THE STEPS OF THE SUN

by Walter Tevis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 11, 1983

Uneven but warmly involving ""soft"" sf--from the author of The Man Who Fell to Earth and the recent, non-sf The Queen's Gambit. 21st-century Earth, even with a declining population, is desperately short of energy, as most natural resources have been used up: ""Safe"" uranium is a theoretical possibility, but none exists on Earth. So middle-aged tycoon Ben Belson, restless and dissatisfied, buys a spaceship and goes prospecting--illegally--for ""safe"" uranium on distant worlds. He discovers planet Belson, a wilderness of obsidian with patches of grass; the latter has roots that go deep into the planet, shrieks when injured, sings when pleased. . . and says it loves Ben Belson! He does discover his uranium, but on another world. And, while the ship goes back to Earth with a cargo of it on board, Ben--now addicted to morphine--remains alone on Belson, reflecting on his messed-up psyche: resentment over unaffectionate parents, guilt over a failed marriage, impotence, etc. Then, after near-fatal ups and downs (deadly rain, miraculous recovery), the ship returns--but Ben now learns that he's been declared an outlaw, his uranium impounded. So he must return to Earth and battle the powers-that-be. . . as things bog down in aimless, ho-hum sexual/political ironies. Still, Tevis' delivery is agreeably fluid and deadpan, and narrator Belson has enough craggy, amiably sardonic appeal to hold the reader's interest. . . nearly all the way.

Pub Date: Nov. 11, 1983

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1983

Categories: FICTION