Babel-17

by Samuel R Delany

Synopsis: Author of the bestselling Dhalgren and winner of four Nebulas and one Hugo, Samuel R. Delany is one of the most acclaimed writers of speculative fiction.

Babel-17, winner of the Nebula Award for best novel of the year, is a fascinating tale of a famous poet bent on deciphering a secret language that is the key to the enemy’s deadly force, a task that requires she travel with a splendidly improbable crew to the site of the next attack. For the first time, Babel-17 is published as the author intended with the short novel Empire Star, the tale of Comet Jo, a simple-minded teen thrust into a complex galaxy when he’s entrusted to carry a vital message to a distant world. Spellbinding and smart, both novels are testimony to Delany’s vast and singular talent.

1966 WINNER OF THE NEBULA AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL

Published: 1966 | ISBN-13: 978-0375706691

Book’s Wiki Entry

Mini-bio: Samuel Ray Delany, Jr., Chip Delany to his friends, is an American author, professor and literary critic. His work includes fiction, memoir, criticism, and essays on sexuality and society. Wikipedia

A wild space romp starring one of my favorite female protagonists: the sexy genius poet Rydra Wong. This novel about decoding terrorist messages sent from space, populated with a body-modified space crew and suicided space ghosts may seem dark, but the lighthearted interactions between Rydra and her crew bring fun and warmth to this intriguing story about the most complex language to ever exist, and Rydra’s determination to hunt it down (if only to meet its mysterious and dangerous creators). – From Couchtomoon’s 10 Great Books on Science Fiction (2)

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