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Did Vinge ever say why the book's called "A Fire Upon The Deep"? Is it because of the space ship landing vertically on the planet?
by Vecr 3y ago
Did Vinge ever say why the book's called "A Fire Upon The Deep"? Is it because of the space ship landing vertically on the planet?
- anbende 3y agoI thought it was referring to the planet being "deep" in the sense of being in one of the lower zones of thought. And the Fire was the conflict of galaxy-spanning import that was playing out there. But maybe there was more to it? By contrast, the meaning of the title of the sequel "a deepness in the sky" is fairly literal once you get to know more about the alien species and their habits.
- Vecr 3y ago"A deepness in the sky" is literally (well not quite, but it's the text in the book) a line by one of the characters.
- the__alchemist 3y agoI remember from somewhere (A forward?) that he originally titled it "On the world of the tines", but an editor suggested A Fire Upon the Deep instead. Sounds cooler? There's a connection to the story as it develops.
- tines 3y agoI believe it was "Among the Tines."
- jwhitlark 3y agoI always thought it was because AI dominated the shallow parts of the galaxy, but there was something that wouldn't let it expand down to the deep.
- GloomyBoots 3y agoBesides other commenter’s suggestions I assume it’s also a reference to the opening of Genesis and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
- Vecr 3y agoWow, I'm not sure how I missed that.