Let me start off by saying that this is an absolute brilliant novel. To
me, this novel harkens back to the great Sci-Fi books of the 1970’s and
also reminded me of the fun I had reading Robert Charles Wilson’s Spin.
By that, I mean this is a concept novel. Ms. Kress develops the big-idea
concept, leashes it in on the world and explores the ramifications. Why
this novel succeeds above others is that it is also highly
entertaining.
This story is set a near future with events taking place in the years 2020 to 2021. An alien race called the Atoners suddenly becomes known by requesting volunteers to become Witnesses. This is accomplished by setting up an untraceable website stating the following:
“We are an alien race you may call the Atoners. Ten thousand years ago we wronged humanity profoundly. We cannot undo what has been done, but we wish humanity to understand it. Therefore we request twenty-one volunteers to visit seven planets to Witness for us. We will convey each volunteer there and back in complete safety. Volunteers must speak English. Send requests for electronic applications to witness@Atoners.com.”
At first everyone thought it was joke. But when the Atoners set up a base on the moon to begin interviewing all potential witnesses, their offer is taken seriously. Millions of people apply for the job but only 21 are chosen. There are seven different planet systems with two planets each, so one Witness will be sent to each planet with one person left behind in space to monitor the two witnesses.
The novel essentially follows one group of Witnesses; Cam, Lucca and Soledad. Lucca and Cam are sent down to planets known a Kular A and Kular B. Soledad remains behind the main spaceship to monitor their progress. The Atoners have lent the explorers technology such as personal shields and a gun to keep them safe from threats. Both Lucca and Cam quickly discover human civilizations that are distinct and diverse from one another. The novel settles in comfortably while the two explore their respective worlds and continue their attempts to discover what there are supposed to witness for the Atoners.
About this point is where Ms. Kress takes a risk in her novel but I think pays off. About half way through the story the Witnesses discover the great crime that was committed by the Atoners against humanity. How the reader will react to this revelation will depend on your personal beliefs though. This discovery is taken back to Earth and exposed to the entire world. People react as people do, some go off the deep end, some don’t care, etc. The scientists look for answers while the Government deals with crisis. What makes this worse is that the Atoners suddenly disappear without explanation.
Ms. Kress is a gifted enough writer to keep the story interesting and moving forward even though she gave up the big reveal half way through the novel. To me, this makes the story more interesting to see how the characters and the world react to a huge life changing event.
What I liked: I am a big, big, big fan of this novel. This is the type of Sci-Fi that I really enjoy. The mystery of the Atoners crime and exploration of Witness to uncover this crime makes for a highly engrossing page turning novel. Like I said, it is a big idea concept novel and one that really deserves to be read.
What I didn’t like: I would have like to seen more debate about the revelation between the main the characters and what it all means. Frank, a witness introduced later in the novel, is highly religious and Lucca, who is believes there is a scientific explanation, could have provided some highly entertaining and thought provoking insight into their respective beliefs.
The ending was a little flat. After the all build up I was expecting more of bang but overall it makes sense within the context of the story. As side note, I can’t believe I didn’t guess the ending. Maybe it was one of those, it is so simple solutions that it made impossible to guess.
Last word: This novel hooked me from the first page to the very last page. The dust jacket notes that it is a Sci-Fi Essential book and for once, they are correct. As a secret a wish, I hope that Ms. Kress is planning a sequel as it would be interesting to come back to this world several hundred years later and find out was the result.
This story is set a near future with events taking place in the years 2020 to 2021. An alien race called the Atoners suddenly becomes known by requesting volunteers to become Witnesses. This is accomplished by setting up an untraceable website stating the following:
“We are an alien race you may call the Atoners. Ten thousand years ago we wronged humanity profoundly. We cannot undo what has been done, but we wish humanity to understand it. Therefore we request twenty-one volunteers to visit seven planets to Witness for us. We will convey each volunteer there and back in complete safety. Volunteers must speak English. Send requests for electronic applications to witness@Atoners.com.”
At first everyone thought it was joke. But when the Atoners set up a base on the moon to begin interviewing all potential witnesses, their offer is taken seriously. Millions of people apply for the job but only 21 are chosen. There are seven different planet systems with two planets each, so one Witness will be sent to each planet with one person left behind in space to monitor the two witnesses.
The novel essentially follows one group of Witnesses; Cam, Lucca and Soledad. Lucca and Cam are sent down to planets known a Kular A and Kular B. Soledad remains behind the main spaceship to monitor their progress. The Atoners have lent the explorers technology such as personal shields and a gun to keep them safe from threats. Both Lucca and Cam quickly discover human civilizations that are distinct and diverse from one another. The novel settles in comfortably while the two explore their respective worlds and continue their attempts to discover what there are supposed to witness for the Atoners.
About this point is where Ms. Kress takes a risk in her novel but I think pays off. About half way through the story the Witnesses discover the great crime that was committed by the Atoners against humanity. How the reader will react to this revelation will depend on your personal beliefs though. This discovery is taken back to Earth and exposed to the entire world. People react as people do, some go off the deep end, some don’t care, etc. The scientists look for answers while the Government deals with crisis. What makes this worse is that the Atoners suddenly disappear without explanation.
Ms. Kress is a gifted enough writer to keep the story interesting and moving forward even though she gave up the big reveal half way through the novel. To me, this makes the story more interesting to see how the characters and the world react to a huge life changing event.
What I liked: I am a big, big, big fan of this novel. This is the type of Sci-Fi that I really enjoy. The mystery of the Atoners crime and exploration of Witness to uncover this crime makes for a highly engrossing page turning novel. Like I said, it is a big idea concept novel and one that really deserves to be read.
What I didn’t like: I would have like to seen more debate about the revelation between the main the characters and what it all means. Frank, a witness introduced later in the novel, is highly religious and Lucca, who is believes there is a scientific explanation, could have provided some highly entertaining and thought provoking insight into their respective beliefs.
The ending was a little flat. After the all build up I was expecting more of bang but overall it makes sense within the context of the story. As side note, I can’t believe I didn’t guess the ending. Maybe it was one of those, it is so simple solutions that it made impossible to guess.
Last word: This novel hooked me from the first page to the very last page. The dust jacket notes that it is a Sci-Fi Essential book and for once, they are correct. As a secret a wish, I hope that Ms. Kress is planning a sequel as it would be interesting to come back to this world several hundred years later and find out was the result.
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