Outward Bound

by James P. Hogan

Book Overview

Fifteen-year-old Linc Marani is from the wrong side of twenty-second-century L.A.'s tracks. Everyone he knows is addicted to dope, booze and the violence that masquerades as bravado in life on the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812571916
• ISBN13: 9780812571912
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Excellent reading...

Having been an avid Heinlein reader for years, I was doubtful I'd ever find another writer who could capture my attention to such an extent...then I found Inherit the Stars one day. After several years of reading the Giant series, I thought I might look at some other books from Hogan. To my delight, I have discovered that James is every bit as good at weaving a story as the Master was, heh heh. Outward Bound captures the same flavor as many of the Heinlein juvenile series does, telling the story in a uniquely Hogan fashion. While I detest flowery descriptions, I have to say this one is uplifting and touches your soul. Everyone should be able to relate to the young man's trials at different levels, and I recommend this book as a must read. Most will love it, some like it, and very few disappointed by the style...

Outward Bound Good Cyberpunk Book

Outward Bound Outward Bound is an excellent science fiction book for either the science fiction fan or anyone looking for a good novel. The book is a short read that seems to go by rather quickly, which is a first for a slow reader like myself. The chapters are fairly short, but make the book easier to follow. I was definitely surprised that the book kept my attention, I could hardly set the novel down. Linc Marani is a troubled teen who wants nothing more than to live the fast life. He runs into problems with the law and is turned to an alternative boot camp for youth. There he faces the adversity of his new and mysterious life. He interacts with many characters and problems, such as Angelo, the buddy, and Arvin, the bully. Tension rises when Arvin and Linc continue to butt heads and neither are willing to back down. The central theme is whether Linc will be able to turn his meaningless life around into something that is worth more than anything on this planet. This is an uplifting story that gives hope that there are better things out there, showing that hard work and self control can get you somewhere in life. The technology is a little hard to follow but gets the point across. I was intrigued throughout the novel, this is the best science fiction book I have read, and I would rate it above the well known novels such as Blade Runner, Snow Crash, and Shockwave Rider. James P. Hogan's Outward Bound is just an entertaining, feel good novel.

Outward Bound

Outward Bound is an excellent science fiction book for either the science fiction fan or anyone looking for a good novel. The book is a short read that seems to go by rather quickly, which is a first for a slow reader like myself. The chapters are fairly short, but make the book easier to follow. I was definitely surprised that the book kept my attention, I could hardly set the novel down. Linc Marani is a troubled teen who wants nothing more than to live the fast life. He runs into problems with the law and is turned to an alternative boot camp for youth. There he faces the adversity of his new and mysterious life. He interacts with many characters and problems, such as Angelo, the buddy, and Arvin, the bully. Tension rises when Arvin and Linc continue to butt heads and neither are willing to back down. The central theme is whether Linc will be able to turn his meaningless life around into something that is worth more than anything on this planet. This is an uplifting story that gives hope that there are better things out there, showing that hard work and self control can get you somewhere in life. The technology is a little hard to follow but gets the point across. I was intrigued throughout the novel, this is the best science fiction book I have read, and I would rate it above the well known novels such as Blade Runner, Snow Crash, and Shockwave Rider. James P. Hogan's Outward Bound is just an entertaining, feel good novel.

uplifting

(Don't let the number of stars fool you. I only give the Bible a five. Four means I would *buy* this one.) This is a fun read that is very upbeat. I have read it three times, checking it out of the library, and each time come away feeling better about the world. Good things can happen, even in a yucky future!Linc (short for Lincoln?) really overcomes an awful background. Nice!

Good cyberpunk novel

Outward Bound by James P. Hogan is the sixth book in the Jupiter series. This book was relatively easy to follow for me, a college age reader who is still getting used to cyberpunk type novels. The story is predictably told in short intervals, but without any major jumps occurring in the flow of the plot. As with many other cyberpunk novels, Outward Bound's main character, Linc Marani, knows only a community of selfish, backstabbing individuals whose greatest enjoyment comes from the use of drugs. At first, Linc sees no wrong with life being this way. Also consistent with other cyberpunk novels is the ultimate struggle the main character has with the stagnant society he finds out he wants to escape from. One striking difference, however, is Hogan's acute characterization of Linc. The fifteen-year-old Linc Marani has spent his whole life within a few city blocks, running around with the wrong crowd, trying to scrape up enough money to get him and his parents by. The reader is able to see Linc's character change for better or worse with the decisions he makes. The story centers around Linc's ability to find a meaning for his life and his place in the universe. Will Linc be able to overcome his rough start to life and find his niche, or will he continue spiraling toward nowhere? Hogan's confusing descriptions of futuristic technology coupled with a somewhat predictable plot prevents the novel from being a personal favorite, but the topics and issues the story brings up makes it quite worthy of reading.