Scan barcode
A review by andrewspink
In Ascension by Martin MacInnes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
In the interview he gives to the Booker Prizes (https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/martin-macinnes-interview-in-ascension), Martin McInnes says that he is happy to call the book science fiction, but that he also sees sci-fi as an unlimited genre. Although the book does contain some stereotypical sci-fi elements like space travel and mysterious things happening, it goes way beyond that. In the same interview, he describes the central theme of the book as being symbiosis, and indeed he explores both human relationships and the relationship between different species quite extensively.
The book is written with a beautiful turn of phrase, which should mean that it would appeal to more literary types who might normally turn their nose up at something with the label sci-fi. I hope that they give it a go, it is definitely worthwhile. McInnes is also not afraid to use some quite obscure words like coruscating and ouroboros, which I don't mind saying that I had to look up (only a click away on my e-reader!).
Especially in the first quarter, the style reminded me of W.G. Siebald's The Rings of Saturn (not sci-fi, despite the title), it seemed to have a similar atmosphere.
Another reason that I liked the book was that its main character is Dutch and the story starts off in Rotterdam. There are some strange things that don't fit with that, like that she uses feet, inches and Farenheit). It occurred to me that the people who scoff at cultural sensitivity readers should realise that this is the sort of error that those editors are looking for!
One note of warning, you have to not mind that you don't always understand what is going on. Just like real life.
In summary, a well-written book that gives plenty of feed for thought and a plot that keeps you turning the pages.
The book is written with a beautiful turn of phrase, which should mean that it would appeal to more literary types who might normally turn their nose up at something with the label sci-fi. I hope that they give it a go, it is definitely worthwhile. McInnes is also not afraid to use some quite obscure words like coruscating and ouroboros, which I don't mind saying that I had to look up (only a click away on my e-reader!).
Especially in the first quarter, the style reminded me of W.G. Siebald's The Rings of Saturn (not sci-fi, despite the title), it seemed to have a similar atmosphere.
Another reason that I liked the book was that its main character is Dutch and the story starts off in Rotterdam. There are some strange things that don't fit with that, like that she uses feet, inches and Farenheit). It occurred to me that the people who scoff at cultural sensitivity readers should realise that this is the sort of error that those editors are looking for!
One note of warning, you have to not mind that you don't always understand what is going on. Just like real life.
In summary, a well-written book that gives plenty of feed for thought and a plot that keeps you turning the pages.