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Alien Earth
Over successive generations the Conservancy has re-adjusted man to make him so environmentally-friendly that he no longer breeds or leaves any trace of his existence. However a depleted gene-pool now means that a dying Earth has to be repopulated, quickly.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
23 people are currently reading
1205 people want to read
About the author
Megan Lindholm
77 books1,058 followersThe author also writes under the pseudonym Robin Hobb. Her real name is Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
March 2, 2024
Very satisfying read by Lindholm, AKA Robin Hobb, and I did not even know she also wrote science fiction! Alien Earth is also only my second 5 star rating this year so far. Where to even start with this one?
Lindholm starts the novel off introducing John Gen-93 Beta, the human captain of a 'beastship'. Sometime in the near future, the climate crisis on Earth cascaded; while this was occurring, some aliens (the Athroplana) made first contact and offered to 'lifeboat' humanity, sending beastships to transport humans to new planets. The Gen-93 part of John's name means that he is from the 93 generation of humanity who left Earth for new worlds. While John is the official captain, an Arthroplana named Tug exists as a parasite on the beastship. The Arthroplana's life expectancy is 100s of times that of humans, and the beastships live even longer. Basically, Tug controls the interface between the the ship and the humans in the gondola like part of the ship grafted onto the living beast.
The Arthroplana are hard core environmentalists; humanity must be trained to leave no mark on their new worlds (two planets and several space stations). Further, through the suppression of growth hormones and other things, humans now live to 200 or so, and only reach puberty at around 60 years. In fact, the new humans are not much like Earth humans any more; they cannot even have children naturally, relying upon IVF and then using caesarian surgery to take the embryo at a few months or so to gestate in artificial wombs. If anyone chaffs at the system, they are 'reconditioned' to accept it.
John, however, is not 'well adjusted' and life on the beastship Evangeline suits him well, constantly seeking black market texts of old Earth writings (most have been purged as unnecessary or harmful). As beastships have no FTL capabilities, John and his crewmate Connie spend lots of time in 'waitsleep', basically hibernating in the ships wombs, so they have already outlived several generations of humanity. John sees the future and it is bleak; humanity is doomed. Well, a group of dissidents finally manage to contract John and his ship to go visit old Earth; they want to know if it can be resettled and hence humanity saved. Thus begins our quest...
What makes this so exceptional revolves around the deep emotions and probings Lindholm/Hobb give on what it means to be human. The new worlds colonized by humanity are incredibly ordered, even the plant live, and no competition exists, even among the plant life. Humans are induced to be likewise and all conflict is 'disharmonious' and results in reconditioning. One of the reasons why humanity is doomed is that each generation breeds more discontent with the status quo, even while breeding becomes more and more problematic. It seems the Arthoplana have 'rescued' several other species, but they all perished in the end. So what does it mean to be free? To be human? What is the human condition and can it be changed? Age old questions probed by countless science fiction authors (among others of course), but Lindholm/Hobb does a brilliant job here.
Another key regarding what makes this exceptional concerns the immersive worldbuilding; while not excessively verbose and without info dumps, Lindholm/Hobb creates an amazingly realistic vision of the new human colonies, and the aliens are also fantastic. Highly recommended to fans of speculative fiction, but this could easily cross over to fans of more literary fiction. 5 brilliant stars!!
Lindholm starts the novel off introducing John Gen-93 Beta, the human captain of a 'beastship'. Sometime in the near future, the climate crisis on Earth cascaded; while this was occurring, some aliens (the Athroplana) made first contact and offered to 'lifeboat' humanity, sending beastships to transport humans to new planets. The Gen-93 part of John's name means that he is from the 93 generation of humanity who left Earth for new worlds. While John is the official captain, an Arthroplana named Tug exists as a parasite on the beastship. The Arthroplana's life expectancy is 100s of times that of humans, and the beastships live even longer. Basically, Tug controls the interface between the the ship and the humans in the gondola like part of the ship grafted onto the living beast.
The Arthroplana are hard core environmentalists; humanity must be trained to leave no mark on their new worlds (two planets and several space stations). Further, through the suppression of growth hormones and other things, humans now live to 200 or so, and only reach puberty at around 60 years. In fact, the new humans are not much like Earth humans any more; they cannot even have children naturally, relying upon IVF and then using caesarian surgery to take the embryo at a few months or so to gestate in artificial wombs. If anyone chaffs at the system, they are 'reconditioned' to accept it.
John, however, is not 'well adjusted' and life on the beastship Evangeline suits him well, constantly seeking black market texts of old Earth writings (most have been purged as unnecessary or harmful). As beastships have no FTL capabilities, John and his crewmate Connie spend lots of time in 'waitsleep', basically hibernating in the ships wombs, so they have already outlived several generations of humanity. John sees the future and it is bleak; humanity is doomed. Well, a group of dissidents finally manage to contract John and his ship to go visit old Earth; they want to know if it can be resettled and hence humanity saved. Thus begins our quest...
What makes this so exceptional revolves around the deep emotions and probings Lindholm/Hobb give on what it means to be human. The new worlds colonized by humanity are incredibly ordered, even the plant live, and no competition exists, even among the plant life. Humans are induced to be likewise and all conflict is 'disharmonious' and results in reconditioning. One of the reasons why humanity is doomed is that each generation breeds more discontent with the status quo, even while breeding becomes more and more problematic. It seems the Arthoplana have 'rescued' several other species, but they all perished in the end. So what does it mean to be free? To be human? What is the human condition and can it be changed? Age old questions probed by countless science fiction authors (among others of course), but Lindholm/Hobb does a brilliant job here.
Another key regarding what makes this exceptional concerns the immersive worldbuilding; while not excessively verbose and without info dumps, Lindholm/Hobb creates an amazingly realistic vision of the new human colonies, and the aliens are also fantastic. Highly recommended to fans of speculative fiction, but this could easily cross over to fans of more literary fiction. 5 brilliant stars!!
March 26, 2017
”Those who have not lived here will return for what was left. Its essence will cry out in a voice that cannot be ignored. Riding in the balance between war and omnipotence rests all that they would know. But they must put aside the ways of adults and be again as children if the door is to open to them. They must speak not in the tongues of Men nor of Angels, for it will not avail them. Rebirth is within for all.”Usually fantasy authors are lousy at writing sci-fi; but that’s not the case here. Robin Hobb seems to excel in both. This novel was as beautiful and masterfully visualized - if not even more - as her other books I read so far.
[Your language is too small, sometimes.] She caught him up and swept him away with her, out into the stars and beyond, spreading him again, unbearably thin throughout a hundred solar systems. Stars beyond stars glittered, and this time she saw their beauty with him. She spun him up and on, and he sensed how very far they moved, and feared for his sanity. But suddenly there was a dull red star that beckoned him with a warmth that was more than solar. And then there was a planet, gold and red and brown, rich with thick winds. [Home.]Yes, Evangeline is right: human’s language is sometimes too small; for me, at least. Because RH always finds the perfect words.
My favorite starships so far were Hamilton’s haws from Night's Dawn. Evangeline surpassed them. I won’t say another word about her; you’ll have to discover yourself.
The storyline was weaved just flawless: the characters - all of them -, the world building, society, plot, all are perfectly blended in.
As for the style, it is more introspective and psychological sci-fi than based on action. The development is slow but leading to an explosive climax and throughout all the journey gripping nonetheless, because Mrs. Hobb/Lindholm, as I said and I will repeat myself, always knows how to choose the right words to keep you hooked, to the point that you forget to breathe.
It is a story about what it means to discover your truly self, about love and friendship. It is also about a new beginning, coming of age, adaptation and struggle to regain identity.
