Issue Number 57
(March 2001)

Book notes

by Jean Weber

Brian Stableford, Inherit the Earth, Tor, 1999, ISBN 0812584295

Quotes from the book: "A much shorter and substantially different version of this novel ... appeared in the July 1995 issue of Analog."

"In the 22nd century, biomedical nanotechnology has given everyone in the world long life and robust heatlh. It is the New Utopia, and all live in the expectation that true immortality will soon be realized.

"Damon Hart, son of the scientist responsible for much of the wonders of the new world, would rather forget his famous father and get on with his own life. But a shadowy terrorist group forces Damon to confront his heritage, launching a cat-and-mouse game that pits Damon against the terrorists, Interpol, and the powerful corporations that control the biotechnology of the future."

It's very much a mystery novel as well as SF, and includes lots of virtual reality stuff where even the characters aren't always sure what "real" and what's "virtual." They can't always trust their senses, even Damon, who is a VE (virtual environments) designer, including porn and fight action videos. Some interesting ideas on ageing, motivation, and other questions that people thinking seriously about the implications of very long lives always end up asking. Do people take more risks, knowing their nanotech will fix them up, or do they take fewer risks when death (if injured too badly for the nanos to fix) robs one of a very long life? How do relationships change? And so on.

Recommended.

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Esther Friesner (ed), The Chick is in the Mail, Baen, 2000, ISBN 0671319507

Another in the "Chicks in Chainmail" series of humorous stories, often sendups of some cliché of sf/f. These make me laugh out loud on airplanes.

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Lois McMaster Bujold, A Civil Campaign, 1999, Baen, 2000, ISBN 0671578855; British edition Earthlight, 1999, ISBN 0743408292

Continues the saga of Miles Vorkosigan, now besotted with the widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson. Desperate to woo and win her, without scaring her off, he bumbles through a series of hilarious encounters. Meanwhile Ekaterin is refusing to recognise her attraction to Miles, and the politics of the capital waft around them both. Bujold has a fine turn of phrase and a tongue-in-cheek style that I enjoy thoroughly, a way of creating characters that most of us can probably recognise as reflecting the awkward adolescent that lurks within each of us, and a deft hand at plotting and pacing.

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C.S. Friedman, This Alien Shore, Daw, 1998, ISBN 0886777992

"The first age, humanity's initial attempt to people the stars, ended in disaster when it was discovered that Earth's original superluminal drive did permanent genetic damage to all who used it -- mutating Earth's far-flung colonies in mind and body.

"Now, one of Earth's first colonies—a world called Guera—has given humanity back the stars, but at a high price. For the new Outships can only be piloted by members of Guera's Outspace Guild, whose mysterious abilities allow them to monopolize galactic transportation, giving them control over all human commerce.

"Powerful companies from dozens of planets vie to be the first to topple Guera's stranglehold on the stars, for to unseat the Guild would be worth any risk.

"And on Shido Habitat, a corporate satellite in Earth's outer orbit, lives a girl named Jamisia. Protected by her biological brainware systems, and accompanied by the many voices in her head, she has grown into a resourceful, if unusual, young woman. When Shido is viciously attacked by corporate raiders, Jamisia flees to a ship bound for the Up-and-Out. But this narrow escape does not mean safety for Jamisia. Speeding across the galaxy pursued by ruthless but unknown adversaries, Jamisia must unravel the mystery of her identity and her importance. This odyssey of self-discovery will lead her to uncover a secret which is buried deep within her psyche—a revelation the universe may not be ready to face..."

Despite all that breathless hype on the cover, it was a good book.

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Julian May, Perseus Spur (The Rampart Worlds: Book 1), Del Rey, 1999, ISBN 0345395107

On one level, this is a serious tale of corporate plotting to control lucrative resources at the far reaches of human-controlled space, where aliens have recently been hijacking cargo ships and there's some evidence of collaboration between aliens species which have never previously worked together.

As the story opens, Helmut Icicle returns from a fishing trip to find his beach shack has been eaten by a sea creature, realizes that he was intended to be in the shack when this happened, and quickly gets involved in a mystery that deepens with every page. Assisted by a powerful friend, a smuggler with the latest spacecraft and lots of useful contacts, Helmut tries to stop the assassins and find out who they are and what is going on. Why the interest in a particular remote planet? Where have some key people disappeared to, and why?

