The Cassini Division by Ken MacLeod, a Review
This is an excellent book.
Hmm, perhaps thats a little too short for a review…
This is the first Ken MacLeod book I’ve read, but it certainly won’t be the last. “The Cassini Division” is a sequel of sorts to his previous book “The Stone Canal”. That is to say its set in the same universe (err parallel universe… sort of) and features some of the characters from the previous book.
Buy The Cassini Division
It can, however, be read on its own without any difficulty. This is in fact what I did. The story itself is simple. The Cassini Division, is a sort of elite earth defence force which was set up to deal with the post-humans who have in the past attacked earth using viruses. Now the post-humans show signs of returning and the Cassini Division has to decide what to do about it. They also have to consider the non-conformists who escaped the post-humans via a wormhole into the future. Okay, I lied. Its not simple. It is very interesting though.
MacLeod paints a very interesting Earth. Very different to the ones we’re used to seeing in SF. For a start some varient of socialism has become the predominent political ideology and money or bartering is very very rare. Now people just take what they need and give what they don’t need.
The author takes the time to justify this apparently huge swing in world politics both in terms of how it happened and how it is sustainable.
Tou may find some of the characters casually stating certain views as though thereis no alternative a little annoying, but it is realistic and MacLeod wisely has a few characters around who take a contrary view.
And don’t go thinking that MacLeod is advocating one particular vision on the future. The interaction between the Earth characters and New Mars when they get there, is quite entertaining.
As well as a very intriguing political set up, MacLeod also throughs some good scientific ideas the readers way. I particularly liked the fast folk, or post-humans.
The concept of using virtual reality as some sort of speeded up evolutionary test bed is rather neat. Blowing up Ganymede isn’t too shabby either.
I really can’t recommend this book or author strongly enough. On finishing it I went out and bought the previous book straight away.
Eoghann Irving is amongst other things the creator and Editor of Solar Flare. He has a life long interest in all forms of science fiction and fantasy and a pressing need to share this interest with anyone who will listen. Find out more at his personal website eoghann.com..
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