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Heaven
The internationally renowned scientists who wrote Wheelers and The Collapse of Chaos team up again to pen an intriguing new SF novel. All Second-Best Sailor wants is to sail his boat and trade with the wandering Neanderthals. But when the reefwives discover that a Cosmic Unity mission fleet is heading for his homeworld, his comfortable lifestyle vanishes in an instant. All Servant-of-Unity XIV Samuel wants is to help spread Cosmic Unity's message of harmony to a grateful galaxy. But the ecclesiarchs decide that Samuel is destined for greater things. Flung together by fate, the two men find themselves on opposite sides of a battle for the hearts and minds of every sentient creature in the galaxy. Together, they uncover Cosmic Unity's deepest secret, and come up with a kamikaze plan to fight off the invaders. But along the way, they will need help from the unlikeliest of allies.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 2004
3 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Ian Stewart
269 books758 followersIan Nicholas Stewart is an Emeritus Professor and Digital Media Fellow in the Mathematics Department at Warwick University, with special responsibility for public awareness of mathematics and science. He is best known for his popular science writing on mathematical themes.
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 17, 2014
Ian Stewart is a mathematician and Jack Cohen a reproductive biologist and over the years they have had a close association with Terry Pratchett. Jack is also a xenobiologist who has advised film and television producers on the fact that life (as we know it) is not necessarily carbon based nor bipedal. This book proves the point magnificently. I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to read it. I hope this review encourages other readers not to make the same mistake.
Second Best Sailor is a male polyp who trades with the Neanderthals from off world. His planet, No Moon, is threatened by the arrival of Cosmic Unity, the galactic pseudo-religious memeplex, that offers a stark choice; convert or be destroyed. The polypi and the 'Thals come up with a plan to try and preserve some of the world's population by transferring them to another world with a similar environment at which point things start to go horribly wrong. To give any more detail would spoil the plot and its resolution.
On the surface this is a storyline that is one of daring to resist a memeplex which is so reasonable, on first appearance, that it overwhelms individuals, cultures and planets. There are many such stories; so far so what?
Firstly, the alien life forms (of which there are almost too many) are completely thought through in all their variety. Are we so used to seeing aliens that are basically hominids in funny suits to realise that were we to encounter an alien intelligence we would probably not recognise it as such? Jack and Ian open up a galaxy of possibilities, each one carefully whole. Some of them are totally surprising and enthralling.
Secondly, what constitutes intelligence? Other lifeforms could use pathways that would be unrecognisable to us as thought to reach their decisions? If other lives communicate in a different way to us, will their thought processes be the same as ours?
Thirdly, the potential pitfalls of a memplex are examined carefully. Essentially so reasonable that it cannot be countered, what happens when you disagree with it?
This is an excellent, well written, story that challenges preconceptions about religion, society, scientific values and life (as we know it). It is full of surprises, as well as twists in the plot. The resolution of the plot is, perhaps, a little convenient but that is a very small criticism of what is an otherwise excellent book.
Second Best Sailor is a male polyp who trades with the Neanderthals from off world. His planet, No Moon, is threatened by the arrival of Cosmic Unity, the galactic pseudo-religious memeplex, that offers a stark choice; convert or be destroyed. The polypi and the 'Thals come up with a plan to try and preserve some of the world's population by transferring them to another world with a similar environment at which point things start to go horribly wrong. To give any more detail would spoil the plot and its resolution.
On the surface this is a storyline that is one of daring to resist a memeplex which is so reasonable, on first appearance, that it overwhelms individuals, cultures and planets. There are many such stories; so far so what?
Firstly, the alien life forms (of which there are almost too many) are completely thought through in all their variety. Are we so used to seeing aliens that are basically hominids in funny suits to realise that were we to encounter an alien intelligence we would probably not recognise it as such? Jack and Ian open up a galaxy of possibilities, each one carefully whole. Some of them are totally surprising and enthralling.
Secondly, what constitutes intelligence? Other lifeforms could use pathways that would be unrecognisable to us as thought to reach their decisions? If other lives communicate in a different way to us, will their thought processes be the same as ours?
Thirdly, the potential pitfalls of a memplex are examined carefully. Essentially so reasonable that it cannot be countered, what happens when you disagree with it?
This is an excellent, well written, story that challenges preconceptions about religion, society, scientific values and life (as we know it). It is full of surprises, as well as twists in the plot. The resolution of the plot is, perhaps, a little convenient but that is a very small criticism of what is an otherwise excellent book.
