Eight Worlds #2: The Golden Globe by John Varley

Sparky Valentine is an actor, con artist, and survivor living centuries in humanity’s future. When a mysterious patron hires him to impersonate another man, Sparky becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy that spans the solar system. Forced to flee across humanity’s scattered colonies, he must rely on his acting talents to stay alive while uncovering secrets that threaten both his own identity and the fragile society of the Eight Worlds. Mixing adventure, mystery, humor, and Shakespearean drama, The Golden Globe is one of John Varley’s most entertaining and imaginative novels.

EugeneBookStore Summary

The Golden Globe returns readers to John Varley’s acclaimed Eight Worlds universe with a masterful blend of space adventure, mystery, theatrical performance, and philosophical exploration. Richly developed characters, memorable dialogue, and Varley’s trademark imagination make this one of the strongest later entries in the Eight Worlds setting. Fans of character-driven science fiction and futuristic intrigue will find it especially rewarding.

Collector Notes

The Ace Books first paperback edition represents the original trade publication of one of John Varley’s later Eight Worlds novels. While not as scarce as some of his earlier hardcover releases, first printings have become increasingly collectible as appreciation for Varley’s work has grown. The striking minimalist cover featuring the planetary system has become one of the more recognizable designs among his later publications.

Collector Importance

An important late-career novel by one of modern science fiction’s most acclaimed authors and an essential entry in the Eight Worlds universe. It is considered a cornerstone of Varley’s later work and is highly desirable for collectors assembling a complete John Varley collection.

Awards
Winner of the 1999 Prometheus Award for Best Novel.