Trying to find the name of a science fiction book I read in the late 70s. All I remember is that it is about an orphan boy who somehow gets onto a spacecraft that is some kind of traveling circus/zoo...and early in the book the ship for some reason is triggers into high gee acceleration and some animals die...that's all I can remember
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It's a long shot, but maybe you're thinking of Barry B. Longyear's Circus World Series?– Joe L.Commented Oct 22, 2015 at 1:49
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Hi,thanks I will check that out.– Mark DolzCommented Oct 22, 2015 at 1:53
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Checked it out, I don't believe that is what I was looking for, but again thank you for your time.– Mark DolzCommented Oct 22, 2015 at 1:59
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1Thanks @MarkDolz, if that turns out to be it, please come back and mark the answer as correct, to help out future searchers (and our reputation scores).– Organic MarbleCommented Oct 22, 2015 at 2:34
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3Possible duplicate of Looking for story - post human galactic civilization– OtisCommented Jun 4, 2017 at 17:13
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1 Answer
I think there is a chance you are remembering Earthblood by Keith Laumer and Rosel George Brown.
an orphan boy who somehow gets onto a spacecraft that is some kind of traveling circus/zoo
The young hero is kidnapped by a travelling interstellar circus owner who sees his ability to perform acrobatics. The circus owner kills the hero's parents (his father at least) so that matches the orphan part too.
Early in the book the ship for some reason is triggers into high gee acceleration
In Chapter 8 (about 1/3 of the way through the book) the old ship's battle reflex circuits are triggered (by a malfunction?) and it goes into high acceleration. The circus's Earth elephant, at least, dies because of this, maybe others do too.
I read in the late 70s.
Written in 1966, but frequently reprinted. There was a 1979 paperback reprint.
This book is a cracking good read, tainted only by its theme of racial superiority.
answered Oct 22, 2015 at 2:06
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It's been quite a while since I read it. At the end, doesn't the young hero learn that his alien friends are better people than his blood relatives on Earth? Commented Oct 22, 2015 at 4:31
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It could well be. It's been a long time since I read it as well. But seeing this question put it in my to-read pile. Commented Oct 22, 2015 at 12:46
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Those who sneer at Gooks (divergent humans) and Geeks (nonhumans) are, in the rosy glow of my memory, consistently hypocritical and/or decadent. Commented Oct 1, 2021 at 6:18