Interference (novel)

Last updated

Interference
SueBurke Interference.jpg
First edition cover
Author Sue Burke
Cover artistJeff Rotman
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesSemiosis Duology [1]
Genre Science fiction
Publisher Tor Books
Publication date
October 22, 2019
Media type Hardback
Pages318
ISBN 978-1-250-31784-1
Preceded by Semiosis  

Interference is a 2019 science fiction novel by American writer and translator Sue Burke. It is the second novel of her Semiosis Duology series, the first being Semiosis (2018). Interference was first published in October 2019 in the United States by Tor Books. The novel takes place on the planet Pax about 100 years after the events in Semiosis when a new expedition from Earth arrives.

Contents

Plot summary

About a hundred years after the events in Semiosis, a new expedition to Pax from Earth is launched. Contact with the Pax colonists had been lost soon after they landed on the planet. On Pax the new arrivals find descendants of the original colonists living side-by-side in a glass city with alien arthropod-like Glassmakers, and Stevland, a sentient rainbow bamboo. Stevland oversees a fragile peace between the Pax humans and the Glassmakers. The Earthlings, as the new arrivals are called, interfere with this delicate balance, causing divisions in the colony and amongst themselves.

The Earthlings partake in an expedition with the Pax humans and Glassmakers to explore the plains surrounding the city. There they discover colonies of sentient corals who begin infiltrating the city's territory. The Earthlings, the Pax humans and the Glassmakers put aside their differences and unite with Stevland to fight the corals. Stevland takes remote control of one of the Earthling's heli-planes using their radio network and destroys the corals.

Once calm is restored to the city, most of the Earthlings return home with specimens of Pax's fauna and flora, including some of Stevland's seeds. The seeds are planted on Earth and grow into a young rainbow bamboo named Levanter, who becomes aware of his sentience and soon learns how to exploit it.

Background

Burke said in an interview that ideas for Interference came to her while she was writing Semiosis. Earth would want to know the fate of the mission to Pax, and she considered what impact a new mission to the planet would have on the original colonists. She also felt that the vast unexplored regions of Pax needed to be visited. Burke added that she wanted Stevland to have "an existential foe", but who or what that foe would be changed as she progressed with the novel. [2]

When asked if there were any books that were a source of inspiration for Interference, Burke cited Manuel Lacarta's biography of Lope de Aguirre, Lope de Aguirre: el loco del Amazonas, the Spanish conquistador sent down the Amazon River to locate the mythical El Dorado. She said David Attenborough's documentary series, The Private Life of Plants also influenced many aspects of both Semiosis and Interference. [2]

Reception

Reviewing Interference in SFRevu, Ernest Lilley called the book "as good" and "thought-provoking" as Semiosis. [3] He opined that the book's linear timeline, as opposed to the previous book's generation-hopping, tells each major character's story in "a more satisfying way". [3] Lilley said that while Interference "wrap[s] up the [duology] fairly well", the book's Epilogue opens up the possibility of more stories to come. [3] David Walton wrote in New York Journal of Books that Interference is, like its predecessor, "a rich and engaging exploration of different forms of intelligent life". [4] He stated that Stevland is "much more sympathetic and likeable" than any of the other characters, and "carries this novel". [4] Walton found the book's conclusion "satisfying", and added that he would like to see more from Burke about Stevland and others like him. [4]

In a review of Interference in Locus , Adrienne Martini said that genetics and their role in a species' survival are central to Burke's writing, and when she dwells on the nature versus nurture question, her stories are "gripping". [5] Martini was impressed by Stevland and his manipulation of the creatures around him for his own benefit, but felt that many of Burke's other characters tended to be "emotionally opaque". [5] Martini concluded that Interference "doesn't quite set an inviting table", although it has "a lot of thoughts to chew on". [5] Tadiana Jones was a little more critical of the book in a review in Fantasy Literature. She said that Burke keeps switching the point of view from one character to the next, which does not give the reader an opportunity to become attached to any of them. Jones added that while Pax is an intriguing planet and the book successfully conveys the dangers the characters face, she felt that Burke's prose is "merely serviceable". [6] Jones gave Interference 3/5 stars. [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Mars</i> trilogy Series of science fiction novels by Kim Stanley Robinson

The Mars trilogy is a series of science fiction novels by Kim Stanley Robinson that chronicles the settlement and terraforming of the planet Mars through the personal and detailed viewpoints of a wide variety of characters spanning almost two centuries. Ultimately more utopian than dystopian, the story focuses on egalitarian, sociological, and scientific advances made on Mars, while Earth suffers from overpopulation and ecological disaster.

