I have read s-f for many years (since Heinlein's heyday in the 50's), and in general I am rather accepting of not-so-great novels. I have read and greatly enjoyed these authors' previous work (Alpha Centauri). White Light is the worst SF story I have read in a long time. The "space exploration" part is lame and seems quite unsophisticated or convincing, and the same goes for the "cosmology" part. As previous reviewers have noted, the characters were not likeable nor even very interesting. Regarding the sex, that was about the only part I sort of liked, but I wasn't looking for an erotic novel. If someone gives you this book and you have nothing else to do, maybe it is worth reading. Otherwise, forget it!