Alastair Reynolds's Revelation Space. I Liek!

(If you don't like reviews you can go away)


I just finished re-reading Revelation Space; re-affirming its place as probably my favourite from the contemporary sci-fi/space opera genre. I specify this because it can in no way be compared to the philosophical and psychological impacts of the big three: 1984, Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451. It would be like comparing Dan Brown (first writer that popped into my head don't shoot me!) with Shakespeare: I love them both but for different reasons. In a nutshell; RS is the first and best imo from a trilogy of 3 which, together with some other prequels and novellas make up the Revelation Space universe. It's a multi-narrative dramatic novel centred around human colonising nearby space and mysterious extinction of an ancient species on a different planet millions of years ago.


There are many reasons i like Reynolds's works, though i was mainly drawn to his scientific precision. All the futuristic technology he posits is entirely feasible even today, allowing the reader to be more accepting of them as plot devices. One good example is his use of slower than light-speed travel and the effects of time dilation; evidenced in the novella Dilation Sleep which portrays the emotional aspects of two lovers being separated by dozens of light-years of space. Some believe that the cost of this is low character development. In some of his later novels i think this does apply (most notably Redemption Ark (2/3)), although i think he gets it just right in RS. I found myself loving and hating each character, a test of good characterisation; they are very realistic, despite their worlds being far different to our own. From Khouri's bitchy manipulation to Volyova's bad-assness to Calvin and Dan's witty banter; i  loved it all! It also didn't suffer the pacing issues that Absolution Gap (3/3) suffered, with the action being nicely spread out. The differences between the different human factions are huge, and i particularly like the space-faring Ultras and hive mind Conjoiners. The enormity of the universe they inhabit is reflected in their psyche's, another area where Reynolds hits the nail on the head (lol).The multi-narrative works very well; because the ways in which the stories converge is less obvious than one might imagine.


Though i think, and having read all his other RS universe material subsequently before re-reading the novel, the one reason i like this book more than the others is because it stands alone. Sure, the expansion of the universe through sequels is great, but RS is great in that it doesn't need the other books. One gripe i do have though is that minor characters tend to die pointlessly and often...but i can forgive that :D


I've been told i should be reading Hamilton, whose style is apparently similar to Reynolds's. I also plan to read more Banks. You shall be kept informed...