The Galactic Gourmet

This is the most enjoyable of the Sector General novels that I can recall. The first half, as new Chief Dietician Gurronsevas works on "improving" the hospital's food, is pretty-near perfect: [G is interviewing a patient.] "I would like to talk to you about Chalder food." "With pleasure, " said the AUGL-113. "It is an interesting topic that causes much argument but rarely leads to violence." "About hospital food." "Oh." * * * The second half - Sector General trying to help a particularly bull-headed bunch of aliens - drags a bit, but only by comparison. If you liked any of the previous books in the Sector General series, don't miss this one. If you've never tried James White, this would be a fine time to start. PS - don't be put off by the ghastly cover art. . . GG is the eighth novel in the series, which White started publishing in 1962. He's sold over a million copies in the series so far. Mr White is sorely missed. review copyright 1996 Peter D. Tillman

In the third latest edition to the ever popular Sector General Series a well know federation chef arrives at the hospital, and chaos ensues. When he chef is banned from the station a series of events happen that save a race from extiction and Cheif Dietician Gurronsevas, as he is better know now, is, well... you'll have to read this excelent book to find out.

Once again James White gives us a novel where we see the action through the eyes of an interesting alien character, Gurronsevas, the great gourmet chef. As with Lorien in *The Genocidal Healer*, Gurronsevas is allowed to learn and grow -- always to be welcomed in fiction. I've read all the previous Sector General books I love the fact that the aliens are fully people in their own right and humans don't always hog the limelight. The official reviews are correct about the humor. (The exchange two aliens have over an old human saying cracked me up.) I really enjoyed reading about Gurronsevas' role in the first contact situation and the people he tried to help. I did have one minor problem with the book, though: it was too easy to figure out what was going on (although there were a couple of things I didn't see coming). However, I'm 44 years old and I have over 30 years' experience reading SF and mysteries. Even if you're another "old" fan, don't worry. The book is well worth your time even when you're mildly irritated at the characters for taking so long to catch on. Ann E. Nichols

James White's interpretation of the main character of this novel is quite astonishing and seems very lifelike for an alien. This book should be highly praised for its high achievement.

James White's novel is one of the later stories of his "Sector General" series; written in 1995. The first part of the series had been written back in the mid-sixties, and it is very entertaining to see how he gradually filled the simple stories of the sixties with so much life that it's persons survived three decades. The actual novel is the story of gourmet cook Gurronsevas, a Tralthan, who starts as a very famous cook in search for a new challenge, like cooking for many different species at Orbit Hospital. But whereas his food creations are exceptional, his lack of technical skills nearly leads to his discharge. But Gurronsevas' time will come... One of the best novels in the series, if you like the plain style. I definitely do!