Description
The Quiet War is over. The city states of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn have fallen to the Three Powers Alliance of Greater Brazil, the European Union and the Pacific Community. A century of enlightenment, rational utopianism and exploration of new ways of being human has fallen dark. Outers are herded into prison camps and forced to collaborate in the systematic plundering of their great archives of scientific and technical knowledge, while Earth's forces loot their cities, settlements and ships, and plan a final solution to the 'Outer problem'.
But Earth's victory is fragile, and riven by vicious internal politics. While seeking out and trying to anatomise the strange gardens abandoned in place by Avernus, the Outers' greatest genius, the gene wizard Sri Hong-Owen is embroiled in the plots and counterplots of the family that employs her. The diplomat Loc Ifrahim soon discovers that profiting from victory isn't as easy as he thought. And in Greater Brazil, the Outers' democratic traditions have infected a population eager to escape the tyranny of the great families who rule them.
After a conflict fought to contain the expansionist, posthuman ambitions of the Outers, the future is as uncertain as ever. Only one thing is clear. No one can escape the consequences of war - especially the victors.
'A writer of dazzling range, luminous intelligence and great humanity' Alastair Reynolds
About the Author
Paul J. McAuley won the PHILIP K. DICK AWARD for his first novel and has gone on to win the ARTHUR C. CLARKE, BRITISH FANTASY, SIDEWISE and JOHN W. CAMPBELL AWARDS. He gave up his position as a research biologist to write full-time. He lives in London.
Reviews
THE QUIET WAR is a deft fusion of modern-as-tomorrow hard SF space opera, slam-bang thriller (with cutting-edge science and some breathlessly cool action sequences) and a superbly intelligent and timely examination of society sliding over the brink into war. Heroes and villains aplenty populate this teeming, multifaceted novel, and in Macy Minnot - a small fish caught up in the flow of massive, world-shaking events - McAuley gives us his most engaging and likable heroine to date. Great book! - Alastair Reynolds
Awards
Short-listed for John W Campbell Award 2010 (UK).
Book Information
ISBN 9780575084483
Author Paul McAuley
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint Gollancz
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 364g
Dimensions(mm) 135mm * 200mm * 30mm