‘In fact, the only real pain is when you can’t be who you really are.’I think I said enough, although I’m at a loss for words expressing how much I relished it.
July 30, 2011
People talk a lot about world building, and Megan Lindholm did an almost perfect job. Maybe even a perfect one. It seems seamless, original and thorough. In addition to that, the characters are all very distinct and well developed. The science and the systems of her fictional world are crafted just as expertly as the characters. Her alien character is the best alien character I have ever read. Even though the book has a serious tone, there's some excellent dry humor to be found in the text - especially in the conversations between Tug and the humans.
I'm really surprised this book hasn't gotten more attention. It really is a science fiction masterpiece. The total package - good, hard sci-fi with realistic characters in it. The only criticism I can make is that it lags for just a moment about half way through, driving a critical plot element home. Plod through that part, it doesn't take too long, and ride this bad boy to the finish line.
I'm really surprised this book hasn't gotten more attention. It really is a science fiction masterpiece. The total package - good, hard sci-fi with realistic characters in it. The only criticism I can make is that it lags for just a moment about half way through, driving a critical plot element home. Plod through that part, it doesn't take too long, and ride this bad boy to the finish line.
February 15, 2024
A beautiful, poignant, and prescient story. With echoes of Ursula K. LeGuin, Octavia Butler, and Arthur C. Clarke...this one rocked my Sci-Fi world. Six stars...and highly recommended. Destined to be a reread, for sure.
*** From the back cover of Alien Earth:
Far from home, the Human race tries to atone for killing Terra thousands of years ago. Rescued by the enigmatic Arthroplana in their mysterious Beastships, they have been inserted into the fragile ecologies of alien twin worlds where they must make no impact, where every drop of water must be returned. Humanity has adjusted--or tried to.
Despite the constant watch of the Arthroplana and the Human Conservancay, John Gen-93-Beta has agreed to captain the Beastship Evangeline on an unthinkable journey to a dead planet...Earth.
And so begins an engrossing voyage of discovery for five travelers: John, his first mate Connie, stowaway Raef, Tug the Arthroplana, and the Beastship Evangeline herself. On a planet none quite expected, each learns the power of being human. ***
*** From the back cover of Alien Earth:
Far from home, the Human race tries to atone for killing Terra thousands of years ago. Rescued by the enigmatic Arthroplana in their mysterious Beastships, they have been inserted into the fragile ecologies of alien twin worlds where they must make no impact, where every drop of water must be returned. Humanity has adjusted--or tried to.
Despite the constant watch of the Arthroplana and the Human Conservancay, John Gen-93-Beta has agreed to captain the Beastship Evangeline on an unthinkable journey to a dead planet...Earth.
And so begins an engrossing voyage of discovery for five travelers: John, his first mate Connie, stowaway Raef, Tug the Arthroplana, and the Beastship Evangeline herself. On a planet none quite expected, each learns the power of being human. ***
July 10, 2016
I'm familiar with her work written under the pseudonym Robin Hobb, but not the books she wrote as Megan Lindholm, before she adopted the new name. Since I didn't want really know where to start and she had written a few stand-alone novels, the choice was easily made especially since I didn't know Mrs. Lindholm had ventured into the realms of Science Fiction at some point. Reading a few reviews, of which mainly Rob's convinced me, I went for Alien Earth. Also purchased that day and still to be read: The Reindeer People and the follow-up, Wolf's Brother.
What's it about? Humans have destroyed Earth (Terra). Like all nuclear bombs were dropped at the same time. So you can imagine that living conditions aren't as favourable any longer. An alien species, the Arthroplana, came with their Beastships to rescue most of the human population. It's unclear what happened to those survivors who could not or would not be rescued. But that's rather trivial here. Fact is: the planet's dead. Or so the rescued population is told. Like in, for example, Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) (and the rest of the Silo series) the people seeing on screens that above ground it's no longer safe to live (but they don't show the rest of the above ground, only the direct surroundings) and thus no one can go out.
The saved ones were dropped on the planets Castor and Pollux. However, as the Arthroplana saw life and everything connected in a harmonious way, mankind was to not leave any impact whatsoever on their new homes. Take something from the soil or use water, and it must be renewed, as if nothing happened, as if no change was made. This also makes man stay in line, obey, and ignorant/dumb. All was regulated by the Conservancy, who made sure everything was followed up in a strict manner. Humans are also divided into groups, given specific tasks, after a battery of tests. When they do not comply or obey, Readjustment awaits them. So, yes, it does give the story a dystopian touch, to some extent.
The Beastships serve multiple purposes, but mainly as transport for trade and other activities. These Beastships all have an Arthroplana in them, a sort of supervisor/owner, who does all the steering. In one of them (Evangeline), a certain John is captain (but it's still Tug, the Arthroplana, who's really in charge), although that was not what the tests gave as first result of what he should be / have become. There's also one crew, Connie. She was chosen - via those tests - to be a Mother, but decided to go for Crew. I find it very interesting and refreshing (although the story is at least 20 years old) that Lindholm used an introverted character. Connie doesn't speak too often, likes a structured life and work, needs time on her own, ... John is a little different, although he too needs some me-time occasionally.
To avoid the humans ageing too fast, they're put into Waitsleep. Travelling from one planet/docking station to another can take many decades or centuries (in human time). So they're awakened every x-years. Add to that that they get to eat and drink specific products to avoid them developing too fast. Hence, puberty or sexuality or other aspects only become more apparent at a much later period. Or, in other words, due to the long sleeping and short periods of activity, they age very slowly and their bodies develop less fast than when they would have spent their lives on Earth/Terra.
Back to the Conservancy: they want it all to remain like it is, keeping everyone under control, censor everything, and what not. But then there's Earth Affirmed, who want to prove that Earth is not dead, that after all those years/centuries, it's safe to go back and continue to live there. As John finds no new trade contract (the excuse being that his ship is too old, too slow, ...), he has no choice but to accept EA's not-as-well-paid offer (to go and get Earth samples, whereby EA would take care of everything on a technical level; there's even a time capsule on Earth John and co. should locate), even though EA wanted him all along.
And so the fellowship (Evangeline, Tug, John, and Connie) set out to Earth. But there's someone else as well: Raef, a stowaway, who wanted to flee from Readjustment and other troubles (his youth wasn't that happy either). As he's terminally ill, all the more reason to want to see one's home planet one more time, no? At first, only Tug is aware of him and hides him in the back to the ship, doesn't tell the others about this extra crew member.
There's a lot of manipulation by Tug, who tries to win Connie to his side, as he can't really become friends with John anymore, based on earlier co-operations and travels. John knows about Tug's behaviour and tries to warn Connie about it, although at first she's obviously still very vulnerable to Tug's behaviour.
More details and spoilers behind the tags.
As you live and work together for so many decades, trust is vital. This story is about trust, about friendship, about humanity. How do we treat each other, knowing we all have different views, different desires / wishes, different physical aspects, ...? How do we treat nature, the place we come from and belong to, as well as all the fauna and flora? How will mankind evolve? In this modern day and age, do we still appreciate nature (enough)? Do we still recognize the link between it all, how we have an impact on each other?
This is one very fine (Science Fiction) novel by an author who's more proficient in Fantasy, in my humble opinion. Lindholm's writing talent is enormous: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, ... she can do it all. The setting/world is nicely described, even if the focus lies (as usual) on the characters. Each character is well developed, they're not wooden or 2-dimensional. Better yet, thanks to their (albeit short) stay on Earth, their strained behaviour makes way for openness, feeling more free, daring to speak their minds.
In short: Heavily recommended!
