Alastair Reynolds

Alastair Reynolds - Leading writer of modern space adventure, equally adept at epic novels & short fiction. Absolute "must-read" for all hard sf fans, but perhaps a little dry for those who like more conventional sf. Reynolds fiction can also be quite cold and impersonal, though it's ALWAYS entertaining. Blockbuster wide-screen special effects and extensive "future history" are guaranteed in every story. (art copyright CGSociety, Pawel Lewandowski) ---------------------------------------------- Alastair Reynolds "Beyond the Aquila Rift" ©  Constellations, ed. by Peter Crowther, 2005 Zima Blue & Other Stories, 2006 --novelette : 2006 Locus award --/ third place space sf novella --/ wonder award --/ adventure award --/ awesome scale The mind-boggling scale of vacuous space is compounded by the sense of being totally lost in it, not knowing where you are - the pilot in this story is lost in more ways than one, as Reynolds unveils the "degrees of separation" with the skill of a master magician. A few times the story pirouettes on its tail to further convolute the proceedings, but a happy reader will lap up every progressive revelation with a grin of joy. One of the most s-p-a-c-i-o-u-s novellas in Reynolds' portfolio, great stuff of wonder, a mournful note ghastly ringing in the dark-lit halls of outer space. "Beyond the Aquila Rift" is set in a future with interstellar flight through a barely understood system long abandoned by the aliens that built it, and involves one of the occasional errors where ships arrive far from their intended destinations." (source) ---------------------------------------------- "Chasm City" (nv) (Revelation Space series: 2) © 2001, Gollancz /Ace --sf novel : 2002 Locus /9 --novel : 2002 British SF W --/ third place space sf novel --/ wonder award --/ adventure award --/ awesome scale --/ shock value This novel is completely another beast than "Revelation Space", darker in tone, unapologetic (and often unjustified) in plot twists, baroque in structure and ambition. A reader might get in turn bored, shocked, confused, astounded and perplexed - but it is a black obelisk of a novel, a vast achievement, nevertheless. Think of it as Dashiel Hammett's hard-boiled mystery set to steampunk gears and the brooding lustre of China Mieville novels and (somewhere deep down) Philip K. Dick's angst. The pacing and sudden plot twists reminded me of A. E. Van Vogt's approach (a new revelation for the reader every few paragraphs), however in the first half the story tended to drag and one might wish for the action to speed up, with rather more emotion. Still, it is a cinematic trip, worth the admission. Most people with find the tone and setting somewhat depressing. Even with the occasional glamor and glitz of Chasm City's environment, and the unmistakable steampunk and William Gibson references in visuals and invention, the overall sense of doom and the obviously cold-blooded souls of the main characters would get to anybody (there is not a single good-natured human being along the way). But guess what, it seems like only a fitting build-up for the final sentiments that Reynolds masterfully hides in the ending. There is an ultimate grace and a deep yearning for things pure and innocent that are hinted - only hinted! - that shape the character and (still pretty convoluted) outcome. The novel opens with a bang (the explosive destruction of an enormous space elevator) and unfolds as a voyage to the Jack Vance-like environment of Yellowstone / Chasm City, interspersed with flashbacks to the "Generation Ship" odyssey to another star. I have to admit, I was deeply impressed how Reynolds developed his Sky Hausmann anti-hero: a tyrant in the making, a ruthless figure, a true glimpse into the dark souls of the likes of Stalin and Hitler. Absolutely fascinating progression of mounting sins that are justified in the name of an idea, revealed as the lust for power. Many find this creature hard to forget (complete with the appearance of the Joker figure) - and yet... yet.... there is a redemption lurking just at the vision's edge, a possibility of the impossible, transcending change that can not be really explained, only felt. I applaud Reynolds for not stating these things clearly, and for the subtle emotional nuances that break thru the cold plot facade.... well done. There is much to be said about the novel's Pandora's Box of visual delights, and I attach a few works of art that (barely) touch that splendor. One word of caution, though - nothing in this novel is what it seems from the start, so prepare to be utterly astounded a few times, and also prepare to be exposed to long, meticulous exposition in the beginning. Chasm City grows on you... and just like in the twisted jungles of its buildings, you might never see the way to a happy ending, unless you can uncover that happy ending inside of you. And that seems to be exactly what Reynolds was after. review: 10-Oct-08 (read in 2008) (art credit: Marcin Jakubowski) (art credit: Mark Goerner) ---------------------------------------------- "Diamond Dogs" (Revelation Space series) © PS Publishing, Nov 2001 Diamond