Ship of Fools
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • i adore this book
  • "Ship of Fools on a Cruel Sea"
  • The Original is Much Better
  • Maybe it's just me...
  • Porter at sea
Ship of Fools
Katherine Ann Porter
Manufacturer: Back Bay Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316713902

Book Description

The story takes place in the summer of 1931, on board a cruise ship bound for Bremerhaven, Germany. The passenger list is long and portentous, and includes a Spanish noblewoman, a drunken German lawyer, an American divorcee, a pair of Mexican Catholic priests, and a host of others. This ship of fools is a crucible of intense experience, out of which everyone emerges forever changed. Rich in incident, passion, and treachery, the novel explores themes of nationalism, cultural and ethnic pride, and basic human frailty that are as relevant now as they were when the novel first appeared in 1962.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars i adore this book.......2006-03-04

'Ship of Fools' is the kind of novel that makes the whole thing seem easy. It's the kind of novel that makes you wonder how and why so many people have gotten it wrong. Enough with plot buildup, plot developement, plot twists! Katherine Anne Porter knows the truth about plots and it's this: you don't really need them. All you need are a handful of meticulously human characters interacting with each other. Each character seems molded by hand, and each is relatable, lovable, and hatable in their own way, much like the people in our own lives. I really cannot say enough how much I love this book. When you're done with it, check out KAP's short story collection 'Pale Horse, Pale Rider.' She is truly one of our great twentieth century writers, and should be taught in school right next to Hemingway and Fitzgerald, or preferably on top of them.

5 out of 5 stars "Ship of Fools on a Cruel Sea".......2005-08-17

I got into SHIP OF FOOLS back in the day when I was a Deadhead and followed the band around from stadium to stadium. "Ship of Fools" as many know is one of their loveliest ballads and would never fail but put me in a trance. At one bookstore in the Bay Area I spotted lyricist Robert Hunter and I gathered together all my courage to approach him and to tell him how much his lyrics had meant to me and my kind. Somewhat to my surprise he asked me to name one of his songs that I loved. "Ship of Fools," I said. In the years since I have sometimes wondered why I didn't ask about "Row Jimmy" since that is even more puzzling. But anyway Hunter couldn't have been more receptive and even charming. I asked him where he found the inspiration to write "Ship of Fools" and he mentioned the Renaissance or medieval tradition of the ship of fools journeying out into the main without a solid plan and how it's a metaphor for the religious voyage of life. He mentioned other works based on this legend including Lewis Carroll's "The Hunting of the Snark" and finally, Katherine Anne Porter's novel SHIP OF FOOLS, which he said he had read in the 1960s, close to when it came out originally.

SHIP OF FOOLS tells the story of a group of German nationals on a boat from Bremen to the USA, and it is apparently based on a real life voyage. Jews by the boatload were attempting to escape from an atrocious abd repressive regime, and what they did not realize is that the shipboard lifestyle was a microcosm for the pains of the rest of the world. We meet dozens of characters, some more skillfully developed than others, including a young American couple through whose eyes we get to see the whole tragedy unfolding.

There is a tragic romance between a middle-aged countess and the ship's doctor, and a sense of foreboding about the whole voyage. The champagne and the crepe paper and the sparklers are out over the dark Atlantic, but we sense the lights going out all over the world.

Porter worked over thirty years writing this, her only novel, and when it came out it was a commercial success and a Book of the Month Club selection, though in general the critics were disappointed that it did not hit the heights of the short stories that had made her name starting in the 1920s. Some have criticized this book as too slow and too portentous. To me it hits the right note over and over again. There is a movie version of this novel, directed by earnest, plodding Stanley Kramer, but I think if I saw it, it could not begin to compare to my experience of either the novel nor the song. "Now I cannot share thy laughter, ship of fools."

2 out of 5 stars The Original is Much Better.......2005-01-27

Does not surpass the original work published in the 1500's. There are better books. Read them first. This book lets the ship reach its destination and the fools get off. The book does not establish any personal attachment for any character to the reader; some catalogue of foolish behavior and temperment, but not as exhaustive nor as poetic as Original. At end of book, as a reader you feel like you were one of the fools along for the voyage for reading the book. Nice period piece that illustrates some of racial and ethnic prejudice at the time and forewarnings of the future.

