Transfigurations (novel)

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First US edition (publ. Berkley Books)
Cover are by Mike Hinge Transfigurations (novel).jpg
First US edition (publ. Berkley Books)
Cover are by Mike Hinge

Transfigurations is a novel by Michael Bishop published in 1979.

Contents

Plot summary

Transfigurations is a novel in which an anthropologist studies the Asadi, a culturally and technologically undeveloped anthropoid alien race on a world named Boskveld, who communicate through bioluminescence. Egon Chaney, the original anthropologist sent from the Galactic Community ("Glaktik Kom") to Boskveld, disappeared six years before the events of the story took place, but his daughter Elegy Cather has taken over her father's mission, accompanied by a genetically modified baboon/chimpanzee hybrid, Kretzoi, who may be able to communicate directly with the Azadi. Cather and her associates hope to prove that the Asadi have developed sentience, technology and religious ritual [1] [2]

Reception

Greg Costikyan reviewed Transfigurations in Ares Magazine #8 and commented that "Despite its narrative flaws, Transfigurations is exceptionally well written, and Bishop is a writer whose work deserves close attention." [1]

Kirkus Reviews states "Some intriguing speculations about behavior -- but Bishop's usually engaging curiosity blends poorly here with the traditional furniture of outer-space fiction." [3]

Reviews

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References

  1. 1 2 Costikyan, Greg (May 1981). "Books". Ares Magazine . Simulations Publications, Inc. (8): 34.
  2. "Transfigurations" by Michael Bishop: Kirkus Reviews: 29.10.1978: http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/michael-bishop-3/transfigurations/
  3. "TRANSFIGURATIONS by Michael Bishop". Kirkus Reviews. October 29, 1979.