Ringworld

2021 re-read of an absolute classic. First read since ~1988 or so.

Fantastic story of an adventurous 200-year old human (Louis Wu), a Kzin (Speaker-to-Animals), and a very lucky young female human (Teela Brown) who are convinced to go on a journey to places unknown by a Pierson's Puppeteer. The reward: technology for a new faster-than-light spacecraft designed by the Puppeteers that may save their respective species from the certain death coming from the galactic core in the form of severe radiation that is the result of a chain reaction of supernovae 20,000 light-years away.

The great thing about the story is the imaginative scenarios Niven creates. The interpersonal banter between the species, each with their own peculiarities, is tremendously well done and plays a great counter-point to the scientific aspects of the environment they find themselves in.

Extremely well done and worthwhile reading for any lover of science fiction.