The Water of Thought

By: Fred Saberhagen

Narrated by: Joe Wegner

It drove men mad...but each in a different way. In one the effect was total, utter addiction. In another, a compulsion to absolute obedience. In a third, idealistic monomania. In a fourth, unending, all-consuming lust. Of all the enigmas surrounding the planet Kappa, none was more inscrutable than that mysterious liquid central to all the native rites.There was, in fact, only one certainty about it: Now that it threatened to contaminate the worlds of Earth, its source would have to be destroyed - even though for the native Kappans the Water of Thought was as necessary as the Breath of Life itself.

©1981 Fred Saberhagen (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Entertaining

5 stars for what it is: a well-written combination of space opera and classic 30s pulp adventure story, with modern clarity of narrative. Despite some stereotyping in 'bad guy' characteristics and love theme, it's not all what it seems to be... there's nuance giving the tale intelligence. Get through the pulpier 'savage ritual' middle and the whole tale will be an enjoyable SF listening experience.