Dogs, Torquoise Days, 2001 --short fiction : 2002 British Fantasy --/ third place space sf novella --/ adventure award --/ wonder award --/ idea award --/ shock value ---------------------------------------------- "Galactic North" (Revelation Space series) © Interzone, Jul 1999 --fiction : 2000 Interzone Poll /9 --short story : 2002 Seiun --novelette : 2000 Locus Poll --/ second place space sf story --/ adventure award --/ wonder award --/ idea award --/ style award --/ awesome scale Greenfly machines - terraforming gone bad - devour the bigger part of our Galaxy, while the unlikely survivors witness the event with little interest, more compelled to chase each other across millenia, driven by an all-consuming lust for revenge. The characters are shallow to the point of being shadows, immaterial players of a cosmological farce, a tragedy of ultimate futility, unfolding on the huge "space opera" stage. The sense of time/space progression is vast, imparted unto the reader with a vacuum-cold, neutron-heavy touch. The vistas are comparable to Asimov's "Last Question" unique story or to Stapledon's phantom visions of stellar civilizations. Reynolds pulls out all the stops here and achieves mind-boggling results, nested deeply in his "Revelation Space" universe ("Galactic North" provides much-needed sense of perspective to the whole series). The space piracy bit in the story's opening is pretty dramatic in itself, serving the same purpose: to inflame the powerful emotions that will burn their carnal fires across the multitude of incarnations, ages and space. Like someone said, "Reynolds is gazing into Infinity here". He does not flinch for a bit, but then again, this is purely imagined infinity, a tame fictional thing. All in all, this is an awesome sci-fi entertainment, published for the joy of all space adventure geeks like me. Here is also a good review of this and other stories from this collection here review: 24-Sep-06 (read in 2002) ---------------------------------------------- "Galactic North" (coll) (Revelation Space series) © Ace / Gollancz, 2006 --/ second place sf collection --/ adventure award --/ wonder award --/ awesome scale This collection of large-scale stories (with three original story publications) positively oozes light years of space and loads upon loads of stars; magnificently, it drips with tremendous machines locked in tremendous conflicts between cultures and rival technologies. In other words, it's the best collection of "new space opera"/ space adventure material to come out in a long while. Highly recommended. review: 09-Sep-07 (read in 2007) ---------------------------------------------- "Glacial" (Revelation Space series) © Spectrum SF # 5, 2001 --novella : 2002 Locus /15 --/ fourth place space sf novella --/ adventure award --/ wonder award --/ idea award What a perfect title for Reynolds' murder mystery concoction! Chilly in the most intriguing way, slightly morbid and glimmering, reflecting Alastair's barely hidden joy at writing such an orderly, distinguished space investigation story (as someone noted, Reynolds likes mysteries). This is a solid, competent example of the sf mystery sub-genre, better than similar (and rather more famous) stories by Isaac Asimov. Not as maniacally spectacular as other entries in this collection, but still a good way to pass the time (much better than most TV anyway). The plot revolves around various mysteries of a deserted human colony (of a period before "Revelation Space" and approximately the same as "The Great Wall of Mars"). Other reviewers noted that "The Great Wall of Mars" and "Glacial" are best read after "Revelation Space" and before "Redemption Ark", as they give a gripping account of Clavain's early years. review: 12-Sep-07 (read in 2005) ---------------------------------------------- "Great Wall of Mars" (Revelation Space series) (prequel to "Glacial") © 2000, Spectrum SF #1 --novella : 2001 Locus /14 --/ fourth place space sf novella --/ adventure award --/ wonder award --/ idea award Something very epic, as Heinlein could've written it in his Golden Period, but with new gleam and shine, plus huge doses of Bruce Sterling's Shaper/Mechanist ideas thrown in for a good measure. Exciting action and thrilling visuals are a given, as we have come to expect from Alastair Reynolds. This novella is a starting point for the whole "Revelation Space" series, so the scale is still very small, confined only to the Solar System, but the initial conflict between Conjoiners/Demarchists (or are they Shapers/Mechanists ??) is revealed in a very concise manner, introducing all key characters (Clavain, Galiana, Remontoire)... and starting them on a 4-novel, thousand-page journey. Isn't it a good feeling, when you can gaze on a whole bookshelf of "Revelation Space" novels and know that no matter how much you read Reynolds, there is always going to be some more :) The embattled walled City of Mars reminded me of Henry Kuttner's "Fury" series - same subdued militaristic drive and laconic writing. Good taste, good reading times - cheers, let's read some more! review: 12-Sep-07 (read in 2003) ---------------------------------------------- "Pushing