Snowball by Poul Anderson (1968)
The novel is a science fiction tale set on the planet of Winterfall, where humans have colonized and formed a society based on tribalism. The story follows a young man who becomes embroiled in a conflict between two tribes, each with its own distinct culture and values. As tensions escalate, the protagonist must navigate the complexities of tribal politics and confront his own identity within the context of this alien world.
By Poul Anderson · First published 1968 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Social Commentary · 18,276 words
First lines
It did not come out of some government laboratory employing a thousand bright young technicians whose lives had been checked back to the crib; it was the work of one man and one woman. This is not the reversal of history you might think, for the truth is that all the really basic advances have been made by one or a few men, from the first to steal fire out of a volcano to E = mc2. Later, the bright young technicians get hold of it, and we have transoceanic airplanes and nuclear bombs; but the idea is always born in loneliness.
What this Textopian page supports
Snowball is listed on Textopian as a novel by Poul Anderson, dated 1968 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Poul Anderson
- Date: 1968 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Social Commentary, Speculative Fiction, Dystopian
- Length: 18,276 words
- Structure: 1 section, 417 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Snowball by Poul Anderson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Snowball?
- How does this novel by Poul Anderson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores futuristic concepts and technologies, typical of the science fiction genre.
- Adventure — The plot involves exploration and challenges faced by characters in a dynamic setting.
- Social Commentary — Themes reflect on societal structures and human behavior, providing critical insights.
- Speculative Fiction — The story speculates on potential futures and alternate realities.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · First Contact · Alien Invasion · Human Evolution · Intergalactic Politics · Interstellar Travel · Advanced Technology · Social Commentary · Philosophical Themes · Existentialism · Utopian Society