The Outpost (Mike Resnick novel)
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 First edition cover |
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| Author | Mike Resnick |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Bob Warner (artist) (Jacket artist) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Birthright Universe |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Released | May 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 383 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-312-85485-4 (first edition, hardback) |
The Outpost is a science fiction novel by Mike Resnick.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
The Outpost is a bar at the edge of the galaxy, in the area known as the Inner Frontier. It attracts the exceptional and extraordinary who, and while drinking and relaxing, share stories of their lives.
[edit] Explanation of the novel's title
The Outpost is the name of the bar/inn/watering hole made of a landed and converted starship.
[edit] Plot summary
The novel is divided into 3 sections, Legend, Fact, and History. In Legend, the characters tell stories of what they were doing before they arrived and about people they met and things they did. The storytelling is interrupted by an alien invasion of the system, which the heroes react to in Fact. The History section sees everyone gathered back at the Outpost to share their stories and find out the fates of the others.
Stories Told
- Catastrophe Baker and the Dragon Queen
- The Last Landship (Hellfire Carson)
- The Greatest Painting of All Time (Little Mike)
- The Short, Star-Crossed Career of Magic Adbul-Jordan (Big Red)
- When Iron-Arm McPherson Took the Mound (Big Red)
- The Night Bet-a-World O'Grady Met High-Stakes Eddie
- Catastrophe Baker and the Siren of Silverstrike
[edit] Characters in "The Outpost"
- Tomahawk (Thomas Aloysius Hawke) - Owner of The Outpost
- Reggie - Robot bartender
- Catastrophe Baker - Living legend
- Three-Gun Max - Mutant gunfighter with 3 arms
- Big Red - Former professional star athlete (basketball, baseball, murderball)
- Nicodemus Mayflower -
- Bet-a-World O'Grady - Infamous gambler
- Sinderella -
- Little Mike Picasso (Michelangelo Gauguin Rembrandt van Gogh Rockwell Picasso (formerly Montgomery Quiggle))- Famous unknown artist
- Sahara Del Rio - Alien (Borovite)
- Reverend Billy Karma -
- Einstein - Deaf, blind, mute supragenius
- Argyle - Alien with color-changing skin, former accountant
- Gravedigger Gaines - Retired bounty hunter
- Willie the Bard - Historian and record-keeper for the Outpost
- Hellfire Van Winkle - (formerly Hellfire Carson) 5,000 year old former big-game hunter and safari guide
- Achmed of Alphar -
- Earth Mother - Retired madam
- Sitting Horse & Crazy Bull- Aliens (Velitas IV) who become members the Great Sioux Nation
[edit] Major themes
Tall tales in the nature of Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill, but set in the Wild West of the future.
Religion in the form of monotheism and polytheism.
Discussion of history as a set of facts vs. perceptions.
[edit] Release details
- 2001, U.S., Tor Books ISBN 0-312-85485-4, Pub date May 2001, Hardcover
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