The Gripping Hand
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Science fiction literature |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle |
| Products | Science fiction novel |
The Gripping Hand is a science fiction novel released in 1993, authored by Americans Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. It acts as a continuation to their 1974 publication The Mote in God's Eye. Within the timeline of the CoDominium saga, it stands as the concluding novel, although an authorized follow-up titled Outies was published in 2010 by Jennifer Pournelle, Jerry's daughter. In the United Kingdom, this book appeared under the title The Moat around Murcheson's Eye.
Set in the year 3046, nearly three decades after the events of The Mote in God's Eye, the narrative revolves around Captain Sir Kevin Renner (ISN, Reserve) alongside Imperial Trader Magnate Horace Bury. The story addresses unresolved issues from the earlier installment but assumes readers are acquainted with its predecessor.
Plot
After covertly joining Imperial Naval Intelligence at the conclusion of The Mote in God's Eye, Renner and Bury dedicate twenty-five years to quelling uprisings to uphold the blockade around the Moties' star system.
During an investigation into unusual economic patterns on Maxroy's Purchase, they encounter the expression "...on the gripping hand," which is connected to the governor’s history aboard INSS MacArthur. This phrase sparks Bury’s concerns regarding humanity’s security, leading them to seek permission on Sparta to examine the blockade more closely.
Their inquiry reveals that a protostar forming within the Coalsack Nebula, previously estimated to ignite in a millennium, is instead collapsing much sooner. This event will create new Alderson Points, offering the Moties additional escape paths beyond the existing one located inside Murcheson's Eye’s photosphere, thereby complicating efforts to maintain the blockade.
Equipped with this crucial information and accompanied by influential passengers, Renner and Bury set course aboard Bury’s vessel Sinbad for New Caledonia, humanity’s closest system to the Mote. The Imperial Commission assigns two warships along with Sinbad to oversee activity at the newly formed Alderson Point.
Upon arrival, seven unarmed Motie vessels appear and disperse. With limited resources preventing capture of all ships, they focus on sealing off the exit but accept an invitation from a Mediator to visit the Motie system.
The latter portion of the story emphasizes evolving alliances among Motie groups, diplomatic negotiations, and space engagements. Supported by descendants of Lord and Lady Blaine—who were raised with Mediators—Bury and Renner endeavor to safeguard the Empire. A pivotal element involves a genetically engineered parasite created at the Blaines’ institute that regulates the Moties’ cyclical overpopulation crises responsible for recurring societal collapses. Two factions arise: one promoting peaceful coexistence with humans, and another determined to escape at any cost. In the end, the faction favoring cooperation with humanity triumphs.
Reception
James Nicoll described this book as an "entirely unnecessary sequel," labeling it "forgettable" and "somewhat tedious," criticizing its inclusion of irrelevant material and singling out the "Maxroy’s Purchase subplot" as needless.
Publishers Weekly deemed it "adequate but largely inconsequential," highlighting a sluggish beginning and insufficient thematic development by Niven and Pournelle. Kirkus Reviews characterized it as "occasionally slow-moving and verbose," yet anticipated it would become a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Novel and satisfy its audience.
Background
In the 1991 anthology Playgrounds of the Mind, Niven disclosed that both he and Pournelle were legally obligated to refrain from working on additional ventures until they had finished a follow-up to The Mote in God's Eye.