Eyes of the Calculor

Last updated
Eyes of the Calculor
Eyes of the Calculor (Sean McMullen novel - cover art).jpg
First edition cover
Author Sean McMullen
LanguageEnglish
Series Greatwinter
Genre Science fiction
Publication date
2001
Preceded by Souls in the Great Machine, The Miocene Arrow  

Eyes of the Calculor is a post-apocalyptic novel by Australian writer Sean McMullen, published in 2001. It is the third part of the Greatwinter trilogy.

Contents

Plot summary

Mirrorsun, which orbits Earth and prevents electrical machines from functioning, has been defunct for some time. However, when it comes back to life with a vengeance, the new Highliber must reform the Calculor, a large computer whose components are human beings. At the same time, Americans are working with an underground group to bring their airplanes and weapons to Australia. Can the Highliber and the Overmayor of Rochester, the capital of Australia, stop the American technology from destroying their way of life?

Literary significance and reception

Jackie Cassady in her review for the Library Journal said that "McMullen's sf epic examines the implications of low technology and religious idealism set against a world in the throes of transformation." [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zora Neale Hurston</span> American author, anthropologist, filmmaker (1891–1960)

Zora Neale Hurston was an American author, anthropologist, and filmmaker. She portrayed racial struggles in the early-1900s American South and published research on hoodoo. The most popular of her four novels is Their Eyes Were Watching God, published in 1937. She also wrote more than 50 short stories, plays, and essays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U2</span> Irish rock band

U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin, formed in 1976. The group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.. Initially rooted in post-punk, U2's musical style has evolved throughout their career, yet has maintained an anthemic quality built on Bono's expressive vocals and the Edge's chiming, effects-based guitar sounds. Bono's lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery, focus on personal and sociopolitical themes. Popular for their live performances, the group have staged several ambitious and elaborate tours over their career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis</span> First Lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963

Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis was an American socialite, writer, photographer, and book editor who served as the first lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963, as the wife of President John F. Kennedy. A popular first lady, she endeared the American public with her devotion to her family, dedication to the historic preservation of the White House, the campaigns she led to preserve and restore historic landmarks and architecture along with her interest in American history, culture and arts. During her lifetime, she was regarded as an international icon for her unique fashion choices, and her fluency in French, Italian and Spanish made her very popular abroad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean McMullen</span>

Sean Christopher McMullen is an Australian science fiction and fantasy author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bette Davis Eyes</span> 1981 single by Kim Carnes

"Bette Davis Eyes" is a song written and composed by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974. It was recorded by DeShannon that year but made popular by American singer Kim Carnes in 1981 when it spent nine non-consecutive weeks at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It won the 1981 Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

Geoffrey Giuliano is an American author, radio personality, and film actor, best known for his biographies of the Beatles members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, and of musician Pete Townshend. He is also known for his involvement in the McLibel case. In 2021 he garnered international attention by appearing in the role of VIP four in Netflix's series Squid Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum</span> Presidential library and museum for U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, located in Springfield, Illinois

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum documents the life of the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln, and the course of the American Civil War. Combining traditional scholarship with 21st-century showmanship techniques, the museum ranks as one of the most visited presidential libraries. Its library, in addition to housing an extensive collection on Lincoln, also houses the collection of the Illinois State Historical Library, founded by the state in 1889. The library and museum is located in the state capital of Springfield, Illinois, and is overseen as an agency of state government. It is not affiliated with the U.S. National Archives and its system of libraries.

George Reginald Turner was an Australian writer and critic, best known for the science fiction novels written in the later part of his career. His first science fiction story and novel appeared in 1978, when he was in his early sixties. By this point, however, he had already achieved success as a mainstream novelist, including a Miles Franklin Award, and as a literary critic.

Chris McHugh is an American musician. He began his career as the drummer of Christian rock band White Heart from 1986 to 1989. He also worked in the recording of several of their later albums.

The Mammoth Trilogy is a series of books by hard science fiction author Stephen Baxter. The books in it were published between 1999 and 2001. It contains the novels Silverhair, Longtusk and Icebones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Collins (fantasy writer)</span> Australian writer and editor

Paul Collins is an Australian writer and editor who specializes in science fiction and fantasy.

Charles Leslie Barrett was an Australian naturalist, journalist, author and ornithologist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silvio Bedini</span> American historian

Silvio A. Bedini was an American historian, specialising in early scientific instruments. He was Historian Emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution, where he served on the professional staff for twenty-five years, retiring in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rónán Mullen</span> Irish politician (born 1970)

Rónán Thomas Mullen is an Irish senator and former delegate to the Council of Europe. He is the leader of the Human Dignity Alliance, an anti-abortion political party formed in 2018. He was elected by the National University Seanad constituency in July 2007 and re-elected in 2011, 2016 and 2020. He has topped the poll in every NUI Seanad election since 2011. Mullen is a frequent media commentator on social and political topics. The first National University of Ireland senator appointed to the Council of Europe, he received international coverage for his role in defeating the controversial McCafferty Report which sought to limit the right to conscientious objection for medical staff in the case of abortions.

<i>The Miocene Arrow</i> 2000 novel by Sean McMullen

The Miocene Arrow is a post-apocalyptic novel by Australian writer Sean McMullen. It is the middle book of the Greatwinter trilogy.

Jeffrey John McMullen is an Australian journalist and author and television presenter. He was a foreign correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for almost two decades (1966–1984), and later joined the Australian version of 60 Minutes (1984–2000). He has written numerous articles and several books, and is known for championing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

<i>Baseball Card Adventures</i> Novel series by Dan Gutman

The Baseball Card Adventures is a novel series written by Dan Gutman. There are 12 books in the series, published by HarperCollins between 1997 and 2015. The books feature a boy, Joe Stoshack, who can travel through time when he touches old baseball cards. When he holds a baseball card, he feels a tingling sensation, and when it gets strong, is transported to the year that card was made and somewhere near the ballplayer on the card. Later he discovers that this power also works on very old photographs. He tries to use this power wisely, and he attempts to change history several times, but the result is always something different from his original goal.

Australia, unlike Europe, does not have a long history in the genre of science fiction. Nevil Shute's On the Beach, published in 1957, and filmed in 1959, was perhaps the first notable international success. Though not born in Australia, Shute spent his latter years there, and the book was set in Australia. It might have been worse had the imports of American pulp magazines not been restricted during World War II, forcing local writers into the field. Various compilation magazines began appearing in the 1960s and the field has continued to expand into some significance. Today Australia has a thriving SF/Fantasy genre with names recognised around the world. In 2013 a trilogy by Sydney-born Ben Peek was sold at auction to a UK publisher for a six-figure deal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Queensland Press</span>

Established in 1948, University of Queensland Press (UQP) is an Australian publishing house.

Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years was a 2001 exhibition that was presented by the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The event was timed to mark the 40th anniversary of her "emergence as America’s first lady." Organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, the exhibition was devoted to exploring the former First Lady's iconic style and impact on the fashion world.

References

  1. Cassada, Jackie (October 15, 2001). "Eyes of the Calculor (Book Review)". Library Journal. 126 (17): 113. ISSN   0363-0277.