The Ragged Astronauts
The Ragged Astronauts
Book Brief
Beta310
Novel • Fiction
Land • Fantasy World
1991
Adult
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
The Ragged Astronauts by Bob Shaw follows a group of people who must flee their dying world, Land, as it is threatened by ecological collapse and overpopulation. They endeavor to migrate to the sky world Overland using hot air balloons, facing numerous challenges along their journey to find a new place to call home.
Adventurous
Fantastical
Mysterious
Challenging
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
510 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Ragged Astronauts by Bob Shaw impresses with its innovative premise and rich world-building, transporting readers to a unique twin-planet system. The engaging narrative and thoughtful exploration of cultural themes are praised, yet some critics note a slow pace and occasional lack of character depth. Overall, it’s a compelling read for fans of imaginative science fiction.
Who Should Read The Ragged Astronauts?
Fans of The Ragged Astronauts by Bob Shaw will likely enjoy intricate world-building and inventive sci-fi concepts. This reader appreciates parallel universe narratives and social dynamics, similar to readers of David Brin’s Startide Rising or Larry Niven’s Ringworld. They enjoy compelling, imaginative adventure with a thoughtful twist.
510 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Ragged Astronauts won the BSFA Award for Best Novel in 1986, showcasing Bob Shaw's inventive storytelling within the science fiction genre.
The novel is part of a unique series that explores the concept of twin planets so close that traveling between them using hot-air balloons becomes a reality.
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The Ragged Astronauts is noted for its imaginative approach to interplanetary travel, which does not rely on advanced technology but on the clever use of natural resources.
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310
Novel • Fiction
Land • Fantasy World
1991
Adult
14-18 years
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