sdlotu
1/6/2023
Plague Ship
Another of Norton's intricately evolved worlds and societies, an encounter with an alien trading ship, bargains struck and relations built, only for the lucky traders to depart with something more than the wealtlh of the planet.
The story lfocuses first on the interaction between two societies and traditions as they set about creating a basis on which to understand one another and then build a trading relationship. Along the way, interlopers from space impinge on the agreement, and the traders must make every effort to ensoure their control over the wealth the planet offers.
On the way back to Terra to complete their trading journey, the crew falls victim to a sleeping sickness that imperils not only their trading success, but their very survival.
A great page-turner with plenty of meaty detail and conflict to carry the story forward from the far planet to the surfact of Terra. Well worth the time to read and enjoy.
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Voodoo Planet
A short work by Norton discussing the nature of belief and its ability to both empower and weaken the believer.
Norton uses the images and stereotypes of Afro-Hatiian Voudoun to drive the story, which pits an evil native spiritual leader against one of the series intrepid heroes in a battle to secure the future of a planet settled by African diaspora generations ago.
As usualy, the action is well paced and the environment keenly described, making for a story that one can enjoy even though it is weakened by the misunderstandings of Voudoun typical of mid-century American writers.
Not the best by Norton, but a worthy read for fans.