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Centuries
Centuries explores a barely recognizable future where humans control their own evolution. Genetic manipulation and artificial intelligence shape an astounding destiny for our species.
With these wondrous changes come unexpected new truths of heart and mind that challenge the very definition of human - and that threaten not only our existence but the universe itself as our surprising powers - both miraculous and monstrous - evolve through the centuries.
With these wondrous changes come unexpected new truths of heart and mind that challenge the very definition of human - and that threaten not only our existence but the universe itself as our surprising powers - both miraculous and monstrous - evolve through the centuries.
499 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
16 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
A.A. Attanasio
47 books360 followersI’m a novelist and student of the imagination living in Honolulu. Fantasies, visions, hallucinations or whatever we call those irrational powers that illuminate our inner life fascinate me. I’m particularly intrigued by the creative intelligence that scripts our dreams. And I love carrying this soulful energy outside my mind, into the one form that most precisely defines who we are: story.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 6, 2025
Preamble:
Centuries is a profound lament on the near and far future of humanity.
It involves a fantastical and poetic plotline that encompasses concepts about Post-humanism, Genetic Engineering, Climate change and global warming.
It also weaves awe-inducing scientific speculations and thought provoking questions on a variety of concepts like consciousness and free will, superstrings and multiverses, quantum mechanics interspersed with metaphysics, mythology, religion and even godhead.
Thoughts:
He then spins a marvelously detailed and transcendent world and universe that begs the reader to imagine endless possibilities of what if...Couched in a prose poignant, poetic and all too human; fantastically realized world-building containing very well created and vivid multidimensional characters with deep inner monologues.
A.A. Attanasio's Centuries is indeed a towering work of speculative hard science fiction about the possible future of humanity and it's various post-human offshoots through the beginning of this millennium and into the next up until the eventual collapse of reality and how the events that unfold could ultimately determine the fate of said reality and the universe as a whole. Big ideas science fiction!
End Notes:
I can't recommend his books highly enough...only the intense and immense satisfaction that I derive from his works says it all. I shall continue to cherish and revere his writings as I slowly but surely devour the rest of his offerings.
He's got a real gift of capturing the transcendental and the noumenal in a classic sci-fi setting reminiscent of all my favored classical and contemporary authors like Clarke, Asimov, Zindell; Hamilton, Baxter, Reynolds; to name a few.
My review for Solis.
2024 Read
Centuries is a profound lament on the near and far future of humanity.
It involves a fantastical and poetic plotline that encompasses concepts about Post-humanism, Genetic Engineering, Climate change and global warming.
It also weaves awe-inducing scientific speculations and thought provoking questions on a variety of concepts like consciousness and free will, superstrings and multiverses, quantum mechanics interspersed with metaphysics, mythology, religion and even godhead.
Thoughts:
He then spins a marvelously detailed and transcendent world and universe that begs the reader to imagine endless possibilities of what if...Couched in a prose poignant, poetic and all too human; fantastically realized world-building containing very well created and vivid multidimensional characters with deep inner monologues.
A.A. Attanasio's Centuries is indeed a towering work of speculative hard science fiction about the possible future of humanity and it's various post-human offshoots through the beginning of this millennium and into the next up until the eventual collapse of reality and how the events that unfold could ultimately determine the fate of said reality and the universe as a whole. Big ideas science fiction!
End Notes:
I can't recommend his books highly enough...only the intense and immense satisfaction that I derive from his works says it all. I shall continue to cherish and revere his writings as I slowly but surely devour the rest of his offerings.
He's got a real gift of capturing the transcendental and the noumenal in a classic sci-fi setting reminiscent of all my favored classical and contemporary authors like Clarke, Asimov, Zindell; Hamilton, Baxter, Reynolds; to name a few.
My review for Solis.
2024 Read
July 26, 2021
This book is easily way up there on my list of best SFs.
It tickles all my most precious fancies: a massive exploration of what it means to be human and how we might alter ourselves -- or simply be taken over by our better children.
Better than that, the novel tackles a long-scale plot, taking us from a near-modern-dystopia all the way to the farthest reaches of time, universe exploration (and tweaking), and back again to the main theme of what it means to be human.