2 out of 5 stars Maybe it's just me..........2004-11-02

...but I abandoned ship halfway through. After enjoying the movie, and reading the great praise for author Porter, I assumed I'd enjoy diving into this good, long read. What I discovered was a rambling and excrutiating book...droning characterization page after page until I could no longer concentrate on the essentially non-existent plot.

I assume this is strictly for fans of Porter, who was a master at short story telling. She should have stuck to it. Anyone expecting a "Grand Hotel" or Maugham like saga will be sorely disappointed.

2 out of 5 stars Porter at sea.......2003-09-26

I'm a pretty untiring reader, as long as I have faith I'm in competent hands, but I gave this book up at page 160, which was enough of an investment to convince me that Porter was lost, lost, lost. I'm an admirer of her short stories, but all she's done in this larger form is expand the cast of characters, forgetting to give them anything to do. The characters are really only cartoons, which Porter seems aware of, since she doggedly gives us paragraphs and pages of analysis for most of them. But in a novel, characters define themselves by what they do, not by what they think about themselves, or what their creator thinks of them. The sheer number of them just hanging around listlessly becomes so unwieldly for Porter that you feel sorry for her -- you can almost hear her thinking, "Wait, what about So-and-so, we haven't seen him come out of him cabin lately, maybe I'll have him get drunk and make a scene."
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship: A Russian Tale
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Moral: Riches make one clever
  • could be even better
  • My Favorite Picture Book
  • Humorous Tale of Magic and Faith with Great Illustrations
  • A lad finds people with unusual traits and a flying ship.
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship: A Russian Tale
Arthur Ransome
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0374424381

Book Description

When the Czar proclaims that he will marry his daughter to the man who brings him a flying ship, the Fool of the World sets out to try his luck and meets some unusual companions on the way.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Moral: Riches make one clever.......2004-05-18

The story of the fool and his remarkable flying ship is a classic through and through. The classic tale of how a single man is able, with the help of his clever friends, to fulfill every task the local ruler (in this case, the Czar) sets before him is both a pleasure to read and a joy to reread. In the case of the 1968 edition of this story, illustrated by Uri Shulevitz, I can't say that this is the definitive version of the tale to read to your kids. It's enjoyable, yes. It has a nice text and it flows rather well. Unfortunately, the illustrations are a bit lax and while the book is a good read, it doesn't endear itself as much as it might to the average child reader.

In this book, there was once a boy who was a fool who had two elder brothers who were intelligent. The Czar commands that whosoever brings before him a flying ship shall marry his daughter. Intrigued, the elder brothers take off to do the deed and are never heard from again. The fool also goes off and in his travels he meets a wise old man. After sharing his repast, the old man gives the lad some strict instructions that sound ridiculous but ultimately lead to a beautiful flying ship. Once the lad takes off he gathers with him every man he sees on the road, no matter how bizarre. After landing in the Czar's backyard, the peasants on the ship do not sufficiently impress the lofty ruler. He then proceeds to set a series of incredibly difficult tasks for the fool, but in the end the magic men and the boy overcome every last one. Finally, the fool marries the princess and (as a result of his riches) is now handsome, clever, and impresses everyone he meets. The end.

Completely disregarding an ending where not only do the clothes make the man but wealth as well, the book is a good one. Randsome has a nice grasp on the best ways in which to tell this tale, and the escalating silliness is impressive. I don't wish to put down the art that illustrator Uri Shulevitz worked so hard to produce for the book, but let's face facts. This is fairly bland stuff. Drawn with rather sketchy pencils and lines, the book is adequate but by no means overwhelming. The fool appears as an apple-cheeked young rapscallion but you don't really feel anything for him. Undoubtedly there are those that have loved these pictures since their youth and will be deaf to any criticisms I might offer. In such cases as those I'll merely say that should you wish to purchase this story, I recommend you sample other versions as well until you find just the right one. I doubt you'd be disappointed by a little comparison shopping. Though a fine creation and a loving book, it could do with a little pepping up in the art department.

4 out of 5 stars could be even better.......2003-06-17

The story is great, if a little predictable. The young fool sets off to find a flying ship and thereby win the princess. A magical old man helps him find the ship, then the fool picks up a bunch of people on the way to the czar's palace, all of whom have these weird special talents. Once at the palace, the czar doesn't want to hand over his daughter and sets before the fool a number of tasks, which amusingly, but somewhat predictably line up with the special skills of each of the people he picked up along the way.

