The Descent of Anansi

The Descent of Anansi is a 1982 science fiction novel by American writers Steven Barnes and Larry Niven.

First edition (publ. Tor Books)
Cover art by Howard Chaykin

Plot summary

A space station manufactory attempts to become commercially independent from its government backers by exporting super-strong nanowire that can only be manufactured in free-fall.

Following an attempt to sabotage their first delivery and hijack the cargo, the intrepid crew realizes they can escape the hijackers. Their shuttle Anansi can become a modern-day version of its namesake, an African spider-god, by descending to Earth on a thread.

The physics of tidal forces are explained, and the possibilities of orbital tethers to accelerate payloads into higher orbits (or indeed de-orbit shuttles without retro-rockets) are woven into a hard science fiction thriller.

Reception

Dave Langford reviewed The Descent of Anansi for White Dwarf #54, and called it "Fast-moving, predictable, inoffensive."[1]

Reviews
  • Review by Keith Soltys (1982) in Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review, #10, December 1982[2]
  • Review by Alan Fraser (1984) in Paperback Inferno, Volume 7, Number 6

References
  1. Langford, Dave (June 1984). "Critical Mass". White Dwarf. No. 54. Games Workshop. p. 24.
  2. "Title: The Descent of Anansi".


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