November 28, 2009
I've never read a book with such incredible diversity of alien life!
I've always struggled with TV SF (such as Star Trek) where all aliens are basically humanoid. In the past, I found the best work on aliens was done by author James White (particularly in his Sector General series of books).
But this book raises the bar on developing alien lifeforms in SF. The biodiversity (including varieties that are comprised of not much more than energy) and their basis for sentience (including several whose intelligence is not contained in what readers may even recognize as "mind") is staggering. This is a visionary work in developing the entire alien - not just its body, but how it functions, and how it organizes its intelligence.
So how's the story? Admittedly, it can be a challenging read. There are some jarring moments in its narrative that can be distracting to the reader.
But it's worth the effort! There are some very large topics under consideration... it will make you think deeply on ethical issues. The good vs. evil is not simplistic (the evil Cosmic Unity bases its existence on the premise of universal tolerance, where all lifeforms are to be brought into peaceful union).
Great stuff - I will be rating this book highly and looking for more by these authors.
I've always struggled with TV SF (such as Star Trek) where all aliens are basically humanoid. In the past, I found the best work on aliens was done by author James White (particularly in his Sector General series of books).
But this book raises the bar on developing alien lifeforms in SF. The biodiversity (including varieties that are comprised of not much more than energy) and their basis for sentience (including several whose intelligence is not contained in what readers may even recognize as "mind") is staggering. This is a visionary work in developing the entire alien - not just its body, but how it functions, and how it organizes its intelligence.
So how's the story? Admittedly, it can be a challenging read. There are some jarring moments in its narrative that can be distracting to the reader.
But it's worth the effort! There are some very large topics under consideration... it will make you think deeply on ethical issues. The good vs. evil is not simplistic (the evil Cosmic Unity bases its existence on the premise of universal tolerance, where all lifeforms are to be brought into peaceful union).
Great stuff - I will be rating this book highly and looking for more by these authors.
May 21, 2013
I know the authors only as Pratchett's collaborators on the _Science of Discworld_ series. (The only _Science of..._ book concept that's worth reading.) (Hm, and Ian Stewart did _Flatterland_, one of the many _Flatland_ riffs that isn't.)
This is SF-realist high-tech space opera, of the type that Greg Egan and Iain M. Banks write -- which is obviously a wide range of writing. This example tilts heavily towards the Egan side, although the long technical digressions aren't *quite* as opaque and the characters aren't *quite* as stilted. If you're old enough to have a stereotype of "Analog Mafia SF", this is it.
The writing itself is quite bouncy and charming (unlike Egan!) and this drew me in at first. It's a multicultural galactic setting, high-tech but not post-scarcity, with lots and lots of very non-human aliens (described in loving detail). On the planet of No-Moon, a bunch of neo-Neanderthal traders and sentient-coral sailors become concerned about an incoming interstellar invasion force. Or rather, missionary fleet. Cosmic Unity is the nicest possible religion, based on principles of materialism and universal tolerance, so that's reassuring, right?
Sadly, this is all an excuse for an Idea Story about evolution and memes, which couldn't have been that groundbreaking even when the book was published (2004). That's spiced up with an Evil Repressive Fundamentalist Church Story -- which has not been groundbreaking since the first flush of genre fantasy in the 1970s.
(I'm not questioning whether Repressive Fundamentalist Churches can be Evil, good grief, no. I'm just saying that ripping aside the curtain and saying "Look! They're torturing people and saying it's for the good of their souls!" wore out its shock value sometime in the first Deryni trilogy.)
The Evil Church winds up in a struggle with some sentient coral masterminds who are not, in the event, particularly nicer to hang around with. The human-scale characters should serve as a moral counterbalance, but they mostly spend their time watching the doom and destruction, because morality is irrelevant to galactic-scale political collisions. This is the problem with SF-realist high-tech space opera.
The philosophy is pat, the evolutionary science is pat (albeit generally accurate, credit there), and the space opera doom is wrapped up in a tidy pat ending. A competently constructed example of what it is, but I can't point to anything to recommend it.
This is SF-realist high-tech space opera, of the type that Greg Egan and Iain M. Banks write -- which is obviously a wide range of writing. This example tilts heavily towards the Egan side, although the long technical digressions aren't *quite* as opaque and the characters aren't *quite* as stilted. If you're old enough to have a stereotype of "Analog Mafia SF", this is it.