The illustrations leave a lot to be desired. Although they are fun, detailed and colorful, they miss many chances to illustrate the story more dramatically. This is surprising given that the illustrator claims in his bio to be a filmmaker in addition to a children's book author. His illustrations need some close-ups and more interesting angles!

Still, I would recommend this book, it is a wonderful example of a Russian folk tale. In the hands of another author and illustrator, it could be even better!

5 out of 5 stars My Favorite Picture Book.......2001-06-29

The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship by Arthur Ransome with illustrations by Uri Shulevitz is easily my favorite picture book. Everything is perfect about the book. First of all the pictures are marvelous. All of Shulevitz's books have good pictures, but this might be his best. The pictures jump off the page with their color and with the humor portrayed in them. The story is, of course, the best part of the book. The story is hilarious with marvelously interesting characters. It also has some good morals like "God loves simple folk." I work in a library, and adults and kids all love this book. I have also seen the book performed for children, and it proved to be excellent for reading aloud. The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship is an amazing picture book and deseves is Caldecott Medal and its classic status.

5 out of 5 stars Humorous Tale of Magic and Faith with Great Illustrations.......2001-05-16

The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship won the Caldecott Medal in 1969 as the best illustrated American children's book in that year. The illustrations feature bright colors, subtle shadings, and stylistically interesting pen highlights to suggest outlines and details. The illustrations take you enjoyably into a magical world for a fascinating journey, and greatly add to the pleasure of this traditional Russian tale. The story is build around the theme of: "You see how God loves simple folk."

A family has three sons, two who are clever and one who is foolish. "He was as simple as a child, simpler than some children, and he never did anyone a harm in his life." The parents were proud of their clever sons and disappointed in their foolish one. When the news comes that the Czar wants a flying ship, the parents support the efforts of the two clever sons. They set off and are never heard from again. When the foolish son sets off, he gets the the minimum of support and encouragement.

He soon runs into "an ancient old man with a bent back, and a long beard, and eyes hidden under his bushy eyebrows." The foolish son offers to share his meager food, apologizing to the ancient man. But when he opens his bag, marvelous food appears instead. The ancient man has magical powers and teaches the foolish son how to make a flying ship for the Czar. The ancient man also advises the foolish son to take along everyone he meets on his trip to the Czar's palace to deliver the flying ship.

Along the way, the foolish son meets a most unusual set of people with great individualized talents. As you read the book, you will be wondering what their significance could possibly be. They turn out to be a sort of 19th century X-Men.

The promised reward for bringing the flying ship had been the hand of the Czar's daughter in marriage and a rich dowry. When the foolish son arrives, the Czar's men report that those in the ship are only a bunch of uncouth peasants. As a result, the Czar doesn't want to make good on his promise, so he sets up extreme challenges (not unlike the Wizard of Oz). Using the remarkable talents of his passengers, all of the tests are met by the foolish son.

The foolish son is married to the Czar's daughter, and they live happily ever after. The foolish son then "became so clever that all the court repeated everything he said."

As you can see, the story is also a satire on the people who think they are clever or know how to identify cleverness. They often outsmart themselves. The Czar wanted a flying ship, but would have been much better off making good use of the talents of the peasants who were already part of his kingdom. Also, we are never told what use he made of the flying ship. It appears that he gave his daughter away for a whim. The winning man might as easily have been a terrible person. The courtiers also thought that anyone who was powerful was clever. I laughed aloud several times while reading the story.

Unlike most children's stories for this age group (4-8), this book has a richness of plot, character development, and humor that makes it more like a novel.

After you have finished enjoying the story with your child, I suggest that the two of you have some fun talking about places where "clever" people act foolishly and vice versa. You can help your child see the bright side of much of the nonsense that goes on around us.

Be foolish in providing and seeking out help, and a great bounty of friendship will be yours!

3 out of 5 stars A lad finds people with unusual traits and a flying ship........1999-05-15

This children's book is a retelling of an old Russian tale by Arthur Ransome, who had first published the story way back in 1916. It is about an honest and innocent young boy who tries to find a flying ship and, in so doing, encounters several men with unique abilities. At the end of the story, the boy wins the hand of the Czar's daughter and the boy is no longer regarded as a fool. I am certain that I shall be in the minority in my opinion because I see a slightly darker side to the old folktale. I think that the young lad is more foolish than the original author intended. He had discovered flight yet failed to use it to help others or to advance his kingdom. He found people with magical and unusual powers but fails to use them to help others or to better the Kingdom after the original "mission" had been completed. The book was illustrated by Uri Shulevitz and it won the 1969 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a book for children.
Rabbit Ears Treasury of World Tales: Volume 2: The White Cat, Fool and the Flying Ship (Rabbit Ears)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Rabbit Ears Treasury of World Tales: Volume 2: The White Cat, Fool and the Flying Ship (Rabbit Ears)
    Rabbit Ears
    Manufacturer: Listening Library (Audio)
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: 0739350617
    Release Date: 2007-05-08

