Author: Vernor Vinge
Vernor Vinge has won five Hugo Awards, including one for each of his last three novels, A Fire Upon the Deep (1992), A Deepness in the Sky (1999), and Rainbow’s End (2006). Known for his rigorous hard-science approach to his science fiction, he became an iconic figure among cybernetic scientists with the publication in 1981 of his novella "True Names," which is considered a seminal, visionary work of Internet fiction. His many books also include Marooned in Realtime and The Peace War.
Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin and raised in Central Michigan, Vinge is the son of geographers. Fascinated by science and particularly computers from an early age, he has a Ph.D. in computer science, and taught mathematics and computer science at San Diego State University for thirty years. He has gained a great deal of attention both here and abroad for his theory of the coming machine intelligence Singularity.
Pedigree / Awards
2007 - Hugo Winner
2007 - Locus SF Winner
2007 - Campbell Nominated
Review
Disclosure: This is the Audio version of this novel.
Narrated by Eric Conger
Audio Length: 14 hours and 45 minutes
Vernor Vinge does not write many novels averaging one about every 7 years. But when he does they are usually a treat as they work on many levels. Rainbows End was no exception as it was awarded the 2007 Hugo Award for Best Novel.
I fell in love with this from the very beginning as it absolutely hit all the right notes. Mr. Vinge understands that a story about possible future technology is moderately interesting to most Sci-Fi readers. But he interjects a very human story and this is what sets this novel apart from most modern Sci-Fi novels. At no time does he allow the Sci-Fi elements supercede or overwhelm the story so that the technology becomes the story itself. This happens far too often in modern Sci-Fi.
One of the hardest issues with a near future story is how the author introduces the new technology advances into their story without it seeming contrived or an info dump. Mr. Vinge worked out a brilliant solution to this problem. His main character, Robert Gu, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease which obviously forced him to lose contact with people and the world him. Through some medical breakthroughs Robert is treated and mentally brought back to the point he was prior to the onset of the disease. This is a plausible explanation as Robert learns about the world operates with all the technology advances. The reader is brought along as we learn all about smart clothing, overlay contact lenses, projection avatars, communication through “silent messaging”, etc.
The personal story of Robert Gu is what makes this novel so great. Before he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, Robert was a world renowned poet who treated everyone, including his family, like crap by belittling them and making it known how superior he was to all of them. After recovering from the disease he has lost ability to write poetry because most of his malice has dissipated also. Roberts begins to learn the harm that he caused his kids and grandkids and he is determined to make amends. This is where Mr. Vinge really shines because he understands human nature and that an old dog cannot new learn tricks. Robert will always have some nastiness that constitutes his character and makes him what he is. This was the source of his great poetry. So does Robert choose his family or does he choose his talent? I like the solution that Robert comes too in the end as it is very plausible and I wish more people would have a chance to go back right the wrongs in their lives.
I am barely scratching the surface of the other themes explored in this novel. Mr. Vinge heavily explores the repercussions of high security state that constantly has its population under surveillance. So, is the rapid advance of technology ultimately good for society? Is living in fear of the next big attack beneficial or harmful? Ultimately only time will tell but its good to see a story ask some pretty tough questions about where our society is heading.
Eric Conger does a decent job of narrating the story. My favorite expressions were his old man grunts. Half the time Robert would answer with a grunt instead of a yes or a no and had me cracking up every time I heard an “um”.
Last Word
Vernor Vinge masterfully blends a brilliant Sci-Fi back drop with an extraordinarily human story. Rainbows End’s Hugo Award for Best Novel is well deserved as it combines all the necessary elements for classic and timeless story. But more importantly this novel really affected me on personal level which does not happen very often and this about the best praise I can give it.
My Rating
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