Science fiction
Ringworld
A bored two-hundred-year-old man is hired by a cowardly alien to join an expedition to an enormous artificial ring built around a distant star. The crew includes a fierce feline warrior and a lucky young woman.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1970
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 288
- Format
- Book 1 of 5 in Ringworld
Read this if you love hard-science thought experiments and the sense of wonder of exploring a giant structure.
Skip this if you want subtle characters or modern gender politics, since both feel dated.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Quick answers about Ringworld
- What is Ringworld about?
- A bored two-hundred-year-old man is hired by a cowardly alien to join an expedition to an enormous artificial ring built around a distant star. The crew includes a fierce feline warrior and a lucky young woman.
- Who should read Ringworld?
- Read it if you love hard-science thought experiments and the sense of wonder of exploring a giant structure. Skip it if you want subtle characters or modern gender politics, since both feel dated.
- How long and how fast is Ringworld?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 288 pages, first published in 1970.
- Does Ringworld have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow Ringworld for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Ringworld; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Ringworld?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Rendezvous with Rama, The Three-Body Problem.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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