Ship Of Fools is the kind of science fiction novel I always hope to find.
It has all the elements I like, and at each step of the way, never let me down.
Often science fiction becomes about conflict, like a war novel in space, or a western in space - it could be set anywhere and because it's on another planet it's Sci-fi. The other common theme is political, where the struggle for the seat of power is a reflection of many other novels, but since they are aliens, it's Sci-fi.
The better science fiction I have read is mind expanding and deals with themes of growing beyond our mental and physical boundaries into an unknown space. Throw in a mysterious monolith or ghost starship and I am happy.
Ship Of Fools is one of the best I have read. Entertaining, with just the right balance of religion, politics, physical struggle, romance, camaraderie, and a dangerous mystery.
The great starship Argonos has been travelling the universe for hundreds of years, searching for signs of life. No one knows how long, with generations of humans being born, living, and dying on the ship.
Bartolomeo Aguilera introduces himself, as he wanders around the massive structures inside the ship. He was born with a club foot, and with short vestigial arms right out of his shoulders. When he was old enough for permanent prosthetics, he chose a shining metal and plastic exo-skelton which helps him get around. Not a problem, he just chooses to celebrate his differences. The other inhabitants reside on the upper levels and control the ship, while the downsiders work to maintain it. There is a growing revolt which Bartolomeo gets caught up in, serving some time.
There is the captain, a thankless job no one wants. There is the Bishop, the religious leader who sees his job as a leader, though he doe not believe in God. Par is a dwarf who befriends Bartolomeo and has his back. And there is Father Veronica, a church council member, and she becomes a trusted friend.
One of the first discoveries is a new planet they name Antioch which may hold life. When they investigate, they find a deserted city - and worse. There is sign of a great struggle with rooms of hanging human skeletons. At the same time, a beacon is activated into space, and they follow it to see where it leads. Travelling into deep space they discover it's origin is a massive spaceship, much larger than even the Argonos and dead silent. Was it from the survivors of Antioch, or the invaders? They begin to explore the ship in shifts, discovering strange mysteries inside - the rooms with gravity, the odd configuration of the ship, breathable air - and a lone survivor kept like a prisoner!
They devise a plan to tow it to an inhabited planet and once the two ships are connected, it is clear that was a mistake. I am not going to spoil the surprises for you. The mystery is slowly revealed and satisfying all the way, with just the right amount of tension and excitement. The ending wrapped up exactly like I would have wanted, which was a real treat.
Richard Paul Russo is a winner of the Philip K. Dick Award, and his writing is very similar in tone. Engaging and original, while provoking new thought. I would also compare it to 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was a great adventure with mind expanding ideas.
I found I couldn't put this down once it was in my hand, and I stayed up late finishing it. I also went out right away and bought another Russo book The Rosetta Codex. Nice to discover a new author, and I highly recommend it.
2001 / Tradeback / 370 pages
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