P.s.: One story that's a little similar, when you read the blurb, could be Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. But I've yet to read that one.
What's it about? Humans have destroyed Earth (Terra). Like all nuclear bombs were dropped at the same time. So you can imagine that living conditions aren't as favourable any longer. An alien species, the Arthroplana, came with their Beastships to rescue most of the human population. It's unclear what happened to those survivors who could not or would not be rescued. But that's rather trivial here. Fact is: the planet's dead. Or so the rescued population is told. Like in, for example, Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) (and the rest of the Silo series) the people seeing on screens that above ground it's no longer safe to live (but they don't show the rest of the above ground, only the direct surroundings) and thus no one can go out.
The saved ones were dropped on the planets Castor and Pollux. However, as the Arthroplana saw life and everything connected in a harmonious way, mankind was to not leave any impact whatsoever on their new homes. Take something from the soil or use water, and it must be renewed, as if nothing happened, as if no change was made. This also makes man stay in line, obey, and ignorant/dumb. All was regulated by the Conservancy, who made sure everything was followed up in a strict manner. Humans are also divided into groups, given specific tasks, after a battery of tests. When they do not comply or obey, Readjustment awaits them. So, yes, it does give the story a dystopian touch, to some extent.
The Beastships serve multiple purposes, but mainly as transport for trade and other activities. These Beastships all have an Arthroplana in them, a sort of supervisor/owner, who does all the steering. In one of them (Evangeline), a certain John is captain (but it's still Tug, the Arthroplana, who's really in charge), although that was not what the tests gave as first result of what he should be / have become. There's also one crew, Connie. She was chosen - via those tests - to be a Mother, but decided to go for Crew. I find it very interesting and refreshing (although the story is at least 20 years old) that Lindholm used an introverted character. Connie doesn't speak too often, likes a structured life and work, needs time on her own, ... John is a little different, although he too needs some me-time occasionally.
To avoid the humans ageing too fast, they're put into Waitsleep. Travelling from one planet/docking station to another can take many decades or centuries (in human time). So they're awakened every x-years. Add to that that they get to eat and drink specific products to avoid them developing too fast. Hence, puberty or sexuality or other aspects only become more apparent at a much later period. Or, in other words, due to the long sleeping and short periods of activity, they age very slowly and their bodies develop less fast than when they would have spent their lives on Earth/Terra.
Back to the Conservancy: they want it all to remain like it is, keeping everyone under control, censor everything, and what not. But then there's Earth Affirmed, who want to prove that Earth is not dead, that after all those years/centuries, it's safe to go back and continue to live there. As John finds no new trade contract (the excuse being that his ship is too old, too slow, ...), he has no choice but to accept EA's not-as-well-paid offer (to go and get Earth samples, whereby EA would take care of everything on a technical level; there's even a time capsule on Earth John and co. should locate), even though EA wanted him all along.
And so the fellowship (Evangeline, Tug, John, and Connie) set out to Earth. But there's someone else as well: Raef, a stowaway, who wanted to flee from Readjustment and other troubles (his youth wasn't that happy either). As he's terminally ill, all the more reason to want to see one's home planet one more time, no? At first, only Tug is aware of him and hides him in the back to the ship, doesn't tell the others about this extra crew member.
There's a lot of manipulation by Tug, who tries to win Connie to his side, as he can't really become friends with John anymore, based on earlier co-operations and travels. John knows about Tug's behaviour and tries to warn Connie about it, although at first she's obviously still very vulnerable to Tug's behaviour.
More details and spoilers behind the tags.
As you live and work together for so many decades, trust is vital. This story is about trust, about friendship, about humanity. How do we treat each other, knowing we all have different views, different desires / wishes, different physical aspects, ...? How do we treat nature, the place we come from and belong to, as well as all the fauna and flora? How will mankind evolve? In this modern day and age, do we still appreciate nature (enough)? Do we still recognize the link between it all, how we have an impact on each other?
This is one very fine (Science Fiction) novel by an author who's more proficient in Fantasy, in my humble opinion. Lindholm's writing talent is enormous: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, ... she can do it all. The setting/world is nicely described, even if the focus lies (as usual) on the characters. Each character is well developed, they're not wooden or 2-dimensional. Better yet, thanks to their (albeit short) stay on Earth, their strained behaviour makes way for openness, feeling more free, daring to speak their minds.
In short: Heavily recommended!
P.s.: One story that's a little similar, when you read the blurb, could be Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. But I've yet to read that one.
August 29, 2022
The book touches on what it means to be human, what impact we have on our environment and how we behave towards it and each other, and it's ahead of its time with its inclusiveness messages.
I loved Evangeline, and Tug was a very well drawn character; if not for Connie and John, who for more than half the book barely communicated and whom I didn't really enjoy, this would have probably been a 5*.
I loved Evangeline, and Tug was a very well drawn character; if not for Connie and John, who for more than half the book barely communicated and whom I didn't really enjoy, this would have probably been a 5*.
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March 20, 2023❧ 𝐎𝐧 𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐭 𝐜'𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥'𝐡𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐛𝐝𝐨 ! 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐜𝐢 :
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Il y a quelques jours de cela, lors de l’anniversaire de mon autrice préférée, j’expliquais sur les réseaux sociaux que je ne parlerai pas de mon œuvre favorite sur ce blog. Trop sensible à mon cœur, trop proche de mon âme, je ne saurais vous expliquer de manière constructive tout l’intérêt de cette grande saga de la littérature Fantasy. (En revanche, je peux vous tenir la jambe une heure et plus sur le sujet, à grands renforts de phrases à moitié terminées et d’injonctions à la lecture, sous peine de se voir répudié·e à tout jamais de mon cercle d’ami·es. Hum.)
Cependant, le travail de cette autrice ne se résume pas seulement à ladite saga et après une visite auprès de Le Guin et Jemisin, il est temps pour moi de clôturer la ronde de mes autrices préférées. Aujourd’hui, je vous parlerai donc de Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden, c’est-à-dire Robin Hobb, c’est-à-dire Megan Lindholm.
Née en 1952 en Californie, Margaret Lindholm passe la plus grande partie de sa jeunesse et de sa vie adulte en Alaska. C’est à l’âge de 19 ans que Margaret emprunte le pseudonyme de Megan Lindholm. Elle publie ses premières nouvelles auprès de fanzines, s’ouvrant ainsi la porte des maisons d’éditions. Elle écrira sous ce nom jusqu’à l’âge de 43 ans. Elle œuvrera ensuite en tant que Robin Hobb, et deviendra mondialement connue pour la merveilleusement-parfaite-lisez-la saga du Royaume des Anciens, et plus particulièrement, la trilogie de l’Assassin Royal.
Du fait de la renommée de son travail sous le pseudonyme Robin Hobb, l’œuvre de Megan Lindholm se voit souvent reléguée à l’arrière-plan. Ce qui est une erreur, à mon sens. Car si j’estime grandement le Royaume des Anciens, la littérature écrite par Megan Lindholm n’est en rien une introduction, ni le balbutiement de l’autrice à venir. Au contraire, c’est un travail à part entière, avec un caractère bien défini et qui possède beaucoup de qualités. Et parmi les œuvres de Megan Lindholm s’en trouve une en particulier, la plus puissante à mes yeux et qui a toute sa place sur l’autel de la grande Science-Fiction : Alien Earth.
Alien Earth est un roman publié en 1992 et est à ce jour la seule œuvre de Science-Fiction écrite par Lindholm (et Hobb aussi). A cet exercice, l’autrice excelle tout autant que dans la Fantasy.
