(Drivebycuriosity) - Alastair Reynolds belongs to my favorite science fiction authors. His novels and short stories show what contemporary scifi is capable of. Reynolds has a PhD in physics and started his career as research astronomer for the European Space Research and Technology Centre (part of the European Space Agency) until 2004 when he left to pursue writing full-time ( wikipedia). But he also has a lot of fantasy and excellent writing skills.
Reynolds`"Pushing Ice" is a master piece ( amazon). The novel is a classic space opera and a drama. The staff of a commercial space ship, who are mining ice comets ("pushing ice"), gets a new task and sets course to a Saturn moon, which suddenly behaves strange. This starts a journey which last much longer and goes much farther than expected (this is a spoiler free blog).
It goes without saying that the accomplished scientist put a lot physics in his plot. This is hard science fiction, inspired by Einstein`s insights, evolution, cosmology and other sciences. Reynold followed his tradition and depicted bizarre and intimidating environments, aliens, spaceships & other artifacts. His weird universe could have been created by a cooperation by H.R.Giger (Alien) & Kafka on speed. But even the most outlandish events are plausible thanks to Reynold´s scientific background and his writing skills .
Another strength of the novel are the abruptly changing social situations & conflicts. The plot is framed by 2 strong female characters. Both are challenging but somehow I cared for them anyway.
I wish that "Pushing Ice" gets transformed into an ambitious multiple-season TV show by a master of cinema the kind of Denis Villeneuve or Christopher Nolan.
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