Star of Gypsies
by Robert Silverberg
Form: Novel
Year: 1986
ID: 1096
Publication history:
- 1986: Star of Gypsies, , 397 pp.
- 1987: L'toile des Gitans, Laffont Hard cover book, ISBN 222105296X, 382 pp., in French as L'Etoil des gitans
- 1987: Star of Gypsies, Science Fiction Book Club Hard cover book, 378 pp.
- 1987: Star of Gypsies, Gollancz Hard cover book, 397 pp.
- 1988: Star of Gypsies, Warner Mass market paperback, ISBN 0-445-20618-7, 466 pp.
- 1988: Star of Gypsies, Futura Orbit Mass market paperback, ISBN 0708882757
- 1988: Zigeunerstern, Heyne Mass market paperback, ISBN 345303130X, 654 pp., in German
- 1993: L'toile des Gitans, LGF Mass market paperback, ISBN 2253063592, 572 pp., in French as L'Etoil des gitans
Blurb:
(from Warner 1988)
Yakoub is a lord, slave, hero, beggar, lover, thief, survivor, ghost. Yakoub is an ageless rogue carousing through a galaxy of endless wonder and constant intrigue, where the Gypsies rule the roads between the stars... Yakoub is the Gypsy king. And his destiny is to find his people's legendary home, the Star of Gypsies.
Other resources:
[None on record]
Comments:
This novel ties in with the scenario of Letters from Atlantis, taking it into the far future, when a human empire spans the galaxy and Rom (Gypsies) are the only ones who can pilot starships through hyperspace. It's full of inventive world-building, colorful characters, practical wisdom, and political intrigue. Yakoub is a big, blustery man who enjoys life to the fullest and tries to do the right thing, like a widely traveled uncle with tall tales you never know if you should believe. He presents himself warts and all for our entertainment, with reflections on government, relationships, slavery, and family. A truly wonderful book.
Brian Stableford, writing in the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, notes that Yakoub, I'm not convinced of that, but either way, it's a good read.