<i>K-PAX</i> 1995 American science fiction novel by Gene Brewer

K-PAX is an American science fiction novel by Gene Brewer, the first in the K-PAX series. The series deals with the experiences on Earth of a being named Prot. It is written in the first person from the point of view of Prot's psychiatrist.

<i>Darkover</i> series Science fiction-fantasy book series

The Darkover series is a collection of science fiction-fantasy novels and short stories written by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The series is set on the planet of Darkover, where a group of humans have been stranded and have developed their own unique culture and society. The books focus on the conflicts between the human settlers and the native population of Darkover, as well as the struggles of the various factions on the planet. The series is known for its complex world-building and exploration of themes such as gender, sexuality, and mental illness. Occasionally, Bradley collaborated with other authors, and she also edited and published Darkover stories by other authors in a series of anthologies. After Bradley's death, the series was continued, mostly by Deborah J. Ross with the permission of the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust.

<i>The Bulls Hour</i> 1968 novel by Ivan Yefremov

The Hour of the Bull is a social science fiction novel written by Soviet author and paleontologist Ivan Yefremov in 1968. Six months after its publication in book form in 1970 Soviet authorities attempted to remove it from libraries and bookshops after realizing that it contained a sharp criticism of the current state of affairs in the USSR disguised as a critique of "Capitalism" and Chinese-style communism of that time. It was published again in the 1980s "perestrojka" and thereafter.

<i>Forge of Heaven</i> 2004 novel by C. J. Cherryh

Forge of Heaven is a science fiction novel by American science fiction and fantasy author C. J. Cherryh. It was first published in June 2004 in the United States by HarperCollins under its Eos Books imprint.

<i>The Last Theorem</i> 2008 novel by Arthur C. Clarke and Frederik Pohl

The Last Theorem is a 2008 science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke and Frederik Pohl. It was first published in the United Kingdom by HarperVoyager in July 2008, and in the United States by Del Rey Books in August 2008. The book is about a young Sri Lankan mathematician who finds a short proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, while an alien invasion of Earth is in progress.

<i>Endymion</i> (Simmons novel) 1996 science fiction novel by Dan Simmons

Endymion is the third science fiction novel by American writer Dan Simmons, first published in 1996. Part of his Hyperion Cantos fictional universe, it centers on the new characters Aenea and Raul Endymion, and was well received, like its predecessors Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion. Within a year of its release, the paperback edition had gone through five reprints. The novel was shortlisted for the 1997 Locus Award.

<i>The Stones of Nomuru</i> 1988 novel by L. Sprague de Camp and Catherine Crook de Camp

The Stones of Nomuru is a science fiction novel by American writers L. Sprague de Camp and Catherine Crook de Camp, the tenth book in the former's Viagens Interplanetarias series and the first in its subseries of stories set on the fictional planet Kukulkan. It was first published as a trade paperback by Donning/Starblaze Editions in September 1988, and as a mass market paperback by Baen Books in May 1991. An E-book edition was published by Gollancz's SF Gateway imprint on September 29, 2011 as part of a general release of de Camp's works in electronic form. It has also been translated into Italian.

<i>The Venom Trees of Sunga</i> 1992 novel by Lyon Sprague de Camp

The Venom Trees of Sunga is a science fiction novel by American writer L. Sprague de Camp, the twelfth book in his Viagens Interplanetarias series and the second in its subseries of stories set on the fictional planet Kukulkan. It was first published in paperback by Del Rey Books in November 1992. An E-book edition was published by Gollancz's SF Gateway imprint on September 29, 2011 as part of a general release of de Camp's works in electronic form.