Alien Earth raconte l’histoire de la planète Terre rendue inhabitable par les êtres humains. Les Arthroplanes, une espèce extra-terrestre et philanthrope, leur sont venus en aide : grâce aux Anilvaisseaux, les Humains ont été relocalisés sur deux planètes jumelles, Castor et Pollux. Après plusieurs siècles d’adaptation à cette nouvelle vie, le groupe réfractaire Terra Informa lance une toute dernière expédition auprès de la planète Terre. C’est ainsi que John, Connie, Tug et Raef se dirigent vers leur planète originelle, dans un dernier espoir d’y trouver un endroit guéri, habitable de nouveau.
“Of stars and the voids I sing, and of a kinless race,
Who suckled their Mother Earth dry, and wept not
At her barrenness, but abandoned her to death.”
Megan Lindholm travaille de manière centrée sur ses personnages. C’est-à-dire que ses œuvres ne s’inscrivent pas dans un genre qui tient le·a lecteur·ice constamment en haleine, ni ne propose de l’action de manière perpétuelle. Plutôt, l’objectif est de faire une incursion réaliste dans la peau des personnages et au fil du récit, de sentir les émotions grandir et s’emparer tout à fait de vous. Alien Earth est un roman plutôt introspectif, à tendance psychologique et philosophique. De fait, Megan Lindholm propose un rythme lent et détaillé. Elle souhaite amener le·a lecteur·ice à un ressenti bien spécifique, et tout est fait pour y venir. Nous grandissons avec les personnages et au fil des pages, il y a autant de ravissement quant à l’évolution de ceux-ci, que d’horreur face à toute l’ampleur de la situation exposée.
Tout d’abord, il y a Connie – une jeune femme timide, réservée et encline à l’anxiété. Avec elle, le·a lecteur·ice va redécouvrir un plaisir simple, désormais inhibé chez l’être humain : le contrôle de sa vie personnelle. Connie est un véritable vecteur d’engagement, car c’est avec elle que le désir de voir le monde changer grandit.
“They didn’t fix me, she thought to herself. They didn’t get all of it. And then wondered why the thought brought her such gladness.”
Concernant les personnages masculins, Lindholm les aime tête de pioche et ceux d’Alien Earth en sont de bons exemples. Ils sont tous trois tenaces, fermes dans leurs croyances et peu décidés à demander de l’aide, plutôt que de tenter de tout résoudre par eux-mêmes. Et ainsi que c’est souvent le cas : vouloir tout faire, tout seul, ça ne marche pas. Alors, l’autrice ne nous épargne pas des envies de les secouer un bon coup, et cela rend d’autant plus satisfaisante l’évolution opérée tout au long du récit.
Là où l’approche de l’autrice est d’autant plus appréciable, c’est que Lindholm n’infantilise pas ses personnages, mais elle n’est pas tendre non plus. De même, l’autrice ne regarde pas avec jugement, ni de compassion écœurante ce·lleux qu’elle écrit. C’est-à-dire que s’il leur faut apprendre certaines choses par le biais d’expériences malencontreuses, alors ce sera fait. Ou encore, des aides extérieures interviendront, et il y aura des conversations difficiles, mais ô combien pertinentes et émouvantes. Lindholm nous parle de vrais êtres humains, dans de vraies vies. Elle sait autant manier l’art du dialogue interne, que s’effacer tout à fait derrière ses personnages, et ainsi, nous offrir une œuvre sans couture apparente.
Je pense notamment à une scène de repas entre John et un représentant de Terra Informa. Durant celle-ci, à mesure que l’explication de la mission future se fait, John passe du régal au dégoût le plus total envers son assiette. L’autrice travaille alors un style graphique et visuel très cinématographique dans son échange « ping-pong » entre les deux protagonistes, corrélé à la sensation de curiosité malsaine et finalement déplaisante, proche du dégoût pour John. C’est un moment d’une très grande finesse qui mérite de s’y arrêter et personnellement, elle m’a évoqué certains films de Martin Scorsese.
« There’s a point to all this, I take it. I mean, making me feel like an outmoded, brutish sort, and then feeding me pseudo-meat and telling me that the Human race has improved itself to the brink of extinction.”
“Of course. I just don’t know that you’re ready to hear it yet.”
Dans ce roman, Lindholm nous parle de plusieurs thèmes : tout d’abord, la pureté écologique. Car, si les Arthroplanes viennent en aide aux humains, voir son espèce perdurer n’est pas prétexte à voir l’histoire se répéter. Pour résider sur Castor et Pollux, l’Humain ne doit plus jamais polluer. Pour ce faire, de nombreuses lois et réglementations ont été mises en place et peu à peu, l’Humain s’adapte, l’Humain change. Et ces modifications ne sont pas seulement d’ordre esthétique, elles sont aussi comportementales. Sous le joug des Arthroplanes, les êtres humains sont conditionnés, modelés, punis et « réajustés » en cas d’infraction. Peu à peu, l’être humain est en complète phase avec les planètes asiles et pourtant, il existe comme une gêne, une démangeaison profonde. Alors, l’Humain ne peut-il être que destruction pour son habitat ou peut-il changer réellement ? Et si c’est le cas, alors la déshumanisation progressive est-elle acceptable ? Et par pureté écologique, pour la survie de toute une espèce, peut-on tout justifier ?
De même, Lindholm interroge le·a lecteur·ice sur les notions de normes sociétales à l’épreuve du temps. Car les Anilvaisseaux font rempart au temps qui passe, et à chaque retour de voyage intergalactique (qui se compte en centaine d’années), l’équipage observe les changements effectués durant leur absence. C’est ainsi que Connie se questionne : si tel élément était proscrit il y a deux cents ans, pourquoi ne l’est-il plus aujourd’hui ? Le bien et le mal ne sont-ils que des variables soumis aux aléas des sociétés ? Avec elle, nous découvrons combien l’Histoire se répète – l’Humain connaitra toujours des époques d’austérité sociale, puis d’abondance. Et dans cette Histoire qui effectue des boucles infinies, le but même des personnages que nous suivons apparait douteux. Existe-t-il un intérêt à découvrir si la planète Terre est de nouveau habitable, si l’on sait déjà par avance ce que l’Humain en fera ? A quoi bon ?
“It got really crazy, guys with picks and shovels out breaking up parking lots, digging down and opening the dirt up to the sky again. People out harvesting wild grass seeds to try to get it to grow in the bare places. Finally, everyone trying when it was already too late.”
Plus que tout, Alien Earth est une œuvre sur la solitude et le retour à la solidarité.
Megan Lindholm excelle dans la création de mondes fictifs ; tout y prend vie, résonne de vérité et la frontière avec le réel est quasi impalpable. C’est un livre fluide, accessible, et qui ne tient qu’en un seul tome. Je déplore seulement de ne pas le voir plus souvent mentionné parmi les grandes œuvres de la littérature SF.
“John, it’s time we went home.”
La bise les ami·es, et bon dimanche.
http://mathildecorvin.fr/index.php/20...
Il y a quelques jours de cela, lors de l’anniversaire de mon autrice préférée, j’expliquais sur les réseaux sociaux que je ne parlerai pas de mon œuvre favorite sur ce blog. Trop sensible à mon cœur, trop proche de mon âme, je ne saurais vous expliquer de manière constructive tout l’intérêt de cette grande saga de la littérature Fantasy. (En revanche, je peux vous tenir la jambe une heure et plus sur le sujet, à grands renforts de phrases à moitié terminées et d’injonctions à la lecture, sous peine de se voir répudié·e à tout jamais de mon cercle d’ami·es. Hum.)
