Orphans of the Sky
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Orphans of the Sky is a 1963 science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, consisting of two parts: "Universe" (Astounding Science Fiction, May 1941) and its sequel, "Common Sense" (Astounding Science Fiction, October 1941). "Universe" was also published separately as a Dell book in 1951 and was included in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume Two in 1973.
Although part of Heinlein's "Future History" series, Orphans of the Sky (or its component stories) is not included in the omnibus Future History volume, The Past Through Tomorrow.
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[edit] Plot synopsis
The gigantic, cylindrical generation ship Vanguard, originally destined for Proxima Centauri, is cruising pilotless through outer space as a result of a failed mutiny that killed all of the officers. The descendants of the surviving crew have forgotten the purpose and nature of their ship over time and lapsed into a pre-technological culture infested with superstition. Most crew members lead a simple, bucolic life of farming, never venturing to the upper decks where the "muties" (mutants or mutineers) dwell. These descendants of the loyalists — who live in the lower, outer levels of the cylinder — believe their world is the entire Universe, not realizing they live inside a spaceship. They are ruled by an oligarchy of "Officers" and "Scientists", whose head is the putative heir or successor of the original Captain.
The story is told from the perspective of an unusually intelligent and curious young man, Hugh Hoyland. Hugh has been selected to apprentice to the ranks of the Scientists, who ritualistically perform the technical tasks needed to keep the ship running (such as "feeding" the power converter for lighting and environmental control). While on a mission to hunt down Muties, Hugh is captured and taken to the inner, low-weight, Mutie-controlled levels. He becomes the slave of the dicephalic Mutie leader, Joe-Jim, who shows him the true nature of the Universe by letting him look outside the ship through the bridge windows.
This revelation creates an epiphany for Hugh. He convinces Joe-Jim they should complete the Vanguard's mission and navigate the Ship to its intended destination. They are able to convince key Crew members to join the effort, but are double-crossed by the Crew before their goal is achieved. Fleeing an attack from the Crew intended to rid the Ship of all Muties, Hugh's followers escape the Ship in a lifeboat and land on a nearby planet's moon.
The Vanguard is the sister ship of the New Frontiers, the ship stolen by the Howard families in the story Methuselah's Children. This ship and the aftermath of this story are mentioned in passing in the novel Time Enough for Love.
[edit] Radio Adaptation
"Universe" was also performed as a radio play on the NBC Radio Network programs Dimension X (on November 26, 1951) and X Minus One (on May 15, 1955). This version has several drastic changes to the story, especially in its conclusion, where Hugh is killed showing the crew of the Vanguard the true nature of the Ship.
[edit] See also
Non-Stop by Brian W. Aldiss
[edit] External links
- Orphans of the Sky publication history at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Audio transcription of "Universe" as performed on NBC's X Minus One at OTR Network.
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