Synopsis
A Ken MacLeod book is like a crowded college coffeehouse: noisy, bustling, a little rowdy, and packed with enough wild ideas and competing ideologies to leave you reeling. Star Fraction, MacLeod's 1995 debut, is no exception. As the first installment in the Fall Revolution sequence (followed by The Stone Canal and The Cassini Division), Star Fraction established this Scottish author's formidable talent for mixing complex politics and cyberpunk action into smart, funny stories.
MacLeod avoids heady political theorizing by always personifying his ideas in believable, often articulately passionate characters. (Or as one character puts it, "In my experience politics is guys with guns ripping me off at roadblocks.") Star Fraction's putative protagonists--a Trotskyite mercenary, a fugitive university researcher, and a fundamentalist-turned-atheist programmer--are on the run after a chance combination of marijuana, experimental memory drugs, and a self-aware firearm threatens to awaken a powerful AI on the nets, much to the dismay of the Men In Black and the orbital-laser-wielding U.S./UN. (As with all MacLeod plots, don't bother asking--it's a long story.)
With its ultrabalkanized UK and convoluted cast of neo-Stalinists, AI-Abolitionists, Christianarchists, femininists, et al., Star Fraction is MacLeod at his best--even at his first. --Paul Hughes
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
A Ken MacLeod book is like a crowded college coffeehouse: noisy, bustling, a little rowdy, and packed with enough wild ideas and competing ideologies to leave you reeling. Star Fraction, MacLeod's 1995 debut, is no exception. As the first installment in the Fall Revolution sequence (followed by The Stone Canal and The Cassini Division), Star Fraction established this Scottish author's formidable talent for mixing complex politics and cyberpunk action into smart, funny stories.
MacLeod avoids heady political theorizing by always personifying his ideas in believable, often articulately passionate characters. (Or as one character puts it, "In my experience politics is guys with guns ripping me off at roadblocks.") Star Fraction's putative protagonists--a Trotskyite mercenary, a fugitive university researcher, and a fundamentalist-turned-atheist programmer--are on the run after a chance combination of marijuana, experimental memory drugs, and a self-aware firearm threatens to awaken a powerful AI on the nets, much to the dismay of the Men In Black and the orbital-laser-wielding U.S./UN. (As with all MacLeod plots, don't bother asking--it's a long story.)
With its ultrabalkanized UK and convoluted cast of neo-Stalinists, AI-Abolitionists, Christianarchists, femininists, et al., Star Fraction is MacLeod at his best--even at his first. --Paul Hughes
About the Author
Ken MacLeod holds a degree in zoology and has worked in the fields of biomechanics and computer programming. His first two novels, The Star Fraction and The Stone Canal, each won the Prometheus Award; The Cassini Division was a finalist for the Nebula Award; and The Sky Road won the British Science Fiction Association Award and is a finalist for the Hugo Award. Dark Light continues the world of his fifth novel, Cosmonaut Keep. Ken MacLeod lives near Edinburgh, Scotland, with his wife and children.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for STAR FRACTION
Seller Image
The Star Fraction: Book One: The Fall Revolution Series
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Seller Inventory # wbs2357076025
Buy Used
US$ 1.62
Shipping:
US$ 6.84
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Star Fraction: Book One: The Fall Revolution Series
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002924380
Buy Used
US$ 2.99
Shipping:
US$ 7.37
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Star Fraction: Book One: The Fall Revolution Series
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780099558811
Buy Used
US$ 4.08
Shipping:
US$ 6.56
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
STAR FRACTION
Seller: MusicMagpie, Stockport, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. 1747256911. 5/14/2025 9:08:31 PM. Seller Inventory # U9780099558811
Buy Used
US$ 4.07
Shipping:
US$ 7.22
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Star Fraction: Book One: The Fall Revolution Series
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780099558811
Buy Used
US$ 4.08
Shipping:
US$ 9.18
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Star Fraction
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP76030437
Buy Used
US$ 5.99
Shipping:
US$ 10.52
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Star Fraction
Seller: Brit Books, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Used; Very Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 4244713
Buy Used
US$ 4.85
Shipping:
US$ 21.04
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Star Fraction
Seller: Zardoz Books, Westbury, WILTS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 3 out of 5 stars
First Edition. Condition: vg++. vg++ trade 1st Legend Books 1996 edition softcover In stock shipped from our UK warehouse. Seller Inventory # 220601
Buy Used
US$ 6.71
Shipping:
US$ 24.93
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Star Fraction
Seller: Zardoz Books, Westbury, WILTS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 3 out of 5 stars
Condition: fine. fine trade Gollancz 1999 S.F. Masterworks edition paperback, In stock shipped from our UK warehouse. Seller Inventory # 200124
Buy Used
US$ 6.71
Shipping:
US$ 24.93
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Star Fraction: Book One: The Fall Revolution Series
Seller: Jenhams Books, Dundee, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. This book is in stock now, in our UK premises. Photos of our books are available on request (dustjacket and cover illustrations vary, and unless the image accompanying the listing is marked 'Bookseller Image', it is an Abebooks Stock Image, NOT our own). BUYERS OUTSIDE UK please also note the following: 1. shipping rates apply to packets of 750g and under, and should the packed weight of an item exceed this we reserve the right to ship via 'Economy', or request extra postage prior to fulfilling the order, or cancel 2. many countries apply import or other taxes - these are the buyers responsibility; we may ask for extra payment to cover any taxes which we have to pay 'up front' on the buyer's behalf. Seller Inventory # mon0000141762
Buy Used
US$ 2.37
Shipping:
US$ 32.89
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available