The writing itself is quite bouncy and charming (unlike Egan!) and this drew me in at first. It's a multicultural galactic setting, high-tech but not post-scarcity, with lots and lots of very non-human aliens (described in loving detail). On the planet of No-Moon, a bunch of neo-Neanderthal traders and sentient-coral sailors become concerned about an incoming interstellar invasion force. Or rather, missionary fleet. Cosmic Unity is the nicest possible religion, based on principles of materialism and universal tolerance, so that's reassuring, right?
Sadly, this is all an excuse for an Idea Story about evolution and memes, which couldn't have been that groundbreaking even when the book was published (2004). That's spiced up with an Evil Repressive Fundamentalist Church Story -- which has not been groundbreaking since the first flush of genre fantasy in the 1970s.
(I'm not questioning whether Repressive Fundamentalist Churches can be Evil, good grief, no. I'm just saying that ripping aside the curtain and saying "Look! They're torturing people and saying it's for the good of their souls!" wore out its shock value sometime in the first Deryni trilogy.)
The Evil Church winds up in a struggle with some sentient coral masterminds who are not, in the event, particularly nicer to hang around with. The human-scale characters should serve as a moral counterbalance, but they mostly spend their time watching the doom and destruction, because morality is irrelevant to galactic-scale political collisions. This is the problem with SF-realist high-tech space opera.
The philosophy is pat, the evolutionary science is pat (albeit generally accurate, credit there), and the space opera doom is wrapped up in a tidy pat ending. A competently constructed example of what it is, but I can't point to anything to recommend it.
August 18, 2012
The dissemination fleet of the Church of Cosmic Unity is fast approaching the aquaseous planet of No-Moon where the primary sentient lifeform is a race of polypoids. They have come to spread the message of love, tolerance and peace. A good, commendable mission, right?
Wrong.
During the course of a bit over 400 pages we discover just how twisted the Memeplex has become and are treated to scenes of an all-out war on more than one front. We are introduced to characters that can be reprehensible but in no way unidimensional and to characters who tickle our imaginations. Most of all, we see the galaxy in a different light.
Now, there are some very easy allegorical comparisons to be made here. This is probably intentional. They are allusions that have been made over and over again. However, if you decide to ignore at least the one that for me was the most obvious, they won't take away from the enjoyment of the novel. They won't feel tedious. You won't even notice them most of the time. No, the centre stage is given to the hypothetical.
There are a few damned big 'what ifs' here and they are utterly delightful for anyone so inclined. There are major ethical questions which you will have to grapple with just as the characters do. These same dilemmas will probably even stay with you for a while, which is one of the advantages of the novel. It makes you think.
The novel offers a cavalcade of interesting creatures, fascinating central characters, and seemingly endless material for philosophical and theological meditation and debate - not to speak of the adventure. This is a gripping novel and I found myself devouring it, in turns grinning like a loon and impatiently turning the next page, apprehensive of what was to happen next. Naturally, no book is perfect. There are quite a few detailed explanations which might have been better conveyed in some other fashion. Sometimes I couldn't help thinking 'infodump' while reading a passage, and some of the technical descriptions went way over my head.
Nevertheless, I definitely recommend this book for any fan of science fiction. If you happen to enjoy philosophy, bioscience and astronomy, so much the better. Buy it, borrow it - I don't care, just get the novel in your hands. You probably won't regret it.
Also, any theories you have on the identity of the Precursors will be gladly read. Personally I can't help but make a comparison to Vorlons but I suppose that is merely me being a geek.
Wrong.
During the course of a bit over 400 pages we discover just how twisted the Memeplex has become and are treated to scenes of an all-out war on more than one front. We are introduced to characters that can be reprehensible but in no way unidimensional and to characters who tickle our imaginations. Most of all, we see the galaxy in a different light.
Now, there are some very easy allegorical comparisons to be made here. This is probably intentional. They are allusions that have been made over and over again. However, if you decide to ignore at least the one that for me was the most obvious, they won't take away from the enjoyment of the novel. They won't feel tedious. You won't even notice them most of the time. No, the centre stage is given to the hypothetical.
There are a few damned big 'what ifs' here and they are utterly delightful for anyone so inclined. There are major ethical questions which you will have to grapple with just as the characters do. These same dilemmas will probably even stay with you for a while, which is one of the advantages of the novel. It makes you think.
