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A review by kris_mccracken
In Ascension by Martin MacInnes
4.0
"In Ascension" explores the boundaries of imagination while remaining grounded in a world recognisably similar to our own. The prose is measured and straightforward, lending a sense of plausibility to the scientific discoveries presented. MacInnes walks the fine line between speculative wonder and reality, crafting a story that feels both otherworldly and unnervingly familiar.
The narrative unfolds slowly. This gradual development allows for subtle revelations that evoke the spirit of classic science fiction. The story's scope is prodigious, spanning from the ocean's abyss to the far reaches of space, all while exploring the inner terrain of the protagonist's personal and familial relationships.
The novel examines the limitations of human perception and understanding, presenting intriguing concepts like the horizontal existence of time in nature. However, the pacing challenges. Dialogue-heavy scenes are drawn out, and the narrator's steady tone, while contemplative, lacks emotional variation at times. Like many scientists, Leigh is not a natural talker. The plot's glacial unfolding requires patience.
"In Ascension" resists are easy explanations or resolutions. Potential alien contact remains tantalisingly ambiguous, as does much of the protagonist's personal history. The book's unwillingness to offer resolution leaves space for contemplation.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The narrative unfolds slowly. This gradual development allows for subtle revelations that evoke the spirit of classic science fiction. The story's scope is prodigious, spanning from the ocean's abyss to the far reaches of space, all while exploring the inner terrain of the protagonist's personal and familial relationships.
The novel examines the limitations of human perception and understanding, presenting intriguing concepts like the horizontal existence of time in nature. However, the pacing challenges. Dialogue-heavy scenes are drawn out, and the narrator's steady tone, while contemplative, lacks emotional variation at times. Like many scientists, Leigh is not a natural talker. The plot's glacial unfolding requires patience.
"In Ascension" resists are easy explanations or resolutions. Potential alien contact remains tantalisingly ambiguous, as does much of the protagonist's personal history. The book's unwillingness to offer resolution leaves space for contemplation.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