<i>Semper Mars</i> 1998 novel by Ian Douglas

Semper Mars: Book One of the Heritage Trilogy is a military science fiction novel by American writer Ian Douglas. It is the first novel in the Heritage Trilogy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timothée de Fombelle</span> French author and playwright

Timothée de Fombelle is a French author and playwright.

Mirabile is a 1991 science fiction novel by American writer Janet Kagan. It is a fix-up of her short stories set on the planet Mirabile, which were originally published in Asimov's Science Fiction beginning in 1989; the compilation was published by Tor Books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Becky Chambers</span> American science-fiction writer

Becky Chambers is an American science fiction writer. She is the author of the Hugo Award-winning Wayfarers series as well as novellas including To Be Taught, if Fortunate and the Monk & Robot series, which begins with the Hugo Award-winning A Psalm for the Wild-Built. She is known for her imaginative world-building and character-driven stories.

<i>The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet</i> 2014 science fiction novel by Becky Chambers

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is the 2014 debut science fiction novel by Becky Chambers, set in her fictional universe the Galactic Commons. Chambers originally self-published it via a Kickstarter campaign; it was subsequently re-published by Hodder & Stoughton.

Sue Burke is an American writer and translator. She has written the science fiction novel Semiosis (2018) and its sequel, Interference (2019). Semiosis attracted favorable attention and acclaim and appeared on numerous lists of the best books of 2018.

<i>Planetfall</i> (novel) 2015 novel by Emma Newman

Planetfall is a 2015 science fiction novel by British writer Emma Newman. It was first published in the United States as a paperback original in November 2015 by Roc Books, and in the United Kingdom by Gollancz in paperback in February 2018. An audio edition of the book, narrated by Newman, was published in the United States by Blackstone Audio in November 2015, and in the United Kingdom by Orion Publishing in December 2017.

<i>Semiosis</i> (novel) 2018 science fiction novel by Sue Burke

Semiosis is a 2018 science fiction novel by American writer and translator Sue Burke. It is her debut novel and is the first book of her Semiosis Duology series. It was first published in February 2018 in the United States by Tor Books, and in August 2018 in the United Kingdom by HarperVoyager. The book was translated into French by Florence Bury, and published in France in September 2019 by Albin Michel.

<i>Before Mars</i> (novel) 2018 novel by Emma Newman

Before Mars is a 2018 science fiction novel by British writer Emma Newman. It was first published in the United States as a paperback original in April 2018 by Ace Books, and in the United Kingdom by Gollancz. An audio edition of the book was published in April 2018 in the United States by Tantor Audio, and in the United Kingdom by Orion Publishing.

<i>Mars Plus</i> 1994 science fiction novel by Frederik Pohl and Thomas T. Thomas

Mars Plus is a 1994 science fiction novel by American writer Frederik Pohl and Thomas T. Thomas. It is the sequel to Pohl's 1976 novel Man Plus, which is about a cyborg, Roger Torraway, who is designed to operate in the harsh Martian environment, so that humans can start to colonize Mars. Mars Plus is set fifty years after the first novel. Young Demeter Coghlan travels to Mars, now settled by humans and cyborgs, and finds herself amidst a rebellion by the colonists.

<i>Children of Earth and Sky</i> 2016 novel by Guy Gavriel Kay

Children of Earth and Sky is a historical fantasy novel by Canadian writer Guy Gavriel Kay published in 2016. It was the first novel he wrote after receiving the Order of Canada.

References

  1. ↑ "Semiosis Duology". Macmillan Publishers . Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Semel, Paul (October 21, 2019). "Exclusive Interview: Interference Author Sue Burke". paulsemel.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 Lilley, Ernest. "Interference (Semiosis Duology) by Sue Burke". SFRevu. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Walton, David. "Interference: A Novel (Semiosis Duology)". New York Journal of Books. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 Martini, Adrienne (May 14, 2020). "Adrienne Martini Reviews Interference by Sue Burke". Locus . ISSN   0047-4959 . Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Jones, Tadiana (May 15, 2020). "Interference: Cultures collide on an alien world". Fantasy Literature. Retrieved July 19, 2020.

Works cited

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.