Now, I'll be perfectly honest, I've read a number of books quite a bit like this already but I don't think there's anything like a glut of it on the market. We're talking about great science, falling down the rabbit holes of drill-down storytelling, the possible (and quite horrible) results of taking certain science all the way to its natural conclusion, and then having to live with the consequences of it.
I could read these all day, every day for a year, and never get bored.
Because when you're talking about creating meta-humans, transhumanism, AIs, next-stage humans, quantum-state humans, post-light humans, collapsing galaxies, con-men, love stories, and saving the universe stories, IT'S ALL RIGHT HERE.
The scale is here. Great characters are here. The effort and love and devotion to this wonderful branch of Hard SF are all right here.
I'll just say this: there ARE some recent SF authors that still carry on this tradition, but most have dropped off the map. This is a big shame. I look back at the 80's SF epics and the devoted following of 90's epic SF that spiced it up while keeping the scope awesome and miss those times. This was right in the middle of that glorious age in 1997 and I honestly believe a lot of really fantastic books just slipped through the cracks during that time. Whether from lack of marketing or upkeep of an author's brand or whatever, a lot of these books are STILL excellent and would do much better now, in today's market, than most of the new stuff coming out.
Maybe this is a weird opinion. Maybe not. But this book is a real gem that shouldn't be forgotten.
Let's lump it in with Iain M. Banks, Peter F. Hamilton, Alistair Reynolds, Dan Simmons, and David Zindell, shall we? And add Poul Anderson, Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and Olaf Stapledon.
Old fans will know what I'm talking about. Future History stuff. Big Scope.
Books like these are some of the best that we, as humanity, can aspire to. :)
It tickles all my most precious fancies: a massive exploration of what it means to be human and how we might alter ourselves -- or simply be taken over by our better children.
Better than that, the novel tackles a long-scale plot, taking us from a near-modern-dystopia all the way to the farthest reaches of time, universe exploration (and tweaking), and back again to the main theme of what it means to be human.
Now, I'll be perfectly honest, I've read a number of books quite a bit like this already but I don't think there's anything like a glut of it on the market. We're talking about great science, falling down the rabbit holes of drill-down storytelling, the possible (and quite horrible) results of taking certain science all the way to its natural conclusion, and then having to live with the consequences of it.
I could read these all day, every day for a year, and never get bored.
Because when you're talking about creating meta-humans, transhumanism, AIs, next-stage humans, quantum-state humans, post-light humans, collapsing galaxies, con-men, love stories, and saving the universe stories, IT'S ALL RIGHT HERE.
The scale is here. Great characters are here. The effort and love and devotion to this wonderful branch of Hard SF are all right here.
I'll just say this: there ARE some recent SF authors that still carry on this tradition, but most have dropped off the map. This is a big shame. I look back at the 80's SF epics and the devoted following of 90's epic SF that spiced it up while keeping the scope awesome and miss those times. This was right in the middle of that glorious age in 1997 and I honestly believe a lot of really fantastic books just slipped through the cracks during that time. Whether from lack of marketing or upkeep of an author's brand or whatever, a lot of these books are STILL excellent and would do much better now, in today's market, than most of the new stuff coming out.
Maybe this is a weird opinion. Maybe not. But this book is a real gem that shouldn't be forgotten.
Let's lump it in with Iain M. Banks, Peter F. Hamilton, Alistair Reynolds, Dan Simmons, and David Zindell, shall we? And add Poul Anderson, Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and Olaf Stapledon.
Old fans will know what I'm talking about. Future History stuff. Big Scope.
Books like these are some of the best that we, as humanity, can aspire to. :)
July 15, 2013
Amazing, epic, transcendant. The best book I've read this year so far. Attanasio doesn't write sci-fi, he writes the mythology of the future.
October 15, 2022
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary Between the years 2000 and 3000, humanity tries a half a dozen approaches to self-betterment, including some with disastrous effects. One woman lives through it all.
Review
I enjoy reading Attanasio’s work in part for the sheer intelligence of it. He’s not ostentatious in his use of language, just confident and sure, and not afraid to tackle some pretty big concepts. In my experience, his are not works you breeze through, but ones you examine.
