Neutron Star

More about the book

The collection of stories "Neutron Star" by Larry Niven is set in the "Known Space" universe and is directly or indirectly connected to the theme of a galactic core explosion, which drives a race of galactic traders known as the Puppeteers to abandon the Known Space in search of a safer habitat. Some stories take place just before the Puppeteers' exodus, while others occur shortly after. The main character in several stories is former pilot Beowulf Shaeffer, while other protagonists often include nameless aliens. In the tale about the fate of the contents of a stasis container from a long-extinct civilization of telepathic Slavers, readers are introduced to the character of the mad Puppeteer Nessus, whose lack of cowardice is considered a sign of madness in his race. Nessus also appears as a key character in the famous novel "Ringworld."