Mostly a space opera-mystery story, this novel is enhanced by May's witty turns of phrase and deft timing. I had become bored with the Pliocene books, so I had put off reading this one; but now I'll be seeking out the next two volumes in this series. If they continue to be as cleverly written as Perseus Spur, they'll be winners.

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Anne McCaffrey, Pegasus in Space, 2001, Ballantine Books; ISBN 0345434676

The third (and final) volume in the Pegasus series, begun with a short story in 1959 and related to The Tower and The Hive Sequence which takes place some years after this book. McCaffrey's been filling in historical gaps in several of her series in recent years; this is one such novel. It stands well on its own but will be of most interest to enthusiasts of the other Talent books. "Talent" is the term for people with psi powers (telepathy, telekinesis, precognition, and numerous others). Such people, particularly in the early days of their "coming out" on Earth in the late 20th century, were feared by many non-Talents, especially those engaged in seriously illegal activities like organ farming. This book is also concerned with overcoming the objections of those who oppose the push into space, a project that the Talents support enthusiastically. An interesting but far from outstanding story. To coincide with the publication of this book, Bantam has reissued the first two volumes in the series, To Ride Pegasus and Pegasus in Flight.

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R.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Scholastic, 1999, ISBN 0439064872; in UK, Bloomsbury Children's Books, ISBN 0747538484

The second book in the series about the young wizard, raised by unpleasant and uncaring muggles (non-wizards), who goes to wizard boarding school where more powerful enemies are out to get him. Harry and his friends must find out who's behind the mysterious goings-on and save the school (and Harry) from disaster. A delightful read, even for adults. Being able to guess what's going to happen next is probably an attraction for younger readers, though adults may think some of the sequences are a bit obvious.

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Nancy Kress, Stinger, Tor, 1998, ISBN 0812540387

A biological thriller, not marketed as SF, but with definite SFnal elements. "A local nurse notices a sudden increase in the incidence of fatal strokes among otherwise healthy black adults. The trail leads to a new strain of malaria that causes rapid blood clotting in people with sickle-cell trait."

Is this a bioengineered weapon against black people? Is the release deliberate or an accident? FBI Agent Cavanaugh finds that his search for answers quickly brings refusal from his superiors of permission to pursue the case. Now sensing a serious conspiracy in high places, he sets up his own investigation.

Kress knows her biology, and also manages to mix the mysterious and dangerous elements of the story with relevant and credible personal-relationship issues.

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Kim Stanley Robinson, Antarctica, Bantam, 1998, ISBN 0553574027; in UK, Voyager, ISBN 000651264X

Not SF, but the harsh environment of the Antarctica continent is as alien to humans as Mars would be, in many respects (except for the oxygen levels) and the principle of "keep it uncontaminated by human biological and industrial wastes" is much the same.

Robinson includes a lot of historical notes; commentary on the various bureaucratic, political, and environmental issues surrounding Antarctic research, tourism and development; sympathetic portrayal of the personalities and interactions of the people who choose to live and work in Antarctica; a rather less sympathetic portrayal of some of the tourists (the sort with more money than sense); and an overall "sense of wonder" about the place.

Some of the permanent residents, especially the self-styled "ferals," read like characters out of Robinson's Mars trilogy; hardly surprising given the similarities of the two places and Robinson's social views. As a fan of the "Reds" of Mars, I enjoyed meeting their Antarctic counterparts.

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Vonda N. McIntrye, The Moon and the Sun, Pocket Books, 1997, ISBN 0671567667

A fantasy novel set in 17th-century France, but with a major difference from the usual pseudo-medieval fantasy. Father Yves de la Croix has brought back to the court of King Louis XIV two mermaid-like "sea monsters" (a living female and a dead male) from the western Atlantic Ocean. Yves' interest is in dissecting the male and studying the female. Yves' sister Marie-Josephe's interest is in taming the female and saving her from the indifference and cruelty of the King, who is only interested in the novelty of the creatures. McIntyre shows the intrigue and infighting of the courtiers and the church, and the dark side of court life.

