Only the Caravans travel the full length of the road as they bring (or sell) "speckles" to settlers who, without them, would suffer severe potassium deficiency leading to brain damage. The Caravans control who gets speckles and therefore effectively control the whole world. Jemmy sets off to find answers to questions the Caravan Merchants won't give him. In the process, we get a good look at the world and also at it's economy. Larry Niven's world-building skills are phenomenal, and this book is a good example of just that. There is room to develop the native alien sapients ("Otterfolk") further, perhaps in a sequel.

This is "hard" science fiction in …

The book follows the life of Jemmy Bloocher, (who changes his name several times) as he travels the planet called Destiny, a colony founded over 200 years earlier. The "Road" is a long trail laid down by the founders. Only the Caravans travel the full length of the road as they bring (or sell) "speckles" to settlers who, without them, would suffer severe potassium deficiency leading to brain damage. The Caravans control who gets speckles and therefore effectively control the whole world. Jemmy sets off to find answers to questions the Caravan Merchants won't give him. In the process, we get a good look at the world and also at it's economy. Larry Niven's world-building skills are phenomenal, and this book is a good example of just that. There is room to develop the native alien sapients ("Otterfolk") further, perhaps in a sequel.

This is "hard" science fiction in that the medical (potassium) and economic (hydraulic empire, resource domination) foundations of the book are soundly researched. But it is relatively "soft" for "hard" fiction, as there is very little exposition or explanation of the science involved.

5 editions

Brett reviewed Destiny's Road by Larry Niven

Ring(road) world

2 stars

Look, I'll admit it - I'm a Niven fan from way back when Ringworld blew my teenage mind in the 80s. He is, though, at his best when his character (he only really has one, with a few carbon props moving around in the background) is exploring an artifact.

Here, the artifact is the society of Destiny, settled by humanity long enough for a distinct social order to emerge and individual cities to form their own cultures. Unfortuntely, I couldn't find it in myself to care that much, and when Jemmy did encounter something interesting he'd then go off and be boring for 20 pages.

Look, I'll admit it - I'm a Niven fan from way back when Ringworld blew my teenage mind in the 80s. He is, though, at his best when his character (he only really has one, with a few carbon props moving around in the background) is exploring an artifact.

Here, the artifact is the society of Destiny, settled by humanity long enough for a distinct social order to emerge and individual cities to form their own cultures. Unfortuntely, I couldn't find it in myself to care that much, and when Jemmy did encounter something interesting he'd then go off and be boring for 20 pages.