Heavy Planet includes Hal Clement’s famous science fiction novel, Mission of Gravity and its lesser known sequel, Star Light. The premise of Mission of Gravity is a mission to recover a scientific probe on the super-jovan planet of Mesklin where the surface gravity varies from 3 Earth gravities at the the equator to 700 Earth gravities at the poles. On this high-gravity planet, a “day” is 18 minutes! And yet, Mesklin has life in the form of intelligent, centipede-like creatures. Mission of Gravity was published in 1953 and Star Light was published in 1973. If you haven’t read these wonderful science fiction novels, you’re in for plenty of delight! Highly recommended!
Read MISSION OF GRAVITY many years back and STAR LIGHT when it came out. A truly forgotten writer these days, except for us riders of the geezer bus.
Randy, I remember reading MISSION OF GRAVITY when I was a kid. It rocked my world!
I read MISSION OF GRAVITY way back in the ’50s. Never read the sequel. Clement was the GoH at Armadillocon some years ago, and I regret that I didn’t have him sign any books.
Bill, I respect writers like Hal Clement who could tell a great story using “hard science.”
I read MISSION OF GRAVITY in serialized form in Astounding Science Fiction. A terrific novel (had great illustrations too). I have re-read it twice since, and it’s a favorite. I’ve read STARLIGHT just once, it’s nearly as good. I like anything by Clement, and highly recommend NESFA’s three volume The Essential Hal Clement set, which has all the novels and short stories. Great choice, George!
Rick, I really like this paperback edition of HEAVY PLANET. The text is based on the NESFA volumes.
George, thanks for recommending “Mission of Gravity” that I’ve only heard of. I think I might have come across Hal Clement’s name in some of the early sf periodicals online.
Prashant, Hal Clement was one of the pioneers of “hard science” SF novels. I consider MISSION OF GRAVITY is his best book.
I always liked Needle. Really hard to find these days. Anyone else out there read it?
Stan, I read NEEDLE. It’s very good. The only place I know that has Clements’ work available is NESFA.
I like NEEDLE a lot, Stan. It’s a fine SF/mystery combo.
Bill, I may have to reread NEEDLE for a future FFB.
Stan, I like NEEDLE too, though MISSION OF GRAVITY may be my favorite just because it was the first Clement novel I read.