That doesn’t mean, they’re not fun, though. In this case, Attanasio takes human development at a fairly large scale – 1,000 years – including machine intelligence, genetic engineering, and a host of other concepts. The result is insightful, if occasionally ponderous (in a few senses). While he sticks to a small cast of core characters, I found them (as is often true with Attanasio) somewhat distant, and would have like to feel a stronger emotional connection to go with the intellectual portions of the story.
Attanasio also tends toward the slightly mystical, and his work – including Centuries – occasionally feels more opaque than it needs to be. On the plus side, you do always get the feeling that the author himself knows exactly where he’s going. He’s one of the few authors that makes me think, “I need to spend some time working this out”, more often than, “He’s not expressing himself clearly”. (Somewhat reminiscent of David Zindell.)
Overall, an interesting look at some possibilities for human development, if one more concept than character driven.
Summary Between the years 2000 and 3000, humanity tries a half a dozen approaches to self-betterment, including some with disastrous effects. One woman lives through it all.
Review
I enjoy reading Attanasio’s work in part for the sheer intelligence of it. He’s not ostentatious in his use of language, just confident and sure, and not afraid to tackle some pretty big concepts. In my experience, his are not works you breeze through, but ones you examine.
That doesn’t mean, they’re not fun, though. In this case, Attanasio takes human development at a fairly large scale – 1,000 years – including machine intelligence, genetic engineering, and a host of other concepts. The result is insightful, if occasionally ponderous (in a few senses). While he sticks to a small cast of core characters, I found them (as is often true with Attanasio) somewhat distant, and would have like to feel a stronger emotional connection to go with the intellectual portions of the story.
Attanasio also tends toward the slightly mystical, and his work – including Centuries – occasionally feels more opaque than it needs to be. On the plus side, you do always get the feeling that the author himself knows exactly where he’s going. He’s one of the few authors that makes me think, “I need to spend some time working this out”, more often than, “He’s not expressing himself clearly”. (Somewhat reminiscent of David Zindell.)
Overall, an interesting look at some possibilities for human development, if one more concept than character driven.
August 5, 2015
Another epic sci-fi novel, that literally spans centuries, in case you are wondering what the title signifies. It opens in the year 2000 and quickly dispenses of the entire 21st century in one quick chapter. The final chapter takes place one thousand years later, with many of the main characters still playing their parts in the story. I won't specify which ones live, and which ones die, or even which ones live and die and live again. By the late 21st century, humans have taken their evolution into their own hands. They lab-birth "anthrofacts" which eventually become the dominant life force not only on earth but throughout the solar system as it is explored and inhabited. Humans are still around, as is artificial intelligence, and the three dance around in a socio-political whirl across space and time in this novel. At first I found the story interesting, thinking about super intelligent evolved humans and artificial intelligences solving all our problems. But the battle to stop the end of the world as we know it really escalates scientifically beyond what a non-theoretical physicist can understand. And that's OK, you don't have to understand all the sci in sci-fi for it to be entertaining. But when you add the list of characters that just refuse to leave the narrative, it just seems never-ending and tiresome by the end. Science is so advanced that not only do people not die of old age or disease anymore, the dead can be dialed up for conversations, and eventually brought back into new bodies, or cloned. You know what, maybe people and universes are not meant to last forever. Maybe things should die after a natural life span. Of less than 438 pages. I'm not even sure if the universe ended or whatever at the end of the book, but some characters survived, still refusing to give it up. Well I give up. If there's a sequel, count me out.
December 11, 2012
This author creates atmosphere and draws emotion to make you weep. This is my favourite kind of read, the combination of sf and human issues, made all the more complex by timespans that exceed a man's lifetime. He paints the most wonderful pictures.
October 7, 2023
AA does it again - a philosophical, mind-shattering scifi epic with a lot of heart.
March 8, 2025
This far-reaching story is a real journey in terms of scientific concepts, philosophy and sociology. It is smart and entertaining, and the characters and story-line engage the reader from start to finish, enough to propel the narrative for those who would rather glide over the science. But the deeper concepts are there for those who may wish to ponder them.
