Sundiver: The Ultimate Voyage (Uplift, Bk 1)

"Sundiver" by David Brin was the first book in the original "Uplift" trilogy, which was followed by a second trilogy a few years later. The uplift series consists of 1) Sundiver (The Uplift Saga, Book 1) 2) Startide Rising (The Uplift Saga, Book 2) 3) The Uplift War (The Uplift Saga, Book 3) and then the second trilogy: 4) Brightness Reef Book One of the New Uplift Trilogy 5) Infinity's Shore (The Second Uplift Trilogy #2) 6) Heaven's Reach the Final Book of the Second Uplift Trilogy There is also an illustrated guide to the Universe of the Uplift saga, "Contacting Aliens: An Illustrated Guide to David Brin's Uplift Universe" by David Brin and Kevin Lenagh, which is written as though it were a field manual for agents of the "Terragens" government, e.g. that of "Earthclan" which consists of humans and sentient chimps and dolphins. I'm not going to attempt to describe the plot of this excellent book, or the series, to avoid spoiling the story, but the basic assumption underlying the stories, set a few hundred years in the future, is that in 2206 AD human explorers encounter a ship from another, much more advanced race, part of a civilisation which dominates our galaxy and four others. This is a very complex and powerful civilisation, far bigger than any one race, which runs on a number of principles and two in particular: 1) That sentient species have a duty to help other potentially intelligent species reach intelligence and civilisation, and 2) That they have a duty to protect the environments and ecologies of the worlds where they live. Sounds very sensible and ethical, doesn't it? Unfortunately there are some huge catches, and in particular a) Some of the most powerful races in the civilisation of the five galaxies are very aggressive and fanatical, and always looking for an excuse to take over or wipe out less powerful races who make the tiniest sin against galactic rules. In consequence b) The year after first contact, a human colony was "sequestered" (never exactly explained but the inference is that this is a euphemism for mass murder) by galactic officials because they had no license to settle on the planet concerned. (The fact that humans had no way of knowing that one was required was not considered to be an excuse.) c) If the galactics ever discover that this planet once contained species such as the dodo, the same thing could happen to Earth. Brilliantly imaginative, very well written, extremely exciting, the "Uplift" series is one of the best works of Science Fiction ever written.

Writing excellent science fiction. In my opinion this guy is the master of the genre. He has an uncanny ability to take what is basically a fantastic world and make it real. As you read his works, you feel that you are stepping into reality. Indeed, often what he writes becomes reality a scant 10 years later. He writes as a prophet. Sundiver was a work deep in character and plot. I found it too enticing to trade in a good night's sleep. There is one twist after another, and the characters continually develop throughout the book. There is a bit of a hint of Ende's work here, with so many hidden stories that wait to be revealed. While at times it is frustrating to not know more of the backstory, this, too, is real life. Brin has created a deeply believable world and at the same time one utterly unique. He has played with the myth of the orgin of intelligence, building off what we know of from evolution but considering new panspermia possibilities. And for anyone who has ever dreamed of talking with dolphins, here is finally a way to make it happen.

Brin has written 3 excellent books: SUNDIVER, THE UPLIFT WAR & THE POSTMAN. The first two of these are set in the same "reality" while THE POSTMAN is a stand-alone book. SUNDIVER is certainly worthy of sharing the bookshelf with HYPERION, THE FALL OF HYPERION, BLACKCOLLAR, THE BACKLASH MISSION and MADNESS SEASON. SUNDIVER is science-fiction, mystery, adventure and social commentary all thrown together. The science fiction concerns an intergalatic association of intelligent species, and a ship which can dive into the sun. The mystery involves questions about sundwellers, deception and who is sabotaging the Sundiver project (and endangering its crew). The adventure involves diving into the sun and trying to ferret out the saboteur. The social commentary involves a complex colonial caste system in which certain races have been raised up or "civilized" into intelligent sapient beings. The upraised beings are subordinate to their progenitors and generally find themselves either loyal servant, emulators of their masters' rapacity and ambition or covert freedom fighters. The mystery and adventure aspects of the novel are well balanced and somewhat intellectual - as opposed to, say, STARTIDE RISING. Demwa and his nemesis are especially well-developed characters and one is even able to admire the antagonist's characteristics. In this regard, the novel is quite different from STARTIDE RISING. In some ways, SUNDIVER shares many of the intergalatic economic, social & political ideals one finds in David Gerrold's hilarious CHESS WITH A DRAGON (albeit, in a much more serious fashion). Action-packed, thought-provoking, SUNDIVER is well worth the read. Again, Brin at his best.

To Start off, I believe this novel ( & introduction to the Uplift Universe) it reads a lot like The Hobbit did for the LOTR trilogy, even though it was his first published novel. This novel is interesting that it shows the first glimpse of terran society (ie* the probationers story), that only shows up in this and The Uplift War. I hope to see a more prominent role for Earths other allies (ie* the Kanten & Synthians in the new books Dave has promised). It'd also be an interesting idea if there was a prequel to this novel. I have heard rumours that the Uplift Series is going to be made into a film. I just hope they make Sundiver sometime after or before Startide Rising because it deserves to made. Startide Rising would probably make a better opening into theaters though.

I stumbled across this fine effort in the Airport Gift Shop inHuntsville. It continues to occupy a spot on my "Recomend"list. I can not stress enough that this is one to NOT let get away! Just try and put it down!