The Gripping Hand (Hardcover)

But in reading the reviews, I feel as if I have been looking at the wrong book. What's going on here? A classic follow up to a classic novel, and so many people were disappointed!

Many people disliked the first section of the novel, which dealt primarily with the Human Empire and the Mormons. They claim they had nothing to do with the story - untrue, as they sparked Bury's paranoia about the Moties getting free in the first place. I enjoyed the insight into the human Empire, and the fleshing out of an area that TMiGE was unable to focus on.

The Blaine children being flat characters? Glenda Ruth belonging on 'Clueless'? Chris being an unimaginative Navy officer? Ridiculous! They are cunning, manipulative individuals, raised by Motie Mediators, and they act every bit the part. Perhaps those who commented thus failed to look under the glossy exterior of the characters - Glenda's relationship with Freddy (an interesting new character, incidentally), say, and Chris's disbelief in the Motie threat (he spent less time with Jock, Charlie and Ivan than his sister).

Bury, for all the 30 years, hasn't changed a bit - bar his unusual friendship with Kevin. He still follows his beliefs, he is still terrified of the Moties - and he still hates the Blaines with a passion (not quite the clear-cut 'good guy' I've heard him accused of).

As to the lack of new technology and races, and lack of development by the Moties...of course not! Barely thirty years have passed, not enough time for substantial new technology to appear (bar the 'magic' coffeepots and the expanding Langston Field). A society will not change much in this period, and nor will a species genetics! And as to 'no new alien races', well: the Mote books have always been about the Human-Motie relationship, and adding new aliens would be unbelieveable, disruptive, confusing and above all; destroy the impact and flow of the story.

Another comment I read was that a reviewer modelled himself on Kevin Renner. I'd model myself on a Motie Mediator - perhaps even Renner's own Fyunch(click!).

In conclusion; The Moat Around Murcheson's Eye/The Gripping Hand is a worthy and impressive follow-up up to a classic. Read it, hate it if you must, but try looking under the surface and you'll find a lot more than some people seem to have.

Incredible. One of the greatest SF books I've ever read.