Steel Beach

John Varley

Aug 1993 · Eight Worlds Book 2 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

A science fiction epic from "the best writer in America" (Tom Clancy)—Hugo and Nebula award-winning author John Varley.  

Fleeing Earth after an alien invasion, the human race stands on the threshold of evolution. Their new home is Luna, a moon colony blessed with creature comforts, prolonged lifespans, digital memories, and instant sex changes.

But the people of Luna are bored, restless, suicidal—and so is the computer that monitors their existence...

Ratings and reviews

A long but good read. The early parts of the book do seem to run in place at times, not picking up until late in the 2nd section when the Vonnegut-esque philosophical entreaties begin to mix in. The action in the late stages is as sudden in its beginning (forcing me to backtrack several pages to see if i missed anything) and just as suddenly halts.

Probably one of the top 100 SF books of the 20th century. Possibly top 10. Not everything Varley wrote was monumental, but this was.

I've read this so often that I've worn through two copies of it. Seriously great read.

About the author

John Varley is the author of Slow Apocalypse, the Gaean Trilogy (Titan, Wizard, and Demon), Steel Beach, The Golden Globe, Red Thunder, Mammoth, Red Lightning, and Rolling Thunder. He has won both the Nebula and Hugo awards for his work.