Fremder is a dark tale, half science fiction, half suspense novel. Written in Hoban's characteristic style that offers keen observations about human nature, prose that grabs you, and a weirdness that is unique, one finds oneself drawn into this story almost against one's will. The book, like all of Hoban's, contains elements that are common to all, yet it stands on its own. For some readers it may help to have read some of his other books, such as the Medusa Frequency or Kleinzeit, to not only get used to his style, but also to get to know some of the incidental characters that re-appear in Fremder from the earlier works. By no means, however, should a reader feel intimidated by this book.

The basic story takes place in 2052. Not only have we by then settled other planets and move with easy around different galaxies, but things on earth are not too good. The streets of London are the domain of gangs known as the Shorties and the Clowns. Their world is a nasty place. For citizens of a higher class, locked elevated skywalks cross the city and its streets to lead to safe abodes. It's a kind of Clockwork Orange world, only worse, and more advanced at the same time.

Fremder Elijah Gorn was the first navigation officer on the deep-space tanker 'Clever Daughter'. The tanker has vanished into thin air with six crew members. Gorn, for unknown reasons, is the only survivor, who is hurtled into space without the requisite space suit, . . .

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