Cependant, le travail de cette autrice ne se résume pas seulement à ladite saga et après une visite auprès de Le Guin et Jemisin, il est temps pour moi de clôturer la ronde de mes autrices préférées. Aujourd’hui, je vous parlerai donc de Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden, c’est-à-dire Robin Hobb, c’est-à-dire Megan Lindholm.
Née en 1952 en Californie, Margaret Lindholm passe la plus grande partie de sa jeunesse et de sa vie adulte en Alaska. C’est à l’âge de 19 ans que Margaret emprunte le pseudonyme de Megan Lindholm. Elle publie ses premières nouvelles auprès de fanzines, s’ouvrant ainsi la porte des maisons d’éditions. Elle écrira sous ce nom jusqu’à l’âge de 43 ans. Elle œuvrera ensuite en tant que Robin Hobb, et deviendra mondialement connue pour la merveilleusement-parfaite-lisez-la saga du Royaume des Anciens, et plus particulièrement, la trilogie de l’Assassin Royal.
Du fait de la renommée de son travail sous le pseudonyme Robin Hobb, l’œuvre de Megan Lindholm se voit souvent reléguée à l’arrière-plan. Ce qui est une erreur, à mon sens. Car si j’estime grandement le Royaume des Anciens, la littérature écrite par Megan Lindholm n’est en rien une introduction, ni le balbutiement de l’autrice à venir. Au contraire, c’est un travail à part entière, avec un caractère bien défini et qui possède beaucoup de qualités. Et parmi les œuvres de Megan Lindholm s’en trouve une en particulier, la plus puissante à mes yeux et qui a toute sa place sur l’autel de la grande Science-Fiction : Alien Earth.
Alien Earth est un roman publié en 1992 et est à ce jour la seule œuvre de Science-Fiction écrite par Lindholm (et Hobb aussi). A cet exercice, l’autrice excelle tout autant que dans la Fantasy.
Alien Earth raconte l’histoire de la planète Terre rendue inhabitable par les êtres humains. Les Arthroplanes, une espèce extra-terrestre et philanthrope, leur sont venus en aide : grâce aux Anilvaisseaux, les Humains ont été relocalisés sur deux planètes jumelles, Castor et Pollux. Après plusieurs siècles d’adaptation à cette nouvelle vie, le groupe réfractaire Terra Informa lance une toute dernière expédition auprès de la planète Terre. C’est ainsi que John, Connie, Tug et Raef se dirigent vers leur planète originelle, dans un dernier espoir d’y trouver un endroit guéri, habitable de nouveau.
“Of stars and the voids I sing, and of a kinless race,
Who suckled their Mother Earth dry, and wept not
At her barrenness, but abandoned her to death.”
Megan Lindholm travaille de manière centrée sur ses personnages. C’est-à-dire que ses œuvres ne s’inscrivent pas dans un genre qui tient le·a lecteur·ice constamment en haleine, ni ne propose de l’action de manière perpétuelle. Plutôt, l’objectif est de faire une incursion réaliste dans la peau des personnages et au fil du récit, de sentir les émotions grandir et s’emparer tout à fait de vous. Alien Earth est un roman plutôt introspectif, à tendance psychologique et philosophique. De fait, Megan Lindholm propose un rythme lent et détaillé. Elle souhaite amener le·a lecteur·ice à un ressenti bien spécifique, et tout est fait pour y venir. Nous grandissons avec les personnages et au fil des pages, il y a autant de ravissement quant à l’évolution de ceux-ci, que d’horreur face à toute l’ampleur de la situation exposée.
Tout d’abord, il y a Connie – une jeune femme timide, réservée et encline à l’anxiété. Avec elle, le·a lecteur·ice va redécouvrir un plaisir simple, désormais inhibé chez l’être humain : le contrôle de sa vie personnelle. Connie est un véritable vecteur d’engagement, car c’est avec elle que le désir de voir le monde changer grandit.
“They didn’t fix me, she thought to herself. They didn’t get all of it. And then wondered why the thought brought her such gladness.”
Concernant les personnages masculins, Lindholm les aime tête de pioche et ceux d’Alien Earth en sont de bons exemples. Ils sont tous trois tenaces, fermes dans leurs croyances et peu décidés à demander de l’aide, plutôt que de tenter de tout résoudre par eux-mêmes. Et ainsi que c’est souvent le cas : vouloir tout faire, tout seul, ça ne marche pas. Alors, l’autrice ne nous épargne pas des envies de les secouer un bon coup, et cela rend d’autant plus satisfaisante l’évolution opérée tout au long du récit.
Là où l’approche de l’autrice est d’autant plus appréciable, c’est que Lindholm n’infantilise pas ses personnages, mais elle n’est pas tendre non plus. De même, l’autrice ne regarde pas avec jugement, ni de compassion écœurante ce·lleux qu’elle écrit. C’est-à-dire que s’il leur faut apprendre certaines choses par le biais d’expériences malencontreuses, alors ce sera fait. Ou encore, des aides extérieures interviendront, et il y aura des conversations difficiles, mais ô combien pertinentes et émouvantes. Lindholm nous parle de vrais êtres humains, dans de vraies vies. Elle sait autant manier l’art du dialogue interne, que s’effacer tout à fait derrière ses personnages, et ainsi, nous offrir une œuvre sans couture apparente.
Je pense notamment à une scène de repas entre John et un représentant de Terra Informa. Durant celle-ci, à mesure que l’explication de la mission future se fait, John passe du régal au dégoût le plus total envers son assiette. L’autrice travaille alors un style graphique et visuel très cinématographique dans son échange « ping-pong » entre les deux protagonistes, corrélé à la sensation de curiosité malsaine et finalement déplaisante, proche du dégoût pour John. C’est un moment d’une très grande finesse qui mérite de s’y arrêter et personnellement, elle m’a évoqué certains films de Martin Scorsese.
« There’s a point to all this, I take it. I mean, making me feel like an outmoded, brutish sort, and then feeding me pseudo-meat and telling me that the Human race has improved itself to the brink of extinction.”
“Of course. I just don’t know that you’re ready to hear it yet.”
Dans ce roman, Lindholm nous parle de plusieurs thèmes : tout d’abord, la pureté écologique. Car, si les Arthroplanes viennent en aide aux humains, voir son espèce perdurer n’est pas prétexte à voir l’histoire se répéter. Pour résider sur Castor et Pollux, l’Humain ne doit plus jamais polluer. Pour ce faire, de nombreuses lois et réglementations ont été mises en place et peu à peu, l’Humain s’adapte, l’Humain change. Et ces modifications ne sont pas seulement d’ordre esthétique, elles sont aussi comportementales. Sous le joug des Arthroplanes, les êtres humains sont conditionnés, modelés, punis et « réajustés » en cas d’infraction. Peu à peu, l’être humain est en complète phase avec les planètes asiles et pourtant, il existe comme une gêne, une démangeaison profonde. Alors, l’Humain ne peut-il être que destruction pour son habitat ou peut-il changer réellement ? Et si c’est le cas, alors la déshumanisation progressive est-elle acceptable ? Et par pureté écologique, pour la survie de toute une espèce, peut-on tout justifier ?
De même, Lindholm interroge le·a lecteur·ice sur les notions de normes sociétales à l’épreuve du temps. Car les Anilvaisseaux font rempart au temps qui passe, et à chaque retour de voyage intergalactique (qui se compte en centaine d’années), l’équipage observe les changements effectués durant leur absence. C’est ainsi que Connie se questionne : si tel élément était proscrit il y a deux cents ans, pourquoi ne l’est-il plus aujourd’hui ? Le bien et le mal ne sont-ils que des variables soumis aux aléas des sociétés ? Avec elle, nous découvrons combien l’Histoire se répète – l’Humain connaitra toujours des époques d’austérité sociale, puis d’abondance. Et dans cette Histoire qui effectue des boucles infinies, le but même des personnages que nous suivons apparait douteux. Existe-t-il un intérêt à découvrir si la planète Terre est de nouveau habitable, si l’on sait déjà par avance ce que l’Humain en fera ? A quoi bon ?
