‘David Starr: Space Ranger’ Deserves More Recognition

David Starr: Space Ranger (1952) by Isaac Asimov is pure science fiction adventure with a hard SF edge. Unlike most of Asimov’s other works David Starr: Space Ranger doesn’t rely just on innovative ideas. Instead, Asimov brings his talents to bear in a two-fisted adventure. Uncomplicated and sparse, David Starr: Space Ranger is classic story overshadowed for too long.

Newly appointed member of the Council of Science, David Starr, awaits news of his first assignment. Sitting in a restaurant in International City, David witnesses a man die. What is first thought to be accidental food poisoning turns out to be a murder.

It turns out this is not a coincedence. David learns that an increasing number of random food poisonings threaten Earth’s food supply. The only connection the Council of Science has been able to make is that all the poisonings involve food from Mars.

David Starr must head to Mars to secretly investigate the source of the poison and who is responsible. Alone and isolated David must rely on his training to put the pieces together. David doesn’t have much time. If he can’t figure out what’s going on billions face starvation and a lingering death.

David Starr: Space Ranger is SF adventure that captures the optimism and expectations of the future and science of the 1950s. Already an SF icon, Asimov used the psuedonum of Paul French to create a hero. Something he isn’t normally know for.

Science fiction has a long history of great adventure heroes. From John Carter and Flash Gordon to Luke Skywalker and Captain Kirk. These names are immediately recognisiable to a wide audience. David ‘Lucky’ Starr is a name that should stand alongside them.

Asimov is a master of world building. Within a very few paragraphs the world of David Starr is brought to life. The advanced technology and the social and political culture are all established with a minimum of fuss. Yet, despite the sparseness of Asimov’s writing the world feels solid and tangible.

The world of David Starr is outwardly democratic it’s actually overseen by a shadow technocracy. The Council of Science inspires awe and fear among the general population. This coincides in Asimov’s belief that the judicious use of science can only benefit mankind.

There are some anachronistic elements to the world building, though. People still smoke and some still wear glasses, even thousands of years in the future. This is a perfect example of how science fiction is really a reflection of our present. Asimov couldn’t imagine a future without these things. Although the story could do without these elements they don’t detract from the story either.

While Asimov’s world building is unquestionable, his characters remain somewhat thin. David Starr is cut from the same cloth as other SF heroes. Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers would not be out of place next to David Starr. Asimov also lacks the ability to write women charaters. As such there are no women characters within the pages of David Starr: Space Ranger.

Despite Asimov’s problem with his characters, David Starr has a certain charm. Perhaps it’s his naïve belief in his goals and that his actions are for the greater good. Asimov, though, is careful not to make Starr a superman. He makes mistakes and faces the consequences. Regardless, it’s nearly impossible to think badly of David Starr.

The plot of David Starr: Space Ranger is action driven. With time short and the peril dire events unfold rapidly. The plot will not leave the reader breatheless but nor does it stagnate at any point.

On the surface David Starr: Space Ranger is an adventure story, however, it is mystery as well. The investigative elements of the story provide a glimpse into Asimov’s growth as a writer. It is easy to see that David Starr influences Elijah Baley in The Caves of Steel (1954).

Isaac Asimov (1920-1992)

While not specifically marketed as a juvenile book there is something remincent of Robert A. Heinlein’s juveniles. There is a mildness in the language of David Starr: Space Ranger that makes it ideal for young readers. This makes the book perfect for young people looking for a place to start with Asimov.

There are scientific inaccuracies in David Starr: Space Ranger and Asimov acknowledges this in later edition. Even so, Asimov does get more of the science correct than many other authors. For example, David Starr gets caught in a dust storm and it isn’t the strength of the wind that’s the problem but the fineness and pervasivness of the dust. This is something Andy Weir got spectacularily wrong in his novel The Martian (2011).

Asimov list of great SF works is a long one, yet the ‘Lucky Starr’ series is relatively unknown today. This should change. For people that like straight ahead adventure with little to no subtext David Starr: Space Ranger is a gem. For fans who would like to see a different side to Asimov the ‘Lucky’ Starr series will come as a surprise. David Starr: Space Ranger will never outshine the Foundation or Robot series but it doesn’t need to hide either.

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