True Names
And the Opening of the Cyberspace Frontier
Published in 1984, True Names is a steampunk and historical fantasy novel by Vernor Vinge and James Frenkel. Characters include Vernor Vinge. Readers will find themes of Cyberspace, swords and sorcery, Internet and history and criticism.
Open Library readers give it an average of 3.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, and 35 more have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 13 editions across 3 languages.
At about 320 pages, most readers finish it in 5–6 hours.
About True Names
"A marvellous mixture of hard-science SF and sword-and-sorcery imagery.... You wish the author were present so you could applaud." - *Analog*
Awards & lists
- ✦Hugo Awards 1982 — Best Novella (nominee)
- ✦Nebula Awards 1982 — Best Novella (nominee)
- ✦Locus Awards 1982 — Best Novella (nominee)
Quick answers
Who wrote True Names?
True Names was written by Vernor Vinge and James Frenkel and first published in 1984.
What genre is True Names?
It is usually shelved as Steampunk and Historical Fantasy.
How long is True Names?
The median edition has 320 pages, about 5–6 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.
What books are similar to True Names?
Readers who like it often enjoy The Stress of Her Regard, Stormdancer and Wrath of Empire.
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