    Book Description

    Rabbit Ears Treasury of World Tales Volume 2entertains and enlightens with these classic stories read by your favorite stars and featuring original music by some of today's greatest artists.

    The White Cat
    Read by Emma Thompson
    Original Music by Joe Jackson

    The king makes increasingly difficult demands of his three sons, who must travel the kingdom in search of his requests. The youngest prince soon befriends an enchanted cat-queen who helps him to meet all of his challenges. Their friendship turns to love as the prince releases her from an evil spell and discovers that she is in fact a beautiful princess.


    The Fool and the Flying Ship
    Read by Robin Williams
    Original Music by The Klezmer Conservatory Band

    A proclamation was sent through the lands of long-ago Russia that anyone who could build a flying ship would win the hand of the Tsar's daughter. but when a country bumpkin and his oddball friends show up to claim her, the dumbfound Tsar quickly has second thoughts. This hilarious Russian folktale is a delightful treat.
    Ship of Fools
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • A deep appreciation of the human form
    • Better than Noe's other selections
    • Full color sci-fi adult comic
    • Extremely adult art
    • ship of fools by no means a stupid read
    Ship of Fools
    Ignacio Noe
    Manufacturer: Eurotica
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 1561632309

    Book Description

    A few engineers, men and women, bored on a spaceship filled with sex offenders put to deep sleep. Until one devises a way of occasionally waking up good-looking pervs for a quickie then putting Œem back to beddie-by. Once the technique gets around, though, things get slightly out of hand!

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars A deep appreciation of the human form .......2005-10-12

    Whether or not you appreciate themes of rape, demon sex, and political coups, it is hard not to appreciate Noe's beautifully rendered human figures. This artist shows his (gender?) deep love and fascination for all parts of the human body not just the naughty bits. The characters have beautiful curves, glorified but not unrealistic muscular form. The male genitalia in particular are lovingly crafted, with extreme detail. The story itself is quite amusing with a political facade thrown in to justify the ravaging and ultimate salvation of our heorine. Of course, I didn't buy this bit of literature for the literary content.

    4 out of 5 stars Better than Noe's other selections.......2005-04-13

    Decent storyline and thread. Artwork is sketch with watercolor, so expect softer lines and details than Kevin J. Taylor's work. Personally I liked this title better than Doctor I'm Too Big, which had a pretty blah story, and too few panels per scene (important for any graphic novel to provide continuity and flow.) This title "Ship of Fools" does have single cels of the aforementioned bestiality and bondage, but I'd consider them NC-17 rather than X (similar to the difference between a Hollywood murder on film, versus a snuff film) - there are paperback reading books far more graphic in those areas than this title. Contrary to other reviews, I considered the action scenes depicted in Noe's titles to be much tamer than Taylor or Belore illustrates, but that may be due to the limited number of continuity frames per scene.

    4 out of 5 stars Full color sci-fi adult comic.......2002-12-16

    Ship of Fools is a worthy addition to a collection of erotic comics. It contains much hard-core sex and is in full color. The sex scenes are very hot. Be forewarned that there is also some *extremely* graphic violence. I liked the story and I wondered where it might go after the end. I'd like to see how the main character's life develops from that point. Maybe there could be a sequel. The figure drawings are almost realistic in proportion, but not quite. The artist tends to draw blocky-looking jaws that lack normal chins. If he had tapered the jaw lines more, the drawings would look better and more realistic. However, this is a minor problem--the art works anyway. It was entertaining. I'm sure I'll go back and look at it again from time to time.

    4 out of 5 stars Extremely adult art.......2001-04-25

    An gorgeous but uptight captain is transporting a cargo of criminally insane prisoners to intergalactic jail when suddenly things go very wrong. Her sex crazed crew members let a couple of harmless nymphos loose for a little fun. But when the nymphos let the real psychos go free, the crew is hacked apart.