The novel offers a cavalcade of interesting creatures, fascinating central characters, and seemingly endless material for philosophical and theological meditation and debate - not to speak of the adventure. This is a gripping novel and I found myself devouring it, in turns grinning like a loon and impatiently turning the next page, apprehensive of what was to happen next. Naturally, no book is perfect. There are quite a few detailed explanations which might have been better conveyed in some other fashion. Sometimes I couldn't help thinking 'infodump' while reading a passage, and some of the technical descriptions went way over my head.
Nevertheless, I definitely recommend this book for any fan of science fiction. If you happen to enjoy philosophy, bioscience and astronomy, so much the better. Buy it, borrow it - I don't care, just get the novel in your hands. You probably won't regret it.
Also, any theories you have on the identity of the Precursors will be gladly read. Personally I can't help but make a comparison to Vorlons but I suppose that is merely me being a geek.
September 7, 2018
'Heaven' includes what must surely be the most diverse and interesting alien life forms in all of science fiction. It certainly expands the reader's conception of what could be. It's a 'must read' for anyone who enjoys pondering the possibilities for how intelligent life could perhaps appear in the universe, and what it means to be intelligent.
The book is also full of warmth and humour.
Thoroughly recommend.
:-)
The book is also full of warmth and humour.
Thoroughly recommend.
:-)
August 12, 2012
In the tradition of Robert Forward, two scientists team up to write this novel, and it's a fun ride with wonderful invention and a host of great aliens, the story reminds me of classic Vernor Vinge in its wonder and scope. It makes you wish they wrote more novels.
April 15, 2024
While reading this book I renamed myself Soul-Being-Sucked-Out-Reading-Philosophical-Meanderings. You can call me Phil for short.
Religious zealotry could have been an interesting subject to incorporate into a science fiction story, yet the authors found a way to make the topic extremely boring.
The story might have hit more with me had it not read as dry as an engineering technical manual.
Character development, amid all the world building and the imagining of different types of alien life and their ecosystems and gadgetry, would have been nice.
I will not be delving any further into Ian Stewart or Jack Cohen’s oeuvre.
Arthur C. Clarke
Isaac Asimov
Philip K. Dick
Robert A. Heinlein
H.G. Wells
If you are into science fiction read works from the authors listed above. I think most people will find their books far more interesting.
Religious zealotry could have been an interesting subject to incorporate into a science fiction story, yet the authors found a way to make the topic extremely boring.
The story might have hit more with me had it not read as dry as an engineering technical manual.
Character development, amid all the world building and the imagining of different types of alien life and their ecosystems and gadgetry, would have been nice.
I will not be delving any further into Ian Stewart or Jack Cohen’s oeuvre.
Arthur C. Clarke
Isaac Asimov
Philip K. Dick
Robert A. Heinlein
H.G. Wells
If you are into science fiction read works from the authors listed above. I think most people will find their books far more interesting.
July 22, 2019
Simultaneously a master-class in xenobilogy, hive minds and theory of evolution and kind of a disappointment, storytelling-wise. Apart from the feelsy 2SB and Fat Apprentices, every other character was just kind of there, reacting to stuff, or following the script. I expected more, particularly from the Neanderthal characters. Also, I get the idea of making the Evil Church also the Grossest Church Ever, but I could have done without that and with more genuine character-building.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2023
The authors (inc Jack Cohen) appear to love thinking up alien life forms, the more weird the better. They then weave a simple story around those, based on much philosophical discussion on the nature of life, sentience and organised religion. It is all wrapped up in a fairly simple story, but is packed with enough ideas to fill a multi-volumed series.
November 13, 2019
Wonderful-
I would recommend this book as a perfect approach to understanding the interwoven nature of the world, universe, galaxies and more. Everything is alive, everything. A truly great look at the idea of memplexes and the progression from positive to negative that all belief systems unfortunately tend to take, including government/state.
I would recommend this book as a perfect approach to understanding the interwoven nature of the world, universe, galaxies and more. Everything is alive, everything. A truly great look at the idea of memplexes and the progression from positive to negative that all belief systems unfortunately tend to take, including government/state.
October 16, 2007
Alternative life forms abound and the story (humanoids imposing religious dogma on aliens, replete with new technologies, hints of supreme beings, end the emotional tie ins necessary to keep you engrossed) gets tied up nicely in the end.
January 8, 2019
Read in 2004
January 1, 2015
Blew me away from the very beginning. Interesting, well rounded characters with a plot that keeps you turning pages. Everything I have come to expect from great science-fiction.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews