← Back to discovery

The Witling

Vernor Vinge

1976143 pagesabout 2–3 hours
1976
first published
  • 1976Penguin Publishing Group · ENGISBN 9780879972158
  • 1976Dobson · 173 pages · ENGISBN 9780234720127
  • 1978Hamlyn · 143 pages · ENGISBN 9780600394020
  • 1990Pan Books · 224 pages · ENGISBN 9780330307093
  • 1987Baen Books · 220 pages · ENGISBN 9780671656348
  • 1986St Martins Pr · ENGISBN 9780312944537
  • 2006Tor Books · 224 pagesISBN 9781429924894
  • 2006Tor Books · 224 pages · ENGISBN 9780765308863

This second novel by multiple award-winner Vernor Vinge, from 1976, is a fast-paced adventure where galactic policies collide and different cultures clash as two scientists and their faith in technology are pitted against an elusive race of telekinetic beings. Marooned on a distant world and slowly dying of food poisoning, two anthropologists are caught between warring alien factions engaged in a battle that will affect the future of the world's inhabitants and their deadly telekinetic powers. If the anthropologists can't help resolve the conflict between the feuding alien factions, no one will survive.

When and where

ThemesScience
How do you feel?