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Loading... Catspaw (1988)by Joan D. Vinge
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. I picked this book up before realizing it was book #2 of a series, stopped midway to read "Psion," then finished this last night--at 5am. In this addictive series, Vinge shows deep character growth for Cat. "Catspaw" offers a Cat who is less angry and more focused on carving out a life for himself. But his awareness that the world is willing to grind him under a boot heel is never far from his thoughts. There is more political intrigue in this novel--plots within plots, and Cat has to learn to navigate them to keep himself and others alive. What keeps it compelling, though, is that everything is filtered through Cat's emotional and psychological struggles. Violence is not simply an action piece; it's insight into Cat's social status and his efforts to put his past--and his overwhelming feelings of helplessness--behind him. Even the sexual encounters are not there for the sake of titillation or overwrought romance--they're about power, loneliness, and fear. "Psion" is more of a coming-of-age SF adventure story, with Cat as an anti-hero. "Catspaw" is dominated by political intrigue with elements of cyberpunk. Also, "Catspaw," shows a Cat who has grown emotionally, and is a more sympathetic character. I recommend both, but "Catspaw can be read as a stand-alone book. The events of "Psion" are integrated into "Catspaw" as a rich backstory. These two books have guaranteed that I'll check out every novel Vinge has written--sadly, far too few. This sequel to Psion again sees Cat charting his own course in the face of some very powerful people. Choices are made. People do terrible things, and wonderful things. No one is what they seem. This book contains one very 1980s trip through cyberspace. Overall, great worldbuilding, larger than life characters, and a compelling plot. I'm re-reading some older science fiction lately & couldn't pass this by. Joan D. Vinge is a wonderful, feminist cyberpunk author - also an anthropologist. There are 3 books in this series - Psion (Cat), Catspaw, & Dreamfall (Cat). All worth the read (& frequently found in the Young Adults section of the library). Vinge creates interesting worlds people with interesting people who do interesting things & what more can you want, eh? no reviews | add a review
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The telepathic orphan and future punk Cat is kidnapped, taken to Earth, and forced to protect those he hates most, the taMings, until he discovers that he is not a bodyguard, he is the bait. Reissue. PW. K. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.54Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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Recommended, even if you weren't fond of Psion. ( )