A multiverse novel but different. Starting from the biological basis of consciousness and the primacy of the conscious observer. Robert Lanza posited biocentrism in 2007 and this 2023 novel together with Nancy Kress explores it. Likable story, but rather flat charactered I thought and one part that was a verbatim repeat of another section which I found odd.
Tag: 2023
The Children of the Sky by Vernor Vinge
Set in the Zones of Thought universe, and another long book. It continues the story of Tines world with its sentient dog packs. While entertaining its length wasn’t needed for the story I feel. And I’m actually more interested to learn what happens outside of Tines world in the universe from which the protagonists have fled to it.
Waste Tide by Chen Qiufan
An island in China where the global e-waste gets processed is at the center of the book, and where an old experiment emerges into a new consciousness. Really enjoyed this one, weaving western and Chinese perspectives on SF together. Took me a long time, about a year, to finish, because I read it on paper and I had long stretches without opportunity to comfortably read a paper book so it just sat there on a side table. Read the last half in the last few days making time for it early evening.
Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
A 1960s Polish novel that holds up well 60yrs on. First contact with an ocean. Researchers don’t make any progress understanding the alien, yet get confronted with their own deepest regrets by it.
Zones of Thought by Vernor Vinge
Great space opera and great alien races. A combination of 2 books, A Fire Upon the Deep (1992), and its prequel A Deepness in the Sky (1999). About 1k pages together.