In the Ocean of Night by Gregory Benford What I liked: this book had no time to get bogged down in trying to convince me that it had science in it. Benford never paused to explain anything to me. All that happens in this book is nuts as balls, but I never felt patronized by it. I like that in science fiction. In the Ocean of Night described badly: Nigel (heh, Nigel) the astronaut makes a friend through work. This friend, Snark, has new and interesting views. As all new friends should. Nigel (heh, Nigel) the Astronaut has a new perspective on the future after bonding with his new friend.