Summary:
A group of uplifted dolphins must navigate dangerous political alliances and deep-sea mysteries in order to survive and reveal the truth about humanity’s past in this thrilling science fiction novel, “Startide Rising.”
One sentence summary:
A group of uplifted dolphins must uncover the secrets of humanity’s past while trying to survive and evade powerful forces pulling them apart.
Book genre:
Science fiction.
Main topic of the book:
The book explores themes of survival, evolution, and the power dynamics between different species in the universe.
Key ideas:
- Uplift – the act of elevating a species to sentience and consciousness.
- Evolution – the ongoing process of change and adaptation.
- Specism – discrimination based on species.
- Power dynamics – the struggle for dominance and control between different species.
- Hidden truths – the search for answers about humanity’s past and ultimate purpose in the universe.
Main parts of the book and a short summary:
- Part One: The Choices of Breeders – The book opens with a group of uplifted dolphins, led by Captain Creideiki, onboard their spaceship Streaker. They are on a mission to find an ancient fleet that could hold the key to understanding humanity’s past. However, they are intercepted by a powerful alien race, the Jophur, who demand that they hand over any findings. The dolphins must make a difficult choice – to fight back or surrender.
- Part Two: Matrices of Danger – The dolphins decide to escape and make a daring underwater journey to the planet Kithrup, where they believe the ancient fleet may be. Along the way, they encounter dangerous creatures and political turmoil on the planet’s surface. They also uncover a mysterious underwater installation that may hold the secrets they seek.
- Part Three: Of Thrills and Thrall – The Streaker crew races to unravel the secrets of the underwater installation, facing even more enemies and allies along the way. Captain Creideiki must also navigate the complicated Alliance and decipher the intentions of the different species involved. The dolphins must also confront the truth of humanity’s past and what it means for their future evolution.
Key takeaways:
- Survival is the ultimate goal, and it often requires making difficult choices.
- Power dynamics and discrimination exist not only between different species, but also within them.
- The search for knowledge and understanding can lead to unexpected and dangerous discoveries.
Author’s background and qualifications:
David Brin is a multiple award-winning science fiction author with a Ph.D. in astrophysics. He has also worked as a consultant for NASA and is a respected futurist and speaker. His extensive knowledge of science and technology is evident in his writing.
Target audience:
Fans of science fiction, particularly those interested in exploring themes of evolution, sentience, and power dynamics. It may also appeal to readers who enjoy complex and well-developed world-building.
Publisher and first publication date:
“Startide Rising” was published by Bantam Books in May 1983.