Trouble on Triton: An Ambiguous Heterotopia

Amazing that a book published almost 50 years ago still remains as relevant today. Seamlessly combines visionary ideas about science and future societies with deeply personal exploration of gender, identity, and love. And, of course, the brilliant writing we expect from Delany. Every sci fi fan - and anyone interested in the question of what it means to truly love another person - should read this book.

Review: “Trouble on Triton: An Ambiguous Heterotopia” by Samual Delaney“Trouble on Triton” is an old book having been written in 1972. But the sci-fi part is amazingly on point for 2019. For example, Delany has a virus changing human DNA. The weapons of mass destruction are ant-gravity, which hasn’t yet been accomplished. But 1972 was long before the digital era and the advent of cyberwar concepts. The parallels between anti-gavity and cyber war effects are that both are devastating without soldiers, bullet, guns or battlefields. The description of carnage after an anti-gravity attack is graphic and accurate and would apply to the after effects of both anti-gravity and cyberwar, if you include the actions of the survivors of cyberwar.But the real value of this book is sex. There is not one graphic sex scene in the entire book. What we get is an amazing study of attitudes, actions, mores, emotions, effect of memories, unrequited love, effects of socio-economic status, hetero vs homosexuality, causal sex, detailed scenarios of preludes to and the after effects and affects of sex.One of the most amazing scenes is the long description of an elaborate, expensive dinner date told from the viewpoint of the host, an ex male prostitute who had always been on the receiving end, trying desperately to navigate the paying side of such an affair. The ending is almost anticlimactic in action, but hard hitting on reflection. I will not give it away.Yes, this book is not suitable for children, most of whom under 12 would be bored stiff. There are lessons here for teens and for adults about sex. And this is most likely why the book has survived 47 years and still being read and republished.The book is well written and well paced. And for those individuals with an extremely open mind, well worth the read. Those with puritanical views are best advised to find something else to read.

When this book was first published in 1976 as 'Triton', I had just finished reading Delany's 'Dhalgren' and was eager to read more from this thought provoking author. I was taken away and gifted copies of this book to my more evelope-pushing friends. Now some 35 years later, I decided it was time for a re-read. Was it realy that good, or was I simply young and easy to amuse?If you've ever read anything by Samuel Delany, this book will be no surprise, rather a teasing piece of future fiction filled with fascinating social commentary. The art by which Delany leads his audience through his erotic veiled landscapes, filled with subtile reaction and thought provoking situations, distinguishes itself in not banging the reader over the head, rather building a natural seeming series of events and interactions which lead the reader deep into logical extrapolations of a possible human future. Sounds heady, and it is at times, but, if you just let yourself surf on these gentle waves, you'll never wish to come ashore again.A very fine piece of literature, not to be missed. I still love it!

I read this book for a thesis paper for a class at college. It was in a word: odd. I liked how Delany describes a futuristic society. He definately makes for an interesting reading. I liked how it was all over the place and I couldn't believe what the main character Bron does at the end of the story. I feel sorry for Bron because he doesn't ever find what he is looking for. A good if long read. Not for the faint of heart either. There is cursing and explicit sex throughout. So don't give it to kids. I would reccomend reading it over a long period of time.

Considering when this book was written, the social mores and arrangements (based on free choice) are expansive. interesting concepts about war. Thought the main character was egocentric, confused, and a jerk. Like the worlds that he paints though.

Like a lot of sci-fi, concepts win out over writing in Trouble on Triton, although it distinguishes itself from the rest if the genre by being very aware of, even apologetic for, its faults.A disappointing read if you loved Dahlgren.

A good book but not as interesting as most of his other books. He's a great writer and this book reveals that. It just didn't hold my interest as much as I expected.

Couldn't finish it; found it tiresome somehow.

Did you notice the recent spat in the UK press over feminist Germaine Greer and transgender issues. She questioned whether a male-to-female transgender individual could ever really become a real woman? She was slammed. If you are interested in these issues (whatever side of that debate you feel you are on) and want a brilliant creative take on them, then you will love this book.Written 40 years ago, this book is staggeringly prescient of those issues and gives a far more subtle and intelligently ambiguous look at the whole subject than recent public debates in the UK.Gender/sex politics aside it has the usual Delany literary tricks and games and poses the essential question of whether humanity can ever have utopia.