Rite of Passage (original 1968; edition 1968)

If memory serves I first read this as it was in my Eng lit class at high school. Not a half bad story. Not this edition, cannot in fact recall the edition I read. ( )

This is a wonderfully presented story of a young girl coming of age -- but out in space, not here and now, so there are unique situations of character growth, of joy and tragedy that the author handles well. ( )

This is an impressive science fiction novel from 1968. I had read praise about this novel many years ago, but only happened upon a paperback of the original "Ace Special" fairly recently. This is a different sort of coming of age story, especially considering when it was written. I found the narrative remarkably undated - rather simple prose without a plethora of jargon and expressions and attitudes that clearly date so many novels. This does read much like a young adult novel, but it approaches and addresses ethics issues that cross ages. To simplify, seemingly good people can do great evil in the name of good. As relevant today as it was in 1968.

The story begins with a young girl, Mia, living in a colony spaceship, a generation ship, one of a number that fled the destruction of earth in about our time and we find them something like 200 years after the event. The girl is about 12 when we begin, and the story is seen, told and unfolds from her perspective until about age 14. This is why the story appears to be written in a relatively simple way, because we experience life, adventures and events from her view. There is a sort of sweetness to much of this story. The story "grows up" as does our young girl, but the events in the story appear to be told from a time a few years after it all.

All children when they reach the age of 14 must go through the "Trial". It is a rite of passage for the people of the ship. They must survive on a relatively primitive planet for a month in order to earn the right to be an adult on the colony ship. It is a means of population control and natural selection, among other things - in a way part of this is also akin to a "Hunger Games".

I am really glad I read this. Comparisons to some of Robert Heinlein's better "juvenile" novels would be appropriate. The book is a little slow moving until the last third or so. However I was unhappy with the end. If there was a lesson to be learned at the end it was not clear to me, although it does reinforce the good society doing evil things message. For me, the endgame should have been better here. Not quite a four star book. ( )

Nebula-winning coming-of-age novel where a young woman has the central role. Detailed and convincing presentation of the world in which it exists, compelling characterization and a deeply sympathetic central character, and an elegant style. ( )