The monster sings to Marie-Josephe, who responds to the songs and interprets their meaning for the King, who usually doesn't like the message. When the King decides to kill the monster, Marie-Josephe resolves to save her. But can she do so? And at what cost to her own life? Can she overcome her religious upbringing, to follow her heart rather than the dictates of society? How can she know what is right and wrong, if the Church says otherwise?

A thoughtful and insightful story as well as a fantastic one. Unless readers are more familiar than I am with the history of France in that period, they'll have difficulty sorting out the historical facts from McIntyre's fiction—another mark of an excellent writer, in my opinion.

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S.M. Stirling, On the Oceans of Eternity, Roc, 2000, ISBN 0451457803

Third in a series, following Island in the Sea of Time and Against the Tide of Years. Ten years after the island of Nantucket found itself suddenly in the Bronze Age, the good guys of Nantucket mount a serious effort to depose the tyrant William Walker, one of their number who has been building an empire in the eastern Mediterranean.

This book had rather too much of an emphasis on military tactics than I prefer (not finding that subject very interesting), but for readers with an interest—and especially a knowledge of the "real" military history of the time of Ullysses and the fall of Troy—I'm sure this book would be fascinating reading.

I enjoyed it anyway, for the depictions of everyday life in the various parts of the world that the Nantucketers visited, including California. I like the series because of the depictions of everyday life in the Bronze Age, but the military stuff exceeds my boredom level, and sometimes the blood-and-guts is too much too.

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Pat Murphy, There and Back Again, Tor, 1999, ISBN 0812541723

This "wild, fantastic journey through space and time, from the asteroid belt of the Solar System to the heart of the Milky Way" contains many delightful and amusing scenes as Bailiey's adventure story unfolds. Just as Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog moved me to read "Three Men in a Boat," this book has me searching for a copy of The Hobbit to re-read.

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Amy Thomson, Through Alien Eyes, Ace, 1999, ISBN 0441007392

In this sequel to The Color of Distance, the human Eerin (Dr Juna Saari) returns to human space, accompanied by the Tendu Moki (her adopted son) and Ukatonen (an elder). The story is told mostly from the Tendus' point of view, or from Juna's—a mixture of human and Tendu attitudes, as she had spent some time living as a Tendu on their planet. Of course, human reactions to the Tendu are mixed; some are afraid of or threatened by them; others are fascinated, as by a strange animal; a few treat them with consideration and respect.

Bureaucrats dither and obstruct; a sympathetic journalist exposes the obstruction; business interests seek to profit; the Tendu are confused and distressed; and Juna's lover Bruce suffers a serious change in attitude when he learns that he is the father of Juna's illegal child. A most interesting book on many levels.

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Margaret Ball, Lost in Translation, Baen, 1995, ISBN 0671876880

An amusing tale of a young woman who isn't properly obedient to her rich, authoritarian father. Disapproving of her California college, he packs her off to a good old-fashioned school in southern France. But she doesn't arrive at the intended school; somehow in Orly airport, she makes a wrong turn and ends up in another universe, where she is accepted as a new student at a wizard's college. All the oddities she writes off to being in Europe, which she knew was going to be different but didn't think would be quite so primitive. This book is a precursor to the sort of stories Ball writes for the Chicks in Chainmail series, though with a different character. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

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Judith Tarr and Harry Turtledove, Household Gods, Tor, 1999, ISBN 0812564669

Nicole Gunther-Perrin is a young lawyer, divorced, struggling to raise two children in Los Angeles, with an ex-husband who's always behind in his child support payments.

When she's passed over for a partnership In her law firm on the same day that her childminder announces she's no longer available, Nicole wishes to a plaque of Liber and Libera, Roman god and goddess of wine (she thinks they are gods of freedom) that she lived in their day —thinking it was less violent, sexist and artificial than turn-of-the-20th-century California.

When she wakes up in the 2nd century town of Carnuntum on the Roman frontier along the Danube River, as a widowed tavernkeeper, she quickly learns that a lot of her assumptions were wrong. Water isn't healthier than wine, medical science is almost non-existent, women have different rights, and smacking children is normal discipline, not child abuse. Then there's slavery. This book has lots of good stuff about everyday life and very little war stuff.

I thought the main character was a bit too dumb to be true at first, but then I realized that she's probably typical of many young people who haven't traveled much.

