Tau Zero

by Poul Anderson
Tau Zero cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 10527
  • Added: 2026-01-25
  • Updated: 2026-01-28
  • ISBN: 9780575088047
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2010-12-30
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Leonora Christine embarks on an epic voyage to a planet thirty light-years away, with a crew of fifty. Due to near-light-speed travel, time aboard the ship slows dramatically, making the journey a mere few years for the crew. However, an encounter with an interstellar dust cloud damages the ship's deceleration system, sending it accelerating uncontrollably. As the ship approaches the speed of light, the disparity between ship-time and external time becomes immense, catapulting the crew through eons and galaxies into the unknown. /n/n The novel explores the consequences of this cosmic accident, delving into the crew's struggle for survival and their attempts to understand the rapidly changing universe around them. With each passing moment, the crew faces new challenges and discoveries, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and endurance.

Reviews
Words and Peace · 2024-10-17
critical 2.50

The reviewer finds the premise interesting but criticizes the excessive technical and scientific details, which they find boring. They also note that the novel is not for everyone, especially those who prefer more character-driven stories.

This review starts with a positive note about the novel's interesting premise but quickly turns critical of the excessive technical and scientific details. The reviewer finds these details boring and feels they detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. They also note that the novel is not for everyone, especially those who prefer more character-driven stories. The reviewer appreciates the novel's exploration of the implications of near-light-speed travel but feels that the technical details could have been better integrated into the story. They also note that the novel's pacing is uneven, with some parts dragging on too long.

Quick quotes

    I thought the premise was interesting, but there were too many technical and scientific details for me, which made the whole rather boring and ...

    The novel is not for everyone, especially those who prefer more character-driven stories.

    The novel's pacing is uneven, with some parts dragging on too long.

Science Fiction Ruminations · 2016-09-24
inspiring 4.50

The novel is praised for its hard science fiction elements and its inspiring influence on the genre. It is recommended for fans of hard SF or those interested in the cornerstones of the genre.

This review highlights the novel's significance in the hard science fiction genre, noting its inspiring influence and technical depth. The reviewer appreciates the novel's exploration of complex scientific concepts and its impact on the genre. They recommend it to readers who enjoy hard SF or are interested in the foundational works of the genre. The reviewer also notes that the novel's technical details are well-integrated into the story, making it a compelling read for those interested in the possibilities of space travel and the implications of near-light-speed travel.

Quick quotes

    It is easy to see why Anderson's novel inspired ...

    Recommended for fans of hard SF or those interested in reading the cornerstones of the genre.

    The novel is a classic of hard science fiction, and well worth reading for its exploration of the strange and nearly unfathomable implications ...

The Science Fiction Review · 2008-07-29
thought-provoking 4.00

The novel is noted for its exploration of how different crew members handle their fate, with some constantly searching for solutions. The reviewer appreciates the depth of character development and the philosophical questions raised by the story.

This review delves into the novel's exploration of how the crew members cope with their dire situation. The reviewer appreciates the depth of character development and the philosophical questions raised by the story. They note that the novel is not just about the technical aspects of space travel but also about the human response to extreme circumstances. The reviewer finds the novel thought-provoking and well-crafted, with a good balance of scientific detail and character development. They also highlight the novel's ability to raise profound questions about the nature of reality and the human condition.

Quick quotes

    Much of the novel is about how the different crew members handle their fate.

    Some keep searching constantly for a possible solution, while others succumb to despair.

    The novel raises profound questions about the nature of reality and the human condition.

Appears in Lists