The Star Virus

The Star Virus is the first science fiction novel by Barrington J. Bayley, expanded from a 1964 short story originally published in New Worlds. The plot centers on the attempts of humanity, the star virus of the title, to break through a barrier around the galaxy.

Not to be confused with Stars virus.

The Star Virus
First edition
AuthorBarrington J. Bayley
Cover artistKelly Freas
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreScience fiction
PublisherAce Books
Publication date
1970
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages120

Literary significance and reception

Rhys Hughes said that the novel was "mildly exciting" but faulted its impatience, lack of satisfactory explanations and "its callow attempt at mutating the ethics of the disaster-epic". However, he also notes that the novel's downbeat tone did go on to influence writers such as M. John Harrison.[1]

Similarly, John Clute recognised the influence of the "complex and somewhat gloomy" novel on British SF, though he adds that readers of conventional space opera may have been alienated by Bayley's style and tone.[2]

William S. Burroughs used the concept of "deadliners" from the novel in his own Nova Express, quoting Bayley's story in its New Worlds appearance.

References
  1. "Annihilation Factotum: The work of Barrington J. Bayley". The Council for the Literature of the Fantastic. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  2. "Bayley, Barrington J.". SF Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
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