>>Other questions; How old is the habitat? what is the history of
>>construction (I though each ring of habitats would have been built outside
>>the previous ones). What abnormalities of everyday life do the people
>>living there face? Could this have given rise to some odd customs or
>>habits?
>
> Recommended reading:
> - "Rendezvous with Rama" by Arthur C. Clarke
> If you haven't read it, the story deals with a human
> expedition exploring a huge alien habitat that has entered the Solar
> System.
> - "Starhammer" by Christopher ??I can't remember the last name??
Christopher Rowley. I found this section of the book to be quite
fascinating. I probably would have enjoyed it quite well if it had never
left the habitat. Drat, now I have to go find a copy and reread it...
I'd also recommend Vaccum Flowers, Steel Beach, and the whole
Paratwa series (Liege Killer, Ash Ock, The Royal Caste - don't let the
cover on Liege Killer fool you, it's a typical SF cover-has-very-little-
to-do-with-the-inside situation. Kept me from reading it for quite some
time...). Unfortunately, my memory seems to have deserted me, as I cannot
remember anything about the author's names, except my hazy memory insists
that they're first names are all "Christopher" :-) Oh, wait, some of it
comes back to me...
The Paratwa series is set in various space habitats, with one
or two side trips to the ruined, desolate Earth. Basically involves
some heavy suspense/thriller stuff with genetically engineered paired
assassins (telepathically linked, one mind with two bodies). Fun stuff.
The author actually is named Christopher something-or-other, I think.
Vaccum Flowers, by Michael Swanwick, takes place on various
habitats. Portrays an interesting solar system with a well-developed
culture, but almost no planetary settlements. Various habitats in
near-earth orbit, cometary habitats, etc. Lots of focus on
personality reprogramming (i.e. skill-augmenting wetware, and
artificial personalities you load into your wetware - a much different
slant than Effinger's _When Gravity Fails_).
Schismatrix, by Bruce Sterling, takes place almost entirely in
different sorts of habitats (and what doesn't take place in habitats
takes place in spaceships).
Steel Beach, by John Varley, takes place entirely inside a lunar
colony that has been around a while.
Ophiuchi Hotline, by John Varley, I think. Set somewhat after
Steel Beach (although published before). A good read, takes place in
various lunar colonies, asteroids, space stations. By the way, it's
pronounced Off-ee-yoo-ki.
Steven J. Owens
[email removed]