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I loved Semiosis.
It does what only great scifi can accomplish and initiates a new way of thinking about life. In this universe, a group of humans have escaped the turmoil of Earth by seeking a new start on a distant but similar planet. They deem themselves Pacifists and establish a new society that aims to be free of war and violence. This is all very straightforward until the Pacifists encounter the indigenous of the planet who happen to be intelligent plants. In this world, the plants dictate species interactions by providing nourishment to the animals that benefit them best. Imagine if evolution had worked this way on Earth? It is so easy to envision this and to think differently about our trees and flowers. This is what I love most about Semiosis.
Because it deals primarily with plant behavior and evolution, the story must take place over many years. To avoid any dragging and to account for the limited human lifespan, the novel is told as almost a series of short stories over many generations. We follow the initial human explorers who outline their ideal new world away from Earth, then their children who rebel against it, and their children, and so on until we have spent over a hundred years adapting to and getting to know this planet and its social ecosystem. Each new generation gives us a unique protagonist with a different perspective, which allows for a more complex picture of this world than if the story were told from a single point of view.
The science of the story is fascinating and can easily be considered without an immense suspension of disbelief. This story also benefits from its social science, however. It is not only about the biology of the species on the planet, it is about sharing cultures and creating society. The story addresses concerns about colonialism, pacifism, diplomacy, and government building. It is sometimes dealt with in a heavy-handed manner and the conflicts are sometimes predictably encountered or resolved, but they are all central to the creation of the identity of the Pacifists. By the end of the story, we have experienced a complete history of the Pacifists so far and it is rewarding to see how they have grown.
Semiosis combines new ideas about life itself with a healthy dose of social speculation. It is exactly what I love in scifi, the ability to be challenged about preconceived ideas and to imagine about what might be.
It does what only great scifi can accomplish and initiates a new way of thinking about life. In this universe, a group of humans have escaped the turmoil of Earth by seeking a new start on a distant but similar planet. They deem themselves Pacifists and establish a new society that aims to be free of war and violence. This is all very straightforward until the Pacifists encounter the indigenous of the planet who happen to be intelligent plants. In this world, the plants dictate species interactions by providing nourishment to the animals that benefit them best. Imagine if evolution had worked this way on Earth? It is so easy to envision this and to think differently about our trees and flowers. This is what I love most about Semiosis.
Because it deals primarily with plant behavior and evolution, the story must take place over many years. To avoid any dragging and to account for the limited human lifespan, the novel is told as almost a series of short stories over many generations. We follow the initial human explorers who outline their ideal new world away from Earth, then their children who rebel against it, and their children, and so on until we have spent over a hundred years adapting to and getting to know this planet and its social ecosystem. Each new generation gives us a unique protagonist with a different perspective, which allows for a more complex picture of this world than if the story were told from a single point of view.
The science of the story is fascinating and can easily be considered without an immense suspension of disbelief. This story also benefits from its social science, however. It is not only about the biology of the species on the planet, it is about sharing cultures and creating society. The story addresses concerns about colonialism, pacifism, diplomacy, and government building. It is sometimes dealt with in a heavy-handed manner and the conflicts are sometimes predictably encountered or resolved, but they are all central to the creation of the identity of the Pacifists. By the end of the story, we have experienced a complete history of the Pacifists so far and it is rewarding to see how they have grown.
Semiosis combines new ideas about life itself with a healthy dose of social speculation. It is exactly what I love in scifi, the ability to be challenged about preconceived ideas and to imagine about what might be.