I bought Alastair Reynolds’ House of Suns when it was first published in 2008, but somehow lost track of it on my many bookshelves. Last week I discovered it and immediately sat down and read it. Alastair Reynolds specializes in space opera Science Fiction with Big Ideas and Big Themes.
Imagine 1000 clones who have managed to live millions of years. Then imagine an incredible atrocity is inflicted on them. Campion and Purslane–two of the surviving shatterlings of an ancient House–attempt to find out who committed this crime and why. During their pursuit, they encounter one of the mysterious Machine People, Hesperus, who has lost part of his memory.
Reynolds also mixes in The Vigilance, a group who attempts to organize all the information in the galaxy. House of Suns tells of civilizations that have risen and fallen over the millions of years the clones have travelled the galaxy. As Campion and Purslane find out, the galaxy is a dangerous place full of treachery and deception. If you’re in the mood for a compelling tale of incredible crime and punishment, The House of Suns, will take you on a journey you will never forget. GRADE: A
I thought I had read some of Reynolds’s short story collections but can’t find it listed. I know I have his post-apocalyptic CENTURY RAIN.
Jeff, CENTURY RAIN is a massive book! Good, but very long at 626 pages!!