The Nature of Smoke
Anne Harris
The science in Harris’s impressive debut SF novel is soft?chaos theory and fractals are invoked in an almost mystical fashion?but the craft is solid, presenting strong action and intrigue, substantial characters and clean, vigorous prose. Magnolia, a teenager, escapes the slums of Detroit and heads to N.Y.C. There, she becomes embroiled in the schemes of Remus Rahul, the inventor of artificial life that is plant-based but humanoid and conscious. Magnolia is self-reliant, independent?but not the typical cyberpunk femme fatale. Other well-realized characters include Rahul’s aquatic creation, Tumcari, and Cid, the dreamy, pot-smoking scientist who becomes Magnolia’s lover and whose research leads to even stranger life forms. Harris largely glosses over the scientific mechanisms, but there’s sufficient speculation and futuristic detailing here to adequately background a deeply human story that hints at transhuman processes of order amid randomness.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
After inventing plant-based androids who cannot think for themselves, bioscientist Dr. Remus Rahul seeks to infuse his creations with spontaneity?but must first find a donor. Harris’s multilayered storyline includes lesbian love, chaos theory, and an infectious virus that changes everyone. This tale of future Earth is recommended for sf collections.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Details
| ISBN | 312863519 |
| Genre | Speculative Fiction |
| Publication Date | 11-Apr-01 |
| Publisher | Tom Doherty Associates |
| Format | Paperback |
| No. of Pages | 284 |
| Language | English |
| Rating | NotRated |
| BookID | 8711 |