Ice" (nv) (Spican Structure # 1) © Gollanz, 2005 --novel : 2005 Arthur Clarke Award --novel : 2006 Locus Award /11 --/ second place space sf novel --/ wonder award --/ adventure award --/ idea award: cosmic structure --/ awesome scale A major space adventure that I've been hungering for. All the classic wonder and meta-galactic scale, all the tension and beauty of space exploration are there, plus believable human characters, and drama. Not ideal writing, mind you (a little dry - could welcome more polished, soaring style), but adequate enough to keep me enthralled. My review of this would be biased, as most of the action unfolded inside my head, enhancing the prose, and the vistas there would give Hollywood a run for its money. But one thing certain: this is a gritty, tough adventure story, claustrophobic in the first part, as the crew follows the runaway planet, trapped inside the ship and their own petty fights. When the action shifts to depicting human conflict, the evil corporate types spring to life with astonishing clarity; perhaps Reynolds drew upon his own experiences in the cubicle "office space" life. The perspectives and landscapes begin to widen once our tough miners land on an artificial alien planet (which ice-clad moon of Saturn, Janus, turned out to be). The plot significantly thickens again, after the moon does not stop at the expected destination somewhere in Spica constellation, but goes on with even more stupendous acceleration to enter ... cosmological structure, to describe which human mind would have to twist into knots, which only Reynolds may safely unravel :) It is grand scale, folks, and I eagerly await the next installment (if it is planned) to glimpse more of this Galaxy-wide alien architecture. review: 09-Jul-06 (read in 2006) ---------------------------------------------- "The Real Story" © Mars Probes, ed. P. Crowther, 2002 --novellette: 2003 Locus /27 --/ cool space sf story --/ adventure award --/ wonder award ---------------------------------------------- "Revelation Space" (nv) (Revelation Space series: 1) © 2000, Gollancz / Ace --shortlist : 2001 Clarke --first novel : 2001 Locus /2 --sf novel : 2001 Locus /22 --novel : 2001 British SF --/ FIRST place sf series --/ second place space sf novel --/ adventure award --/ wonder award --/ idea award --/ awesome scale The vistas are wide and gorgeous, the ending is pure joy, the canvas is colorful and satisfying. The novel starts in intriguing, if somewhat slow-paced way - an archaeological dig on the other planet; but once we learn what kind of immensity this dig uncovers, the pace picks up and a marvelous adventure gets underway. Various planet environments are introduced and a weirdly twisted space-faring cyber-culture gets a new treatment (since Bruce Sterling's similar "Schismatrix" series). The lack of hyperdrive - instantaneous FTL travel - in Revelation Space universe makes for a truly mind-boggling contemplation of stellar distances and unforgiving time spans, introduces certain harshness in how the characters live and function... faced with huge gaps of traveling through the void. Thus, the flavor of the "Generation Ship" epics from classic science fiction can be felt once again, mixed with edgy cyberpunk philosophies. In a word: this novel is a trip. And it makes sense, combined with a sensory experience. One can almost imagine boarding the colossal and beautiful spaceship, armed to the brim with deadly weapons (capable of destroying whole star systems), battling the ghosts, mysteries and conspiracies along the way and arriving at the weirdest destination possible (the novel does end with a bang, I'm not going to spoil it for you). This is a grand space adventure that will stay with you for years, an ice-cold thrilling vehicle...Though this is exactly my only complaint: that the novel feels cold to the heart like a surgical instrument, devoid of any particular warmth. One might argue that the detached narrative tone perfectly fits the immensity of space and life/death decisions that characters face there. Think of it as an epic story, covered in chrome, with tangled spikes of brooding menace sticking out here and there - launched on a grand voyage with not much thought about side sentiments (though you'd wish it lasted longer than the 500 pages alotted to it). Plenty of other influences here: certainly Iain M. Banks, William Gibson, even early Heinlein in its epic sweep - and a striking similarity to Larry Niven's stories for a mind-bending finale. Yes, it could have been paced more engagingly, with fewer chunks of exposition, but the reader knows he is in competent hands: Alastair Reynolds is capable of delivering hard science and plot twists with equal flamboyance. As a sidenote, I find it hard to forget the vast weapon bays inside Ultra's spaceship (complete with a ghost captain), where the dread star-destroying guns sleep... waiting for a senseless command to wake them. You can tell, this is the stuff classic space operas are made of, stuff that never gets out of date. Awe-inspiring. review: 10-Oct-08 (read in 2003) ---------------------------------------------- "Spirey and the Queen" (Revelation Space series) © Interzone, Jun 1996 --fiction : 1997 Interzone Poll /6 (tie) --/ second place space sf novella --/ adventure award --/ wonder award --/ idea award --/ awesome scale --/ rare find ---------------------------------------------- "A Spy in Europa" (Revelation Space series) © Interzone, Jun 1997 --fiction : 1998 Interzone Poll /10 (tie) --short story : 2003 Seiun --/ third place space sf story --/ adventure award --/ wonder award --/ style award "A Spy in Europa is an entertaining mixture of hard sf, James Bond, and Jaws." "Inventive, colorful adventure steeped in interplanetary politics as rival factions vie for control of Jovian space."