Vernor Vinge, The Witling

The Witling

Vernor Vinge

Tor, Dec 2006, $13.95

ISBN: 076530886X

The male archeologist Bjault and the female space pilot Yoninne Leg-Wot disagree on how to go about their assignment to explore the planet Giri. She insists they know enough having "spied" from space on the feudal society below; but he says they only picked up information about women and children as the men are minors. Still with their incredibly superior technology, they land on the planet with a human superiority complex.

Prince Imperial Pelio wants to be recognized as the heir to his father's throne, but he is a Witling so even his sire Lord Prefect of Bodgaru knows his offspring is unworthy as his son cannot mentally transport himself or objects at the speed of light like most people can. However, though dreaming of becoming the Lord Prefect, Prince Pelio had no hope of succession as any attempt would not just fail, but also expose him as a Witling and turn him into a slave; that is he had no expectation until the two outsiders landed. They are Witlings like him, but they contain knowledge and technology far advanced than those on his planet. If he can exploit their knowledge, he can become the Lord Prefect even as a lowly Witling.

This is a reprint of a superb look at how necessity is the mother of invention as Bodgaru society uses mental telepathy that limits the need for technological advancement especially in transportation for many people. However, those lacking the skill are considered handicapped and treated as slaves way beneath those with the talent. The two pompous outsiders land at a time when the have-nots want to break the yoke of slavery while the haves prefer the status quo. Fast-paced and insightful, readers will appreciate this delightful, insightful tale of a technological backwater world that for most people does not need wheeled-vehicles.

Harriet Klausner