The Gripping Hand

By: Jerry Pournelle, Larry Niven

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Robert Heinlein called it "possibly the finest science fiction novel I have ever read". The San Francisco Chronicle declared that "as science fiction, The Mote in God's Eye is one of the most important novels ever published". Now Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, award-winning authors of such best sellers as Footfall and The Legacy of Heorot, return us to the Mote, and to the universe of Kevin Renner and Horace Bury, of Rod Blaine and Sally Fowler.

There, 25 years have passed since humanity quarantined the mysterious aliens known as Moties within the confines of their own solar system. They have spent a quarter century analyzing and agonizing over the deadly threat posed by the only aliens mankind has ever encountered - a race divided into distinct biological forms, each serving a different function: Master, Mediator, Engineer, Warrior. Each supremely adapted to its task, yet doomed by millions of years of evolution to an inescapable fate. For the Moties must breed - or die. And now the fragile wall separating them and the galaxy beyond is beginning to crumble.

©1993 Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Not near as good as Moat

Not near as good as Moat - quite boring in fact. And another 5 words

Too little Niven too much Pournelle

First half is decidedly flat. Better once w Moties and good science discussions. Dialogue is repetitive and drags the whole down

Quality Hard Sci Fi

Somehow, I missed The Mote In God's Eye and this sequel when I was young. I liked it a lot, but I didn't love it. The two books are certainly an interesting story ark, but they were missing something that I just can't quite put my finger on. This finally did wrap things up from the first book, and from this one, well enough, but "Outies" by Jennifer Pournelle is not available on. audio that I can find , o I'm going to move on to other titles, other authors, and ther series.

This one wasn't a waste of time, but there are too many others that I'm eager to read/listen to.

Damn Good

This book I found to be better than it’s predecessor in almost every way.

If you liked “The Mote In God’s Eye”, I have not doubt that you will enjoy “The Gripping Hand”…

Now do I let the story be at an end, or proceed to the third book in the series?

A must read/listen for any serious SF fan

Niven and Pournelle’s books are timeless classics and engaging even decades after production. Must read.

Solid, but not revolutionary

I enjoyed both the story and the performance, but neither left me begging for more. 'The Mote in God'd Eye' should definitely be experienced, first. Don't expect any new ideas or entertaining twists. It's solid scifi, but that's all.

Good story, not the greatest delivery

If you could sum up The Gripping Hand in three words, what would they be?

While listening I found it difficult at times to follow who was involved in the plot at what race (human or Motie) that person was. It didn't see like there was much distinction in the narrator's voice when it came to the different characters; It's the same narrator but I liked the narration he did for "The Mote in God's Eye" much better. I'd have to listen to both again to make a good distinction.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not necessarily.

Too much Pournelle

I like Niven's tech ideas. Good stories also need characters and dialogue, which Pournelle provides in excess.

Sure I’m Paranoid, But Am I Paranoid Enough?

This has long been my favorite Niven and Pournelle novel. It launches so seamlessly from the first book that surely the story must have been in the minds of N&P all along. This is where the story of the Moties truly begins. Their predicament is explored fully and the solution seems at once surprising and inevitable.

.Again L.J. Ganser does fine work in telling the story. To my ear he does an especially fine job at portraying the female voices.

Repeatable

I expect to listen again. Niven writes in a way that works when read. Nice listen.