Karl Schroeder
Permanence (2002)
Author: Karl Schroeder
Genre: Science Fiction (Storyteller)
Plot Summary:
In the distant future, Earth has expanded its interstellar colonies too far too quickly. As the human government begins to cut off the most remote colonies, resources dwindle, travel becomes almost impossible, and rebel conflicts trouble many worlds. In more stable areas of the galaxy, scientists search for an alien race than can grant them the key to "Permanence," a sustainable human society that can last indefinitely. Michael Bequith, an archaeologist of extinct alien races, has come to believe that such a feat is impossible, a belief that shakes him to his core. Meanwhile, Rue Cassles, a colonist escaping her abusive brother, discovers an alien ship adrift on the outer reaches of human territory, one that hints at cooperation between alien races, and may change the way in which humanity views its relationship with the rest of the galaxy. But as scientists converge on the ship for research, the dangers of rebels, deep space travel, and internal politics threaten the mission. SPOILER: The ship is labeled as a gift to humanity, and gives coordinates at which humanity can claim technology which will either grant them Permanence or shatter human civilization.
Geographical Setting: Space, colonized alien worlds of Treya and Colossus, and two interstellar ships: The Banshee and Jentry's Envy
Time Period: Unspecified (distant future)
Appeal Characteristics:
This novel opens with Rue fleeing her brother in an action-packed escape, and that sets the pace for the rest of this compelling read. Action dominates the storyline, with the more sedate portions of the story being skipped or condensed to a page in the interest of keeping readers engaged. The focus is less on the elaborate technology and exotic alien races, but on the social and political background of the futuristic human colonies. Nevertheless, intriguing sketches of the various colonies are presented, leaving the reader to fill in the gaps. Additionally, Schroeder peppers his novel with theories of evolution and philosophy that keep the readers thinking long after they have put down the book. Characterization isn't particularly deep, but the fast pace of the narration makes up for it. The story splits neatly into an action-packed adventure and a light love story between Rue and Michael, though the relationship is never developed in mu
ch depth. The writing style is frank and unembellished, and thus well-suited to the storyline and its adventurous heroes.
Read-alikes: For a book with a similar independent and adventurous heroine, as well as a light romance, try Scout's Progress by Sharon Lee. Aelliana wins a star ship in a game of chance, and now must learn to pilot it to escape her abusive brother. In Glasshouse, by Charles Stross, Robin has just undergone a voluntary memory erasure, and now takes refuge in an experimental recreation of 20th century life. By turns humorous and action-packed, Stross's novel will appeal to readers who enjoyed Schroeder's pacing and snappy dialog. Readers who enjoyed the technical details combined with careful character development and survival situations, they may try Mars Crossing, by Geoffrey A. Landis. Here, a mission to Mars goes awry, and the stranded astronauts must make their way to an abandoned ship on the opposite side of the planet in order to make it back to earth. Readers who desire a more political story that still manages to keep up action and fast pacing may enjoy Scott Westerfeld's Risen Empire and its sequel The Killing of Worlds. Empire focuses on an elite military officer seeking to rescue kidnapped royalty from human/machine hybrids, but who must avoid the complex politics of his home world in the process. Those who enjoyed the action of Permanence but wished for more in-depth characterization might try Vast, by Linda Nagata. Here, some of the last survivors of the human race try to flee their destroyers, an alien race against which they little chance of survival.
Red Flags: Some mild violence and bloodless deaths; off-stage sex
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