2001 - Year in SF&F: June

THE WONDER TIMELINE: SF&F RETROSPECTIVE Read other issues here (image credit: kbarts.hu) Alastair Reynolds "Chasm City" (nv) (Revelation Space series: 2) © 2001, Gollancz /Ace --sf novel : 2002 Locus /9 --novel : 2002 British SF W --/ third place 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) ---------------------------------------------- Alastair Reynolds "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) (art copyright: John Berkey) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to the Wonder Timeline

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