Tales of Known Space by Larry Niven
"Tales of Known Space" is a collection of science fiction stories by Larry Niven that explores a coherent future history within the broader Known Space universe. This anthology delves into humanity's expansion into space, interactions with various alien species, and the societal changes that arise from these developments. The narratives are set across distinct periods, starting with human exploration of the solar system, where challenges on planets like Pluto and Venus are depicted, along with the mystery of a reclusive Martian race.
As the stories progress, themes such as societal pressures stemming from technological advancements, particularly in organ transplantation, emerge. Significant encounters with the Kzinti, a warlike alien race, highlight the complexities of first contact and the resilience of humanity, even in a pacifist context. The collection also features tales emphasizing unique sci-fi concepts like the preservation of life through freezing and the strategic thinking of humans against aggressive foes. Overall, "Tales of Known Space" presents a rich tapestry of narratives that reflect both the potential and challenges of future human endeavors in a universe filled with diverse life forms and ancient artifacts.
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Tales of Known Space
First published: 1975
Type of work: Stories
Type of plot: Science fiction—future history
Time of work: 1975-3100
Locale: Various locations in space
The Plot
The stories in Tales of Known Space: The Universe of Larry Niven are part of Larry Niven’s Known Space chronology, which includes a number of novels and other collected works. The Known Space stories and novels tell a relatively coherent future history in which humans expand their civilization into space, go to war with the Kzinti, and eventually take part in an informal bartering economy with several species. The galaxy is littered with artifacts from earlier species, including weapons, plants, and animals from the Slaver empire and large artifacts from a species known as the Pak Protectors.
This collection includes stories from several distinct periods in this future history. The first stories involve human exploration of the solar system. Some are tales of difficult conditions on Pluto and Venus, and others hint at a reclusive race of Martians. A second set tells of social pressures related to crowding and new technology, particularly the improved ability to transplant organs. A third set focuses on human encounters with alien species, including the first contact with the warlike Kzinti. The final story tells of a distant future when humans have discovered a “lucky” gene and have perfected technology to keep them safe even in difficult circumstances.
In “Wait It Out,” the first explorer on Pluto removes his spacesuit so that he will freeze and thus be preserved for rescue by a later mission. He ends up semiconscious because his body serves as a semiconductor. “How Heroes Die” tells of two men in a lethal chase across the surface of Mars.
“The Jigsaw Man” is set in a period when organ transplant technology has given humans radically longer life spans and democratic governments have expanded the range of crimes punishable by death, so that the organs of “criminals” can be transplanted into others. “Cloak of Anarchy” tells of the violence and social disorder that erupt in King’s Free Park in San Diego when the floating “copseye” police robots are disabled.
“The Warriors” tells of the first contact between humans, who have abandoned war and weaponry, with the aggressive, warlike Kzinti. At first, it appears that the humans will be easy prey for their carnivorous rivals, but the humans manage to use the equipment of their ship to destroy the Kzinti vessel, implying that years of pacifism did not eliminate the ability to think strategically. In “The Borderland of Sol Carlos,” Wu and Beowulf Shaeffer investigate the disappearance of ships leaving Earth’s solar system and discover a madman with a singularity. “There Is a Tide” tells of a first encounter between Louis Wu (the protagonist of Niven’s Ringworld novels) and an alien, both of whom desire an object that they believe contains valuable artifacts. When the waters on a moonless world begin to move like a tide, Wu is able to deduce that what seemed to be an artifact must be a piece of a neutron star.