The main plot of Earth is simple and rather unexciting, and it contains long essay-like sections which are almost unadorned speculative science. There are some interesting ideas and some enjoyable scenes, but there isn't enough for me to be able to recommend the book overall. The ending was particularly, and annoyingly, predictable and things get less and less plausible up to the final deus ex machina. Far too long for what it has to offer, Earth isn't nearly as much fun as some of Brin's other novels — my favourite is still Startide Rising.

March 1992

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