Pandora's Star
by Peter F. Hamilton · first published 2004
76% recommend21% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Sweeping, optimistic space opera set around 2380, with wormhole-linked colonies, rejuvenation-based immortality, editable memories and a memorably alien enemy. Best for fans of big-scale sci-fi; long, with sequels.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Critics have compared the engrossing space operas of Peter F. Hamilton to the classic sagas of such sf giants as Isaac Asimov and Frank Herbert. But Hamilton's bestselling fiction--powered by a fearless imagination and world-class storytelling skills--has also earned him comparison to Tolstoy and Dickens. Hugely ambitious, wildly entertaining, philosophically stimulating: the novels of Peter F. Hamilton will change the way you think about science fiction. Now, with Pandora's Star, he begins a new multivolume adventure, one that promises to be his most mind-blowing yet. The year is 2380. The In
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2011–2026Judas Unchained
Peter F. Hamilton
Recommended by 15 · mentioned by 1815 recommend · 18 mention15 recommend · 1815 recommend
2015–2023In the Country of the Blind
Michael Flynn
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
2008–2024Tiger! tiger!
Alfred Bester
Recommended by 9 · mentioned by 109 recommend · 10 mention9 recommend · 109 recommend
I Am Legend
Editorial Editorial Empire, Richard Matheson,Richard, Steve Steve Douglas
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
2011–2025Cities in Flight
James Blish
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 42 recommend · 4 mention2 recommend · 42 recommend
2007–2026Hyperion
Dan Simmons
Recommended by 154 · mentioned by 245154 recommend · 245 mention154 recommend · 245154 recommend
2011–2026Spin
Robert Charles Wilson
Recommended by 23 · mentioned by 2523 recommend · 25 mention23 recommend · 2523 recommend
2008–2026The Night's Dawn Trilogy
Peter F. Hamilton
Recommended by 17 · mentioned by 2617 recommend · 26 mention17 recommend · 2617 recommend
…example, consider that highly intelligent beings could be of a different nature than humans and form societies without emotions or politics. An excellent example are the Primes from Pehter F. Hamilton's Pandora's Star where (motiles) are controlled by the commanding caste (immotiles) [1] Of course I am bias since I am human, so I am looking at what is required to achieve intelligence as I know and understand it. [1]…
on “The body is the missing link for truly intelligent machines (2017)” ↗I very much like the 2 part epic space opera "Pandora's Star" and "Judas Unchained" by Peter F Hamilton. In it, an Astronomer spots a star that disappears. This star is 1,500 light years away. He travels to another star system (Humanity is a multi-system species)…
on “Researchers have identified 100 mysteriously disappeared stars in the night sky” ↗Anyone else thinking of the beginning of the utterly excellent "Pandora's Star" by Peter F. Hamilton?
on “Tabby's star is dimming at an incredible rate” ↗If all the dimming star headlines are piquing your interest, you must read Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained by Alexander Hamilton. It's about the same event being observed but a couple hundred years from now in a post FTL society, so naturally they have to wander out and see what's up.…
on “Dyson sphere” ↗He.. She.. It.. They? Didn't create the sphere though! To anyone not getting the reference, read Pandora's Star by Peter Hamilton[1]. It's a lovely read. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Saga
on “The ‘Dyson Sphere’ mystery deepens: Star keeps dimming” ↗…Broken Earth trilogy) - "The Mechanical" by Ian Tregillis (the first book in the Alchemy Wars trilogy) - "Nexus" by Ramez Naam (the first book in the Nexus trilogy) - "Snow Crash" by Neal Stephenson - "Pandora's Star" by Peter F. Hamilton (part of the Commonwealth Saga) - "Hyperion" and "Fall of Hyperion" by Dan Simmons - "Lock In" by John Scalzi - "Blindsight" by Peter Watts
on “How Isaac Asimov shaped robotics and space exploration and predicted the Internet” ↗Came here to suggest this. Pandora's Star is an excellent (albeit long) read. Note however, the author is Peter F. Hamilton.
on “Dyson sphere” ↗Peter F Hamilton, in "Pandora's Star", introduces his enemy alien race all in one go, from the beginnings of their civilization to meeting humans. It is AWESOME. By the time you get back to the humans you might have to make an effort to…
on “The Secret History of Dune” ↗If you are into these kinds of mysteries, I highly recommend reading Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton. (even more so if you want to spend a few days reading this epic space opera)
on “The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galaxy PHL 293B” ↗There's a great pair of novels by Peter F Hamilton, Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained. In them, there's an alien, MorningLightMountain, that expands by creating copies of itself. If it can't maintain the neural link to those copies, they diverge. A problem that in its…
on “Teletransportation Paradox” ↗Sounds like "Pandora's Star" by Peter F. Hamilton.
on “The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galaxy PHL 293B” ↗[Pandora's Star](http://books.google.com/books?isbn=0330518917) by Peter F. Hamilton. A old book, yes, but a part of some of the best science fiction I've read.
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2012” ↗Much of the above are depicted in depth by Peter F. Hamilton's books, such as the Pandora's Star or Fallen Dragon.
on “Star Trek, tech companies, and the death of futurism in cinema” ↗The first two Commonwealth novels by Peter F. Hamilton (Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained) would be an very amenable to TV if it wasn't for the required length I think. It has a enough different plot-lines to interest many different audiences I think.
on “Ask HN: Which SciFi novel(s) would you want made into a TV series?” ↗…know why Wikipedia includes them as a trilogy. Misspent Youth apparently is set 300 years before the 2 other books, and establishes the setting. The author does a great job of creating the universe in Pandora's Star so I don't think you need to read Misspent Youth. I'd be interested to hear if you enjoyed the books. If you want, email me at the address in my profile.
on “Researchers have identified 100 mysteriously disappeared stars in the night sky” ↗