The book did wander a bit. Touching on many sci-fi favorite issues, such as androids, racial issues, cyborgs, Dyson spheres, telepaths, and many other issues. Some of them seemed a bit forced, but for the most part, the author managed to weave them together and form a very coherent, touching story. I especially liked the ending. Without ruining it, it's one of the few stories I've read that manages to leave many issues open without closing the story.