Robinson, Kim Stanley -- a Science Fiction Writer

Mr. Robinson is identified by The New Yorker, "as one of the greatest living science-fiction writers." He was awarded the Hugo for two of his Mars trilogy books and a Nebula for the third in the trilogy. Plus two more Nebula awards and last year the Robert Heinlein Award for his whole body of work. Oh, my goodness!

And when did I hear about him? About a month ago during an interview he did with NPR. They didn't mention all those awards. (I only mentioned here the ones that mean the most to me. He's got quite a list of them.)

During the interview they described New York 2140 as focusing on the way realistic humans might deal with the world when sea levels rise 50 feet above their current levels and the major cities are and have been flooded for several generations. And they specifically said it is not an apocalyptic view of society.

So, of course, I got on line to my personal source of all things written -- my public library -- and reserved a copy.

The book is complex, peopled with characters from all walks of life. Regular life -- a police detective, a hedge fund operator, a building super, a couple of feral pre-teens, a government/NGO activist (read social worker) and an entertainment personality. Each of whom brings their own community connections. And, of course, some unknown, nefarious speculators intent on a hostile take over of the potentially lucrative intertidal real estate where our regular folk live.

Plus an anonymous citizen who explains the City of New York, its geography, a bit of its history, and its 2140 climatic conditions. All information, I as a non-New Yorker need and am interested in. Though, let me reassure you that it's not necessary that the reader recognize the City's particulars to follow the story.

The story is fairly simple. Climate change has done the inevitable, drowning the major coastal cities of the world with New York being our particular city of interest. American society and government has continued on it merry way meaning that income inequality has escalated and the people's income continues to determine the quality of life they lead and limit their political power. The amazing part to me, is that New York continues to be a people magnet, attracting people to live there in whatever condition they can afford despite its flooding, hostile weather, poor housing, etc.

The story draws us in as the characters work together to change their society to more successfully deal with what to them is New York's normal, if difficult, condition.

There is no lantern jawed hero scientist or bosomy damsel in distress. Well, maybe the entertainment personality, but that's not all there is to her.

I like the idea that a group of regular people can change the status quo and have a chance at making a better world, albeit a seriously flawed physical one.

And you can bet I'm going to be reading much more of Kim Stanley Robinson.

image from El Periódico

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