“It got really crazy, guys with picks and shovels out breaking up parking lots, digging down and opening the dirt up to the sky again. People out harvesting wild grass seeds to try to get it to grow in the bare places. Finally, everyone trying when it was already too late.”
Plus que tout, Alien Earth est une œuvre sur la solitude et le retour à la solidarité.
Megan Lindholm excelle dans la création de mondes fictifs ; tout y prend vie, résonne de vérité et la frontière avec le réel est quasi impalpable. C’est un livre fluide, accessible, et qui ne tient qu’en un seul tome. Je déplore seulement de ne pas le voir plus souvent mentionné parmi les grandes œuvres de la littérature SF.
“John, it’s time we went home.”
La bise les ami·es, et bon dimanche.
February 27, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The what if game is strong and it's neatly boosted by the mistrust among the individual players. The scenario is cool, an alien race has ostensibly rescued batches of humans from the dying Earth and inserted them into a shared ecological system. The question of their intent lingers throughout and drives the whole story.
I actually really liked the way the themes were handled. There's a lot about needing to be responsible with your planet's resources but that is nicely balanced by a healthy pride for human behaviours. I feel like those two views are often expressed as polar opposites.
I felt like all of the world building fell naturally out of the plot and character interactions and although I don't personally mind info dumping, this was a nice element of the writing.
I thought that I had read in another review to expect a whopping surprise at the end so I was guessing hard and not believing what we were being shown at all for much of the first two thirds of the story. However, all of my crazy theories were casually proven wrong along the way and I didn't find any of it to be particularly surprising. Once I stopped wondering and realised that everyone was telling their own version of the truth then it all kind of played out how I'd expect it to. The biggest surprises for me were of the, if-a-happens-then-b-happens, variety - but I just hadn't thought that far ahead.
It's my kind of story through and through, complete with the Star Trek ending.
I actually really liked the way the themes were handled. There's a lot about needing to be responsible with your planet's resources but that is nicely balanced by a healthy pride for human behaviours. I feel like those two views are often expressed as polar opposites.
I felt like all of the world building fell naturally out of the plot and character interactions and although I don't personally mind info dumping, this was a nice element of the writing.
I thought that I had read in another review to expect a whopping surprise at the end so I was guessing hard and not believing what we were being shown at all for much of the first two thirds of the story. However, all of my crazy theories were casually proven wrong along the way and I didn't find any of it to be particularly surprising. Once I stopped wondering and realised that everyone was telling their own version of the truth then it all kind of played out how I'd expect it to. The biggest surprises for me were of the, if-a-happens-then-b-happens, variety - but I just hadn't thought that far ahead.
It's my kind of story through and through, complete with the Star Trek ending.
December 21, 2014
Wow. Just wow. Having snarfed my way greedily through everything else, I finally turned in desperation to what I'd considered what may be a throwaway. I mean, Ki and Vandien, all of the Six Duchies, Rain Wilds, and the Liveships? They all share a rich, historical feel, stories from a time long past. How could a space story mesh with all that?
I don't think I was far into the first chapter before all of that fell away. Once again, this was a fantastically detailed world, yet the story is told in such a way that it all springs to life in the telling, no awkward laying of foundation to bring us up to speed. Every page had me oohing and aahhing over how brilliantly this unfolds.
The premise is amazingly constructed, down to every politically chilling detail. I suspect this was far more prescient when written than it seems now, given climate change, shadow government, one-world rule, Agenda 21, and countless conspiracy theories. Humans bred and led to believe we must subjugate our wishes for the benefit if the whole, directed by someone who keeps us ignorant of the big picture.
And the biggest sacrifice? Suffice to say it's not something unique to humans. Here's hoping we always rediscover it in the end.
What I had thought a one off, I now wish had been a series. Indescribably wonderful book. I'm sure I'll have to reread this one as I wait impatiently for the next installment of Fool's Assassin.
I don't think I was far into the first chapter before all of that fell away. Once again, this was a fantastically detailed world, yet the story is told in such a way that it all springs to life in the telling, no awkward laying of foundation to bring us up to speed. Every page had me oohing and aahhing over how brilliantly this unfolds.
The premise is amazingly constructed, down to every politically chilling detail. I suspect this was far more prescient when written than it seems now, given climate change, shadow government, one-world rule, Agenda 21, and countless conspiracy theories. Humans bred and led to believe we must subjugate our wishes for the benefit if the whole, directed by someone who keeps us ignorant of the big picture.
And the biggest sacrifice? Suffice to say it's not something unique to humans. Here's hoping we always rediscover it in the end.
What I had thought a one off, I now wish had been a series. Indescribably wonderful book. I'm sure I'll have to reread this one as I wait impatiently for the next installment of Fool's Assassin.
March 5, 2019
This book is truly mind blowing.
Being very familiar with Hobb's fantasy, I never expected her to master such a drastic change of genre and writing style.
I'm happy I was wrong.
Before getting into the core of the novel, let me tell you how big of a pleasure it was to me to read a whole story that fits into a single book, from beginning to end - something so rare it oughts to be noticed.
This novel is a very different type of space opera, like you've never met before. Far from big space wars, this journey in the galactic emptiness is deeply personal.
Every character discovers their true self, true personality and wishes, in a very soft way.
This softness is what characterizes the whole story: you are not thrown away in this completely unique sci-fi universe, you are gently led into it, as you uncover and understand its mechanisms page by page.
But the best thing is how deeply relevant it is today, despite being written almost 30 years ago. Overpopulation, climate change, technology, determinism... all resonate with today's world, our world, as the story opens a big debate about human nature.
This novel is an unexpected sci-fi gem, that should reconcile even the most down-to-earth reader with sci-fi.
Let's just hope Robin Hobb decides to write more of it.
Being very familiar with Hobb's fantasy, I never expected her to master such a drastic change of genre and writing style.
I'm happy I was wrong.
Before getting into the core of the novel, let me tell you how big of a pleasure it was to me to read a whole story that fits into a single book, from beginning to end - something so rare it oughts to be noticed.
This novel is a very different type of space opera, like you've never met before. Far from big space wars, this journey in the galactic emptiness is deeply personal.
Every character discovers their true self, true personality and wishes, in a very soft way.
This softness is what characterizes the whole story: you are not thrown away in this completely unique sci-fi universe, you are gently led into it, as you uncover and understand its mechanisms page by page.
But the best thing is how deeply relevant it is today, despite being written almost 30 years ago. Overpopulation, climate change, technology, determinism... all resonate with today's world, our world, as the story opens a big debate about human nature.
This novel is an unexpected sci-fi gem, that should reconcile even the most down-to-earth reader with sci-fi.
Let's just hope Robin Hobb decides to write more of it.
September 2, 2021
This was by far the best non-farseer universe book I've read from Lindholm/Hobb (and I've read basically everything she's published). She really has a gift for writing relationships that are meaningful (particularly, in this book, Raef and Evangeline) but what really got me in this book was the world building and the concept of humans being 'rescued' by an alien race and of the sentient ship (obvious precursor to the dragon ships in the farseer books). It's a real shame that she hasn't published any subsequent books with these characters / in this universe although I guess it's not too late right Megan Lindholm / Robin Hobb?