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Norman Spinrad, Greenhouse Summer, Tor, 1999, ISBN 0812566564

A hundred years from now, the Greenhouse Effect has raised the sea levels and changed the climate, so Paris is much like New Orleans of today. The big corporations and businesses who make a profit on fixing the environment are doing well, but are their efforts actually making things worse? At a major UN conference, a scientist predicts disaster, and appears to have the data to back up those claims.

Monique Calhoun's job in VIP sevices is to keep her syndic's clients (and prospective clients) happy, but she's soon drawn into serious spying, in an attempt to learn what's really going on. Numerous other characters—many of whom are amusingly, yet sympathetically portrayed—are representative of types and points of view, yet avoid being stereotypes.

I found this book hilarious, though there was some heavy stuff in there too. I couldn't read it quickly because almost every phrase was a gem to be appreciated. I really liked Spinrad's Pictures at 11 too. He neatly skewers just about everybody's sacred cows in both of them.

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Jane Routley, Aramaya, Avon, 1999, ISBN 0380794608

In this sequel to Mage Heart and Fire Angels, Dion Holyhands, the demonslayer, spends entirely too much time obsessing over her supposed inability to have children, convinced that her husband Shad left her because of this failure.

Dion travels to Aramaya, looking for her cousin Dally, who she suspects of dabbling in necromancy. Although Dion is totally opposed to the practice, she doesn't want her kin to be discovered and punished.

Nicoli, a powerful mage, loves her, but she's suspicious of him. So was I, considering that in the first book she was seduced by another charming man who was actually a demon. Dion's lack of good sense was acceptable when she was young and inexperienced, but by now she should have learned something. Many people, of course, never seem to learn; but I get irritated reading about them.

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C.J. Cherryh, Precursor, Daw, 1999, ISBN 0886779103

Fourth in a series, following Foreigner, Invader, and Inheritor.

The Atevi are now in space, and plan to be the main suppliers of services to the humans' space station, now under the control of the humans' starship captains and crew. The captains are deeply suspicious of the Atevi (and of the humans on the planet), and have deficient negotiating skills even with humans; with no understanding of the protocols of dealing with Atevi society, they constantly offend.

Bren Cameron, a human, is now working on behalf of the Atevi. His job is to move the negotiations forward while making the situation clear to the ship humans: you are dependent on the Atevi for the skills and materials needed to repair your ship, and you cannot coerce them into obediance. You can probably destroy them (and most of the planet), but that will only make your situation worse.

This volume is fairly slow and thoughtful, examining many nuances of interspecies interaction, with fast-paced events happening occasionally—rather like real-life negotiations. I very much enjoy this writing style, and I hope Cherryh continues this series.

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Joe Haldeman, Forever Peace, Ace, 1997, ISBN 0441005667

Not a sequel to The Forever War, this book examines similar issues of people who have little choice but to fight in a highly technological war that civilians can follow in real time on the cube. He looks mainly at the psychological reactions of the soldiers and their civilian friends. Throw in some politics and conspiracy and it's a interesting mix.

This book has a bit more blood-and-guts than I like but was otherwise extremely well done and very thought-provoking, as always for Haldeman.

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Joe Haldeman, Forever Free, Ace, 2000, ISBN 0441007872

This book is a sequel to The Forever War, following the lives of some veterans of that war, who have settled on a planet far from Earth, and declined to join in the group consciousness known as Man.

Man attempts to seduce their children, as well as over-protecting the veterans (who are a genetic reservoir for humanity), so the vets hijack a spaceship and set off for the stars, out of Man's reach. But something goes wrong and they have to return, centuries later. What will they find? And why has their escape failed? Another thought-provoking book from Haldeman.

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Neal Stephenson, Zodiac, originally published 1988, reissued by Bantam Spectra, 1995, ISBN 0553573861, UK reprint due out May 2001

An early novel from Stephenson, not SF but an "eco-thriller." Learn more than you ever wanted to know about toxic waste, while following the adventures of a group of environmental extremists as they attempt to track pollution in Boston Harbor back to its source and work out why the pollution isn't doing what they expect.

This book exhibits the same madcap style of Snow Crash and The Diamond Age, while also looking at series issues as he also does in those other books. I haven't found time yet to read my copy of Cryptonomicon, but I'm looking forward to it.

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