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Mindbridge

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'Mindbridge' by Joe Haldeman is a science fiction novel that explores the concept of first contact with an alien species. The story follows a unique protagonist facing extraordinary dilemmas while dealing with interstellar travel, planetary exploration, and the ability to form a mindbridge for mind reading. The plot involves encounters with intelligent alien presences and the challenges of communication and understanding between different species.

Characters:

Characters are engaging and nuanced, portraying flaws and conflicts against a backdrop of exploration and existential dilemmas.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is concise and varied, employing different chapter formats that enhance reader engagement and character exploration.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features unique aliens and technologies, blending two concepts around interstellar travel and communication, while addressing unexpected outcomes.

Setting:

The setting is a futuristic landscape focused on space exploration and encounters with alien life forms, shaped by unique societal norms.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast and engaging, though some plot developments might stretch believability.
Jacque Lefavre’s first world was to be the second planet out from Groombridge 1618. It wasn’t an especially promising place; the planets accompanying small stars rarely pan out. They wouldn’t have was...

Notes:

Mindbridge is a science fiction novel by Joe Haldeman that was published in 1977.
The book is just under 200 pages long, making it a quick read.
It features the concept of instant human transmission, though it has flaws that prevent easy travel.
Another idea in the book is a creature that enables instantaneous mind communication, creating both opportunities and problems.
Haldeman's aliens appear fresh and new, with a shifting understanding throughout the story.
The narrative structure includes various formats like first-person diary entries, personnel reports, and instructional videos.
Some readers find the book suffers from a disjointed plot and a hollow ending.
The story explores themes of human life being cheap and at risk for pioneers in space exploration.
Mindbridge combines two concepts that some feel are poorly developed but close to forming a good story.
The book is noted for its engaging character development and quick pacing.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of high fatality rates, ethical questions surrounding life and death, and recruitment of individuals for dangerous missions.

From The Publisher:

A remarkable alien technology could have devastating consequences for humanity in this novel by the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author of The Forever War.

In the far future, the accidental scientific breakthrough known as the Levant-Meyer Translation changes everything. Suddenly people can leap instantaneously across the universe, albeit temporarily, enabling teams of Tamers to explore far-flung worlds and prepare them for possible human habitation.

But one expedition doesn’t make it back alive. Jacque Lefavre achieves his lifelong dream of becoming a Tamer when he joins the Agency for Extraterrestrial Development. On his first exploratory mission to a planet known as Groombridge, Lefavre and his team encounter something truly extraordinary: a small, nonsentient creature that, when joined with another of its kind, creates a telepathic “bridge.” But exploiting this psychic link could bring unanticipated perils, for it is about to bring Lefavre and his team into dangerously close contact with the L’vrai, an ancient, advanced, and hostile race of star travelers—an encounter that could prove to be the first step in humankind’s salvation .

. . or its doom. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Joe Haldeman including rare images from the author’s personal collection.

 
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