This story is truly a product of its times, and I suspect Asimov, though most authors would never admit this, was somewhat embarrassed by it. I've not seen why he used a pseudonym for this series, but I could guess. It, like Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Tom Corbett behaves like a serial children's novel. It is part SF, part mystery, and part superhero story. Since the superhero element is so close to the crisis of the story, I won't reveal it, but suffice it to say that it is a gimmick that might work for children (not young adults) but most grown ups will shake their heads and, if they are the indulgent type, smile.David Starr is the kind of clean-cut hero parents of the 1950s wanted to see their kids reading. The closest we get to a female character is a disembodied voice. The story is almost as if men spontaneously generated from the thin Martian dust. On the other hand, Starr is too smart for his adult manipulators. The Council of Science leaders try to manipulate him, but he is on to them and does what they want anyway, confident that he can carry off the program and still maintain secrecy. Likewise, the Council Rep on Mars is uncertain of this young man he has been ordered to trust, and is confused every step of the way, till Starr saves the day. Finally, his origins in a tragic loss of his parents and an extended time in space being bombarded by cosmic rays gives him the feel of a proto-Fantastic Four character, cum messiah. Who is this young man, where did he come from, and how did he become such a prodigy?In the edition I read, Asimov entered a preface not quite apologizing for the outdated Mars science. By now, anyone reading a Mars story written before the 1970s knows they are reading a mythology more than science. In those days, with inadequate instrumentation, scientists were interpreting the planets as best they could using equal parts science and wishful thinking. Nobody expects Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars from a 50s Asimov or an ERB. These storys do not, though they should, serve to humble our trust in science. Scientists thought they were giving answers when all they were really doing was their best under the circumstances. That's all they're still doing.I hate to say it, (goodness knows, I like books too much to be a negative reviewer) but Asimov will probably not last. Certainly David starr will not. Our culture has moved on to a more dynamic and a darker serial protagonist. Kids are not so naive as to think the Space Ranger can come through. However, if they're young enough, they might enjoy it, if they can get through the tech. So, perhaps reading Starr aloud to your elementary kids is about where we can expect this book to find a niche. I might read two more because I bought them, or I might just sell the whole pack to a used book store.
David Starr, Space Ranger was the first of the Lucky Starr books I found in my Dad's collection -- I had already eaten through all the Robot/Foundation novels from Asimov by this stage, and the Lens Men by E.E.Doc Smith -- and I just kept looking through all the old battered books. My Dad's editions are actually the editions in which Asimov went under a pseudonym, though I later went out and bought other editions from second hand bookshops to add to my own collection. I adored David Starr, I adored how perfect he was. Maybe today we would call David Starr a Gary Stu or a Marty Stu, because he truly fits that mold but you know what, I didn't care and I still don't care! In fact, I wish books were still written with these types of character archetypes. Why? Because it's entertainment, it is fantastical, it is escapism and it is fun. What Asimov created in David Starr, Space Ranger was a character and a story that was simple, straight forward, fast and exciting. I envision this story rather like a movie, because if you have the right type of imagination, Asimov's beautiful writing style in its un-descriptive manner, will allow your mind to fill-in-the-blanks. I truly wish I could find more science fiction like this today. That isn't afraid to have larger than life characters who will never be real. Because I believe it is okay to have unrealistic characters every now and then, that allow us to transport ourselves away from reality, and dream of Space Rangers. So if you are looking for a space adventure, a plot that is simple, but an enjoyable read because seriously, anything Asimov is enjoyable, then I really would pick up David Starr, Space Ranger -- because everyone needs a Space Ranger in their imagination.
Do You like book David Starr, Space Ranger (1987)?
La primera entrega de David Starr es una novela rápida para leer y muy entretenida. La trama es una mezcla de ciencia ficción y misterio, con los elementos de las novelas de detectives. La única crítica es que los marcianos no tuvieron mucha importancia más que entregarle a Starr la máscara que luego sirvió para hacerse pasar por un extraño alienígena. Pero, además de eso, la historia fue de buen disfrute.
—Steven
Tras mi reciente mudanza he sacado del trastero todos mis libros infantiles y juveniles (Hollister, tres investigadores, Elige tu propia aventura...), y descubrí dque de las novelas de Lucky Starr me faltaban dos, que procedí a encargar de urgencia y leer ávidamente. En esta primera novela de la serie el querido maestro Asimov nos presenta al Héroe, listo, guapo, atlético y en general un machomán ario de pura cepa. Están sucediéndose los envenenamientos en la Tierra y toda la comida repsponsable viene de Marte, así que allá se va Lucky a investigar. Las descripciones de la "naturaleza" son lo mejor del libro, pues Asimov aprovecha y habla de la atmósfera, la orbitografía y el clima marcianos (el libro es de 1952, hay cosas que no clava). Para un niño es una introducción ssoberbia a la ciencia planetaria. Como novela no vale nada, contiene uno de los Deus ex machina más grandes que recuerdo y en general no existe armazón ni personajes interesantes. Pero fueron libros como estos los que me impulsaron a ser científico, así que no puedo más que darles mi máxima nota.
—Remo
It was fun to see how Asimov predicted the future would be like way back when he wrote this (eg. there are force fields but people still use film for video), and overall the plot was pretty decent. At points the book felt a little... naive, in the same way that the old James Bond films aren't as gritty/realistic as the new ones, however there is charm in this, just like there is charm in the old Bond films. There are a few points that detracted from the realism of the story a bit, like when David Starr, the best graduate to ever be selected for the Council of Science, is meant to be undercover and reveals what he is meant to be investigating to a potential suspect early on (to try and get a reaction out of him).Looking forward to reading more Asimov.
—Andrew