No review can adequately prepare the reader for this journey, especially without explaining some of the concepts, and that might spoil the fun for the first-time reader. I’ll just make a few objective observations…
The book is written in three parts: each is compelling in its own right, without any lulls, and finishing on a satisfying, if wistful, note. But each of the three parts engaged me at different levels. Attanasio swings for the fences at every turn, and a few foul balls, such as the relationship between Nandi and Rafe which made me quite uncomfortable, do not detract from the numerous hits that go out of the park. The first section of the book is entirely Earth-centric, with a focus on climate amelioration, botanical modification, organic wetware computation, and transmolecular bio-regeneration. It amazes me that this was written in 1997 because the science is still razor sharp cutting edge even for 2023 as I write.
The basic idea is that a group of genetically enhanced children are trained to excel in certain areas of scientific research and they contribute much to ease the world’s woes and turnaround decades of planetary neglect. (Sort of a smarter Ender's Game.) But there are snags along the way as when puberty hits and emotions and innate urges complicate things. And there are some unexpected turn of events and dramas which keep the reader thoroughly invested in the story. In fact, there is one tangential story line that spirals up to heights of poetic inspiration and emotional engagement only to be dashed. I put the book down, smiling, laughing, and fists clenched in exasperation: yes, Attanasio delivers a huge sucker punch!
The other two parts explore further away from Earth as the solar system develops, the timeline spanning over centuries (hence the title) and now the science gets even wilder and more speculative. While never venturing into fantasy (no magic or mythical creatures) Attanasio pushes scientific concepts to really wild places. We get designer morphs, creatures intended for specific work too difficult for humans. We may recoil at the idea but for millennia horses have been used as beasts of burden, or even dogs to pull sleds, so this just takes things to the next level. Indeed, there are no aliens in this story, as all the varying lifeforms we encounter are derived from human manipulation.
By the third part things get even wilder, and while I can’t say they are scientifically impossible, they really do push credulity. Those who have read the book will know what I mean about “eminences” or “reflector spheres.” But all in all there is so much that impressed me with this book that I now place it among my Top Ten.
What a shame that Attanasio got lost in the shuffle during a merger of two publishing houses. Let’s hope he has another great one to give us, possible self-published if need be. Meanwhile, this one is due for a reprint so that a new generation can discover this wind-boggling work of genius!
No review can adequately prepare the reader for this journey, especially without explaining some of the concepts, and that might spoil the fun for the first-time reader. I’ll just make a few objective observations…
The book is written in three parts: each is compelling in its own right, without any lulls, and finishing on a satisfying, if wistful, note. But each of the three parts engaged me at different levels. Attanasio swings for the fences at every turn, and a few foul balls, such as the relationship between Nandi and Rafe which made me quite uncomfortable, do not detract from the numerous hits that go out of the park. The first section of the book is entirely Earth-centric, with a focus on climate amelioration, botanical modification, organic wetware computation, and transmolecular bio-regeneration. It amazes me that this was written in 1997 because the science is still razor sharp cutting edge even for 2023 as I write.
The basic idea is that a group of genetically enhanced children are trained to excel in certain areas of scientific research and they contribute much to ease the world’s woes and turnaround decades of planetary neglect. (Sort of a smarter Ender's Game.) But there are snags along the way as when puberty hits and emotions and innate urges complicate things. And there are some unexpected turn of events and dramas which keep the reader thoroughly invested in the story. In fact, there is one tangential story line that spirals up to heights of poetic inspiration and emotional engagement only to be dashed. I put the book down, smiling, laughing, and fists clenched in exasperation: yes, Attanasio delivers a huge sucker punch!
The other two parts explore further away from Earth as the solar system develops, the timeline spanning over centuries (hence the title) and now the science gets even wilder and more speculative. While never venturing into fantasy (no magic or mythical creatures) Attanasio pushes scientific concepts to really wild places. We get designer morphs, creatures intended for specific work too difficult for humans. We may recoil at the idea but for millennia horses have been used as beasts of burden, or even dogs to pull sleds, so this just takes things to the next level. Indeed, there are no aliens in this story, as all the varying lifeforms we encounter are derived from human manipulation.
By the third part things get even wilder, and while I can’t say they are scientifically impossible, they really do push credulity. Those who have read the book will know what I mean about “eminences” or “reflector spheres.” But all in all there is so much that impressed me with this book that I now place it among my Top Ten.