    Armed with only her stun gun and the inmates psyche profiles, the captain is forced to become their fantasies in order to lull them into a sense of security until she can stun them into submission.

    This comic book is painted rather than drawn and better quality than many other books of this nature. The story line is basically a vehicle to move from depraved scene to depraved scene and is obviously translated.

    The content is even more obscene than Kevin Taylor's Girl. There are scenes of torture, rape and violence throughout the book. This book is not for the faint hearted. However, if you are turned on by extreme pornography, I have not found another artist who delivers more hard core images.

    3 out of 5 stars ship of fools by no means a stupid read.......2000-03-31

    ...ship of fools is a slightly humorous erotic tale which lets you watch the odd journey of a crew of space travelers/delivery men, who happen to be transporting the mentaly ill to a remote destination for treatment. ...you meet the crew, and then the crew meets the cargo. ...and the carnal lunacy that ensues makes ship of fools a very interesting and raunchy read. the artwork is superb, and there were a few sound effects used in this book which took awhile to get.. but added to the crazy atmosphere of the book. not for the feint of heart..this book contains graphic sexual imagery as well as violence and bad language. ..i'd say not for anyone under 18. but if you like quick little erotic tales with a sexy funny theme..then definately check this book out.
    The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship

      Manufacturer: Philomel Books
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: B000HEUX24
      Ship of Fools
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • A Fascinating and interesting read.
      • Un-Resolved, Frustrating, Very much worth reading
      • Enthralling, suspenseful, and rewarding....
      • A haunting, subtle tale - perhaps too much so for space-action fans
      • Intense!
      Ship of Fools
      Richard Paul Russo
      Manufacturer: Ace Trade
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 0441007988
      Release Date: 2001-01-09

      Book Description

      No one remembers where they came from or where they're going. For hundreds of years, the starship Argonos, home to generations of humans, has wandered throughout the galaxy, searching for other signs of life. Now, a steady, unidentified transmission lures them toward a nearby planet, where remnants of shocking brutality will send the ship reeling into deep space-and into a haunting alien mystery...

      Download Description

      Home to generations of humans, the starship Argonos has wandered aimlessly throughout the galaxy for hundreds of years, desperately searching for other signs of life. Now, a steady, unidentified transmission lures them toward a nearby planet, where the grisly remains of a former colony await the crew. Haunted by what they have seen, the crew has no choice but to follow when another signal beckons the Argonos into deep space¿and into the dark heart of an alien mystery...

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars A Fascinating and interesting read........2007-10-03

      I thought that the plot in "Ship of Fools" was fascinating and very interesting and the story moved along at a brisk pace with lots of twists and turns. The author's did a terrific job of creating the environment for this group of characters that are on this lonely ship and the adventure is riding on a high wave of suspense throughout the entire book. The characters are likable but flawed, and the science is better than most. Mr. Russo seems to have a deep understanding of the human spirit and clearly reflects it in the dialogues between the characters. I understand there may be a sequel to this book and I certainly look forward to reading the next installment. I would gladly recommend this book to all my friends.

      4 out of 5 stars Un-Resolved, Frustrating, Very much worth reading.......2007-09-04

      I find it very hard to really pin down this book. I have recently re-read it and I did the exact same thing that I did the first time I read it two years ago. That is, I got so involved in it that I read almost ¾ of it at one sitting and as soon as I was done with it, I began searching the web for any hint of a sequel. I think Russo is just sitting back laughing at me, the big weasel.

      The story is, to me anyway, absolutely riveting. Russo paints his story with a master's brush. You not only have the suspense of a truly enigmatic first contact with an alien species, but also a growing insurrection on the human space ship with all the accompanying drama. The two stories run parallel to one another until the alien contact develops to overshadow the problems of the human.

      The story ends up with a lot of un-answered questions but, I felt like the book has just enough meat and gives just enough answers to keep me interested until after the last page. The big problem is that `after' part there. I could really have used a few hundred more pages, or better yet a sequel.

      If you are the sort of reader who thinks Graphic Novels are "deep" and that Douglas Adams is heavy reading, you will want to skip this one. But, if you are the sort of person who doesn't need to have everything explained to you and realizes that, ultimately, a lot of life's questions aren't answered, then this is the book for you.

      Read it, it's worth it.

      4 out of 5 stars Enthralling, suspenseful, and rewarding...........2007-06-26

      I'm not sure where the negative reviews are coming from. The main theme seems to be that plots/characters/"villians"/etc. aren't wrapped in a neat little cliched box - and that's what makes this story so unique.



      The plot basically revolves around Bartolomeo, the ad hoc first officer of the "generation ship" Argonos. But Bartolomeo is not your average hero (or even anti-hero) - he was born crippled, without parents, is not well-liked by any of the many factions onboard ship. He's not the perfect, unblemished character but you quickly grow to like him. Why? Because he seems to be the only one who is smart, unbiased, and principled of anyone in power.



      The Argonos itself is a huge ship which houses thousands of people. Its original mission is unclear and after 500+ years in space, it quickly becomes apparent that there really isn't any true purpose for it. It is as aimless as its divided, unique passengers and crew. In their wandering, the Argonos detects a signal and comes across a colonized planet where everyone has been massacred. What really happened is a mystery.



      Before leaving, Bartolomeo helps the serf-like lower caste of the ship's population lead an aborted mutiny. He falls from favor and is imprisoned. The Argonos leaves to follow the signal to its source and they discover a dead ship of alien origin. What is its purpose? How is it tied to the planet and its dead population? Is it good, evil, neutral? To answer this, Bartolomeo is released and given a second chance - lead the exploration of the alien ship and try to figure out its purpose.



      From here on, EVERYTHING changes and the Argonos and its people will never be the same. Sure, not everything is revealed and handed to you on a platter - the author challenges the reader to use their imagination. And that's what makes this book work. It's the reason it won the Philip K Dick award - it challenges your perspective, your prejudices, and your imagination.

      4 out of 5 stars A haunting, subtle tale - perhaps too much so for space-action fans.......2007-01-10

      Maybe closer to four and a half stars. This quick read was a breath of fresh air after the long-winded ramblings of the last book(s) I had read, Peter Hamilton's Commonwealth saga. Russo's prose is lean and spartan, and presented in very short chapters, an unusual style for most science fiction, and one that for the most part helps him to evoke and maintain an eerie disquiet throughout the book. I don't understand people's complaints about the ending of the book. No, we don't discover the origins or "reasons" for the alien ship and its actions, but those who wish Russo had done so, it seems to me, have missed the point. This story is a multiperspectival meditation on the nature of evil and otherness in a morally ambiguous universe, and to have been too literal or explanatory about such in the end would have been thoroughly contrary to Russo's subtle philosophical explorations throughout the rest of the novel. Fans of Iain M. Banks will probably like this one.

      5 out of 5 stars Intense!.......2006-11-11

      I started this at 9:30 A.M. finished it at 6:00 P.M.
      Could not put it down, blew-off my workout that I hope to do it tonight.

      The firstperson narative is great with Bartolommeo, being unique in himself.

      I like books that give me a little creepy feeling. I have not found many that do. I am not saying that it is scary. Few books are.

      There is intrigue, power-struggles and unique personal situations, on a huge spaceship that has been in space for centuries. This ship of so-called fools encounters a strange, advanceced and very alien vessel.

      This is No- Alien(A.D. Foster-from the screenplay-great book)though is slighly remenisce.

      I loved this book, though You may not, as some of the others here.


      The Ship of Fools
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        The Ship of Fools
        Sebastian Brant
        Manufacturer: Dover Publications
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        ClassicsClassics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
        ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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        Book Description

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        Stiletto One: A Ship of Fools
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          Stiletto One: A Ship of Fools
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          Manufacturer: Howling Dog Pr
          ProductGroup: Book
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          Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
          • Ship of Humans
          Ship of Fools

          Manufacturer: Ace Books
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover
          ASIN: 0739416901

          Product Description

          Home to generations of humans, the starship Argonos has wandered aimlessly throughout the galaxy for hundreds of years, desperately searching for other signs of life. Now an unidentified transmission lures them toward a nearby planet-and into the dark heart of an alien mystery.

          Customer Reviews:

          5 out of 5 stars Ship of Humans.......2007-06-17

          Philip K. Dick Award winning author Russo spins an intriguing mystery in Ship of Fools. He delves deeply into what it means to be human. The crew of an intergenerational starship desperately seek a habitable planet. They are divided by class and religion. The ruins of a human colony lead them to an enormous alien vessel -- the first contact of humans with another intelligent species as far as they know. Will it save them or destroy them?
          Ship of Fools
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Ship of Fools

            Manufacturer: Signet/New American Library
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Mass Market Paperback
            ASIN: B000GSM5LI

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