Gully

This is the first time in my life a read a true science fiction novel. Much of the story is at times too complex, but it is overall interesting and satisfying. The novel's protagonist is Gully Foyle and the setting is the future in a war-stricken, hyper kinetic solar system. Throughout the story Gully turns from a mere human to a hero for mankind. Vengeance is the dominant theme of the novel. Gully is the sole survivor of a wrecked ship called the Nomad. Another ship, the Vorga, flies by but does not stop to aid the ship. He tried signaling the ship, but the Vorga leaves him to die there in outpace. He vows eternal revenge on the people who left him out there. The pressures of his circumstances forces his intellect. Gully now only has one objective: to find the commander of the Vorga and kill him. Vengeance drives him throughout the story. Towards the end, vengeance stops becoming the dominant theme and is replaced by the survival of mankind. He is a complete anti-hero since we want him to succeed even though his actions are harmful and selfish.


What I love most about the story is the tattoo on Gully's face. The tattoo comes out whenever he is looses control of his emotions. The markings thus show his emotional state. He trains himself to become more disciplined in his emotional reactions.