The Stardroppers
Encyclopedia
The Stardroppers is a science fiction
novel
by John Brunner
. It was originally published at novella-length in 1962 as Listen, the Stars, in Analog and then as part of an Ace Double in 1963; in 1972 the revised, novel-length form was published by DAW Books
..
agent investigating a new fad, "stardropping", whereby physics-violating equipment is used to listen to sounds believed to be alien
or paranormal signals. Superficially a harmless but expensive hobby, stardropping reins in a fanaticism resembling addiction, where some users assemble in semi-social communes and spend all of their money on increasingly improved equipment. The fad gains an additional aspect of risk when users begin disappearing into thin air, in cases of increasing profile and witnessing.
characterized the novel as "a good adventure story [but] not of one Brunner's stronger literary efforts."
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by John Brunner
John Brunner (novelist)
John Kilian Houston Brunner was a prolific British author of science fiction novels and stories. His 1968 novel Stand on Zanzibar, about an overpopulated world, won the 1968 Hugo Award for best science fiction novel. It also won the BSFA award the same year...
. It was originally published at novella-length in 1962 as Listen, the Stars, in Analog and then as part of an Ace Double in 1963; in 1972 the revised, novel-length form was published by DAW Books
DAW Books
DAW Books is an American science fiction and fantasy publisher, founded by Donald A. Wollheim following his departure from Ace Books in 1971. The company therefore claims to be "the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy." The first DAW Book published was...
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Plot introduction
The Stardroppers is about an undercover United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
agent investigating a new fad, "stardropping", whereby physics-violating equipment is used to listen to sounds believed to be alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
or paranormal signals. Superficially a harmless but expensive hobby, stardropping reins in a fanaticism resembling addiction, where some users assemble in semi-social communes and spend all of their money on increasingly improved equipment. The fad gains an additional aspect of risk when users begin disappearing into thin air, in cases of increasing profile and witnessing.
Reception
Lester del ReyLester del Rey
Lester del Rey was an American science fiction author and editor. Del Rey was the author of many of the Winston Science Fiction juvenile SF series, and the editor at Del Rey Books, the fantasy and science fiction branch of Ballantine Books, along with his fourth wife Judy-Lynn del Rey.-Birth...
characterized the novel as "a good adventure story [but] not of one Brunner's stronger literary efforts."