"A classic that stands the test of time"
Dragon Zephyr Void Captain Genro Kane Gupta delivers
goods and passengers to Estrella Bonita. During a stop
Genro meets beautiful Dominique Alia Wu. The woman is a
shocker because she is a jump pilot. Everyone knows that
jump pilots are physically wasted, as they are the keys to
interstellar jumps that each time kills them a little
more. This makes Dominique an enigma. Dominique asks Genro to jump blind. His failing to set
the proper navigational mix will free her so that she lands
in eternal ecstasy inside the Void. Fascinated by her, he
leans towards neglecting his duty to his crew, passengers
and himself because no one knows what will happen if a ship
jumps blind. Though at times the use of "modern vernacular" slows
down the story line because the reader needs time to
interpret, THE VOID CAPTAIN'S TALE remains a strong science
fiction novel. The theme compares sexual prowess with
power and the hold that sexual needs have on humans (Freud
must have been a passenger on the Dragon Zephyr). The tale
is different, but works on several levels because readers
can feel the magnetic tension between the Void Captain and
the Void Pilot. First released in the 1980s Norman
Spinrad's novel still spins quite a tale. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted September 4, 2001
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