January 2, 2025
L’histoire générale est assez classique
On lit plus pour les personnages, et la relation avec le vaisseau qui elle est originale
On lit plus pour les personnages, et la relation avec le vaisseau qui elle est originale
December 13, 2022
Dans un futur lointain, la Terre, tellement polluée qu’elle en est devenue toxique et dangereuse, a été abandonnée par les humains, aidés par des aliens-insectes nommés Arthroplanes, et par des créatures appelées Aniles, et vivent maintenant aux abords et sur les planètes jumelles Castor et Pollux. Le Conservatoire a mené une campagne de modification des humains, menant à une adolescence très longue, et à des changements physiques tels qu’ils ne peuvent plus se reproduire seuls. Un groupe, Terra Informa, met en place une expédition pour la Terre.
Tout d’abord, merci aux Editions Actus SF de m’avoir envoyé ce livre !
Je dois avouer que je ne savais pas vraiment à quoi m’attendre – le world-building est sympathique, j’aime l’idée d’un Conservatoire qui supervise tout, et de races extra-terrestres aux intentions floues, avec une relation symbiotique intéressante … Mais pour le reste, j’avoue ne pas avoir accroché. Peut-être que je ne suis plus habituée à la VF, mais j’ai trouvé la liste assez vide. Aucun des personnages ne sont intéressants à suivre – John est un gros con, Connie est stupide, Raef est … on sait pas trop ce qu’il fout là ; je ne sais pas, je ne vois pas trop l’intérêt. Plus que tout, pourquoi le Conservatoire ment sur l’état de la Terre ?? Les hommes sont déjà modifiés et endoctrinés, qu’est ce que ça change ? Plein de questionnements du même genre qui me chiffonne pas mal, et qui ne m’ont pas rendu la lecture agréable. Le prémisse de base est vraiment intéressant, mais du reste … Désolée, Robin/Megan, mais ça n’était pas pour moi …
Tout d’abord, merci aux Editions Actus SF de m’avoir envoyé ce livre !
Je dois avouer que je ne savais pas vraiment à quoi m’attendre – le world-building est sympathique, j’aime l’idée d’un Conservatoire qui supervise tout, et de races extra-terrestres aux intentions floues, avec une relation symbiotique intéressante … Mais pour le reste, j’avoue ne pas avoir accroché. Peut-être que je ne suis plus habituée à la VF, mais j’ai trouvé la liste assez vide. Aucun des personnages ne sont intéressants à suivre – John est un gros con, Connie est stupide, Raef est … on sait pas trop ce qu’il fout là ; je ne sais pas, je ne vois pas trop l’intérêt. Plus que tout, pourquoi le Conservatoire ment sur l’état de la Terre ?? Les hommes sont déjà modifiés et endoctrinés, qu’est ce que ça change ? Plein de questionnements du même genre qui me chiffonne pas mal, et qui ne m’ont pas rendu la lecture agréable. Le prémisse de base est vraiment intéressant, mais du reste … Désolée, Robin/Megan, mais ça n’était pas pour moi …
February 17, 2024
At first, this didn't seem like a typical Megan Lindholm / Robin Hobb, but the more you progress, the more visible become some themes and ideas that she would explore more in later books under the Hobb pseudonym. I also grew much more attached over time. The limited setting and cast made this a very focused experience that had the opportunity to really showcase its elements.
September 26, 2013
Generations ago, an altruistic alien race, the Arthroplana, rescued
humanity from the ecological disaster of earth, and resettled them in
a new system, with dire warnings on the necessity of fitting in to the
local ecology. Since then, this desire to "leave no mark" has become
an obsession - possibly to the extreme detriment of the human race.
The result of generation of selective breeding has been a race of tiny
people who do not reach puberty until late middle age, who are in
danger of soon not being able to naturally reproduce at all.
But there is a radical element of humans that believe it has all been
a big lie - that Earth is really fine, and that the powers-that-be
don't want people to know about it. They blackmail a man, John, to
sign on to one of the alien Beastships to survey earth, and arrange to bring back data that hasn't been filtered.
But on the way, an ancient stowaway makes contact with the Beastship, which, shockingly, is no dumb beast but yet another sentient species fallen under the dominion of the Arthroplana. Her awakening could change everything.
An entertaining sci-fi book, but I did feel that in pointing out some
of the ridiculousness of ecological concerns gone overboard, some of the message of the seriousness of those concerns, and the importance of balance, goes astray.
humanity from the ecological disaster of earth, and resettled them in
a new system, with dire warnings on the necessity of fitting in to the
local ecology. Since then, this desire to "leave no mark" has become
an obsession - possibly to the extreme detriment of the human race.
The result of generation of selective breeding has been a race of tiny
people who do not reach puberty until late middle age, who are in
danger of soon not being able to naturally reproduce at all.
But there is a radical element of humans that believe it has all been
a big lie - that Earth is really fine, and that the powers-that-be
don't want people to know about it. They blackmail a man, John, to
sign on to one of the alien Beastships to survey earth, and arrange to bring back data that hasn't been filtered.
But on the way, an ancient stowaway makes contact with the Beastship, which, shockingly, is no dumb beast but yet another sentient species fallen under the dominion of the Arthroplana. Her awakening could change everything.
An entertaining sci-fi book, but I did feel that in pointing out some
of the ridiculousness of ecological concerns gone overboard, some of the message of the seriousness of those concerns, and the importance of balance, goes astray.
June 30, 2021
If there were ever the perfect alien then, in my mind, it would have to be Evangeline.
She is the essence of this story.
She is part of it, but also surrounds it in a cocoon of warmth. She sustains, she learns, and she teaches those, who depend on her, how to become Human.
I've always loved the fantasy that Megan Lindholm /Robin Hobb writes but found, in this book, one of the best psychological SciFi stories that I've read for years.
She is an amazing worlds builder, who seems to have thought of every aspect that could make a story, such as this one, so very possible, and she drew me in so slowly, so subtly, that I didn't know I was a part of it, until I wasn't anymore.
This book is going to be a definite Keeper for me, and I look forwards to reading it again in the future, and finding out more about her characters - and myself.
She is the essence of this story.
She is part of it, but also surrounds it in a cocoon of warmth. She sustains, she learns, and she teaches those, who depend on her, how to become Human.
I've always loved the fantasy that Megan Lindholm /Robin Hobb writes but found, in this book, one of the best psychological SciFi stories that I've read for years.
She is an amazing worlds builder, who seems to have thought of every aspect that could make a story, such as this one, so very possible, and she drew me in so slowly, so subtly, that I didn't know I was a part of it, until I wasn't anymore.
This book is going to be a definite Keeper for me, and I look forwards to reading it again in the future, and finding out more about her characters - and myself.
April 24, 2011
Interesting plot and a fully formed cast of characters. Several sayings come to mind; If it looks too good to be true, it’s probably is. Do on to others as you would have done on to you. When looking for a motive, alway follow the money. You may have to twist or expand on the sayings a little to make them fit but they do if you try.
October 27, 2023
I had been super excited to read this as soon as I ordered it so when it arrived and I got stuck into it I can confirm that I was not disappointed in the slightest, the characters and their development were written so fantastically, the settings were so detailed and magical I felt transported there every time I picked the book up. I particularly enjoyed how beautifully written Evangeline was, her relationship with Raef was unlike any I've ever read before and had me engrossed, the story itself was so clever, there were times when every character annoyed me (looking at you, Tug) and times when they had me in my feelings (looking at you less, Tug). The characters felt so real and believable, this kind of writing is something very typical of Megan/Robin but I think this is a standout example. I also want to briefly touch on the goofy smile I had on my face reading Connie and John's interactions towards the book, it left me feeling very content. I can't recommend this enough for Sci-Fi lovers, especially when this book managed to keep me reading through what should have been a reading slump.
