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I was a bit concerned when, on receiving my review copy of Dr. Alan Binder’s novel Moonquake
, to read from the publisher that Alan is “not the most eloquent writer.” And to say that Dr. Binder has an ax to grind with NASA is definitely an understatement. On the other hand, Dr. Binder is a certified rocket scientist, and the man who discovered water on the lunar poles. So, he does know whereof he speaks.
Moonquake is a near-future science fiction novel, starring Bill Huff, a former NASA engineer who got out in disgust over NASA’s policies and procedures. To his great surprise, when NASA decides to get serious about going to the Moon again and staying there, he is dragged back in, at the specific request of Congress, to run the project.
The first part of the book, then, is the story of Bill getting through the NASA bureaucracy to develop and set up a small Lunar base. The second part of the book is the story of that early base, and what happens when it’s hit by a massive earthquake. Since the author is a seismologist, this earthquake is described in great technical detail.
The story, especially the second part, is quite gripping, and one can be assured that the science portrayed is dead-on accurate. Some of the characterizations are a bit flat, but the four main characters are well developed and interesting. It’s a bit disconcerting that characters quote the author by name, saying things like “Binder’s research says X,” but I suppose that goes with the territory.
Overall, I found Moonquake to be an entertaining read. The ending is bittersweet at best, but it’s reached in an honest way. Ken Press, the publisher, is a small firm, and this is their first novel, by a first-time novelist. Hopefully the bug has bit and we’ll see more from both writer and press.
, to read from the publisher that Alan is “not the most eloquent writer.” And to say that Dr. Binder has an ax to grind with NASA is definitely an understatement. On the other hand, Dr. Binder is a certified rocket scientist, and the man who discovered water on the lunar poles. So, he does know whereof he speaks.Moonquake is a near-future science fiction novel, starring Bill Huff, a former NASA engineer who got out in disgust over NASA’s policies and procedures. To his great surprise, when NASA decides to get serious about going to the Moon again and staying there, he is dragged back in, at the specific request of Congress, to run the project.
The first part of the book, then, is the story of Bill getting through the NASA bureaucracy to develop and set up a small Lunar base. The second part of the book is the story of that early base, and what happens when it’s hit by a massive earthquake. Since the author is a seismologist, this earthquake is described in great technical detail.
The story, especially the second part, is quite gripping, and one can be assured that the science portrayed is dead-on accurate. Some of the characterizations are a bit flat, but the four main characters are well developed and interesting. It’s a bit disconcerting that characters quote the author by name, saying things like “Binder’s research says X,” but I suppose that goes with the territory.
Overall, I found Moonquake to be an entertaining read. The ending is bittersweet at best, but it’s reached in an honest way. Ken Press, the publisher, is a small firm, and this is their first novel, by a first-time novelist. Hopefully the bug has bit and we’ll see more from both writer and press.
