Patrimony: A Pip & Flinx Adventure (Adventures of Pip & Flinx)

Flinx, along with Pip, sets out on another adventure, once again putting duty aside for personal interests. The world on which he searches is both interesting and provides an anthropological commentary on our own. Flinx finds what he is looking for but it is not what he expects. Once again Foster's commentary on the human condition set in an alien world lives up to an exciting adventure. Hard to put this down once you start reading.

I received the book as ordered and the order was promptly filled. I consider this an excellent experience.

Patrimony (2007) is the thirteenth SF novel in the Flinx series, following Trouble Magnet. In the previous volume, Flinx lands on Viseria and intervenes in a conflict between street kids and an Underhouse master. In the resulting fight, he meets a dying man who claims to be the last member of the Meliorare Society who hasn't been mindwiped. He also states that he knows Flinx's father and mentions the planet Gestalt. In this novel, Flinx and Pip arrive at Gestalt on the Teacher. The ship control and shuttling landing procedures are very informal. Then Flinx encounters a dangerous animal on the landing field, but is rescued by an administrator with a big gun. Gestalt is not much like any other planet of his experience. Although the humans are living among the Tlel, their relationships are quite casual and mostly friendly. However, some Tlel have philosophical differences with each other that can also endanger humans. Although his first inquiries are fruitless, Flinx begins to look for local humans that match the Meliorare Society profile. He has a few false leads, but finally identifies one person who might be his father. He arranges for a flitter and a native guide. In this story, a local personage of quite evil disposition discovers that an offworld visitor matches a wanted notice from the Order of Null. Norvin Halvorsen starts tracing Flinx, but is always a step behind his quarry. Finally, Halvorsen is forced to use other means of tracking his prey. Halvorsen attacks the flitter containing Flinx, Pip and Bleshmaa, the native guide. Flinx manages to damage Halvorsen's flitter and cause it to return to base. Yet Halvorsen's last shot forces down Flinx's vehicle. Flinx's flitter finally crashlands in a river. Bleshmaa is severely injured and Flinx is wounded. They are stranded far from civilization. A group of hunting Tlel are discovered by Pip. They discuss whether to shoot Pip, but finally decide to follow her. When she leads them to Flinx, they check him out and carry him back to their village. This story follows Flinx in his introduction to the villagers and his appreciation of their ways. A few of the villagers take him onward to his former destination, but find dangers on the way. Flinx is amazed at the nature of the dangers and disappointed to find that the Tlel have violent disputes over philosophy. Naturally, Flinx has not considered that violence within the Commonwealth and with external enemies -- such as the AAnn -- is often over matters of philosophy (or morality). The humans and the thranx get along so well because they have similar philosophies of life. They are just dissimilar enough to not rub each other raw. This tale finally answers Flinx's questions about his father. Of course, it doesn't provide any final solutions to his problems. The next installment is Flinx Transcendent. Read and enjoy! Recommended for Foster fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of developing youths with strange talen

I have read all the Pip and Flinx books and have never been disappointed. This one was no exception. The story is excellant and keeps you wanting more. I will purchase the next one as soon as it comes out.

I've read all of the Pip & Flinx books,and have enjoyed them all,but in this one Flinx is still thinking like a child. He needs to get his priorities in order. Save the universe, and the information he so desperately wants will be there to find, if the universe is destroyed, it won't matter anyway. He needs to grow up and realise that no matter where he comes from, he is a good person, and if is father wants to be found, he will make himself available to be found. Maybe it is as he was told in this book, but I doubt it.