(Locus) All good reviews can't convey the sense of discovery I experienced upon reading this story - this was my VERY FIRST encounter with Alastair Reynolds's fiction. At first, I liked the underwater caper and "Thunderball"-like spy intrigue, being "duly" entertained by highly visual descriptions and the overall sense of cool confidence. It's as though Reynolds has read ALL the best examples of space adventure story on his weekend (or downloaded them straight into his cortex) and decided that he is going to "ace" them all before lunch on a lazy afternoon. Effortless, smooth writing, good control of the plot and intricate world-building - all displayed in this, one of his earliest published stories. Plus there is an interesting twist in the end. After reading the last page, I shook my head in disbelief and announced to my wife that I've got a new "MOST FAVORITE" sf writer... Her reply was "How many "my most favorites" do you have? Must be some crowded company". She's right of course. Reynolds is good at what he does, but the beauty of fantastic literature is that it is so diverse and so full of flavors and styles, that there is always a room for another "your one and only" favorite writer. Here is a pretty neat excerpt from the interview in Aurealis: Australian SF: AUREALIS: I've read you also enjoy spy-novels and this again comes out in many of your stories. "A Spy in Europa" is probably my favourite of this style of story. You intrigue us with a whole mess of espionage and double-crossing, only to turn everything on its head for both the reader and the protagonist. There doesn't seem to be anything sly, or of pulling-the-rug on the reader about this. The ending is rational and logical, you just don't see it coming. Is this an effect you consciously set out to achieve when you write a story? The ability to surprise a reader just when they think they've got it all figured out? ALASTAIR REYNOLDS: I guess that's the effect I'm striving for with that specific kind of story, certainly. Whether I hit the mark all the time, or any of the time, is another matter entirely. I know people who disliked A Spy... intensely, because they felt it was implausibly contrived. Again, you write the stories you think of. With that one, I got the ending nailed down pretty early and worked back from it. It was actually one of the easiest stories I've ever written: I think I started it on a Friday evening, and had it done by Sunday. Most times, my short stories take at least three to six weeks. ("Interzone" illustration by SMS) ---------------------------------------------- "Torquoise Days" (Revelation Space series) © Golden Gryphon, Aug 2002 Diamond Dogs, Torquoise Days, 2001 --novella : 2003 Locus /9 --/ third place space sf story --/ adventure award --/ wonder award --/ idea award ---------------------------------------------- "Weather" (Revelation Space series) ©Galactic North, 2006 --/ third place space sf story --/ adventure award --/ wonder award As straight-forward story as you can get: simple space piracy potboiler, with classic set pieces and predictable special effects. None of the above is a bad thing, though. Space pirate stories historically were frowned upon by all kinds of critics, dismissed as juvenile and unoriginal. Well, pirates are supposed to get a bad rap, unless they are of the kind that "don't do anything". Most often, though, pirates represent the most romantic environment that a writer can possibly come up with. The problem is, NONE of the great space piracy stories were properly reprinted, and so they are virtually unknown as a result. Have you read (or even heard about) Edwin K. Sloat's "Beyond the Planetoids" (1932)? Or Edmond Hamilton's "The Three Planeteers"? I bet you did not... but now you can at least read this little "potboiler" to get a good taste of what piracy of the spaceways adventure is all about. Wonderfully simple storyline is all that is needed here - thrilling battles of the corsair's wits and space engines, with an added exotic (though not really romantic) interest and a geeky fascination with a huge unfathomable space drives - all very straight-forward and cute. Very pleasurable narrative from a writer who's not afraid to enter forbidden (deemed to be "cheesy") territories and to bring out cool cinematic adventures. review: 10-Sep-07 (read in 2007) Art copyright: Chris Foss ---------------------------------------------- (art copyright: John Berkey)

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