June 7, 2024
Came here cos I’d run out of Robin Hobbs books… really enjoyed this, felt like ‘classic’ sci-fi, shades of Heinlein, Clarke etc
June 14, 2021
For some reason, I've always enjoyed the books this author wrote as Megan Lindholm more than those under her Robin Hobb persona. This is a rare science fiction one, set in a future long after the human race has been removed from an Earth badly damaged by human activities, and taken to a twin planetary system governed by the aliens who "rescued" it. Now humans live in a totally regimented society where total conformity to a regime of environmental conservation is required, or Adjustment or Termination will result.
The main characters are John, Captain of a Beastship and Connie, his crew. Beastships are actually sentient, but supposedly of low intelligence, and are used by the controlling aliens for interstellar travel. The role of humans aboard such ships are limited, confined to negotiation of cargo carrying contracts and the physical activity which can't be performed by the alien controller, embedded within the Beast. The one controlling John's and Connie's ship, Evangeline, is called Tug and is a master manipulator. But as part of his study of humans, he has secretly kept alive a human from the Earth evacuations in extended cryogenic suspension, and in this has finally overreached himself.
I loved the interaction between the characters and the psychological conflicts. The effects of delayed puberty and hugely extended lifespan on the development of humanity is interestingly explored, along with the different types of rebellion or acquiescence exhibited. I also loved the development of Evangeline's character. The story was interesting too and had some good plot twists. So I am rating this as a keeper with a well deserved five star rating.
The main characters are John, Captain of a Beastship and Connie, his crew. Beastships are actually sentient, but supposedly of low intelligence, and are used by the controlling aliens for interstellar travel. The role of humans aboard such ships are limited, confined to negotiation of cargo carrying contracts and the physical activity which can't be performed by the alien controller, embedded within the Beast. The one controlling John's and Connie's ship, Evangeline, is called Tug and is a master manipulator. But as part of his study of humans, he has secretly kept alive a human from the Earth evacuations in extended cryogenic suspension, and in this has finally overreached himself.
I loved the interaction between the characters and the psychological conflicts. The effects of delayed puberty and hugely extended lifespan on the development of humanity is interestingly explored, along with the different types of rebellion or acquiescence exhibited. I also loved the development of Evangeline's character. The story was interesting too and had some good plot twists. So I am rating this as a keeper with a well deserved five star rating.
June 11, 2010
...I found Alien Earth to be a very good read. Lindholm expertly weaves the stories of these five very different characters into a magnificent science fiction tale. Although Alien Earth is quite different from other novels I have read in terms of setting and concepts, I guess the in depth characterization is unifies Lindholm's entire oeuvre. Unfortunately you'll be hard pressed to find a copy of this novel, and many of Lindholm's other titles but if you do happen to come across a copy I highly recommend you seize the opportunity. Given the result of this first foray into science fiction (unless there is short fiction in that genre I am not aware of) it is a shame Lindholm didn't write any others. Which leads me to wonder, what would a Robin Hobb science fiction novel look like?
Full and somewhat spoilerish Random Comments review
Full and somewhat spoilerish Random Comments review
November 19, 2015
This is a really interesting story set centuries after Earth is abandoned as a dying world. The surviving humans now live under the authority of an alien race and have to make sure they don't make an impact on the ecology of the planets they're grudgingly allowed to inhabit. John and Connie are mariners, travelling and trading on board a living ship, when they're given a controversial mission: go back to Earth and see if it's all as dead as they authorities claim.
Their mission is further complicated by a stowaway hidden away since the days of Earth's evacuation, and the fact that their ship is more intelligent than anyone will give her credit for.
This is a really interesting story that explores a lot of areas, including conservation, loneliness, and what it means to find a place to fit in. Highly recommended.
Their mission is further complicated by a stowaway hidden away since the days of Earth's evacuation, and the fact that their ship is more intelligent than anyone will give her credit for.
This is a really interesting story that explores a lot of areas, including conservation, loneliness, and what it means to find a place to fit in. Highly recommended.
August 4, 2015
As part of my program to go back to the SF of the 80s and 90s, I read this novel for the first time, even though it graced my bookshelves for longer than I care to remember. It's actually quite good as a literary work: well-written, strong characters, well-balanced plot. As a work of SF...not so much. It's aliens are simply not alien enough. An intelligent parasite is an interesting idea, even though it has been done before. But an intelligent parasite that reads Nero Wolfe and Sherlock Holmes stories and reacts to them as you and I do...no matter how many body segments he has, he is a human being in disguise. And I read SF to escape humanity.
September 14, 2015
I really want to like this more than I did. It has some delicious worldbuilding and aliens that are genuinely alien, not just humans in rubber prostheses. The main plot rushes where it should explore, and then dawdles where it doesn't need to. The secondary plot (which while teased early on, really kicks in two thirds of the way through) is used to resolve the main plot when, at that point, both could have used some deeper exploration.
This reads like Lindholm was planning to start a series, with world elements mentioned and then dropped, presumably for later volumes. It works well as a stand-alone adventure, but I found myself wanting more depth than I was given.
This reads like Lindholm was planning to start a series, with world elements mentioned and then dropped, presumably for later volumes. It works well as a stand-alone adventure, but I found myself wanting more depth than I was given.
April 27, 2020
I've had this book stuffed in my bookshelves, with all the other delightful Megan Lindholm novels, for decades. And finally got around to reading it. This is a beautifully written, semi-introspective science fiction novel, featuring original aliens and exploring various aspects of humanity and its place in the universe (sort of). This book is hard to explain, there is so much in it. The characters all have personalities, there is character development, the plot is simple but effective, the world building consistent and original, the writing sublime, poignant and exhilarating. It also happens to be a standalone novel. This was a very enjoyable reading experience.
May 27, 2015
I really liked this, and need to ponder some of its themes some more: what does it mean to be human, and what is our purpose, and how much risk is inherent in just living your everyday life (and how do you feel about that?). Basically, it is set after humans have evacuated a toxic and poisoned Earth - there is a mission back to investigate the status of Earth. I don't want to say too much more, because the plot unfolds very neatly, and I wouldn't want to ruin it. (But I can't help myself: the Beastship is so cool!)
November 17, 2020
Alien Earth is a good book, but one I can't find engaging. While the characters, story, and writing are all great, the real hurdle is the plot. This book has an issue with pacing, and it ends up feeling like the book drags you along. This may reflect being awake during hypersleep, to use a common sci-fi phrase, but it didn't really do anything for me other than make me frustrated.
If that's not something that bothers you, I truly do encourage picking this up. It's good, it was just too much for me at times.
If that's not something that bothers you, I truly do encourage picking this up. It's good, it was just too much for me at times.
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August 17, 2022Fantastic book with the kind of pacing I love - slow, richly detailed, beautifully characterised. Other authors might have written it in 1/3 of the space, and for me at least, it would be much poorer for it.
This is a proper, weird, alienating, disturbing but ultimately hopeful and fulfilling hard Sci-Fi. What's so remarkable about it is how your attitude towards the different characters will subtly shift throughout, they are all beautifully beleivable shades of grey.
This is a proper, weird, alienating, disturbing but ultimately hopeful and fulfilling hard Sci-Fi. What's so remarkable about it is how your attitude towards the different characters will subtly shift throughout, they are all beautifully beleivable shades of grey.
February 5, 2010
Why doesn't Megan/Robin write more books like this?
March 29, 2014
A forgotten classic. Very insightful about the plight of our species, and deep down romantic.
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