Blue Remembered Earth
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4.2 • 184 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
The first novel in the Poseidon's Children series from the acclaimed author of the Revelation Space series.
One hundred and fifty years from now, Africa has become the world’s dominant technological and economic power. Crime, war, disease and poverty have been practically eliminated. The Moon and Mars are settled, and colonies stretch all the way out to the edge of the solar system. And Ocular, the largest scientific instrument in history, is about to make an epochal discovery...
Geoffrey Akinya wants only one thing: to be left in peace, so that he can continue his long-running studies into the elephants of the Amboseli basin. But Geoffrey’s family, which controls the vast Akinya business empire, has other plans for him. After the death of his grandmother Eunice—the erstwhile space explorer and entrepreneur—something awkward has come to light on the Moon, so Geoffrey is dispatched there to ensure the family name remains untarnished.
But the secrets Eunice died with are about to be revealed—secrets that could change everything...or tear this near utopia apart.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Reynolds (Terminal World) cements his status as one of the preeminent writers of hard SF with this gripping and intelligent kickoff to the three-book Poseidon's Children sequence. It's 2161, and Africa is the Earth's "dominant economic and technological" power. Geoffrey Akinya has used major scientific advances to enhance his research into elephant intelligence, preparing to mind-meld with wild pachyderms. His studies are interrupted by the death of his 131-year-old grandmother Eunice, which catalyzes events that takes the biologist to the Moon and beyond to decipher a series of clues Eunice left behind. Akinya's quest further enmeshes him in some very complicated family dynamics. The futuristic science, which includes expansions of virtual reality and a convenient mode of travel from Earth to the Moon, is plausibly conveyed. Beyond that, Reynolds's creative imagination uses current and speculative science and technology as the underlying structure for a thoughtful exploration of humanity's place in the universe.
Customer Reviews
Very good sci-fi novel...
This is my idea of science fiction. The 'world' in which this story is set is described in abundant detail - detail about history, government, social issues old and new, and technology, all of which may not have a direct link to the plot, but that works to create a clear picture of where you are when reading. After Revelation Space, I didn't think Alastair Reynolds could possibly create a different world so interesting and foreign and complex, but in fact he did. All the while the story builds suspense, that like my favorite book Spin, gives you a feeling that you are about to be delivered a dose of perspective regarding our place in the universe. Nice job Mr. Reynolds.
Not as good as previous novels
But still very good. Revelation Space is hard to beat.
Starts slow but finishes strong
On Reynolds web site he admits he takes too long to get into the meat of his stories. He's right. This book has a slow first half as he
sets up his story, but accelerates into the rousing tale that I remember from his earlier novels. Not his best novel, but worth a look from anyone who has enjoyed his previous work.