The Golden Age of the Solar Clipper grew from my long time fascination with space opera. From Lois McMaster Bujold to Iain Banks, from David Weber’s Honor-verse, to Piers Anthony’s “Bio of a Space Tyrant” series to Heinlein and Bradbury, and all the rest. I (mis)spent much of my youth lost in the galaxies both far, far away and closer to home.
One of the things that always bugged me about these stories was the larger-than-life hero. Every stinking one of them is some rich, powerful, or otherwise advantaged individual and, almost inevitably, it’s their money, position, or power that either saves them, or dooms them to follow whatever path the story takes. That’s all well and good. The powerful hero — even the “lost prince” Luke Skywalker type — is an enduring archetype. It’s great escapist fun to put yourself into the shoes of the great and powerful, but I’ve always wanted a hero that was more like me. Kinda slow, self-doubting, and, above all, fallible in ways that are closer to “toilet paper stuck to my shoe” than “unable to coordinate galactic take-overs with star-crossed romance.”
So, for once, the hero isn’t the Captain of the ship. He’s not even an officer. He’s a broke, uneducated, orphan from a backwater planet at the edge of no-where. He’s not a “hidden prince” and he wasn’t adopted. He’s just an average Joe trying to make it in the universe when his mother is killed in a mindless accident and he’s suddenly left to his own devices.
Please don’t get too hung up on the physics. I know there’s a lot of “then magic happens” in terms of the Solar Clipper’s technology. Humor me. The story isn’t about the string theory behind the gravity keel or the precise application of blue-green algae in the air scrubbers. It’s about the people who spend months at a time sailing between the stars, not on a warship doing heroic battle with enemies foreign and fearsome, but on a freighter just trying to make a living.
So, think of this as a kind of Billy Budd meets the Vorkosigans and gets a job on one of their ships. I hope you’ll find it an interesting voyage.
Nathan Lowell
February, 2007
Fantastic series. I prefer to read rather than listen, so I’m stuck after Full Share — but I know the rest of the series is coming. Can’t wait!
As so many have said or implied above: it feels like I know the characters, both on the page and in real life.
Great introduction. Not usually my genre but you hooked me on the premise.
Thanks, William.
Some people don’t like that my plots are small and subtle … “nothing ever happens” … “boring” … but many more have enjoyed the slow ride and learning about life in the 24th century.
I like it. My Dad was in the Merchant Marine in WWII and collected a number of books from that era about the exploits of the merchant sailors. This strikes me as in that tradition but set in “interstellar” waters.
You’ve done for that all but forgotten genre what Dave Webber did for Horatio Hornblower and Jack Albury.
I can’t wait for the next installments.
Nate,
I am waiting for double share to come out in print, and while I wait I wanted to mention the way you have crafted your story has resulted in much more of an immersion for me than other styles. I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books, but feel compelled to point out your hero has managed to stray from your stated premise: his consistent ability to understand situations and acquire knowledge (not to mention test well) is probably the greatest “advantage” for which anyone could hope. This advantage has resulted in a close to vertical upward trajectory, which I am presuming continues in the next three books (based solely on their names).
I feel the more crucial aspect of the style you used may not be the humble origins and lack of “advantage,” rather it is your willingness to mirror the wide array and constant diet of less-than-universe-threatening challenges. I am guessing this strikes a chord, reinforces the willing suspension-of-disbelief, helps immersion, and generally makes your stories a better read for readers who aren’t looking for soul-crushing cosmic-scale drama so much as just a really good story with three dimensional characters.
Very Respectfully,
Loren
Thanks, Loren, The trajectory is less vertical than the titles might suggest, but yes, he does move up. It’s not quite so meteoric as the progression might suggest and several people are rather disappointed that there are, in fact, gaps in the story line in order to facilitate those changes.
I did stray by having him become an officer and move up the chain of command. That seemed logical to me at the time. I might go back and find another likely candidate who doesn’t follow that same path and see where that takes me.
Good Day Nathan,
Chief Mate of the Scripps Intuition of Oceanography ship R/V Melville here –
On a voyage across the South Atlantic and eagerly awaiting my ship to arrive in port at Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where I hope to find an internet connection to download the final book Owner’s Share (ship internet is too slow). I have really enjoyed your books (both in e-book and audio podcast format), and though never a huge fan of sci fiction, these books have certainly resonated with this sailor.
Bravo Zula
This is VERY cool.
Thanks for sharing your photo link!
I am not one for sitting or lieing about for long periods of time, but I have not moved(much) in the last few days. I started out looking for a book on my iPad, you know, a series one of however many to get you hooked type of book. I came across the written version of Quarter Share. I was about half way through and thought….”this isn’t very exciting”. When I finished Full Share I blinked and said….”Why am I still reading this some what boring series of books”. For some reason I downloaded the pod casts and knowing that I hate “listening” to books, knew I wouldn’t be able to listen for very long. When I finished listening to Owners Share, I looked around and realized that I haven’t done a darn thing in three days. This has been the most exciting “boring” book I’ve ever read and listened to. Thank you.
Jeff Shepard
Thanks, Jeff.
Glad you enjoyed them!
Mr Lowell, as someone about to retire from the US Navy I find your books to capture the good parts about being at sea as well as being great to read/listen to.
Thanks
Michael
Have you ever considered having a graphic artist illustrate your characters? Enjoyed ‘Quarter Share’ and am finishing ‘Half Share’. Looking forward to ‘Full Share’.
Many people have suggested it, Roger.
So far nobody’s done anything about it.
I like that they’re up to the reader’s imagination. I have a fan in SecondLife who makes avatars based on some of my female characters. It’s interesting to see what she comes up with.
Hey, Nathan:
Be sure to check out the StarShipSofa podcast on Feb. 22 – Tony’s running a new segment from me called “The Cheapskate Review” in which I review free eBooks and audiobooks.
Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series is third on my docket, after “Selections from The Improbable Sherlock Holmes” (to fit with his Holmes kick) and “A Princess of Mars” (because the “John Carter” movie is coming out).
I’ll have good things to say. Hope you like it.
Excellent! Thanks!
You’re very welcome.