Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of A Fire Upon the Deep
Science Fiction· United States

A Fire Upon the Deep

by Vernor Vinge
Aggregate Editorial Score62/100
★Hugo Award
Published 1993605 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep (1993) stands as one of the most significant works of science fiction of its era. In a universe where intelligence is a function of physical location in the galaxy, a human ship accidentally releases a malevolent superintelligence that may destroy the galaxy. Vinge's Hugo Award winner is a mind-expanding space opera with some of science fiction's most inventive alien species—the pack-minded Tines. Themes of superintelligence, space opera, alien minds run through the work. The book has received recognition from Hugo Award 1993.

Book Details

AuthorVernor Vinge
Published1993
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages605
Category🚀 Science Fiction
ISBN9780812515282
Editorial Score62/100
About the Category

🚀 Science Fiction

Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

Explore all Science Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Vernor Vinge published A Fire Upon the Deep in 1993, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of science fiction from United States. The book's treatment of superintelligence, space opera, alien minds, galactic zones accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: Hugo Award 1993. With an editorial score of 62/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. What distinguishes A Fire Upon the Deep is how it handles its central concerns — superintelligence, space opera, alien minds, galactic zones — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Vernor Vinge's role in the literature of United States is well established. A Fire Upon the Deep can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Hugo Award
winner · genre
199347
✍️
About the Author
Vernor Vinge
United States
View Author →

Vernor Vinge is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of science fiction.

The Happiness Blueprint
New Release by Peter Burchardt
The Happiness Blueprint
Your Evolutionary Guide to Joy, Purpose, and Lasting Well-Being
Happiness isn’t a destination — it’s a blueprint written in your DNA.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Never Let Me Go
literary-fiction

Never Let Me Go

Kazuo Ishiguro· 2017
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score91/100
Cover of The Power
science-fiction

The Power

Naomi Alderman· 2016
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score90/100
Cover of The Dispossessed
science-fiction

The Dispossessed

Ursula K. Le Guin· 1975
★Hugo Award★Nebula Award
Editorial Score83/100
Cover of The Blind Assassin
literary-fiction

The Blind Assassin

Margaret Atwood· 2000
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score82/100
Cover of Ender's Game
science-fiction

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card· 1986
★Hugo Award★Nebula Award
Editorial Score82/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Fire Upon the Deep about?

In a universe where intelligence is a function of physical location in the galaxy, a human ship accidentally releases a malevolent superintelligence that may destroy the galaxy. Vinge's Hugo Award winner is a mind-expanding space opera with some of science fiction's most inventive alien species—the pack-minded Tines.

Who wrote A Fire Upon the Deep?

A Fire Upon the Deep was written by Vernor Vinge, from United States. First published in 1993.

What awards has A Fire Upon the Deep won?

A Fire Upon the Deep has received the following awards and honours: Hugo Award 1993.

Is A Fire Upon the Deep worth reading?

A Fire Upon the Deep is a notable work that has earned critical attention, with an aggregate editorial score of 47/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in superintelligence, space opera, alien minds.

Where can I buy A Fire Upon the Deep?

You can buy A Fire Upon the Deep on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is A Fire Upon the Deep?

A Fire Upon the Deep is classified as Science Fiction. Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

What country is A Fire Upon the Deep from?

A Fire Upon the Deep originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🚀More Science FictionBrowse all Science Fiction books🇺🇸Books from United States🇺🇸 United States literature📅1990s BooksPublished in the 1990s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time