What a shame that Attanasio got lost in the shuffle during a merger of two publishing houses. Let’s hope he has another great one to give us, possible self-published if need be. Meanwhile, this one is due for a reprint so that a new generation can discover this wind-boggling work of genius!
December 3, 2025
You don’t breeze through this book, you absorb it. Clever, Hard SG, with a long look at human ‘development’ including ‘machines’ over many centuries. Hence the title.
If you want a ‘typical’ space opera go elsewhere. It looks at human foibles whether in clones or otherwise. It would appear to say humanity, in all its possible future forms, never really learns lessons, it just stumbles over forgotten ones.
In terms of pluses. There is some excellent prose in this book, lyrical even. The plot is busy and each timeline is an enjoyable journey. Some chapters could even be their own novella. I liked the way Attanasio used scientific concepts without beating me around the head with them. He surprises with interesting and unexpected subplots and his characters definitely ‘grow over the book.
In terms of disappointments, I found the ending difficult to see as logical or necessary, if for other reason than shock value. While Martin kills of characters with skilfull abandonment, that doesn’t quite happen here. Some time back a ghost writer finishing a dead man’s epic killed off a main character in the last book of many. I asked myself then WTF and again with this book. That ending like Attanasio’s just didn’t gel with me as a paticularly useful plot. Dead is dead and the reader’s attachment to a character was perhaps overlooked. That one of the main characters returns in another form was not balm enough to make it work well for me.
Three and a half stars.
If you want a ‘typical’ space opera go elsewhere. It looks at human foibles whether in clones or otherwise. It would appear to say humanity, in all its possible future forms, never really learns lessons, it just stumbles over forgotten ones.
In terms of pluses. There is some excellent prose in this book, lyrical even. The plot is busy and each timeline is an enjoyable journey. Some chapters could even be their own novella. I liked the way Attanasio used scientific concepts without beating me around the head with them. He surprises with interesting and unexpected subplots and his characters definitely ‘grow over the book.
In terms of disappointments, I found the ending difficult to see as logical or necessary, if for other reason than shock value. While Martin kills of characters with skilfull abandonment, that doesn’t quite happen here. Some time back a ghost writer finishing a dead man’s epic killed off a main character in the last book of many. I asked myself then WTF and again with this book. That ending like Attanasio’s just didn’t gel with me as a paticularly useful plot. Dead is dead and the reader’s attachment to a character was perhaps overlooked. That one of the main characters returns in another form was not balm enough to make it work well for me.
Three and a half stars.
July 20, 2023
Summary: Too much Deus Ex Machine
A long history of the future and transhumanism. The story is entertaining but made highly implausible by characters behaving illogically in order to drive the plot. In one example, centuries of planning by two genius-level characters is spoiled by an undermotivated romantic moment. Later the book introduces multiple timelines and the resurrection of the dead...removing all sense that the events of the story matter since every mistake can be reversed. I like this author, but was disappointed with this book.
A long history of the future and transhumanism. The story is entertaining but made highly implausible by characters behaving illogically in order to drive the plot. In one example, centuries of planning by two genius-level characters is spoiled by an undermotivated romantic moment. Later the book introduces multiple timelines and the resurrection of the dead...removing all sense that the events of the story matter since every mistake can be reversed. I like this author, but was disappointed with this book.
August 25, 2014
Wow its been a few years since I've logged in, and I've got quite a few books to add..but later.. As I recall, Centuries was brilliant! Some of the best scifi I've ever read... Very prescient... poetic... ingenious... beautifully written.
April 2, 2015
Probably my favourite sci-fi. That's a huge statement as I collect the SF Masterworks. I'm surprised this isn't in it. I think I've read it four times so far. It's one I can come back to again and again if I have nothing else to read. And it still keeps me interested.
April 9, 2007
This book is incredible. If Time Traveler's Wife brings sci-fi to the popular audience, this book brings the popular audience to sci-fi.
October 10, 2013
Great book! Truly an awesome and chilling concept by master tale-spinner A. A. A.!
August 4, 2015
the book is well written but has a dreary tone to it.
Read
June 30, 2016OK. Not a great science fiction novel, but fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews